How to take care of a sick cat
Every cat owner takes care of their cat just like any parent would take care of their child. But what should you do when your cat is sick? This blog will give your insight into how to first figure out that your cat is sick and what you should do next to help them.
How do you recognize that your cat is sick?
There are a few behavioral changes that will help you figure out if your cat is sick or not. That includes changes like when your cat begins to be lazy than usual; if they do not eat properly, their fur and skin can also tell you that they are sick; and through their poop, you can also determine whether they are sick or not.
So you need to keep an eye on these habits because normally they would move with comfort and grace and breathe without any strange noises either. If your cat is adventurous, she likes to jump a lot and accidentally hurt herself.
If anything like this happens, then your cat will start limping or find it difficult to move; they will feel pain when you pet them; swelling or bleeding are normal signs to look for.
If you notice any of the above signs, you need to take your cat to the veterinarian as soon as possible. And do not make the mistake of feeding them or giving them human medicine, because that might cause even more problems instead of resolving them.
What happens after the veterinarian visit?
Well, after you take your cat to the veterinarian, they examine her and figure out the illness, treat it, or treat her wounds if your cat is wounded. But, after that, when your cat is at home with you, what are the things that you should know or do to take care of them?
What should I feed my cat?
It is normal to not feel hungry or thirsty when you are sick; similar to cats, they also do not feel like having food or drinking water. But it is very important to feed them regularly; that is how they are going to recover quickly. You may have to monitor their intake, and if you have multiple pets at home, keep your cat and its food separate from the others so that you can get the accurate amount of food they are consuming.
Cats are normally considered to be bad when it comes to drinking water. And if they stop eating food, which is their main source of water, then that is very concerning regarding their health. You should pay more attention to their water intake; keep fresh water available at all times, and if they still refuse to drink, you may need to use a syringe. Or the cat needs to be hospitalized.
You need to encourage your cat to eat and drink more fluids. Start with small portions but more frequent meals. Their meals should have high energy and be palatable, and the food needs to be highly digestible. It is advisable to serve warm food that will be more appealing to them. Your veterinarian will inform you about any foods that you may have to avoid.
How to give medication
You should only provide those medications that have been prescribed by the veterinarian. You can give them their medication with their meal. However, if your cat is not taking their medication like that, then you need to crush the tablet and dissolve it in water, and with the help of a syringe, you can give them their medication.
Whichever way you are using, that also needs to be approved by the veterinarian, so just inform them about how you are giving them their medication. You need to be punctual about your medication. And if you find this difficult, there are separate handouts also available that will describe how to properly administer medication.
What to do for the cleanliness of your cat and your home
When cats are sick, they do not feel like doing anything, not even grooming themselves. As a parent, you must take care of that. That includes gently brushing or combing and removing discharge from their nose, eyes, and ears with the help of warm, wet cotton balls.
In terms of cleaning, your home should be clean, or at least the area around your cat should be clean. One thing to keep in mind is to not use any disinfectant that contains phenol because that is toxic for your cat.
FAQs
How do you apply medication to your cat’s ears?
Hold their ear flap with a non-dominant hand and use the dominant hand to apply the medication to their ears. Try to feel the amount of medication going into their ears. Clean the excessive medication gently, but make sure not to use cotton buds inside their ears.
Is it true that cats can heal themselves?
Cats can heal themselves in addition to helping those around them.
How about honey for sick cats?
A key enzyme in the metabolism of glucose and fructose, glucokinase, is not manufactured by your cat’s liver. While cats may be able to take a small amount of honey, swallowing too much at once might cause them to choke, regurgitate food, vomit, or have diarrhea.