A Cat Parent’s Warning!
If you are a cat lover, you know each cat has a unique personality. You also know your cat’s personality best. Good appetite, regular exercise and grooming play an important role in your pet’s health and support a happy personality.
Sudden changes in cats’ daily behaviour may be an early indicator of potential health problems; so too changes in their physical state. Go for kitten insurance so that you could upgrade it to cheap cat insurance later.
It would be best if you purchase an affordable pet insurance while your kitty hasn’t developed pre-existing conditions yet. Taking this step early helps you exploit cheap cat insurance so your pet gets top quality medical care in the future.
For example, you should always take the changes in your cat’s appetite or food intake seriously. A typical house cat weighs between 8 and 12 pounds, something your vet will measure during the annual check up. Keep a close eye on this.
Why? A sudden loss of appetite can cause your pet to lose weight, and appetite loss is an indication of a health issue. The time to act is before your pet’s weight loss becomes severe. Loss of appetite can be a symptom of various diseases, from poor oral health to kidney disease, pancreatitis or hyperparathyroidism. If your cat is not interested in food for a long time, go to the vet. They will have the know-how and equipment to uncover the diagnosis and propose treatment options.
Cats are often good at controlling their water intake, so if you discover your cat is “drinking excessively”, the reason behind such behaviour may be due to:
- Diabetes
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Chronic kidney disease
These are health issues that also need to be looked at by a professional ASAP and treatment applied.
If your cat is exposed to high temperatures every day, ensure it has enough drinking water and an excellent place to avoid direct sunlight. Cats don’t sweat like humans to cool their bodies. Instead, they rely on panting and hydration to maintain a safe body temperature. If your cat shows excessive thirst despite having plenty of access to clean water, see your vet to rule out possible serious health problems.
Cats are known for their passion for grooming, so if you notice a change in your cat’s grooming habits, this may be a sign of a problem.
- Obesity – Some overweight cats have difficulty touching their entire body when grooming.
- Arthritis – Stiff joints can cause decreased mobility and pain, which can make your cat less likely to clean hard-to-reach areas.
- Mouth pain – Oral discomfort caused by toothache or gum infection can make your cat reluctant to groom its fur correctly.
- Lethargy – When cats suddenly lose interest in daily activities like grooming their fur, they may have an underlying disease. If you notice a change in your cat’s grooming habits, or if your pet suddenly stops grooming thoroughly, make an appointment with your vet.
Litter box habits are also a good indicator of the cat’s health. Not using the litter box or having a bowel movement or urination outside the litter box can signify a health problem. If you notice your cat is not using the litter box, it may have a urinary tract infection or obstruction.
Elimination of waste is a primary function of living organisms. If your cat suddenly has difficulty urinating, makes a sound when urinating, is thirsty and has no urine, or shows signs of lethargy, see the veterinarian immediately. If left untreated, urinary tract problems can become severe.
Affordable pet insurance is a plan you can subscribe to in protecting your pet in times of medical need. There are a range of plan types to choose from – what’s best for you and your pet comes down to your unique needs.
Compare pet insurance carefully and buy cheap cat insurance that satisfies those needs so you can get your pet high quality care when they really need it.
