6 surprising health problems cats hide until it’s too late

Animal lovers will know the running joke that dogs have owners and cats have staff. That’s because even the most loving, homebody cats tend to be fiercely independent. While it makes for hilarious memes, when it comes to your cat’s health, their independence can make it harder to spot when something’s wrong. “Cats are experts at hiding pain,” says Dr Tarryn Dent, business unit director: Companion Animals for global animal health company, Zoetis South Africa. “Early action is key to prevention and better outcomes.”

6 common health conditions in cats

There are various health conditions that affect cats, but some of the most common ones include:

• Dental disease: Problems with your cat’s teeth and gums can lead to pain, infections and inflammation in other parts of their body, so it should not be ignored.
• Parasites: These may include worms, ticks, mites or other parasites.
• Chronic kidney disease: Chronic kidney disease is common in older cats, with studies showing prevalence increasing significantly with age.  Zoetis continues to support research and innovation aimed at improving outcomes for cats with chronic diseases.
• Infectious diseases: Like humans, cats can catch respiratory infections that may cause sneezing, nasal discharge or coughing.
• Obesity/metabolic risk:A fat cat may be cuddly, but obesity puts your cat at risk of serious conditions like diabetes, metabolic disease, and joint problems.
• Arthritis: Even young cats can develop osteoarthritis, leading to pain and affecting your cat’s quality of life.

Catching a condition before it becomes a serious health problem increases the chances of successful treatment enormously. It could save your cat a lot of pain and discomfort – and may also save you money in veterinarian bills.

Cat owners are encouraged to be proactive about their pets’ health. This means taking your cat for regular veterinarian check-ups and getting to know what “normal” looks like for your pet.

How often should you take your cat to the veterinarian?

It is recommended that most cats go for a check-up annually, although kittens, senior cats, and those with chronic health conditions may need to go more often.

At these routine appointments, you can expect your cat to receive a physical exam. This includes looking at your cat’s teeth and gums, checking for lumps and signs of pain, and listening to their lungs and heart.

Your cat will be weighed, and you may get recommendations around nutrition.

Your cat will also be assessed for parasites (such as worms and fleas). Prevention is better than cure here, and your veterinarian can give you recommendations for parasite prevention too.

The annual exam is also when your cat’s routine vaccinations are administered. Vaccinations aren’t only for kittens – cats need to have boosters throughout their lives. Rabies vaccination is required by law, but your veterinarian will advise you around which other vaccines your cat should receive.

Get to know your cat

During the visit, you will likely also be asked about any changes in your cat’s behaviour (e.g. litter tray use and grooming). This is the kind of personal information that only you can provide, and it can give your veterinarian crucial clues as to your cat’s health.

“Understanding your cat’s unique ‘normal’ is very important,” says Dr Dent. “If you know your cat well, you can start to pick up subtle changes. They may be small, but these changes are often early indicators of disease.”

Take note of:

• Bad breath or red gums: This can be an early sign of dental disease.
• Over-grooming: It may be a sign of parasites or skin irritation.
• Litter box habits:Changes in how often your cat uses the litter tray or how much urine it passes could indicate an underlying condition.
• Activity:If your cat isn’t as active as usual, is jumping less, or seems stiff, this could be an early sign of arthritis.
• Under-grooming: Could be the result of pain.
• Eating and drinking habits: Notice if your cat is eating or drinking less or more than usual.
• Weight:Gaining weight or losing weight could be a red flag.

“If you know your cat well, even if the cat seems ‘normal’ to someone else, you will know that something isn’t right,” says Dr Dent. If you notice any changes, don’t wait for the annual check-up, take your cat to the veterinarian.

Keeping up with vaccinations, going for routine check-ups, and knowing your cat well are simple enough, but they can make a big difference to your cat’s well-being. This Cat Health Month, help your cat live the long, happy, pain-free life it deserves.