Healthy Cat - Furbabies Cat Care Site

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Cat Care Site

Healthy Cat

Below is a description of the appearance of a healthy cat. When adopting or purchasing a new cat or kitten, always make sure it is healthy.

Furbabies Cat Care Site
Abdomen
Should be without wounds, sores or growths and should not be distended or over sensitive
Anus
Should be clean, without staining or scouring. Bowel motions should be passed without persistent diarrhoea or constipation
Appetite
The cat or kitten should have a good appetite, maintaining weight in an adult cat or growth in kittens. There should not be persistent vomiting.
Breathing
Should be even and quiet. There should not be wheezing or coughing.
Coat
Should be clean, glossy and well-groomed. Longhair cats should not have knots in their coat. The coat should be free from parasites and parasite eggs or droppings. There should not be too many loose hairs. There should not be any bald patches, dry skin or dandruff.
Demeanour
The cat or kitten should be watchful and alert, even at rest. It should respond quickly to sounds in the environment. The kitten should appear quiet and contented.
Droppings/Faeces
Should be buried or covered by cat litter. Faeces should be well-formed. There should not be persistent diarrhoea or constipation.
Ears
Should be pricked up to catch sounds. Inside, they should be clean and free from discharge. There should be no evidence of irritation - scratching or shaking of the head.
Eyes
Should appear clear and bright, not bloodshot. The third eyelid should not be showing. There should be little or no discharge or watering. Some tearing will be present in Persian or Exotic cats.
Mouth
Should be pink and free from ulcers or sores.
Movement
The kitten should appear agile and free to move. There should not be any stiffness in the joints. Weight should be evenly distributed across all four paws. The kitten should have an even and steady gait.
Nose
The nostrils should be clean and free from discharge.
Paws
Claws and paw pads should not be split. There should not be thorns or splinters stuck in the paw. Paw pads should be undamaged.
Skin
Should be supple, without scurf, inflammation or sores. There should be no evidence of parasites.
Teeth and Gums
The kittens teeth should be clean and free of tartar. There may be a slight tartar build-up in cats. The gums should be pink, not inflamed, white or yellow.
Urine
Should be passed effortlessly and without pain.

References

Edney A, Taylor D, 101 Essential Tips: Caring For Your Cat, London: Dorling Kindersley, 1997

Page S, The Complete Cat Owners Manual, Australia: Readers Digest, 1997

Taylor D, The Ultimate Cat Book, Great Britain: Dorling Kindersley, 1989


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