It is often very hard to tell when your cat is ill. Cats are so good at hiding their illness that often you as pet owner do not know when they are sick. Here are a few signs to look for in your cat so that you are aware of when you should contact your veterinarian.

· When your cat is inappropriately urinating and defecating, more than likely these are signs of a medical condition in which you should contact your veterinarian. When your cat is urinating inappropriately it may be caused from having a urinary tract infection, kidney disease or diabetes mellitus. Your cat might also being having trouble getting into the litter box due to arthritis.
· Your cat usually enjoys interactions with you as its owner or with other pets in your home. If your cat behavior or interaction has changed with you or the other pets in your family it may be a sign of anxiety, fear, disease, or pain.
· A change in the activity of your cat either increased or decreased, can be warning signs. If your cat has increased their activity it may signal hyperthyroidism. If your cat is decreasing their activity it could be sign of several illness’s such as arthritis, a form of joint disease or systemic illnesses. In general most cats do not slow down just because it is becoming old.
· Every cat takes “cat” naps however there is a difference between “cat” naps and lethargy. An average adult cat sleeps between 16 and 18 hours per day and will respond to stimuli such as you walking into the room or preparing food. A cat that sleeps more than usually or show discomfort lying down or getting up could have an illness or disease.
· If your cat is changing how much he is eating it could be showing signs of chewing problems, poor dental health or cancer. If your cat is eating more it may be an indication to diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism or other health problems.
· You should also notice if your cat has increased its water intake. This could be a sign of illness as well, such as thyroid problems, kidney disease, diabetes, along with others.
· Cats are usually very good groomers. If you notice your cat’s hair becoming matted, greasy or bald patches in the coat there may be an underlying illness or disease. Increasing grooming may be a sign of a skin problem.
· If your cat has increased vocalization or howling often there is an underlying condition. This more often happens in older cats. Most cats vocalize more when they are in pain or anxious.
· An early indicator of a oral problem is most commonly bad breath. Cats can have gum disease as early as age 3. You should have your cats teeth checked every six months to prevent or treat any dental problems or disease. To help prevent bad breath, pain, tooth loss, or spread of infection to other organs it is very helpful to do regular home brushing and veterinary dental care for check ups.