It’s often said that if a cat is in a prolonged state of lethargy, he should be taken to the vet to see if there’s an underlying cause. Lethargy can be a sign of everything from an infection to arthritis to diabetes. But what is lethargy?
It’s not a cat’s typical dozing throughout the day. It’s not even tiredness. All cats, like all people, get tired sometimes. Rather, it’s characterized by a pet’s unusual sluggishness and lack of motivation — to play, perhaps to eat. A lethargic cat exhibits little to no interest in activities he has always enjoyed.
If your cat is off his game for more than a couple of days by seeming disinterested and lying low — that is, if he is lethargic — you should take him to the vet to see what might be wrong. There’s more than a fair chance that whatever the problem is, it won’t go away without treatment.
