Do not handle or remove your cat from its carrier until requested by a member of the veterinary team. Do keep an eye on it, however, to monitor its condition and make sure it improves. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. After a few days on a bland diet, begin mixing a small portion of your cat’s regular food with the bland foods. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. My 1-year-old cat has come in and slept for 24 Hours. Definitely take her to the vet as soon as you can. Alert the veterinary practice if you observe any signs of sickness or changes in your cat’s behavior, as well as changes in food or fluid intake, or if you experience difficulty administering medications. Keeping your cat away from other felines can help reduce the spread of the disease. Some illnesses may appear suddenly. http://www.americanhumane.org/animals/adoption-pet-care/caring-for-your-pet/recognizing-caring-sick-pet.html, https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/caring-your-sick-cat, http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet-health-information/article/animal-health/managing-the-sick-cat/303, http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/cats/tips/cat_health.html, https://extension.unh.edu/resources/files/Resource002743_Rep4038.pdf, https://oregonvma.org/care-health/how-tell-if-your-cat-sick, https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/choosing-and-caring-your-new-cat, https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/common-cat-diseases, http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/ClientED/vomiting.aspx, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. There are 31 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. If you notice some of the following symptoms, you may have a sick cat on your hands: Digestive Problems From diarrhea to vomiting, an uptick in digestive issues may mean you have a sick cat on your hands. I like to treat my cats with a little bit of tuna, or you can buy some pretty tasty treats at the store. Human sounds intended to soothe or quiet (like ‘shhhh’) may mimic another cat hissing and should be avoided. Only give your cat deworming medication that is approved by your vet. Warm canned food to your cat’s body temperature by gently heating the food in the microwave (remove the food from the can first) or by adding warm water and stirring well. If your cat is suffering from cat flu or an upper respiratory infection, you can wipe away any discharge from its nose or eyes using warm salt water (a teaspoon of salt mixed into a pint of clean water). Here is a guide of a few things you can do to keep a sick cat comfortable: Turn to pain medication when necessary. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. Dr. As a part of that effort, they have also put together a pamphlet for owners entitled “Nursing Care for Your Cat - Practical Tips for Pet Owners.” It contains a lot of good information. Alternatively, if your cat has another type of sickness and is struggling to eat, try feeding it maintenance food, which you can buy from a pet store. Add sickness to the equation and it’s an uphill struggle. I know you don't want to hear this, but it's very irresponsible to have animals when you can't care for them properly. Take her to the vet to get checked out. He had a really bad reaction to the medication he was taking to treat his hyperthyroidism and we ended up in the animal er on Sunday. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. On the topic of reducing the stress of veterinary visits: Tips for providing nursing care to cats in the home environment: Those are the highlights as I see them, but if you find it difficult to provide your cat with the veterinary/nursing care he or she needs, it is definitely worth downloading the entire PDF to your computer. If your cat must stay in the hospital, bring along familiar toys and bedding from home. If your cat wants rest or to be left alone, honor its wishes. Forcing your cat to accept medication is … Appetite is still strong. This article has been viewed 64,882 times. Very sick cats, especially senior cats, are often not as good at maintaining body temperature. If your cat vomits frequently, especially within a brief period, contact a vet. A sick cat may exhibit changes in behavior. A bathroom sink lined with a soft towel or fleece provides an enclosed, secure place for administering medication. This can prevent fleas, intestinal parasites, and other parasites from making your cat sick. Over the course of a few days, gradually increase the amount you feed the cat. The news that your beloved dog or cat having cancer can be shocking and heart-breaking. Offer to do Shopping: It's common for the pantry to grow bare under these circumstances, because there's no time for shopping, or because the caregiver is reluctant to leave the cat home alone for long. Step 3 Line the bottom of your cat’s bed with a small heating pad. Doctors can check your cat's teeth and coat and feel her abdomen for unusual growths, he says. If your cat seems to handle the mixed food without a problem, wait a day or two and mix one-half regular food and one-half bland food. Learn how to manage anxiety like a therapist. Im taking her to the vet tommorow. Geriatric cats have a reduced sense of smell. Do not forcibly remove your cat from a hiding place or interrupt eating, grooming, or elimination for purposes of administering medication. If a super-active cat starts spending most of her day sleeping, this could be a sign that you have a sick cat. What should I do? I cut my cat's nail too much and now she is getting sick. My cat was vomiting for a few hours a couple days ago, usually she bounces right back but ever since she hasn't eaten and she is barely drinking water, what else can I try? Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. If the cat is a senior (over 7 years old) or has known health issues, your vet will probably recommend more frequent visits. The duration of euthanizing a cat through sleeping pills method is quite short. It is also not eating but is drinking water. He throws up every day. How to support and comfort a friend through the illness/loss of their pets? Create an environment that is odor-neutral. How can we help him and will he live? Chicken and rice has been known as a savior for sick cats and if you are looking to balance out their tummy somewhat, this can be the perfect meal. If your cat is reluctant to eat, you can warm its food first, offer its favorites, or try giving it small portions. Step 2: Move close to the cat without touching it. He sounds very sick. Our cat has a huge lump under the back leg , can't walk without falling over, and is not eating. I want to share with you a few of its most helpful tips. ... Give lots of treats, and pet and cuddle lots, no matter how gross the cat may look with balding patches of fur. Add a soft blanket to her bed for extra comfort. So much is the onus of the loving and anguished owner who must find the strength to rally for the sake of the beloved animal. It sounds like perhaps a broken/fractured bone, maybe a rib. You should take your kitten to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Although cats require plenty of fresh water, increased water intake can be a sign of kidney disease in cats. Sometimes, there is little you can do except offer comfort and palliative care to the animal you have loved so long and so well. Give your cat positive reinforcement (e.g., treats, brushing, petting) for accepting medication. Imagine what your needs are when you're feeling ill. A sick pet wants the same kind of care you would want. Last Updated: September 3, 2020 Provide a happy, low-stress home for your cat. Any recommendations other than a costly vet trip? If yours is feeling down, providing some general comfort and pampering can help it get better. Establish a routine for administering oral medication to your cat. Avoid behaviors that while intended to comfort your cat, may actually increase anxiety. After a day or so of that, try 3 parts regular food to one part bland food. The sedatives take approximately five to ten minutes before the pet is completely relaxed and its brain set into an unconscious mode. Image: Shasta by Graham Ballantyne / via Flickr, Nursing Care for Your Cat - Practical Tips for Pet Owners. Cats can sense our anxiety or frustrations, which may cause them to become fearful or anxious. Start with something like 1 part regular food to 3 parts bland food. Your cat is ill; if you continue to wait, the outcome may get worse. What should I do? If it still does not want to eat after 24 hours, contact a vet. When I tried to pick him up, he seemed to have pain in his stomach area. You should only loosen your cat's cone or collar if it is clearly restricting her breathing. To find out when you should consult a vet and how to give your cat medication, keep reading! What helped you? She always wakes up gagging. Relax My Cat's music will help to calm and soothe your cat or kitten in a variety of situations. Im feeding her baby food, laid her … Unfortunately, a trip to the vet might be what the cat needs. My kitten has a big swell on his forehead. She may have eaten something that made her sick. Also mention anything that your cat enjoys (e.g., treats, brushing, or play-time activities). Take her to the vet - coughing in cats can be serious. Until your sick pet is feeling better, hide the air fresheners and potpourris. My cat is sick. This article has been viewed 64,882 times. To keep their cats healthy, owners need to know the warning signs that their sick cat has fallen ill. “Just talking to them or even singing to them can be helpful.”. Alternatively, cover your cat’s cage with a towel or your coat to block the view and muffle the sounds. ". Following his or her advice can help your cat recover or improve its quality of life. 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