Q&A for How to Know if Your Cat Is Sick

Excessive meowing or a sore throat may cause your cat to lose his voice, but this is uncommon. If your cat seems unwell and has lost his voice, please take him to see a vet.

If you cat is female and not spayed, then this could be a sign she is in heat. Female cats in heat cry as if distressed, push their bottoms in the air, and wag the tail to one side if you scratch her near the hips.

There are lots of different flea products on the market to choose from so it can seem confusing. Products containing fipronil or selamectin as the active ingredient have been widely tested as safe for cats and deadly for fleas so these are good to use. Be very careful only to use a product marked for use in cats, as many of the dog products are toxic to our feline friends.

Not if your cat is healthy, but it might cause your cat to gain weight because it is higher in calories. If your cat has a kidney problem, then the higher protein count of the kitten food can also cause problems.

Nothing, unless it has been prescribed by your cat’s veterinarian. Never give human medications to your cat. If your cat seems sick and/or if she has stopped eating, then take her to see a vet. Wipe away any discharge from your cat’s eyes and nose with a damp piece of cotton wool. Provide a warm bed, and try hand feeding her some warm wet food if she isn't eating well.

The gold standard is to use a rectal thermometer and take the cat's temperature. Anything above 39.2° C is raised above normal, with 39.5° C upwards considered a fever.

A dying cat may often hide away and seek a solitary place. In addition, they are unlikely to eat and will quickly become dehydrated. Check for this by lifting the scruff and letting go. If it sinks back slowly, the cat is dehydrated.

The symptoms of a cold in a cat are similar to those in people (although the bugs are different). This includes sneezing, runny eyes, a snotty nose, and difficulty swallowing.