Check your cat's health regularly at home

Your cat lets you know when he's happy. But do you know how to tell if he's healthy? Annual check-ups by your vet is important. And with regular health checks at home, you can help ensure that your feline friend stays healthy.

Cat health tips

How does his coat look? A healthy feline's fur is sleek and glossy, with no signs of fleas or bald patches. Check for lumps, bumps, flakes and scabs. Keep an eye out for flea dirt, which looks like tiny specks of black pepper. Constant biting or scratching at the coast can indicate skin parasites or an allergy.

Your cat's eyes should be clear and bright. Note any discharge, inflammation, or sensitivity to light, which can be signs of infection or vision problems. Check his ears, too, for discharge or wax. Next, gently open his mouth to examine his teeth and gums. There should be no broken teeth, and his gums should be pale pink. Inflamed gums can be a warning sign of infection, and are also associated with more serious disorders such as kidney disease. Are his teeth stained? If so, he may be suffering from tartar buildup. Your veterinarian can clean them and may recommend regular brushing to maintain dental health.

It's also important to monitor your cat's eating habits. Loss of appetite can indicate a variety of problems, and it's smart to consult your veterinarian if your cat refuses food for more than a day. You'll also want to speak to the vet if, on the other hand, your cat seems overweight. Being overweight can also cause health problems, including arthritis, liver and heart disease, and a form of diabetes.

What goes on in the litter box will also tell you a lot about your cat's health. Persistent diarrhea, for example, can signal a variety of illnesses from internal parasites to digestive disorders. And be sure to watch for changes in frequency of urination. Increased urination and an excessive thirst and appetite, combined with weight loss, are early indicators of diabetes mellitus.

Consult your veterinarian about serious cat health questions

If you notice that your cat strains or cries out when using the litter box, he may have a urinary tract infection. This often affects cats suffering from feline urological syndrome, also known as FUS, which can be life-threatening if left unchecked. Owners of cats with FUS and other chronic health problems may benefit from using the at-home kits that test for abnormalities in the urine. These simple-to-use screening kits indicate when a cat's urine is too acidic or too alkaline, which can promote infection or the development of urinary stones. A kit is also available that tests for the presence of blood in the urine which is not only a warning symptom of urinary problems, but bladder cancer, kidney disease and secondary infections caused by the feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus.

And remember, should you find anything out of the ordinary during one of your at-home check-ups, contact your veterinarian.