How to examine your cat

As a cat owner, you know your cat best. If you make it a habit to regularly feel your cat and look in the eyes, mouth, claws, ears, etc., you will discover more quickly if something isn't right.

How to examine your cat

Check their eyes are clear
Make sure their nose doesn't run
Smell and look down into their ears.
Lift the lip to smell and look at their teeth and mucous membranes. If your cat allows, you can open the mouth gently. Check for foul odours
Use your fingers and feel your cat for wounds, ticks, nodules, boils or swellings
Look on and under their paws. Check their claws and don't forget the cat's first claw that sits on the inside a little higher up. The cat has 5 toes and 5 claws, all of which should be examined
Lift the tail and look around the anal opening
Feel the udder line of the female cat for udder tumours.
Learn your cats normal temperature and check it regularly
Check your cats weight regularly
Listen to their breathing. Learn your cat's normal breathing pattern and breathing rate.
Keep an eye on your cat's movement patterns. Watch to see if they move, hunt and play less. They may also sleep in more accessible places or interact less with people and other animals.