Certainly everyone who has a cat wants him or her to be healthy. Knowing what a healthy cat looks and feels like to the touch can help us spot any changes that may require veterinary attention. Let's take a look at our cats from head to toe so that we may start with a level playing ground. It is important first to point out that a "disability" such as an amputated limb, blindness, or hearing loss does not automatically rule out being overall healthy. For example, an active "tripod" cat may be much healthier than an obese cat with all four legs.
The Healthy Cat's Head
A healthy cat's head will give an impression of alertness. Except when sleeping, interacting with other cats, or on the prowl, the head will be carried high. Start by knowing what all the lumps and bumps on your cats head are in his healthy state (confirm any suspicious ones with your veterinarian).A Healthy Cat's Ears
Except for the Scottish Fold and the American Curl, a cat's ears will be triangular in shape. The outside ear coat is very short, and, as a rule, somewhat sparser than the hair on the rest of the cat's body. Because of this, white cats and other cats with light-colored ears are susceptible to squamous cell carcinoma, a form of cancer which attacks the ear tips and pink noses of these cats. This cancer is malignant, and can spread to other areas of the cat's body if not treated aggressively. Thus, any indication of sores, scabs, or "crusty" appearance should trigger a visit to your veterinarian.
His ears will be clean, with no signs of ear mites. Although normally, a cat's ears may show a small amount of wax, there should be no foul odor or visible pus or drainage, which could lead to hearing loss. A cat with healthy ears should never shake his head nor paw at his ears. Any of these signs are a red flag that the cat should be seen immediately by a veterinarian.
A Healthy Cat's Eyes
Your cat's eyes should be clear, bright, and alert to his surroundings. Although his pupils may be narrow or wide, depending on the amount of light reflecting on them, they should always be the same size. The whites of the eyes should be white, with no evidence of yellowing or redness. Although you may see tiny blood vessels, the appearance of blood in the eye chamber is a veterinary emergency. Squinting or blinking of one eye could also indicate an injury to the eye, such as foreign matter or a scratch from another cat. These are also indications that a veterinarian should be consulted. Reddening of the pink membrane that lines the eyelid is an indication of possible conjunctivitis, which can sometimes be difficult to treat. None of these conditions are responsive to DIY home treatment, and any of them could eventually lead to serious problems and blindness, if left untreated.
A Healthy Cat's Nose
A healthy cat's sense of smell is fourteen times stronger than a human's, which is not surprising, since the cat's nose may be one of his most valuable assets. In fact, news stories occasionally surface when cats' save their families' lives by waking them after smelling smoke or gas leaks.
He depends heavily on his sense of smell to locate food in the form of prey, scent out his enemies (predators, dogs, other cats), or scout for a mate. Cats use their own scent glands to mark their territory, which may range for several miles in the wild. They then use their nose with its magnificent organ, the vomeronasal organ, most often known as the Jacobson's Organ, to check their own scent markings, and to ensure that no other predator or rival cat has passed that way.
A cat's nose leather may be of any color, including black and pink, or even a combination of colors. The nostrils should be free of mucous, and not "runny." Although a cat may sometimes sneeze because of allergies or dust, continuous, severe sneezing, sometimes accompanied by gagging, is an indication he may have some foreign body embedded in his nasal passage. So is a cat pawing at its nose. This is more common with cats allowed outdoors, who may have swallowed or inhaled a foxtail or sharp blade of grass, and it is considered a veterinary emergency. Read a more thorough examination on how a cat uses his nose and Jacobson's organ in "The Nose Knows."
