August 14, 2022
Cats are notorious for being able to hide pain and illness very well. As cats ages faster than humans, a lot can happen in a short space of time but by monitoring your cat closely, you can help to identify any changes sooner and get them the help they need.
The team at Bayswater Vets have some advice for cat owners on how to spot common cat health concerns at home in between annual and 6-monthly vet checks.
If you have any concerns about your cat’s health right now,
Common cat health problems
Vet Adam Maxton lists common ailments that affect cats below:
- Dental disease
- Skin problems
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Joint disease/Osteoarthritis
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Urinary problems
- Cancer
Many of these ailments can affect cats at any stage in life, and some are more likely to affect them in their older years. Adam explains that equally you should not overlook any symptoms whatever age your pet is. Some of the most common symptoms of something changing can be:
- Behaviour changes
- Toileting changes
- Appetite changes
- Water intake changes
- Weight loss/gain
- Skin/coat changes
By regularly checking over your cat at home, you can help monitor for changes but also learn what is normal for them. Adam advises performing this 6-point cat checklist regularly at home to spot any irregularities:
6-point cat checklist
- Nose – clean, clear, and subtly moist
- Eyes – bright and clear; no discharge or redness around the eyes
- Mouth – healthy looking teeth with no breakages or tartar build up, and healthy pink gums
- Ears – clean and clear with no discharge, swelling, nasty smells, or constantly scratching
- Coat/skin – shiny healthy coat with no dandruff, parasites, bald patches, lumps, or bumps
- Weight – healthy lean weight; can feel rib cage but not see it; can see a defined waist
If you spot any changes on your cat that you are concerned about, it is best to get them checked by Adam or any of the Vets at our Alexander Street surgery. The chances are it is something simple, but it is better to get it looked at and get your cat the treatment they need.
