Cat health problems can be hard to diagnose for long-time cat owners, let alone for new owners. However, it is essential that you learn the warning signs and symptoms to look for, so that you can keep your cat healthy and active. The longer a serious problem is left untreated, the sicker your cat can get, and you could be looking at a ridiculous vet bill. With that in mind, here are a few tips to help you understand what to look for:

The first tip off is if your cat has a change in their behavior. Is your normally happy and active cat not as playful or as affectionate as usual? If he or she is moping around and not acting like themselves, then that is generally a big red flag that something is wrong.

Many times your cat will try to tell you something is wrong by urinating on your bed or furniture. While many cats do this to mark their territory, if this has never been a problem with your cat and they suddenly start to urinate everywhere but in their litter box, they may be trying to tell you something. It could be a urinary tract infection or some form of obstruction.

One sign that is extremely important, especially in older cats, is when they stop eating. This can lead to fatty liver disease, which in many cases becomes deadly. In other cases, there may be a problem with their teeth or gums. Also, if your cat isn’t drinking, this is even more cause for alarm. A cat can only go a few days without water before their organs will begin shutting down. If you notice your cat is refusing to eat or drink, get them to a vet as soon as possible.

Other signs to look for are obsessive vomiting that includes bile, filmy eyes, discharge from their nose or diarrhea. If you notice any of these signs or the ones above, you shouldn’t hesitate to get your cat to the vet immediately. It is better to be safe than sorry!