Cat HealthA cat health care program can add years to kitty’s life. Just like with children, keeping kitty healthy is an on going adventure. Instead of worrying about measles, chicken pocks, scrapes and bruise, you worry about your kitten getting rabies, fleas, worms and parasites. Unfortunately cats can’t talk to let us know what’s wrong. By observing her, it is sometimes possible to tell when something is wrong.VeterinariansAlthough there are plenty of books and web sites on pet health care, nothing can replace having a veterinarian check out your kitty cat at least once a year. After all, as a responsible parent, don’t you have a doctor to look after your children’s health concerns? By taking your feline to the vet, the veterinarian will help you set up a cat health program. This program will usually detect early signs of any serious health issues. While you are there you can also feel free to ask the vet about any concerns you may have regarding kitty.For more Information on Veterinarians Click Here MedicinesThe vet will usually provide medicines and practical advice like nutritional needs, vaccinations, etc. that are required for kitty's health care program. Usually she will do anything that needs to be administered through a needle. There are times however where you will be required to give kitty medicine yourself. If the suggested treatments require refills, like flea collars, pet shampoos, dental paste, etc. you could get the refills from the vet or buy them from your local pet store or a discount pet supply wholesaler on line to try to save yourself a few dollars. Just like with children, make sure you finish any prescriptions the vet gives you and don’t stop early because kitty looks like she is doing better. Never give kitty human medicine unless instructed to do so by the vet. Human medicines can be fatal to kitty.Health InsurancePet health insurance is something to think about as well, particularly if kitty is an outdoor cat. Just like with your own health insurance, pet insurance for kitty allows you to protect yourself from high expenses should kitty require surgery, etc. Some policies even cover some of the costs of the annual vet visits.For More Information on Pet Insurance click here Pests and ParasitesThings like fleas, mites, ticks and worms can make life pretty uncomfortable for kitty and her cat health program. By observing your feline’s behavior for things like constant scratching and by examining her while grooming her, it is possible to detect these pests and parasites. If you suspect that kitty has attracted a pest or parasite, you should contact your vet. This is particularly true if you suspect that she has a worm infection like roundworms, whip / thread worms, hookworms, tapeworms or flukes.Zoonoses“Zoonoses” is a term used to describe diseases that can be transferred between cats and people. You can not get aids from cats. To catch any diseases that kitty has you must be in close contact with her oral, nasal or digestive discharges. By using common sense and by practicing proper hygiene, you can reduce the risk of catching any of kitty’s sicknesses. Possible zoonoses are small pox, ringworms, cat scratch fever, conjunctivitis, ticks, toxoplasmosis, salmonella, hookworms, roundworms and tapeworms. Your chances of getting sick are actually greater from being in contact with other humans than from contact with kitty.PoisonsCats and kittens are curious creatures. They will get into anything and everything. Just like when dealing with children, it is important not to leave poisons around for kittens to play with or to eat and lick up. There are numerous liquids, chemicals and pest killers to watch out for. Be careful where you place pest poisons for rats, rodents and insects. Other things to keep away from cats are antifreeze, gasoline, kerosene, turpentine, corrosives, household cleaning products and human medicines. Although cats are considered carnivores, they love eating grass, palm branches and spider plants. If you have houseplants, you should familiarize yourself with which ones are safe and which ones are poisonous to cats.
Finally do not give any caffeine or chocolate products to cats. By being aware of the poisons in your home, your cat health program will ensure accidents are less likely to happen.
Neutering and SpayingUnless you have a pure bred cat and are planning to breed it, you should seriously consider spaying or neutering kitty. Although they say you can spay / neuter a kitten as early as 7 weeks, generally male kittens are neutered at no later than 6 months and females are spayed in their 4th month (before she has her first heat cycle).Spaying (females) is generally more expensive than neutering (males). Some cat adoption agencies will include this procedure in the price of the adoption. Clinics are the next least expensive place. Vets are usually the most expensive because of their overhead expenses and they will do follow ups for free if required. To spay a female kitten could be about $100 US.
It’s more merciful to have your cat spayed or neutered than having to deal with unwanted kittens. Please be a responsible cat owner.
Skin ProblemsTeenagers are not the only ones that can suffer from acne problems. Cats can suffer from this ailment as well. Other skin problems to watch for are matted fur, bald spots and scratching her ears constantly. These are things that we as cat owners can look after, but if the problem persists, a vet should be consulted to deal with the cat health problem.ExerciseExercise is an essential part of cat health. Chasing cat toys is one way to provide exercise. Sponge balls bounce well. We find that if we bounce or throw a ball about a foot in front of Simba, our cat, he will leap up and try to catch it in flight. With coaxing some cats will bring the ball back to you to throw again.
Other toys that are found to provide exercise are toys that are hung in a door way on an elastic band and feather toys. Even scratching a cushion with your hand under a blanket will get kitty to attack your hand and thus exercise. You never know, you might find that you are also getting some exercise too.
Cat CareFor information on the following cat health concerns- looking after kitty’s claws - bathing your cat - grooming - cleaning kitty’s face, ears and eyes - your cat’s whiskers - dental care - hairballs - declawing your cat go to our cat care section By maintaining a cat health program you should enjoy many happy years with your feline companion. Leave Cat Health and return to Kitty Cats Guide Home Page |