Cat health and safety

Correct answer: B. Quietly: they hide, hunch, squint, groom less and stop jumping up

Cats instinctively hide pain, so the signs are often quiet: hiding, sitting hunched, squinting, grooming less, no longer jumping onto the sofa or windowsill, eating less, or avoiding the litter box. Purring does not rule out pain. If your cat's behaviour changes, have a vet check it.

Correct answer: C. See a vet: not eating can damage a cat's liver

Cats cope badly without food. When a cat stops eating, its body draws on fat reserves and the fat builds up in the liver. This is hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease), and it can be life-threatening, especially in overweight cats. If a cat eats little or nothing for more than 1–2 days, see a vet. For the same reason, never put a cat on a crash diet or starve it to lose weight.

Correct answer: A. Don't pull it; go to a vet straight away

Thread, string, ribbon, tinsel or dental floss can catch under the tongue or in the stomach while the rest moves on into the intestine. The intestine bunches up along it like a curtain on a rod, and the thread can cut through the gut wall. Pulling can make the damage worse. Sewing thread often has a needle attached. See a vet straight away, and keep thread and ribbons out of your cat's reach.

Correct answer: D. Mouth pain, such as tooth resorption or gum disease: see a vet

Dental disease is very common in adult cats. One form is tooth resorption, in which a tooth gradually breaks down, and it is very painful. Many cats keep eating despite the pain, so the problem goes unnoticed for a long time. Your vet should check the teeth at every visit; dental X-rays and treatment under anaesthesia are often needed.

Correct answer: B. Possibly a blood clot caused by heart disease: emergency

These are signs of aortic thromboembolism (saddle thrombus): a clot formed in the heart lodges where the main artery divides to supply the back legs. The paws turn cold, the pads pale or bluish, and the pain is severe. The cause is usually heart disease, most often hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, that had gone unnoticed. This is an emergency.

Correct answer: C. A vet check with blood and urine tests

In older cats, common causes of increased thirst and urination are chronic kidney disease, an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) and diabetes. An early diagnosis makes treatment easier. Never restrict water: a sick cat needs it more than ever. Older cats should see a vet at least once a year, and more often if needed.

Correct answer: A. No: cats often fall from windows and balconies and get hurt; fit secure screens or nets

A cat can lunge at a bird or insect and fall from a window or balcony. Landing on its feet does not prevent injury: broken jaws and chins, chest and lung injuries and broken legs are common. Cats can also get trapped in the gap of a tilted window. Fit secure screens or nets on windows and balconies. After any fall, have a vet examine the cat even if it seems fine.

Correct answer: D. No: tea tree oil and other essential oils can poison cats

Even applied to the skin in small amounts, tea tree oil can poison a cat: weakness, unsteady walking, tremors and a drop in body temperature. Cats lick the oil off their fur, and their liver handles some of its compounds poorly. Keep concentrated essential oils and oil diffusers away from cats. For fleas, use only products labelled for cats.

Correct answer: B. Have a vet check it, since it may be a urinary problem; then look at the litter box and causes of stress

Urinating outside the box often has a medical cause: bladder inflammation (cystitis, often linked to stress), urinary stones, kidney disease, or arthritis that makes getting into the box painful. Punishment adds stress and makes the problem worse. Keep boxes clean and in quiet places, one per cat plus one extra. A male cat straining without passing urine is an emergency.

Correct answer: C. No: frequent vomiting needs a vet check

Healthy cats, especially long-haired ones, may bring up a hairball now and then. Frequent vomiting is not normal, though, and can be a sign of inflammatory bowel disease, food intolerance, or kidney or thyroid disease. If the cat is also losing weight or eating less, see a vet soon. Regular brushing of long-haired cats reduces hairballs.