Cats are notoriously good at hiding pain and illness, so it can be difficult to know when they need help. However, there are some warning signs that your cat may be crying out for help, and it's important for owners to be able to recognise them. Here are three key signs to look out for:
1. Sudden changes in behaviour or routine: This could include your cat becoming more sluggish and drowsy, or withdrawing and hiding from interactions.
2. Changes in appetite or thirst: A decreased appetite can be a sign of a serious health issue. Increased thirst can indicate a disease such as diabetes, kidney disease, or hyperthyroidism.
3. Repeated vomiting and diarrhoea: While it's normal for cats to vomit hairballs occasionally, frequent vomiting could indicate a bigger problem, especially if it's paired with diarrhoea and changes in eating, drinking, and litter box habits.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Changes in appetite or thirst | Loss of appetite, decreased appetite, abrupt increase in appetite |
Changes in behaviour or routine | Hiding or withdrawing, sudden decrease in activity, low-pitched yowling, sudden aggression, overgrooming |
Changes in litter box habits | Avoiding the litter box or using it more often |
Changes in sleeping habits | Sleeping all the time, changes in sleep position |
Changes in body language | Hunched body, tense muzzle, flattened ears, half-closed eyes |
Changes in gait | Limping, trouble jumping, lying down |
Changes in vocalisation | Increased meowing, growling, hissing |
Changes in weight | Fluctuating weight, weight loss, weight gain |
Changes in coat | Dullness, hair loss, mats |
What You'll Learn
Changes in appetite or thirst
Changes in your cat's appetite or thirst can be a warning sign that they are unwell and in need of help. It is important to monitor your cat's eating and drinking habits and to be aware of what is normal for them. If you notice any significant changes, it could be a sign of depression, stress, sickness, or an underlying medical condition.
Decreased Appetite
A loss of appetite can be a red flag, especially if your cat is foregoing their favourite food or treats. If your cat is usually a keen eater but suddenly loses interest in food or stops eating altogether, it could indicate an underlying health issue. It is important to note that missing one meal is not always a concern, especially if they are already full from snacking throughout the day. However, if the lack of appetite continues, it is time to schedule a visit to the vet.
Abrupt Increase in Appetite
On the other hand, an abrupt increase in appetite can also be a cause for concern. If your cat suddenly starts consuming more food than usual, it could be a sign of hyperthyroidism, especially if they are not gaining weight. Other signs that often accompany this include vomiting, GI distress, and a sickly appearance. Bloodwork can reveal high thyroid hormone (T4) levels, confirming this diagnosis.
Increased Thirst
Cats typically do not drink a lot of water, as their food usually meets their moisture needs, especially if they are fed canned food. However, a sudden increase in water consumption could indicate diabetes. Increased thirst is your cat's body attempting to dilute the glucose concentration in their blood. Other signs of diabetes include appetite changes, weight loss, and inappropriate elimination.
Weight Changes
Fluctuating weight, whether gain or loss, is always concerning and could indicate an underlying health problem. Weight loss is more urgent in the short term, as it could be a sign of illness, depression, or stress, whereas weight gain is usually more harmful over time, leading to obesity. If you notice any sudden weight changes, it is important to make a vet appointment for a check-up.
Vomiting and Diarrhea
While it is normal for cats to vomit a hairball occasionally, frequent vomiting could indicate a bigger problem, especially if it is paired with diarrhea and changes in eating, drinking, and litter box habits. There are various potential causes, including gastrointestinal issues (such as intestinal blockage, parasites, food sensitivity, allergy, or inflammatory bowel disease) and non-gastrointestinal causes (such as pancreatitis, kidney disease, or even cancer). Some of these conditions are medical emergencies, so it is crucial to contact your veterinarian if your cat has vomited several times in a row and has not eaten or drunk anything in 12 hours.
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Repeated vomiting and diarrhoea
If your cat is experiencing repeated vomiting and diarrhoea, it is essential to monitor their condition closely. Note the frequency, colour, and volume of the vomit, as well as the frequency, colour, consistency, and the presence of blood in the diarrhoea. These observations will be crucial in determining the underlying cause of your cat's symptoms.
There are various potential causes of repeated vomiting and diarrhoea in cats, including gastrointestinal issues such as intestinal blockage, parasites, food sensitivity or allergies, and inflammatory bowel disease. Intestinal blockage can be life-threatening and requires immediate veterinary attention. If you suspect your cat has swallowed a foreign object, do not attempt to remove it as this can cause further damage. Instead, seek emergency veterinary care.
Non-gastrointestinal causes of repeated vomiting and diarrhoea can include pancreatitis, kidney disease, or even cancer. Some of these conditions are considered medical emergencies, so it is crucial to contact your veterinarian, especially if your cat has vomited several times in a row or is unable to keep food or water down.
To support your cat at home while experiencing these symptoms, ensure they have access to clean, fresh water at all times to prevent dehydration. Provide a highly digestible diet in small, frequent portions. You can offer a prescription intestinal diet or boiled rice or potato with cooked white fish, chicken, turkey, or egg, with a ratio of 1/3 protein to 2/3 carbohydrates. Additionally, consider using feline electrolyte and probiotic supplements to support your cat's digestive health.
If your cat's symptoms persist beyond 12 hours or if you notice blood in the vomit or diarrhoea, contact your veterinarian immediately. Early veterinary intervention is crucial to prevent severe dehydration and potential fatal complications.
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Litter box issues
Cats are clean creatures, and any change in their litter box habits can be a telltale sign that something is wrong. However, this may not always be a cause for concern. For example, your cat might be expressing their displeasure at a dirty litter box. But if their litter box is clean and they continue to relieve themselves outside of it, this could be a sign of a urinary tract obstruction, which is a life-threatening condition that requires urgent medical attention.
If your cat is displaying signs of discomfort, such as straining and crying while producing only small amounts of urine or excessively grooming their genital area, it's crucial to contact your veterinarian immediately.
- Changes in their routine: Cats are creatures of habit, and they will let you know if something has disrupted their routine. A change in their litter box habits could be a sign of displeasure at a new type of litter or unfamiliar smells.
- Medical conditions: Underlying medical issues such as cystitis, a urinary tract infection, or arthritis could be causing your cat pain and discomfort, making it difficult for them to use the litter box.
- Stress and anxiety: Cats can be particular about their litter box preferences, and any changes to their environment or routine may cause them to avoid the litter box. Ensure the litter box is placed in a quiet, accessible location, and consider providing multiple litter boxes in different areas of your home.
- Displeasure or protest: Cats are known to use their litter boxes to express their annoyance or stress. If you've recently changed their litter, litter box type, or location, they may be avoiding the litter box as a form of protest.
If you notice any changes in your cat's litter box habits, it's important to monitor the situation and consult your veterinarian if the issue persists or is accompanied by other behavioural or health changes.
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Changes in sleeping habits
Cats are notoriously good at hiding pain and illness, so it can be hard to know when they need help. However, one sign that your cat is crying for help is a change in sleeping habits.
Cats typically sleep between 12 and 16 hours a day, depending on their age and activity level. If your cat is napping more than usual but is eating and playing normally, there may be no cause for concern. However, if your cat seems extremely lethargic and loses interest in playing, this could indicate an underlying health issue.
For example, a change in sleeping habits could be a sign of hypothyroidism, diabetes, or kidney disease. It could also be a sign of arthritis, especially in older cats. Arthritic cats may find it too painful to climb into their bed or litter box, so they may sleep more on the floor. They may also be restless due to pain and, therefore, sleep less than usual.
If your cat is sleeping more than usual, pay attention to other changes in their behaviour and routine. For example, are they eating and drinking normally? Are they still interested in playing and exploring? Are they over-grooming or hiding more than usual?
If you notice any other changes in addition to a change in sleeping habits, it's important to consult your veterinarian. They can help determine if your cat is in pain or suffering from an illness and provide appropriate treatment.
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Changes in behaviour
Cats are complicated creatures and experts at hiding pain, stress, or discomfort. However, they do offer subtle signs when they need help or attention. Here are some changes in behaviour that could indicate your cat is crying for help:
- Sudden and obvious changes in behaviour: For example, if your cat is usually energetic and lively, a sudden shift towards sluggishness and drowsiness could indicate something is wrong.
- Increased vocalisations: While some cats are chatty and others quiet, a distressed cat may yowl or howl loudly, indicating a potential health problem requiring urgent attention.
- Changes in appetite or thirst: A decreased appetite can be a sign of a serious health issue. Increased thirst can indicate a disease such as diabetes, kidney disease, or hyperthyroidism.
- Changes in sleeping habits: While cats usually sleep between 12 and 16 hours a day, sleeping more than usual could indicate health conditions like hypothyroidism, diabetes, or kidney disease.
- Changes in body language: Strange or different body language could be due to a painful condition. This includes a change in facial expression, such as half-closed eyes, flattened ears, or a tense muzzle. Pain can also cause a cat to change its body posture, such as hunching or crouching close to the ground.
- Decreased interest in positive interaction: A cat in pain is likely to be less interested in positive activities such as playing, going outdoors, or exploring. They may feel too unwell or too distracted by pain.
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Frequently asked questions
The three main warning signs that your cat is crying for help are: sudden changes in behaviour or routine, hiding or withdrawing, and changes in appetite or thirst.
If you notice any of these warning signs in your cat, it is important to consult a veterinarian as soon as possible. These changes could indicate that your cat is sick, in pain, depressed, stressed, or otherwise struggling.
Cats may exhibit certain behaviours or physical symptoms if they are in pain. These can include vocalisations such as howling, yowling, hissing, or growling, as well as changes in body language such as a hunched body posture, tense facial expression, or flattened ears.
In addition to the three main warning signs, other signs that your cat may be crying for help include: low-pitched yowling, sudden decrease in activity, changes in the condition of their coat, sudden aggression, overgrooming, and litter box issues.