How To tell If Your Cat Is Secretly Sick..

Change in appetite.

Eating too much or too little can potentially signify disease.  If you notice a change either way, should notify your veterinarian.   There are countless diseases that can cause overeating or losing one's appetite.  Your veterinarian's job will be to investigate why. This typically starts with blood work, x rays and ultrasound. 

Stinky breath

A foul odor coming from  your kitty's mouth can mean gum disease or tooth decay.  Brushing your cat's teeth is a good way to decrease those risks.  Imagine if you went 5,10,15 years without brushing your teeth!  In addition breath that smells like ammonia can be a sign of kidney disease.

Eliminating outside of the litter box

Causes of this annoying habit van be behavioral or indicate a disease.  Discuss your pet's symptoms with your veterinarian to rule out a bladder infection or urinary blockage before treating this as a behavior issue.


Weight change


Weight loss can be an indication of thyroid disease or worse, cancer. 
Weight gain or a growing belly can be related to various conditions such as pyometra (a uterus full of pus). 

Obesity by itself is detrimental to your pet's health, it an lead to arthritis, tumors and a shorter lifespan.


Behavior change

If your normally social kitty suddenly becomes antisocial, there may be a medical reason. 
A classic sign of illness is hiding: kitty feels bad, tries to hide from predators and hides in a closet or under a bed.



Grooming change

Lack of grooming can cause a dull or greasy hair coat, which can indicate skin disease or other problems.



Activity change

A sudden increase activity level in a middle aged to older kitty can indicate an overactive  thyroid.  If your kitty seems less than enthusiastic about moving around or playing, it may indicate arthritis or other issues.



Sleep pattern change

If your cat seems to sleep all day when he or she use to be active  they may be trying  to tell you that they do not feel well.  The opposite is also true,  If your kitty is up all night, roaming the house, vocalizing, or seems overactive during the day, there might be an underlying cause.



Stress induced behavior

A change in your cat's routine may be a sign of stress.  

Changes in the environment your pet lives in, like the addition of another pet, remodeling or loud noises can all cause hiding , depression or lack of appetite. 

Be objective and thorough when describing any potential changes to your veterinarian. 



Voice change

Voice changes can actually indicate a problem.

Normally quiet cats with an increase in vocalizations, or a usually chatty cat which suddenly becomes quiet, might mean trouble.

Any of the above changes should be reason to take your cat to your vet to investigate the cause and find a treatment as soon as possible.