How to Recognize a Healthy Cat

Whether you are buying a kitten or cat from a breeder or adopting one from a shelter, you want it to as healthy as possible. Optimally, kittens should be at least eight weeks old before being taken from their mom and littermates. If you are getting a kitten or cat from a shelter, try to find our as much as you can about its past and its personality.

The Healthy Cat Scan

Eyes should be clear of film or discharge – and look alert.
Ears should be clean (white or light pink) and not sensitive to touch.
Nose should be clean with no discharge.
Mouth should have healthy pink gums, and no offensive odour.
Coat should look healthy
Kitten fur should be fluffy and glossy,

Vet’s hint: Use your hand to check the cat’s coat. Start from the tail area – which should not feel greasy – and brush backward to the head, making sure the skin is a normal greyish white, with no reddened areas or little black flecks, which would indicate the excreta of fleas.

  • Whiskers should be long and unbroken.
  • Skin should be free of lumps, growths, or swellings – above and below the surface.
  • Paw pads should be uncracked.
  • Cats should be responsive, energetic, and curious.

Vet’s hint: Some breeds, like the British shorthair, are naturally laid back, other, like the Somali, are anything but. Nonetheless, there’s a big difference between an active cat and an aggressive one. Responsive, energetic, and curious does not mean biting, scratching, and hissing. So if your potential pet starts out on the wrong paw before you can say, “here, kitty, kitty,” you might want to rethink your selection.

Vancouver Veterinarians Advise on Cat Trouble Signs and How to Read Them

Knowing what to look for in a cat is important. Once that cat becomes yours, knowing what to look out for is even more important. To avoid cat-astrophes, our veterinarian suggests you familiarize yourself with the following feline symptoms and keep our Vancouver animal hospital number handy.

Your Cat Might Be Sick If...

  • Its gums and tongue look pale.
  • Its gums are red and puffy.
  • There are skin lesions.
  • It’s coughing.
  • It’s sneezing.
  • It has a fishy odour.
  • It acts listless
  • It refuses food.
  • It begins urinating in locations other than the litter box.
  • Its urination is frequent.
  • Its urination is strained and urine is tinged with blood.
  • There is recurrent diarrhea or constipation.
  • There’s loss of weight.
  • Its thirst increases
  • Its coat has bald patches.
  • Its eyes appear glazed or dull
  • Its scratching increases.
  • Its skin feels oily.
  • There is discharge from its ears.
  • Its coat is sparse, matted, or dull.
  • Its breathing sounds laboured.
  • Sudden or frequent vomiting occurs.
  • Bumps or swelling can be felt on the inner side of its thighs.
  • Stomach looks distended.

If you notice any of the above signs, contact Vancouver veterinarian at Killarney Animal Hospital.