Useful tips that most cat owners seem to not know about
Cats will consume more water if it’s placed AWAY from their food. They do not like to smell their food anywhere near their water source. So, place their (fresh) water bowl across the kitchen or a few feet away, at least. They also like to discover water in unusual places, so you can put a bowl in another room from time to time. And never serve food and water in plastic. They really detest the smell of it, and it can cause feline acne issues.
If you want your cats to stop doing some “bad” behavior, you must give them an alternative option. For example, if you want your cat to stop scratching your sofa, place a scratching pad or pole really near the sofa. When you discourage them from scratching the furniture, immediately encourage them to scratch the pad, instead. You can rub or spray it with catnip. Even though they may still occasionally scratch the furniture, it will be to a much lesser degree. Same goes for jumping on the kitchen counters. Place something next to the counter to give them somewhere else to climb, so they can have a high perch and view.
Cats do not show when they are sick or injured, because weakness makes them vulnerable to predators. This means they will not mope around looking miserable if they’re sick, or in any other way display being under the weather. They can be in extreme pain and still show no sign of it.
What you watch for is behavioral changes. A cat who pees outside the box , when previously he didn’t, might be a urinary tract infection. A cat who avoids his usual favorite spot, especially if he’s choosing one in a darker or enclosed location, probably does not feel well. A cat who does not play as usual may have an injury or feel nauseous. A cat acting more tired than usual (admittedly, a high bar for cats) or unenergetic may be very sick. Sometimes a snuggly cat becoming suddenly distant has issues, though cats do naturally seem to go through highs and lows in friendliness. If the cat suddenly starts gaining or losing weight, that is also another warning sign that something is off.
Watch how much they eat, keep an eye on how much they pee and poop. Some serious conditions are presaged by a cat urinating more than usual.
Trust your instinct. If something about your cat changes suddenly, it very well could be the only sign you’ll get that something needs vet attention.