Page 58 - Complete Cat Care: How To Keep Your Cat Healthy and Happy

Digestive disorders

The digestive system breaks down food, releasing nutrients to be
converted into energy by the body's cells. Any problem with your
cat's eating or digestion can have an overall impact on health.

Changes in appetite Vomiting and
Loss of appetite may indicate a sore regurgitation
Signs of a problem mouth (see pp.54-5), cat flu (see Vomiting is a cat’s way of protecting
p.58), a gastrointestinal disorder, or himself against bad food or poisons
■ Vomiting or regurgitation an illness such as kidney disease (see pp.78-9). It is normal for a
■ Increase or decrease in appetite (see p.67). Stress may also make a healthy cat to vomit occasionally,
■ Constipation—inability to cat reluctant to eat. Try tempting such as after consuming grass or
defecate, lasting more than a day your cat with tasty foods, and call to eliminate hairballs. A single
■ Diarrhea—frequently passing the vet. Do not let your cat go for episode of vomiting is no cause for
large volumes of loose feces
■ Blood in feces more than a day without eating: it alarm. However, repeated vomiting
can be a sign of illness, or of a
can endanger his health.
■ Stools (feces) of altered color,
frequency, or consistency An increase in appetite can be hairball or other object blocking
■ Weight loss a sign of illness, such as the stomach or intestine, and you
hyperthyroidism (see p.61), or a should contact your vet.
side effect of certain drugs, such as Repeated vomiting and abdominal
▽ General illness corticosteroids. Even if there is no pain indicate a serious digestive
A cat with vomiting or diarrhea may seem obvious cause, monitor your cat’s disorder that may have been
abnormally quiet and lethargic. He may be
lacking energy due to dehydration and a weight—obesity can produce or caused by eating an irritant or
lack of nutrients. worsen health problems. contaminated food. Persistent

△ Tempting the appetite
If your cat has gone off his food, try offering
a few tasty treats such as shrimp. Serve food at
room temperature or warm it up a little to make
it smell more appetizing.

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