If your darling cat is sick, it cannot talk to you, so you would surely like to know how to recognize it, as prompt treatment will benefit your cat. It can recover more quickly and the vet bills will be less for you.
There are things you can check your cat for at home.
Take your cat's temperature rectally. Use a safety thermometer as most people would find this procedure equally unpleasant. You will find it much easier to do this with an assistant. A cat's normal temperature will be between 100.5 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit, in Celsius this will be between 38 and 39 degrees Celsius. If you take it when the cat is healthy, you know what it normally is, as this varies from cat to cat.
Enjoy watching your cat when it's healthy and get to know its personality. This helps you identify when it is feeling under the weather. If your cat normally runs away when strangers appear and suddenly does not bother - this could be a big clue that all is not well with your cat. Your cat's favorite toy goes unplayed with and your cat does not stir much from his or her favorite sleeping space.
Also check the gums, which should be pink. Do this when the cat is healthy to know which color they normally are. When the cat is ill and the color changes drastically, you will recognize it as a symptom of cat illness. Again the color can vary significantly when compared to another individual cat, when healthy. It is easy to check for a reference when your cat is sleeping on your lap when it is healthy. You can just lift up the sides of the mouth where the whiskers are, you can peek at the gums and check the condition of the teeth.
Check the fur - it should look healthy and have a sheen. You know how it feels normally when you stroke your feline friend. Look to see if your furry friend is eating properly. If not, this is cause for concern.
If your cat suddenly acts strange, or is off its food, it may also be ill, especially if nothing has changed in the environment like the addition of another cat.
If you notice anything unusual and are in doubt a visit to the veterinarian is definitely advisable, so your cat can play and have fun again.
