What’s the best way to monitor a cat’s health before it’s too late?

First of all, thank you to everyone who replied to my previous post. I honestly didn’t expect so many responses, but I think I’ve read almost every single one of them. 😄

After reading through all of your experiences, I realized that litter tracking and furniture scratching are things I can probably manage with the right setup and by adjusting my expectations.

Now I’ve found a new concern that worries me even more: cat health.

One thing I keep hearing is that cats are incredibly good at hiding pain and illness. Sometimes they don’t show obvious symptoms until a condition has already become serious, and that really scares me.

Part of the reason is a childhood experience. I had a puppy who loved eating trash whenever we went for walks. I usually stopped him, but one day he started passing worms in his stool. Despite our efforts, he passed away about a month later. It was heartbreaking, and I’ve always been afraid of missing early warning signs ever since.

So I’d love to ask the experienced cat owners here:

• How do you monitor your cat’s health on a daily or weekly basis?
• What subtle signs do you pay attention to?
• Are there any routines, regular checkups, or products that have helped you catch health issues early?
• Looking back, is there anything you wish you had started doing sooner?

I’m hoping to become the most responsible cat parent I can be, so I’d really appreciate any advice or experiences you’re willing to share.