Taking care of a sick kitten can be stressful and time-consuming, however, it’s also necessary since sick cats need some extra TLC when they’re sick.
Cats can take care of themselves but when they’re sick and exhausted, you should step in and make their life easier. First and foremost, you should keep your sick cat indoors with a litter tray because if they get to go out, they may not come back.
Moreover, you should never give your medications to your cat as many of them can be poisonous to them. If your kitten seems sick, always consult your vet first, so you know what you’re dealing with and address the issue if any as quickly as possible.
The following information is intended only to assist cat owners in caring for a kitten that’s undergoing veterinary treatment. With that in mind, let’s dive in.
15 Common Symptoms of Illness in Cats
If you notice your cat has been acting out of the ordinary for a while, observe closely and watch for more signs.
The next obvious signs of illness in cats can help you determine if there’s something wrong with your cat, so take a look and definitely take notes.
Extra tip: Never ignore any of the following signs of illness and contact your vet for professional advice instead.
Vomiting
Occasionally vomiting isn’t serious as cats usually vomit from mild stomach upset or hairballs, however, if your kitten vomits regularly or repeatedly, you should definitely visit the vet.
Loss of Appetite
This can be a normal thing for cats, however, you still shouldn’t ignore it. If your cat eats normally but skips occasional meals, then you should observe closely for other changes.
If your kitten stops eating entirely or is only eating small amounts, you must get your vet involved because lack of eating for even a couple of days can result in fatty liver or hepatitis lipidosis.
Increased Appetite
Increased appetite shouldn’t be ignored either in both older and younger cats. If it’s a senior cat, your pet may have hyperthyroidism but your vet should run tests to be sure. And if it’s a younger cat, it can lead to obesity.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea can indicate many different problems including intestinal parasites, dietary indiscretion, etc.
If left untreated, it can also cause dehydration and further intestinal inflammation so schedule a vet appointment right away, and if possible, provide a stool sample.
Weight Fluctuation
Whether it’s weight gain or weight loss, weight fluctuation is concerning since either can indicate a health issue.
However, weight loss is more urgent in the short term while weight gain can result in problems such as obesity in the long run.
If you’re not certain about your cat’s weight, visit the vet for a regular check-up or at least a weight check.
Lethargy
Even subtle lethargy can indicate a serious health issue, so call your vet if your pet seems to be lying around more than usual, sleeping all the time, or just overall has a low energy level.
Increased Thirst
Increased thirst in pets usually means there’s something wrong.
Common issues associated with this symptom include diabetes Mellitus and kidney disease, so if you see your cat near the water bowl more than usual, visit the vet.
Changes in Urination
These changes usually indicate kidney issues or urinary tract issues. So, if you see anything unusual like blood in the urine, inappropriate urination, or a sudden change in the frequency or quantity of urine, have your cat examined by a vet immediately.
Changes in Breathing
Never ignore sudden changes in breathing such as rapid breathing, wheezing, raspy breathing, and/or shortness of breath.
If your kitten isn’t breathing regularly, it’s likely a very urgent problem that should be addressed immediately, so act quickly.
Eyes or Nose Discharge
Discharge from the eyes and/or nose can be a result of a possible upper respiratory infection which can make your kitten feel sick and stop eating.
The worst part? It can be contagious to other cats in your household, so keep your other pets, if any, away from your sick cat and visit your vet. They will prescribe cat-safe medications to help your kitten recover quickly.
Ear Debris or Discharge
Ear debris and/or discharge might indicate parasites such as ear mites or some sort of ear infection, so visit your vet as soon as possible.
Hair Loss or Skin Irritation
Both hair loss and/or skin irritation can be caused by external parasites, allergies, or other skin conditions. It’s also itchy and/or painful, so don’t let your kitten suffer any longer and visit your vet as quickly as possible.
Limping and Trouble Jumping
Cats can hide their pain and illness very well because it’s in their nature to act well. So, don’t just assume your kitten isn’t in pain because they’re eating, drinking water, and acting normally.
Look out for any change in their walking or jumping because if your pet has trouble walking or jumping, it could indicate arthritis or injury.
Swollen Areas of the Body
Never ignore any swelling in any part of your cat’s body. Swelling can be something simpler such as a wound that has turned into an abscess. Or it could be a tumor, so watch the swollen part very closely and visit your vet in the following days.
Bad Breath
Bad breath indicates dental problems so it’s not urgent but you should get your cat’s teeth checked as soon as possible.
However, severe bad breath should be handled sooner as it could be a sign of some type of oral infection that can’t wait.
Moreover, watch for excessive drooling and mouth bleeding. The oral infection could affect the whole body, so act quickly.
Emergency Signs of Illness in Cats
If you see any of the next signs of illness in your pet, don’t make a vet appointment but go to the closest open veterinarian immediately:
- Seizures
- Collapse, unconsciousness, or unresponsiveness
- Dizziness, circling, or imbalance
- Abnormal breathing
- Blue, white, or very pale gums
- Trauma (examples include being hit by a cat or falling from a height)
- Moderate-profuse breeding
- Inability to move
- Exposure to poison
- Straining to urinate without releasing urine
- Severe pain (displaying signs like crying out loudly and excessively or being aggressive when touched)
- Body temperature under 99 or over 104 degrees Fahrenheit (100.5-102.5 degrees Fahrenheit is the normal body temperature)
- Cat hasn’t eaten properly in 24 hours
How to Prevent Illness in Cats: 4 Life-Saving Tips
Many pet owners don’t get their felines checked by a vet unless it’s necessary. They underestimate the importance of regular vet check-ups.
If you’re a responsible cat owner, you probably know that you shouldn’t wait for your cat to get sick to visit the vet.
The best part about regular vet check-ups is that they can catch any problem before it develops into a serious illness.
Some owners don’t want to put their pet through the stress of a veterinarian visit as some cats get anxious or aggressive at the clinic. If this is the case with your pet, try to find a less stressful to get them checked.
For instance, if your cat refuses to get into a carrier because they associate it with a vet, consider a mobile vet who can come into your home and examine your kitten in a familiar environment.
Why Do Annual Vet Check-Ups Matter?
I can’t stress enough how important annual vet exams are for cats, especially senior cats.
As your cat ages, biannual exams and routine lab work can benefit their overall health, even if they appear normal as these exams can detect minor abnormalities that indicate a small issue before your cat gets ill.
Healthy Diet
Providing a healthy diet for your cat can help prevent obesity and other health issues. Many vets recommend wet diets rich in protein and low in carbohydrates, so keep that in mind when preparing your cat’s food.
Use Routine Parasite Prevention
Using parasite prevention as suggested by your vet can prevent intestinal parasites, fleas, and other parasites from getting your feline sick.
Improve Your Cat’s Quality of Life
Last but not least, ensure a low-stress, relaxed, and enjoyable home for your feline. Moreover, provide clean and easily accessible litter boxes around the home as well as fresh water at all times.
7 Sick Cat Caring Tips
I understand how painful and scary it is to see your pet sick, so instead of leaving it all in the hands of your vet, you can also improve your cat’s life, if they’re undergoing a home recovery by ensuring a comfortable and relaxing environment.
If your kitten suffers from a more severe or terminal illness, you should ask your vet for advice and suggestions for comforting a very sick and/or dying cat.
Following their advice can help your pet recover a lot faster. Now, let’s learn how to take care of a sick kitten and make sure they recover fast.
Address Your Pet’s Special Needs
Sick cats need extra attention. For example, they might require special food, a litter box nearby that should be cleaned more frequently, help to move around, etc.
However, if you feel that your kitten wants to rest or doesn’t want company, respect their space and wishes, but still keep an eye on them to monitor their condition.
Moreover, a warm bed in a relaxing room can make your sick cat more comfortable. Also, make sure their food and water bowls and litter box aren’t too far from their resting area.
Groom Your Kitten Occasionally
Some cats like being groomed, at least once in a while. If yours loves grooming and doesn’t feel well, they may appreciate the extra attention.
Grooming your sick kitten also offers a chance to inspect their coat and skin as their condition can reveal other related or non-related problems.
Feed Your Cat’s Maintenance Food
Overall, you can feed your sick feline any type of cat food that’s nutritionally balanced and specifically made for cats.
However, if they refuse their ordinary food, you can provide maintenance food that’s made to be especially palatable.
This type of food is often canned and available at local pet stores. Or wherever food is sold.
As I already said, you can feed your feline either dry or wet food according to their preference, but if you want to ensure quality, select feline food that’s certified by the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials).
If your kitten reflects every type of food you provide, try warming it up. Or offer small portions. If they haven’t eaten in 24 hours, contact your vet because your cat’s health could be in danger.
Observe Your Cat Closely and Consult a Vet if Necessary
While you’re taking care of your sick cat, watch out for signs of pains, diseases, and other issues such as the following:
- Loss of appetite
- Swollen abdomen
- Flaking or scrabs
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Dull or patchy coat
- Bad breath or bad odor
- Red, watery eyes
- Unexplained lumps
- Loss of hair
- Difficulty moving
- Discharge from eyes or nose
- Drolling
- Unusual vocalization
- A sudden change in sleep time
- Frequent sneezing
- Red gums
If you have taken your feline to the vet already and they prescribed medications to give to your cat, consult them again if problems continue in the following days.
Visit the Vet if Their Situation Becomes Worse
If the situation of your cat worsens and you notice more serious symptoms including seizures, blood in urine, inability to urinate, or excessive vomiting and/or diarrhea, take them to the vet immediately as these symptoms indicate a serious problem.
Give Your Cat Medications as Necessary
If your vet prescribes medications for your pet, give them the amount as instructed on the package and/or as suggested by your vet.
Moreover, don’t stop providing your pet with the medications even if their symptoms go away (unless your vet instructs you to do so).
Avoid Giving Your Cat Human Medications
I know that seeing your pet in pain can be hard, but you should never give a sick or dying cat any human medications such as painkillers as they can be poisonous to felines.
Keep in mind that even vitamins can be toxic to healthy cats or any cats, in general, so if you believe that your cat needs medication, contact your vet for recommendations.
Final Tips
As I already stated, sick or dying cats hide their pain or illness because of the lack of emotional relationship with their discomfort. Unfortunately, they accept their pain and/or disease as the new normal and keep going.
This can be hard for you as a pet owner as you can’t determine if there’s something wrong with your pet until it’s too late. Still, if you suspect your cat is sick, you can look out for obvious signs such as the ones stated above.
If you notice any of the signs above, take your feline to the vet as soon as possible, even if you suspect it’s just cat flu.
If they’re anxious at the vet due to other pets in the waiting area, cover your cat’s cage with a towel or ask the assistant if you can wait somewhere else.
Finally, if your cat undergoes a home recovery, don’t invade their personal space. Many cats enjoy the attention, but when they’re sick, they usually want to be left alone until they get better.
See more: How To Comfort A Dying Cat
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