You can assess body condition by feeling gently along the ribs. Weight changes often go unnoticed because of a cat's thick coat. If your cat goes to the food dish and then backs away from it without eating, nausea may be the source. Many other diseases cause both appetite and weight loss. Cats with hyperthyroidism or diabetes mellitus can lose weight despite good appetites. If food and water intake is questionable, clients can measure the food and water given, and then measure what remains after 24 hours to get a more accurate picture of actual consumption.Ī change in weight does not necessarily correlate with a change in appetite.
Increased water intake can be an early indicator of thyroid problems, kidney disease, diabetes or other conditions. Increased food consumption can be caused by diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism or other health problems.Ĭhanges in water consumption may be more difficult to observe, especially in cats that spend time outdoors or drink from toilets and sinks. Decreased food intake can be a sign of several disorders, ranging from poor dental health to other, more serious conditions. Look for changes, such as a decrease or an increase in consumption and how the cat chews its food. If your cat is sleeping more than usual or has discomfort laying down and getting up, this may be a sign of underlying disease.Ĭontrary to popular belief, most cats are not "finicky" eaters. This is normal, but much of that sleeping is "catnapping." A cat should respond quickly to usual stimuli, such as the owner walking into the room or cat food being prepared. The average adult cat may spend 16 to 18 hours per day sleeping. The key to differentiating abnormal lethargy from normal napping is knowing your cat's sleeping patterns. Changes in activity warrant a visit to The Cat Hospital. More activity is often caused by hyperthyroidism. It's important to understand cats don't usually slow down just because they are old. Discomfort from systemic illnesses can also lead to a decrease in activity. As cats age, there is increased risk for arthritis. For example, a cat may attack an individual who causes it pain, such as a person combing over a cat's arthritic hips or brushing a diseased tooth.Ī decrease or increase in activity can be a sign of a medical of condition. They may also signal pain, which can cause aggression. Changes in those interactions may signal problems such as disease, fear or anxiety. Signs include straining in the litter box with little or no results, crying when urinating and frequent attempts to urinate.Ĭats are social animals they enjoy interaction with their human family and often with other pets. Otherwise, fatal complications could develop. Once identified, the cat must receive veterinary care as soon as possible. A blockage is treatable, but timing is critical. It can also be a sign of arthritis, which makes it difficult for the cat to get into the litter box.īlockage of the urinary tract signals a veterinary emergency. It is important to understand that inappropriate urination and defecation often accompany an underlying medical condition and do not occur "to get back at the owner." A cat that is urinating inappropriately may have any number of conditions associated with the behavior, including lower urinary tract disease, kidney disease, urinary tract infection and diabetes mellitus. The American Association of Feline Practitioners and Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica developed this information for cat owners.
0 kommentar(er)
