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Cat Health & Mainthenance
Keeping your favorite feline in tip-top shape is fairly easy if you keep on top of it.
Long-haired breeds will require more attention to grooming than short-haired ones will, but for some cat fanciers, they are more than worth the time and work.
You should keep a variety of grooming tools on hands. Several different brushes are always useful along with a pair of nail trimmers and a small file. Cats usually take care of their nails themselves by scratching them on a post or sisal board, but some might need a bit of trimming to dull them down a bit. A daily bout with a brush and your cat establishes a bond and trust with your animal. It's a highly nurturing and rewarding exercise for both of you. As for the nail trimming, it might not be so pleasant. Just be gentle, patient and careful; chances are you cat will tolerate the procedure long enough for you to complete the task. A few passes with a curved fine grade file after the nail is trimmed gives it a nice, smooth edge.
The nails and coat aren’t the only aspects of your cat’s physical self that requires a little help on your part. His teeth are also need attention with a brushing from time to time to remove plaque. Let’s face it, your cat’s breath can get a bit gnarly from time to time and it’s from the build up of plaque and bacteria in his mouth. He might not find things in your house to chew on like he would outdoors to clean his teeth naturally, so you will have to help him out with that yourself. You local veterinarian may also have dentistry maintenance services available.
Keeping your cat’s vaccinations complete and current is also a critical step in keeping them healthy.
Yearly boosters after the initial series can be administered by your veterinarian. A yearly overall exam at the time the boosters are given is also recommended. Keep a folder with all you cat’s health records in a secure, convenient place in the event that he would require emergency care. Taking note of your cat’s weight and age along with his history of prior treatments is always helpful. If you pet happens to have allergies or sensitivities to medications you are aware of from previous exposure it can prevent the same from happening again (hopefully). Keep your regular veterinarian’s phone number posted somewhere convenient (like on the fridge or programmed into your cell phone) for making appointments. It also is a good idea to have the number of the nearest emergency veterinary facility posted next to it in case you need it. In the unfortunate event of a trauma or other accident (such as ingestion of poison or being attacked by another animal) the number is right there and you can call and make arrangements to get your pet taken care of in as quick a manner possible. You might even want to take the drive to the facility so you are familiar with its location.
Keep your animal safe during transport by housing him in a cat carrier for trips to and from the vet. Cats get spooked easily and can dash around in the car and cause you to have an accident. You might think he’ll be nice and cozy on your lap for the short trip, but you never know! Better safe than sorry.
Provide your cat with plenty of fresh water and a high-quality diet.
Not all commercially prepared foods are created equal; some are full of low-grade ingredients, fillers, artificial dyes and flavors. Not only do such ingredients not contribute to your pet’s health, they can actually detract from it. You would be amazed at the difference in your cat’s skin and coat when it is fed a quality food, not to mention his muscular and skeletal health. Everything is affected by the diet from nervous system function to kidney and bladder health. You should also be aware of your cat’s weight and portion his food out so he does not consume excess amounts and gain weight. A pet cat at a healthy weight is at less risk for many diseases, including the ones associated with pet obesity (diabetes, renal failure, osteoarthritis), which is becoming an increasing problem in recent years.