Cat Health

You want your little pussy to be healthy all the time. But like human beings cats too face general health problems. But taking care of small things you can go a long way in keeping your cat hale and hearty.

Annual Check up: Have a thorough annual check up of your pussy done by an experienced vet. This should include examination of the cat's body, from nose to tail; weighing and taking its temperature; listening to the cats heart and lungs; checking for abnormal discharges from any bodily orifices, including eyes and nose; checking its teeth, gums and ears; inspecting for parasites and abscesses; feeling the cats internal organs. Stool test should also be conducted to test the presence of parasites.

Vaccination: Get your cat vaccinated against all the common diseases.

Excessive licking and grooming: Excessive licking and grooming can have several causes: stress, food allergies, and more. The first step is to take the cat to a vet to determine whether it's a health or behavior problem. Many cats are allergic to corn, a main ingredient in most dried cat foods. If an allergy is suspected change the cat's food and watch for improvements in your cat's coat and behavior. Your vet can suggest brands of food that will help the most. If the licking is due to stress, try to remove the source, or simply manage the stress.

Poisonous House Plants: Be cautious when choosing houseplants for your home, if you have kitties or children. The Berries on Mistletoe are poisonous to cats and humans. Other dangerous plants to cats include: Diffenbachia, Poinsettia, English ivy, Crocus, and others.

Neutering/Spaying: Get your cat neutered or spayed preferably at the age of 6-7 months

Increased Thirst: Increased thirst is an indicator of diabetes, kidney or liver problems, and these are important to consider with the health care of an elderly cat. Although an older cat needs fewer calories and more fluids as he ages, it is better to consult a veterinarian and go for a thorough checkup.

Controlling Hairballs: Hairballs are a problem mostly in longhaired cats. Hairballs are caused by too much hair in the cat's stomach from their own grooming. Daily brush your cat, especially during the warm months of the year to prevent hairballs. If the problem still persists take your cat to a vet.

Ear mite: Ear mites are highly infectious little pests that feed on the lining of the ear canals. Its symptoms include scratching behind the ear and inside the ear; a dark brown wax inside the ear; and other signs that are not visible without the special equipment a vet uses. Take the cat to a vet immediately if you suspect that she has an ear mite. Persistent medication is required to treat ear mites.