Cat parents want to do whatever they can to keep their cats healthy. So, what are some ways to tell? The Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine released some signs that indicate a cat is healthy, and you can check them out HERE
For a website that has a lot of detailed information about cat health, click here!
This is a question that plagues many cat parents, especially if they have multiple cats. For example, I have two older cats, and one young cat, and all of them have different dietary needs. For cats that have certain medical conditions, veterinarians might suggest WD Formula cat food. This kind of cat food is easy on cat stomachs, and is moderately priced.
Fancy Feast is for cat parents that like to give their cats wet food. There are many different flavors and consistencies to choose from with this brand. However, wet food does lead to faster tooth decay, so it’s best to mix in some dry food with the wet food.
My personal choice for cat food is IAMS. They have formulas for each age bracket, and the food is highly nutritious. Plus, my cats can be picky eaters, but they love it!
Out of my three cats, only one of them has had to have his teeth cleaned, and boy was it an experience. You can generally tell when your cat needs a teeth cleaning. The teeth are brownish, and the cat has terrible breath. If the teeth aren’t cleaned, the cat ends up with abscesses, which can lead to other health problems. While some cats are docile enough to allow their kitty parents to clean their teeth, often the veterinarian has to do it. This usally ends up being an overnight stay, because it’s a surgical procedure and the cat needs an anesthetic. When it comes time to pick kitty up, you might need to give the kitty some medication. Put the kitty, food, and the litterbox in the bathroom for a day or two, because the cat will be disoriented from the anesthetic, and needs to be in an enclosed space so it won’t get hurt. Fortunately for the cats, they don’t need their teeth cleaned all the time!
You can hear it coming. The cat starts coughing and heaving. Pretty soon a hairball is on the floor. I don’t know why, but my cats always choose the carpet to unleash a hairball. Luckily, it doesn’t happen too often. However, hairballs are inevitable, especially given how meticulous cats are about grooming. I’ve found that there are a couple of ways to ease the hairball. First of all, if you happen to be around when it’s happening, try to run the cat’s throat. This will ease the heaving, and sometimes the hairball goes away. However, the hairball definitely shouldn’t stay in the cat’s stomach. So, the next step is to get anti-hairball food, which is available at your veterinarian’s or at your local pet supply store. Lastly, brush your kitty often - especially if the cat has long hair.
Spring is quickly approaching (hopefully) with warmer, longer days and milder nights. Chances are if you have spring fever, your cat does to. If you have been an owner for more than a year or two, you have probably noticed that with the first signs of a sunny warm day, just as the birds are returning, your cat is suddenly energized and playful.
Cats that are allowed outdoors will be spending more and more time outside roaming than indoors sleeping. Cats that are kept indoors all the time will be looking for entertainment, too. So, while you are doing your spring cleaning and revamping your wardrobe, don’t forget about kitty. Below are a few things you should remember to get your cat ready for spring.
Make sure all vaccinations including rabies are up to date. The warmer months of spring and summer mean more animals are on the move and more likely to cross another’s path, thus aiding the spread of diseases.
Stock up on flea and tick treatments for your pets and your home. The ASPCA recommends checking your cat for fleas and ticks at least once per week. If your cat has fleas, your home does to, and both should be treated properly with safe flea and tick pesticide products. Preventive treatments do help, but they are not fail-proof.
Make sure your cat has access to plenty of clean water both indoors and outdoors. Cats need a lot of water during hot weather. For outdoors, provide a sturdy, non-tip bowl in a shaded area. If you are away from home for most of the day, or take overnight trips, a self-waterer is the best way to make sure they don’t run out. Wash the bowls and replace with fresh water daily.
Provide entertainment. Especially for indoor cats, the renewed energy and playfullness of spring fever means they are going to be looking for stimulation. If you don’t provide it, they will find it on their own, and likely up the curtains. Purchasing some new toys and scratching posts will help to keep them entertained.
Make sure your cat will have access to a cool surface for sleeping. Tile floors, sinks and bathtubs are favored napping spots during the summer because the surfaces stay cooler. If you normally keep bathrooms and kitchen areas closed off from your cat, make sure there is another cool spot in the rooms they are allowed into. If necessary, go to your local home and hardware store and ask for remnants of kitchen laminate or tile squares. You can place these in a dark corner away from windows and sunlight, and the surface will stay colder than carpet or furniture.
Enjoy your cat’s energetic boost this spring. Spring fever makes for some great funny video and photo opportunities!
Image source: Thanks to Greekgeek for sharing this great picture of Samhain the cat.
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