General health routine check list for cats

Here is a general routine checklist to help cat owners detect potential health issues early.

General Appearance and Body Condition:

  • Regularly check your cat's overall body condition and health status.

  • Weakness, sudden changes in body weight or body condition score may indicate nutritional issues or underlying diseases.

  • Certain breeds (for example, Maine Coon) may have a larger and more muscular build, while others (for example, Siamese cats) may be slimmer and more elegant.

Fur and Skin Condition:

  • Regularly examine your cat's fur and skin.

  • Shiny and healthy fur indicates a healthy cat, while dull and shedding fur may suggest illness or nutritional deficiencies.

  • Redness, wounds, crusting, or skin infections may indicate dermatological conditions or parasitic infections.

  • Long-haired breeds (for example, Persian cats) are more prone to hairballs and skin problems.

Eyes and Nose:

  • Regularly check your cat's eyes and nose.

  • Bright and clear eyes indicate a healthy cat, while redness, discharge, or swelling of the eyelids may be signs of infection.

  • A runny nose, sneezing, or difficulty breathing can be a sign of respiratory infections.

  • Brachycephalic breeds (for example, the Persian cat) are more prone to respiratory and ocular issues.

Oral and Dental Health:

  • Regularly check your cat's mouth. Look for plaque, tartar, or signs of periodontal disease on the teeth.

  • Bad breath may indicate dental issues or internal diseases.

  • Certain breeds (for example, the Burmese cat) are more prone to dental diseases.

Ears:

  • Regularly check your cat's ears. Look for signs of redness, swelling, discharge, or foul odor.

  • Dark-colored discharge or odor may indicate the presence of ear infections.

  • Certain breeds (for example, Scottish Fold) are more prone to ear infections.

Nutrition and Water Consumption:

  • Ensure that your cat is regularly fed a sufficient and balanced diet and has access to fresh water.

  • Loss of appetite, refusal to eat, or drinking too much water can signal digestive problems or illness.

  • Sudden changes in eating habits or abnormalities in water consumption may require veterinary control.

Stool and Urine:

  • Regularly monitor your cat's feces and urine.

  • Diarrhea, bloody stools, or abnormal color changes may indicate digestive tract problems or parasitic infections.

  • Sudden changes in urine color or odor may indicate kidney or urinary tract problems.

  • Urinary tract problems are more common in certain breeds, such as the British Shorthair.

Behavior and Activity:

  • Observe your cat's normal behaviors and activities.

  • Abnormal calmness, sluggishness, or constant lying down can be signs of health problems or stress.

  • Changes in behavior, restlessness, or loss of appetite may be more pronounced in certain breeds (for example, Bengal cats) and should be monitored closely.

Breathing and Respiratory Tract:

  • Regularly check your cat's breathing and respiratory tract.

  • Rapid breathing, wheezing, or runny nose may indicate respiratory infections or asthma.

  • Brachycephalic breeds (for example, Exotic Shorthair) are more susceptible to respiratory issues.

Reproductive Health:

  • Regularly check your cat's reproductive health.

  • Breeds with high fertility rates, such as the Siamese cat, may be more susceptible to reproductive health issues.

  • Pregnancy symptoms, birth complications and postpartum health status should be carefully monitored.

This list serves as a comprehensive checklist to help cat owners recognize early warning signs to protect their pets' health. In suspicious cases, it is always advisable to consult a veterinarian and obtain evidence-based information from VetBilim Select. Although this list does not cover all diseases, it will assist you in the early diagnosis and treatment of common illnesses. You can record your observations in the free journal provided by VetBilim Select.

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