How to Care for Your Sick Cat

When a cat is sick, it will tend to retreat, or even hide. This can make it more difficult to care for your sick cat.

Give Your Sick Cat Its Own Space
If you can spare a room or large closet in your house that you can dedicate as a sick room for your sick cat, this will help him or her feel more comfortable and secure. It will also help you find your sick cat when it's time to give medicines. If you can't spare an enclosed space for the cat, try to make a lair in the corner of the room where the cat knows it will not be disturbed. If the cat hides behind the couch, pull the couch away from the wall to give him an enclosed space. If you can make a crate or give your sick cat a box to sleep in, it might work just as well.

Give Your Sick Cat Its Own Litter Box
Even if your cat usually shares with others in the house, a sick cat will feel nervous about sharing a litter box with other pets. Provide him his own box near his enclosed space so that he doesn't have to go far to "use the facilities" and he'll likely be grateful.

Keep the Food and Water Near Your Sick Cat
Some cats won't eat when they're sick because the effort involved in tracking down their food and water takes more energy than they have to spare. This can become a vicious cycle. The less they eat and drink, the less energy they have, and the sicker the cat gets. Keep a little tray of water and food near where your cat likes to rest, and it may help to keep your sick cat well-nourished and hydrated.

Give Your Sick Cat a Heating Pad
When you're sick, you might like to curl up in a warm blanket. Cats are the same way, and they like it warmer than we do. To help care for your sick cat, have a heating pad near where he likes to sleep. When he's feeling miserable, your sick cat might actually curl up on the heating pad for warmth. When he's feeling better, he might lay beside it. Wrapped in a furry blanket, the heating pad may also give your sick cat the impression that he's not alone.

Give Your Sick Cat Treats
Even if your cat isn't interested in regular food, he may eat from your hand. Getting treats is always a special surprise for cats, and you may be able to make a sick cat feel more comforted and loved when you feed him by hand.

Attempt Play Time With Your Sick Cat
Chances are, your sick cat isn't much interested in the rowdy play times you used to have together. But if you can get your sick cat interested in a wiggling toy mouse or string, it may give him a needed break from his illness. Distraction isn't only good for people, it's good for pets too. Don't roughhouse with your sick cat, but entertain the cat just long enough to make him happy. And don't be offended if your sick cat just doesn't have the energy to play.

Give Your Sick Cat Regular Visits
As much as your sick cat may want to be alone, he also wants to know that he's loved. Go into his space and spend a little time with him each day. Pet him. Talk to him. If your sick cat normally likes to be brushed, he might enjoy it now too. Loving human contact can go a long way towards making your sick cat feel comforted, as long as you leave him alone when he wants you to.