Typical signs of a healthy cat

When you contact your veterinarian, be sure to ask your questions and report any concerns about your cat’s health. This information will help you identify issues that need to be discussed with your veterinarian.

What is considered normal

Eyes. Should be bright and clear. Report any problems with your cat’s eyes to your veterinarian.

Ears. Should be clean, free of discharge, odor or redness. If left untreated, ear problems can lead to pain and deafness.

Oral cavity. The smell should be fresh. Gums are pink. There should be no tartar or plaque on the teeth. There should be no ulcers and growths in the mouth and on the lips.

Wool. Should be clean and shiny.

The weight. The normal weight of an adult cat is 5 kg. If you notice your cat is overweight, ask your veterinarian for advice on how to properly feed your cat to maintain a healthy weight.

Urinary bladder and intestines. The chair should be normal, urination regular. Report changes to your cat’s frequency of urination or bowel movements and consistency of urine or stool to your veterinarian immediately.

What is considered abnormal

Diarrhea. It can be caused by many different factors, including bacteria, viruses, internal parasites, toxic substances, overeating, or psychological disorders. Call your veterinarian if there is blood in the stool, if the stool is excessively large and watery, if your cat’s stomach is collapsed or swollen, or if the diarrhea continues for more than 24 hours.

Constipation. Like diarrhea, constipation can be caused by many different things, including ingestion of hair, bones, or foreign objects, illness, or insufficient fluid intake. Your veterinarian may recommend blood tests, x-rays, or other tests to diagnose the cause.

Vomiting. Pets can vomit from time to time, but frequent or persistent vomiting is not normal. Call your veterinarian if vomiting occurs more than five times within a few hours, is very profuse, contains blood, is accompanied by diarrhea or abdominal pain.

Urinary disorders. Difficulty urinating or urine with blood may indicate a disease-causing urinary tract infection. Contact your veterinarian immediately.