Pet insurance - Tips & Advice - Healthy and happy pets

The one thing that can be very frustrating for pet owners is when their pet starts to behave in a way that indicates that it's ill. Unfortunately, as our pets can’t speak, a trip to the vet is generally the only option. However, spotting an illness in its early stages, or noticing something out of the ordinary means that your pet can be treated before the symptoms get worse.

That’s why it pays to make sure you check your pet on a regular basis. If you're a cat lover, you will know that cats sometimes don’t take kindly to being examined (and getting them to the vet can be a nightmare). So it might help to put your cat off guard by putting him on an unfamiliar surface while you give him the once over.

Examining your cat

Here is what to look for when examining your cat:

• Check the scalp for fleas or flea dirt – this can look like specks of dirt or black pepper
• Check all the nails, especially the dew claws (looks like an extra thumb on the paw). Cats are prone to ingrown nails which can be very painful.
• Check the ears for excessive brown wax or a bad smell – these can be a sign of ear mites or an infection.
• Check the eyes for any abnormal discharge. Some breeds, such as Persians, often get excessive tears, so you will need to clean the corner of their eyes every day.
• If the cat is showing his ‘third eyelids’, it could be a sign that it is unwell.
• Your cat’s nose should be damp and velvety. If it is sneezing or there is any discharge, it can be a sign of early cat flu.
• Stroke your cat all over and see how your cat reacts. Admittedly, some cats don’t like being stroked on their backs, but you need to see if it appears to be in pain when you touch it.
• Examine the gums, teeth and the tongue. The teeth should be white and the gums and tongue a healthy pink. There should be no bad breath. An ulcer on the tongue could be a sign of cat flu or kidney problems.
• Check your cat's belly for any unusual lumps or bumps. If your cat is female and you notice a swelling on the mammary gland, take it to the vet immediately.
• Check the ribs and backbone to see how pronounced they are – this can indicate whether your cat is losing weight or putting too much weight on.

Older cats

If your cat is getting older then you should check it at least once a week for signs of ill health as early intervention is vital. In addition to all of the above, here are a few things to look for in older cats:

• Pay particular attention to weight loss or gain.
• Do you think your cat’s eyesight is failing? For instance, it is bumping into things?
• Check the scalp for increased dandruff – this can be a sign of poor diet, fleas or underlying liver problems.
• Check for matted fur along the back and behind the ears – matting can indicate that your cat isn’t grooming itself properly, which can be a sign of arthritis, painful gums or just general debility.
• Pay attention to your cat's breathing – is it different than normal, such as more rapid or wheezy?

Call the vet

If you spot anything out of the ordinary, then you should take your cat to the vet immediately – never try to diagnose and treat your pet yourself, even if it seems like a recurrence of a previous ailment.

If you have a pet insurance policy, then trips to the vet for treatment won’t be a problem.  With Direct Line pet insurance, your pet is covered per condition, so there’s no restriction on the number of times you can claim.  You can get a  pet insurance quote for your cat from Direct Line and purchase the policy on this website.

Related information:
Pet health checker – basic signs to look for in cats and dogs to check that they are healthy
Alternative health for pets – alternative therapies are becoming more popular but make sure you know how to find reputable practitioners
Kitten insurance – Direct Line pet insurance covers kittens from 8 weeks old