Five Signs Your Cat May Not be Healthy

By Jane Farrell

In honor of Happy Healthy Cat Month, Ask.Vet (http://www.ask.vet/)—a “virtual urgent care” service that lets you text licensed vets for answers and save thousands in unnecessary vet bills—has compiled five signs to figure out if your cat needs help with his or her health.

URINATING OR DEFECATING IN INAPPROPRIATE PLACES

If your cat isn’t consistently using her litter box, it’s a sign that she’s not stable in her routine—and that could point to discontent or bad health. [Editor’s note: It may also be a sign that the litter box needs to be cleaned more frequently.]

DROPPING FOOD WHILE EATING

If your cat drops food from her mouth frequently, it’s a sign something is wrong. Just like humans, eating should be a pleasure for your kitty.

LOSING WEIGHT

Irregularities in weight point to kitty discontent or sickness. Other signs include increased meowing and decreased appetite—your kitty is letting you know with her actions that something’s up.

DECREASING URINATION

It doesn’t just matter where your cat uses the bathroom, but also how frequently he or she uses it. If your cat isn’t urinating as much, she’s probably not hydrating effectively. Watch out for this sign of instability, especially if your cat is male.

CEASING TO GROOM

Is your cat’s coat rough or greasy? That means she stopped grooming herself. Since cats usually spend half their waking hours grooming, this is a major sign something is out of whack.

Ask.Vet is helping pet owners save thousands of dollars in unnecessary vet expenses—and help their cats be happier and healthier—by determining if their concerns actually merit a vet visit (80% don’t). Find out more: https://www.ask.vet/membership/.