Cats can be strange, mysterious creatures – and that’s one of the things we love about them. But when it comes to monitoring their health, our favourite slinky companions can make things a little difficult for us.

Why? Quite simply, cats don’t like to show us that they’re not feeling well.

“This is very likely a survival instinct,” explains Dr Corey Regnerus, Scientific Services Veterinarian at premium pet nutrition brand Royal Canin. “From an evolutionary perspective, if cats overtly displayed signs of illness or injury, they would potentially put themselves at risk of becoming a target for another prey animal. Because of this, signs that they’re not feeling well can be very subtle.”

So how do you know what’s just normal cat uniqueness, and what could be a sign of something wrong?

It can sometimes take a bit of detective work to find out. But the good news is, advanced pet care products like Royal Canin’s HEMATURIA DETECTION by Blucare can give you some vital clues that it’s time to see the vet.

Signs you should take your cat to the vet

Cats may be masters of disguise, but there are some subtle signs of potential cat health issues to look out for, Dr Regnerus says.

“It can be small changes in routine or behaviour, like sleeping more, sleeping less, hiding, avoiding being petted, or becoming very vocal or even aggressive,” he says.

“Changes in eating and drinking behaviour are also common signs – whether it’s no longer clearing the food bowl after every meal like they usually do, or going from being a grazer to becoming ravenous.”