Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 6
How Do I Know
if My Cat Is Sick?
Our feline friends cannot tell us how they feel, so it is important to have
some understanding of the signs that a cat is sick. Cats are generally
stoic animals, and often they do not let us know they are sick until the
disease has progressed. Observant owners can learn to identify subtle
changes in their cat's routine and behavior that may be indicative of
illness.
The difficult part of identifying changes is first figuring out what is
normal for your cat. Cats do not think or act like a human would in
many situations, so many cat activities seem strange to us. An example
is coughing up hairballs. If a human spit up hair it would be very
abnormal, but for a cat an occasional hairball is quite normal.
This chapter will introduce you to some of the ways you can detect
problems in your cat. It will also help you figure out when you should
consult a veterinarian.
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