Vet-Approved: 17 Key Symptoms Indicating Your Cat Is Sick

Unlike children or humans, pets cannot speak to tell us when something is not quite right. On top of that, cats are professional “disease maskers.” As part of their survival strategy, cats have evolved to hide any sign of disease. Showing illness makes a wild animal vulnerable to predators and members of the same species competing for resources. This characteristic is still present even in modern house cats.

Since it is not always easy to know when your cat may be sick, learning to recognize signs of disease is a crucial part of owning cats. One of the worst mistakes a cat owner can make is waiting to see the signs of illness pass because in the case of sick cats, if you notice it today, tomorrow might be too late.

Know Your Cat

Knowing your cat’s personality, physical aspects, routines, and behavior can help you catch early signs that something is not quite well. Being observant and familiar with your cat’s normal state is the first step in recognizing the signs that your cat might be sick. In the following guide, we will review 17 signs, going from very obvious to not so obvious, and give you tips on how to improve your level of awareness of what is normal for your cat.

17 Signs That Your Cat May Be Sick

1. Cat Refusing to Eat

A cat that is not accepting any food clearly indicatesthat something is not right. Although slight changes in appetite can be considered normal, a cat refusing to eat needs attention. Cats not eating will tapper on their fat reserves for energy and develop a dangerous condition called hepatic lipidosis, especially if they are overweight. If your cat is not eating, don’t hesitate and take it to the vet before the case complicates.