1 · Coat and skin
Look for change rather than chasing a perfect appearance.
Notice matting, excessive licking, reduced grooming, hair loss, flakes, parasites or a new odour. Gentle brushing may suit some cats, but the tool and session length should match the coat and the cat’s tolerance.
Do not apply human products or force grooming over painful or inflamed areas. A sudden change may need veterinary assessment.
2 · Litter and toileting
Clean facilities make changes easier to recognise.
Maintain accessible litter facilities and observe frequency, posture and output without disturbing the cat. A change in urination or defecation is health information, not simply bad behaviour.
Difficulty passing urine, repeated straining, collapse or severe distress needs urgent telephone guidance.
3 · Mouth, ears and claws
Gentle observation is safer than deep cleaning at home.
Watch for difficulty eating, drooling, visible mouth pain, strong new odour, ear discharge, head shaking or claw problems. Do not insert objects into the ear canal or use unadvised products.
If nail trimming is appropriate, use suitable tools and stop when the cat resists strongly. A groomer or veterinary team can help decide the safer route.
4 · Make the routine cat-friendly
Short, predictable checks are more useful than restraint battles.
Choose a calm moment, keep sessions brief and allow the cat to move away. Familiar carriers, resting places, scratching options and clean resources are part of practical hygiene and wellbeing.
Record or photograph a concern when this can be done safely. The context helps the clinic understand an intermittent problem.