What are the key signs to tell if my cat is sick or depressed?

I'm so sorry to hear that Beow isn't feeling well. It is very concerning when a cat doesn't eat for more than 24 hours. I would recommend having Beow examined by a veterinarian right away. They may be able to tell you what is going on based on an examination, but more likely may need to do some blood work. Unfortunately, cats tend to become sicker the longer they do not eat and do not tend to improve without treatment, so I would recommend having him treated as soon as possible. Good luck! I hope that was helpful and that Beow feels better soon. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

These symptoms are definitely of concern and most likely a sign of illness and not depression. It is not any fault of yours, but he does need to see a veterinarian to determine the cause of his illness. They may recommend running bloodwork to check for signs of systemic illness such as kidney disease or infection, and may want to test his for Feline Leukemia and Feline Aids since he was an outdoor cat before he came to you.

While loss/grief can certainly cause behavioral changes in cats, losing weight, not eating and urinating everywhere make me worry there is an underlying health condition such as a urinary infection that is causing him distress. Not being neutered can also lead to marking behavior/stress if there is a female in heat nearby. It is a good idea to have a thorough exam done along with bloodwork, X-rays and urine tests potentially to determine if there is any health issue. If he checks out healthy, spending more time together may help him to relax some, as well as using a pheromone diffuser such as Feliway to help with the marking behavior/stress. If you think he'd benefit from a friend, gradually introducing a new cat may help as well, but can also be stressful.

I can understand your concern. Cats can hide illness quite well. But typical signs of illness can include: decreased appetite, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and unusual behavior (like hiding or seeking more attention than normal). If you are still concerned that your kitty may be ill then you can request that your vet do a general health check via bloodwork and urine testing as well. A fecal exam is also indicated if Noushmc is having loose stool. Best wishes and take care.

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! In veterinary medicine, we use the term that a pet is depressed when they are acting lethargic or quiet (not active). Sometimes it has to do with their level of mentation also. So the signs are usually that they are not as active as normal, laying around a lot, not playing, not grooming themselves, isolating themselves, and in general, just not acting normally (more quiet than normal). I hope this helps.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Eddie. Yes, you are correct this can be a sign of illness. As long as he is eating and drinking, and using the litter box, I would monitor him for now. If he stops eating, stays very lethargic over the next 24 hours, stops drinking water, stops using the litter box, or develops other symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, I would take him into a vet right away. Best of luck.

Hello. It does sound like some event occurred to him. You indicate he is eating, which is good, but are you sure he is using the litter box, especially urinating? If not, this might be a concern. Sometimes when there is a personality change, it is best to first rule out the possibility of an underlying illness or injury. If he is eating & you are sure he is having no difficulties urinating, just watch him over the weekend, but consider having him examined sometime next week if he still seems off. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.