Basic Health Care Tips

Have you ever taken your cat to the veterinarian before? How often do you bring them for checkups? Do you give them their shots, flea treatments or deworming pills? Even if your cat does not appear to be sick, it is important to prevent any issues as that will cost you a lot more money than your basic vet checkups will.

Other than your regular vet checkups, here are 10 ways to keep your cat’s basic health in check!

1. Grooming Your Cat Regularly

Your cat will gain a lot from routine brushing or combing, regardless of whether they have short or long fur. This assists in getting rid of the dead hair from their coats so they won't eat it while grooming themselves. It also gives you the chance to examine them physically and watch out for any changes. Your veterinarian can then immediately look into any irregularities, such as lumps, pimples, or tender places.

2. Provide Fresh Water Daily

Water that is clean and fresh is crucial for your cat's wellness. If your cat doesn't seem to enjoy drinking from a bowl, maybe try giving them a tall glass to drink from (some cats prefer not to stoop down to do so), a bowl with a higher stand or even a cat fountain. Replenish your cat’s water every day, and to keep your cats bowl clean.

3. Quality Food

There are a lot of different types of cat food out there, but a lot of them are unhealthy. The best food out there has real ingredients that you will understand, the worst have ingredients you have never heard of. Unfortunately, the food that is pretty cheap are usually of lower quality, which is the equivalent to giving your cat McDonalds everyday verses food with fresh ingredients in them. Veterinarian food is ideal, but more costly than store bought. You can still get decent food at the store but make sure to do your research on the brand and ingredients and do not over feed your cat as obesity can cause big issues for your cat later on in life. Consult your veterinarian for advice on what types of food you can get at your budget.

4. Ensure There is Enough Litter

It is best to have one litter box for every cat, plus one additional if possible. Keep the litter boxes tidy to promote good litter box behaviors. This can include scooping multiple times daily (at least once a day). Regular cleaning will also enable you to spot any variations in your cat's feces or urine that can point to a health problem.

5. Keep an Eye Out If Your Cat Has Accidents Outside the Litter Box

If the litter box is unclean, a cat might occasionally urinate elsewhere. But if the litter is clean, and there are no obvious signs of why your cat is going outside the box regularly then give your local veterinarian a call. Sometimes a cat's accident outside their litter box can indicate that it has a urinary tract infection or another medical condition.

6. Train Your Cat to Use Their Scratching Post

Training your cat to use their scratching post will not only keep your furniture from becoming damaged, but it will also keep your cat's muscles loose and their claws healthy. Regular scratching helps your cat's claws shed their old coats on a suitable surface like carpet, sisal, or cardboard. Overall, it keeps your cats claws healthy and your furniture from being destroyed, win, win!

7. Neuter or Spay Your Pets

Both male and female cats can have reproductive illnesses. In contrast to neutering, which protects male cats from testicular cancer and some prostate issues, spaying protects female cats from uterine infections, ovarian malignancies, and breast tumors. The procedures also lessen a male cat's desire to travel and, if carried out early enough in life, it takes away his desire to spray to demarcate territory. If you have ever smelled a cat spray, you will understand why you want to avoid this at all costs.

If you are not planning on breeding your cats, it is the smartest decision to get them fixed at a young age (6 months is the youngest) as the procedure is the easiest when they are young. You will also not have to worry about aggression as unfixed pets have more aggression issues than pets who have been fixed.

8. Keep Your Cats Teeth Clean

This can be a hard one as most cats do not like having their mouths touched let alone brushed. However, it is beneficial to brush your cats’ teeth as they can build tartar on their teeth, much like people, and this can result in gum disease and dental rot. They can also build up in their teeth which can cause various feline ailments. If you have not trained your cat at a young age to brush them regularly you can make an appointment with your veterinarian for a cleaning at least once a year to keep your cat's teeth in excellent condition.

9. Pick a Vet Who Welcomes Cats

It should be obvious that cats are not like dogs. So, it stands to reason that cat require different veterinarian care than dogs do. In order to keep your cat in the greatest health possible, it is important to find a veterinarian who specializes in feline anatomy and health. It is also wise to create a good relationship with your veterinarian as they are your go-to when it comes to your cat’s health.

10. Plan Routine Veterinary Checkups

It is commonly agreed that you should take your cat in for annually checkups. Your veterinarians is also your go to for your cats vaccines, cleaning their teeth, and perform checkups such as looking at their weight and overall health.