Regular health checks to keep your cat in tip-top condition

Check your cat’s face and body for any wounds such as a new scratch or swelling. This could mean that they been scratched or bitten by another cat. Keep a close eye to ensure there are no signs of infection (including a change in your cat’s behaviour) that will require help from your vet.

Check for any bald patches and areas that are clearly sore and irritated, indicating a reaction of some kind, or that the cat is scratching itself or nibbling at the skin.

Part the fur and check close to the skin for signs of fleas and the black specks that are flea dirts. If you spot any, take a fine cat comb through the coat to remove as much as you can, then review your flea treatment regime.

If you spot a tick attached to your cat’s skin, remove it very carefully with tweezers and ensure that all of insect is comes away.

Use your fingers to feel for knots or matted hair, especially in longhaired cats and older cats who may struggle in their ability to reach certain areas of their bodies to wash properly. Give them a hand with a brush and gently use a comb and your fingers to tease out the matts. If it’s struggle and your cat is unhappy about this, ask at your veterinary practice for help.

Now, work your way around your cat’s body, taking a close look at the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, paws and bottom:

Eyes

Check the eyes are clear, bright and free from discharge, with no sign of the grey third eyelid which is a sign that your cat is unwell and should be seen by a vet.

Ears

Carefully bend your cat’s earflap back a little and look inside. The ear should be clean and free from foreign bodies like grass seeds. There should not be a discharge or a strong smell.

Nose

Check for any excessive discharge and for any change to the texture of the nose pad itself. If either of these occur, seek veterinary advice, including if your cat has started to sneeze a lot or coughs.

Mouth

Gently lift up your cat’s top lip to check their teeth. Look for tartar, a creamy yellow or brown hard deposit that could need removing by your vet.

Now carefully open the jaw to check the mouth. The tongue and gums should be a salmon pink colour. Any redness or lumps could suggest a problem.

You will notice straight away if your cat has bad breath. This is a key indicator that something might be a miss, so get them checked by your vet.

Feet

This check may best be done while your cat is lying down or you have someone holding them. Gently check around the paw pads for trapped material – grit from outdoors or fragments of cat litter, for example. Look for any soreness and for damage to the claws. Are the claws over long and sharp? It’s a good idea to keep them trimmed to prevent them from growing around to reach and damage a paw pad. Cats kept indoors or those that are inactive will definitely need your help in keeping their claws trimmed. Those with access to the outdoors will naturally wear their claws down.

Bottom

Check under the tail for signs of soreness or diarrhoea. The latter could be temporary but if it’s obviously continuing for more than a day, consult your vet. If you can, keep an eye on your cat’s faeces, as an upset stomach can be a sign that your cat is unwell.

Spotting signs of illness

Cats are notorious for being able to hide signs that they are unwell and it is not always obvious when they are in pain. Getting to know your cat well and being observant for small subtle changes is therefore essential.

Here are some signs to look out for:

• Reduced appetite
• Excessive drinking
• Lethargy and sleeping more than usual
• Restlessness
• Hiding and not wanting to be fussed
• Out of the ordinary behaviour for your cat

Weight management

It’s a really good idea to know your cat’s weight and know what’s right for him. Your vet will be able to advise their correct weight at your annual appointment. Weigh your cat at regular intervals to ensure he stays at around this figure. (To do this at home, pop them in a carrier, stand on your weighing scales and weigh yourself before stepping on the scale again, holding your cat’s carrier.)

Get to know your cat’s body shape. You should be able to feel their ribs and waistline. There will be some fat around the ribs, but this is normal. If your cat becomes plump it will impact on his health, putting them at risk of conditions including diabetes, and is ultimately likely to shorten their lifespan. Your veterinary practice will be able to advise on helping your cat to lose weight. Expert help maybe needed as it’s not always a straight forward process and should be done gradually.

A skinny cat, with weight loss for no obvious reason can be an indication that there is a health problem.

If you ever have any concerns about the health of your cat, never hesitate to consult your vet.