10 Tips to Keep Your Cat Healthy
By: Faith P.
10 tips to keep your cat healthy: Most cat owners want to make sure that their furry friend will live happily and healthily, so you have to make sure that you know your cat’s needs. These are are a couple of tips to help you out.
- Food
It would be best if you always kept in mind that cats won’t all be the same. How much and what you should be feeding your cat depends on many things -age, existing medical conditions or illness, food allergies- to name a few. Be careful not to provide your cat with many dry foods; dry foods contain a lot of carbohydrates, and a cat cannot tolerate that as their primary food like dogs can. A cat’s diet should consist mainly of meats; cats cannot be vegetarian. Too many carbohydrates could cause your cat to become obese and develop Type 2 Diabetes.
- Water
Cat’s have evolved from their ancestors who lived in the deserts where their primary water source was through their prey; they won’t have the same urge to drink when compared to dogs. So while their prey was made of about 70% water, today, wet food is made of around 78% water; dry food, on the other hand, is made of only 5% – 10% water. If you feed your cat dry food, you may notice them drinking more water. Make sure always to have a bowl of fresh water available to them. Keep in mind that older cats and cats who are nursing can become dehydrated more quickly.
- Clean Teeth
Cats, like humans, can develop tartar on their teeth from lack of brushing. The tartar can lead your can to develop gum disease and cause their teeth to decay. What can also happen is the bacteria on their teeth have a chance of entering their bloodstream; this could lead to other diseases from developing. Cats can’t brush their teeth like we can and will likely not allow you to brush their teeth for them; however, you can schedule a time to bring them into the vet to get their teeth cleaned. You should bring them in at least once a year for teeth cleaning to keep their teeth healthy.
- Litter Boxes
For litter boxes, the good idea is to have at least one per cat and one extra. This means if you have two cats, you should have three litter boxes. You must also make sure that you are making sure the litter boxes are clean; you may need to scoop it more than once a day. The regular cleaning keeps the litter box clean, but it also gives you the chance to notice changes in their stool and urine that could indicate health problems.
- Peeing Habits
If your cat doesn’t use the litter box and pees in other areas throughout your house, you will want to figure out why. The first thing you should check is if they have an illness. Changes in litter box habits could mean that your cat has a urinary tract infection or another disease, and you should take them to the vet to check. Another possibility is that they dislike the litter; you should try using different ones to see your cat’s preference.
- Scratching Posts
If you want your cat to scratch all over your nice furniture, you should get a scratching post for them to use. Scratching is a natural behaviour that cats exhibit, which helps them stretch their muscles and keep their claws in good shape. Allowing your cat a good scratching post will allow them to remove old layers from their nails. Sometimes you may need to train your cat to use the scratching post, which may take time.
- Grooming
Whether your cat has short or long fur, you should try grooming them once a day. Though cats self-groom, you should still groom them to reduce the amount of shedding in your house and reduce the number of hairballs that your cat has from self-grooming. You may also take this chance while brushing them to see if your cat has any scars, lumps, or sore spots. If you find anything concerning, you could then take them to the vet as soon as possible.
- Travel Safely
Never let your cat run loose around your car. They could be a distraction to the driver, which is an accident waiting to happen. Keep a carrier around if you plan on driving with your cat in the car; the carrier should be a comfortable space for them so they can feel safe. You should also never leave your cat alone in a car, so if you don’t plan on bringing them in with you, don’t bring them at all.
- Spay or Neuter
Spaying or neutering your cat will benefit them in the long run. Female cats will be uncomfortable when they go into heat, and males will get into fights if they are not neutered. The male’s conflicts allow infections to more easily affect them due to cuts and scratches they’ll get. Getting your cats spayed or neutered also prevents both you and them from the stress of them getting pregnant. With the many cats already in shelters, it’s better not to add to their population.
- Regular Vet Visits
This goes without saying, but it’s still good to mention. Scheduling regular vet visits will help make sure your cat is healthy. The vets can catch any diseases or illnesses that may be worrying earlier. When we say regular vet visits, it means a minimum of once a year; this allows them to be checked for diseases, get their teeth cleaned, get vaccines, and make sure they are a healthy weight.
Conclusion
These are simple things you can do to improve your cat’s quality of life. If you cater to your cat’s needs and give them the affection they deserve, then they are sure to live happy and healthy lives.
Links:
https://www.hillspet.com/cat-care/routine-care/everyday-cat-health-tips
https://www.dailypaws.com/cats-kittens/health-care/ways-to-keep-your-cat-healthy
https://www.petsafe.net/learn/cats-101-basic-health-care-tips-to-keep-your-cat-healthy#
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