Every cat is different. One eats everything in one go, another nibbles all day long. One sleeps sixteen hours, another is always on the move. So what's “usual” differs from cat to cat. That's why it helps to first know how your own cat does things. That's called a baseline. Only then can you clearly see when something changes.
It doesn't take hours. A few seconds a day, at roughly the same time, already gets you a long way. These are the six things you can keep track of.
1. Appetite
Does she finish her portion? Does she leave more than usual, or eat more greedily? Measure or weigh her portion for a few days, and you'll know how much “usual” really is.
2. Drinking
Drinking is harder to see, especially if your cat eats wet food. Look mainly for clear changes: a water bowl that empties much faster, or one that hardly goes down any more.
3. Stool (and urine)
When you clean the litter box, you see a lot: how often, how much, shape and colour. Do you notice the urine clumps getting much bigger or smaller? Note that too.
4. Energy
Is she playing as usual? Does she come to greet you, does she still jump onto her favourite spot? Small differences in energy only stand out when you put them side by side.
5. Coat
A coat changes slowly. Take a look every few days: is it shiny, are there tangles, is she grooming less — or much more — than usual?
6. Behaviour
Does she seek your company or withdraw? Is she hiding, more easily irritated, or sleeping in different places? Behaviour often tells you a lot, but only if you know what it usually looks like.
How to make it a habit
- Pick a fixed moment, for example at the evening meal.
- Keep notes short, in a few words. No need for full sentences.
- Compare with the previous days, not with other cats.
When should you call your vet?
Observing is no substitute for a vet. Do you see a sudden or major change, has your cat eaten nothing for more than 24 hours, is she vomiting repeatedly, having trouble urinating or lethargic? Then contact your vet straight away. Your notes will help you explain clearly what you saw.
Everything in one place
In the PawFix Cat Care System, these six points come together in one daily tracker. You start with a start profile for your cat's baseline, then follow her for fourteen days, with one clear decision each day: go ahead, slow down, observe or call your vet.
You can already try the start profile for free: download 2 real pages, no sign-up needed.
PawFix supports structured observation and does not replace a diagnosis or a vet's advice. If you're worried about your cat, contact your vet.