Cat Confidential!

Helping Your Cat Stay Healthy

 

To keep your cat healthy a majority of time, all you really need to do is give him good shelter, food, and plenty of water.  Like other living things however, cats can get sick from time to time no matter what you do.  

 

As a cat owner, you'll want to ensure that you feed your cat only the best.  Premium cat food is the ideal for cats, as the food is designed to keep your pet happy and healthy.  You will also need to pay attention to his behavior, so you will know when he/she is sick and when to take him to the vet.  Most of the more common ailments and sicknesses are minor, although there are some cases where a vet can be the determining factor between life and death for your cat.

 

Your cat's behavior will be one of the most critical factors when you are trying to determine whether or not he/she is under the weather.  Acting sluggish, laying around all the time, lack of energy and not eating are all signs that you need to take him/her to the vet immediately.  Watching your cat's coat is also a good idea.  If you notice that the coat is dull and patchy or notice a large amount of shedding, you should contact your vet as soon as you possibly can.

 

Diarrhea and vomiting are sometimes common, even with basic sickness.  On the other hand, if your cat seems to be doing either one of the two for more than a day, you should contact your veterinarian.  Coughing is common as well, simply because coughing will dislodge hairballs.  If your cat seems to be coughing for another reason, you should have him checked out as soon as possible.

 

To ensure that your cat isnt subjected to various diseases, you should always make sure that he stays up do date with his vaccinations. There are several diseases out there that require vaccinations, including rabies and feline distemper.  Feline distemper is one of most devastating diseases a cat can get, yet it is also one of the easiest to prevent.  The disease strikes cats very fast, and leaves you as an own very little time to seek treatment.  While it is of the of the upmost importance to make sure that an outdoor or in and out cat is up to date on all vaccinations, the all indoor cat does not need as many.  Check with your vet to make a care plan for your cat based on how often they are out of the house.

 

Feline leukemia is another disease that is very deadly, yet can be prevented early on with the proper vaccinations.  Although the disease isnt possible for humans to contract, it can be spread quickly among cats.  There are vaccinations that can treat the disease, although you'll still want to be careful and not expose other cats around a cat you know has feline leukemia. 

 

Another problem, which is very common with cats that stay outdoors, is worms.  Cats that have worms will normally have a lackluster coat and little to no appetite, though not always (some cats eat more than usual).   There are several different types of worms, including ringworm and hookworm.  Worms can come from fleas, lice, or even the organs of dead rodents that cats consume.  Normally, the cat will digest the eggs which will later mature and attach themselves to the walls of the intestines.  Indoor cats cat also get worms by eating bugs that come into the house during the summer months.  Be on the look out for the cat dragging his/her bottom on the ground.  If this occures you will need to look at the cat's rectum it could be that he/she is not cleaning their bottoms well enough.  If it is worms you may see a little white "worm" sticking out of the cat's rectum.  

 

If you take care of your cat, chances are you will keep him healthy for years to come.  You should always make sure he/she has quality food, and has regulary scheduled checkups with the vet.  If your cat gets the proper vaccinations when required to, he/she should be safe against numerous pests and diseases.  Taking the proper steps with your cat now will prevent anything from happening in the future.