how can you find out if your cat is sick?

Good answer. If your cat is not moving as much as before, or has a loss of appetite, you should bring it to the vet.

Good answer. The first thing a vet will do is take the cat's temperature. You can do this at home as well. Your cat's normal rectal temperature is 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Higher temperatures may necessitate a trip to your veterinarian, depending on other symptoms. Feeling the ears, nose or head is not considered a reliable method; you have to determine your cat's internal temperature to find out for certain. This is done rectally, using a rectal thermometer, either digital or mercury. It might be easier if you get another person to assist by holding your cat firmly in a standing position. You can place her head in the crook of the arm and face her outward. If necessary, wrap your pet in a towel with the tail area exposed. Then do the following: If using a mercury thermometer, remember to shake it with a quick flick of the wrist until the mercury is below 94 degrees. Then lubricate the thermometer with petroleum jelly, KY jelly or other water-based lubricant. Have your helper gently grab the skin at the base of the neck to "scruff" the cat while holding the front legs still. Lift your cat's tail and insert the thermometer slowly and carefully into the rectum, located just below the base of the tail. Insert the thermometer about 1 inch and hold in place – two minutes for mercury thermometers or until the digital thermometer beeps. Remove the thermometer and read the temperature. Vets agree that the ear thermometer is not as accurate for cats. Most clinics will not use them because each cat has a different shape to its ear canal. If your cat has a body temperature less than 99 degrees or over 104 degrees, contact your veterinarian or local emergency facility immediately. A high temperature could mean your cat has an infection. A temperature below normal can be just as serious, indicating other problems like shock. Note: Both the Cornish Rex and Devon Rex cats have a temperature that is normally one degree higher than that of other breeds.