| In addition to your cat's regular | | | | Uncontrolled urination |
| vaccinations, how can you know when your | | | | If your cat's urinating habits change, |
| cat needs to see a vet? The following | | | | this could be a sign of tumors, cysts, |
| conditions and behavior are red flags. | | | | stones, infection or inflammation. It is |
| Diarrhea | | | | important to see your vet and take a |
| Diarrhea can be caused by lots of things | | | | fresh urine sample with you, if you can. |
| - diet, infections, parasites and | | | | Use a clean jar. |
| metabolic problems. Diarrhea is never | | | | Excessive drinking |
| normal and can cause dehydration and | | | | If your cat seems to be drinking more |
| death if it persists. If you can, take a | | | | than usual, and urinating more often, |
| fresh poo sample with you to the vet for | | | | you should take her to a vet. Unless it |
| testing. One way to test for dehydration | | | | is a really hot day, increased thirst |
| is by pressing your finger against your | | | | can be caused by diabetes, kidney and |
| cat's gums. It the spot takes more than | | | | liver problems. |
| two seconds to return to pink, there's a | | | | Not eating |
| problem. | | | | If your cat is off his food, you should |
| Vomiting | | | | report this to your vet straight away. |
| Cats often wretch and vomit up stomach | | | | Bleeding |
| contents including hairballs. Hairballs | | | | Your cat may have been in a fight or |
| are common and some cat foods are now | | | | been hurt elsewhere. Lacerations and |
| formulated to reduce them. Vomiting, | | | | bite wounds can become infected, so it |
| however, is a problem if it happens more | | | | is important to have these checked out |
| than once a day, contains blood or | | | | by your vet. |
| mucous and if your cat also has | | | | Excessive scratching |
| diarrhea, lethargy, salivation and is | | | | Although occasional scratching is |
| not eating. Excessive vomiting can cause | | | | normal, excessive scratching could |
| dehydration and death. | | | | indicate a skin infection, allergies or |
| Coughing, panting or wheezing | | | | parasites. The scratching can lead to |
| These signs are never normal and could | | | | inflammation and further infection. See |
| indicate viral, bacterial or fungal | | | | your vet! |
| infections. They could also be signs of | | | | Anytime your cat's behavior or patterns |
| heart or lung disease. You must take | | | | change, it is best to have these checked |
| your coughing, wheezing or panting cat | | | | out. |
| to a vet. | | | | |