Cats are well known for being aloof, disdainful creatures so you must teach your cat to allow you to handle and examine it properly. To get it used to doing this, put your cat on an unfamiliar surface - not its favourite chair or sofa - to put him off his guard. Teach him to sit there quietly while you give him a once over.

Health check for your cat

• check the scalp for fleas or flea dirt, which looks like specks of black pepper
• check the ears for excessive brown wax or a bad smell which could indicate ear infection
• check all the nails - especially the dewclaws. Cats easily get ingrown nails, which are extremely painful. Indoor cats may need a pedicure if the nails get too long and catch in the carpets
• check the eyes for any abnormal discharge. If you have a Persian cat you may need to clean the corners of its eyes daily as they often get tear overflow. If the cat is showing his third eyelids it could be a sign that it is unwell
• nose should be damp and velvety. Sneezing and any discharge can be a sign of early cat flu
• stroke your cat all over - many cats dislike being touched on their back but if it seems in pain it could have hurt itself or have a cat bite. Check with your vet
• open your cat's mouth and look at the gums, the teeth and the tongue. The teeth should be white and the gums and tongue a healthy salmon pink. There should be no bad breath. An ulcer on the tongue could be a sign of cat flu or kidney problems
• rub your cat's belly to check for any unusual lumps or bumps. If your cat is female and you notice a swelling on the mammary gland, take it to the vet immediately
• run your hand along the ribs and backbone - if your cat is losing weight or getting excessively fat take it to the vet's for a weight and health check
• look under your cat's tail - sometimes you will see a rice grain which means your cat has tapeworms. As these are also carried by fleas, you must treat your cat for both