Fairfield-Echo.com

We love the mystery of cats. Every cat keeps a part of his nature a secret, and for us cat lovers, the mystery is part of the charm.

Universal Press Syndicate Cats can be secretive about illness, so pet owners need to be keenly observant.

But it's also part of the problem when trying to figure out if a cat is sick. Too often, the signs of illness in cats are so easy to miss that we don't notice our pets are ill until they're very ill indeed.

To catch illness early, a cat lover must become a keen observer not only of the physical cat, but also the emotional one.

Make observing your cat a part of your everyday routine. You don't have to make a big production out of it. Just be aware of any changes in your cat's condition in a session that begins with petting and ends with your cat's favorite game Ñ or more petting, if that's what your cat prefers. After all, anything that you and your pet find enjoyable, you'll continue to do on a regular basis, and routine health observances need to be regular to be useful.

You must be aware not only of your cat's body, but also of his personality. Many times, behavioral changes noticed by cat owners are later confirmed as illnesses through the use of such diagnostic tools as blood or urine tests. Again, your instincts are sometimes better than you know!

Always be aware of the subtle changes in your pet's behavior, especially regarding the following areas:

Changes in eating habits, especially loss of appetite. Be aware of how much your cat eats, and make a mental note of any changes. More than a day without eating is reason for concern. In a multicat household of free feeders, you may have a hard time figuring who's eating what. Make a conscious effort to see each of your cats at the food dish daily. Better yet, feed them measured portions daily.

Changes in litter-box habits. Many times, a "behavior" problem is really a health problem, such as a cat who is either avoiding the litter box or is using it more often than normal. A cat with an undiagnosed urinary-tract infection or diabetes, for example, may break his normal patterns of litter-box use. He's not "bad" Ñ he's sick!

Changes in drinking habits. Cats drink more in the summer than in the winter, but even taking that into consideration, you should be aware of changes in your cat's drinking habits, whether it's too much or too little.

Changes in grooming. If you notice your cat looking ill-kempt, he likely has a problem, especially if he's normally fastidious. Grooming is one of the most important parts of a cat's routine, and the cat who isn't taking care of his coat isn't well.

Changes in voice. You know what's normal for your cat Ñ how often he pipes up and how he sounds when he does. If your cat is noisier than usual or more quiet, or if the sounds he makes are different, something is going on.

Don't be shy about taking a cat to the veterinarian on a hunch. Veterinarians see such cats so often, they have shorthand for it: "ADR," for "ain't doing right." Many times your veterinarian's examination, coupled with a diagnostic test or two, will turn up a problem. With a proper diagnosis, your cat can be back on the road to good health quickly.

Dr. Marty Becker, the popular veterinary contributor to ABC-TV's "Good Morning America," has been writing a syndicated newspaper column for more than a decade. Becker is also the host of "The Pet Doctor With Marty Becker," which airs on PBS stations around the country. He has appeared on Animal Planet and is a frequent guest on national network and cable television, and on radio shows.

Gina Spadafori is the award-winning author of top-selling pet-care books, and a consultant to the Veterinary Information Network. Her Web log and column archives can be found at www.spadafori.com.