Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Behavior changes in cats as signs of illness or stress
By Stelow, Elizabeth·Published in The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice·2020·University of California, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Behavior as an Illness Indicator.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
If you've noticed a change in your cat's behavior that worries you enough to see the vet, it could mean a few different things. The change might be due to a problem with their mental health, a physical health issue, or a mix of both. Since many behavior problems can be linked to medical issues, it's crucial for your veterinarian to check for any underlying health conditions before making a diagnosis. This article provides a guide to help vets identify the most common medical reasons behind different behavior changes in cats. Understanding these possibilities can help ensure your cat gets the right care.
Abstract
When an owner notices a behavior change in their cat that concerns them enough to present the cat to the vet, there are 3 possibilities: the behavior change reflects a change in behavioral health (a change in psychological state), a change in medical health (a change in physical state), or a combination (comorbid medical and behavioral pathologies). Because many behavioral pathologies are diagnoses of exclusion, it is important that the veterinarian rule out all of the likely medical differentials for the changed behavior. This article is a behavior-by-behavior guide to the more common differentials for the most common problem behaviors.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32334908/