Cat’s health: What you should consider?

To avoid possible health issues for your beloved cat, it is important to follow a few rules.

25/09/2022

 

 

 

For a person who has a cat in their house, there is nothing more important than its health. Often, the owners perceive the pet as a full-fledged member of the family and are ready to make every effort to maintain its well-being. That includes health, nutrition and good mood. To avoid possible health issues for your beloved pets, it is important to follow a few rules.

But we’ll talk about them a little later. Let's get to know our beloved furry family members better first.

Unlike most people who think as much as possible about their career and not about their own health, cats do not hide their illnesses behind symptom-masking drugs. Therefore, a caring owner will always notice if his pet becomes ill.

Sometimes, even a cursory glance at the animal's fur, its ears and eyes is enough to determine the development of a disease, or vice versa - to make sure that everything is in order with your pet.

 

 

What should you pay attention to first of all if you have a cat in your house?
If a cat lives in your house or you are just going to adopt a kitten, but you are not sure whether you can handle such a responsibility, it is useful to know what symptoms and indicators can be used in terms of pet health. After all, the duration and complexity of the treatment of an animal directly depends on the form and stage of the disease.

Therefore, the sooner you notice changes in the behavior of the cat and seek help from specialists, the faster the pet will get back on its paws and the treatment will also be cheaper. You can start with the fact that, at least once a year, you need to visit a veterinarian you trust. If no health problems have been identified, an annual vaccination should also be carried out on the same visit. This will help prevent many diseases. It will also protect your pet from infections for the next year.

Next up is food. Nutrition is extremely important for maintaining a healthy cat immune system.
In addition to the first rule - “when you notice a disease, contact a specialist immediately,” one more thing should be remembered: the health of a cat directly depends on the food that the owner feeds it.

For example, if an animal is forced to eat exclusively homemade food (from the owner's table) or combine it with ready-made special diets, there is a risk of obesity, and this risk is very high. Urolithiasis, plaque and even arthritis can also develop.

It is already clear that food suitable for a person is not balanced and therefore leads to malfunctions in the pet’s body. At the same time, animal food prevents the development of ailments inherent in cats, in particular, urolithiasis. A strict diet also helps to remove swallowed fur from the pet's body in a natural way.

Experts recommend: feed your pet a 3:1 ratio of dry and wet food, while strictly following the dosage depending on the age and weight of the cat.

The next rule is to consult with veterinarians if you want to even slightly change the lifestyle of your pet. Do not use any supplements, drugs, or treats without their advice. You should not trust the opinion of "authorities" from among your acquaintances and even those with good intentions to buy unknown dietary supplements and medicines. The same applies to antiparasitic drugs and vaccines, unfamiliar food and treats.

 

How to check the well-being of your fluffy?

If you observe the behavior of a cat, you can even notice little changes which might make you wary. A healthy animal is usually mobile and restless, has a good appetite and looks after itself. Every self-respecting owner knows this. Therefore, any deterioration in appearance is a reason to at least examine it, and sometimes even go to a veterinary clinic.

 

FInally, much depends on the breed of your cat. Whether it is a norwegian forest cat, a sphynx or a persian cat, you should educate yourself in terms of usual diseases that are characteristic to your specific breed.

 

What indicators should you pay attention to?

Appetite and thirst: Pay attention to any change in your pet's habits. For example, if a pet craves more water than usual, this may be a symptom of serious diseases: diabetes or kidney disease. Refusal of water for more than 2 days can directly threaten the life of your cat. At the same time, a complete or partial refusal of food for more than a day is a reason to be wary, and more than 48 hours is a reason to consult a veterinarian.

Limb condition and gait: Pay attention to your cat's gait. For any lameness or "staggering" gait, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Body temperature: The normal body temperature of cats is 38-39⁰C. A deviation of a degree or more in any direction is a reason to immediately consult a doctor.

The quality and regularity of the stool: abnormal stool for 2 or more days, blood in the stool, a sharp change in the color of the stool, as well as a delay in the stool for more than 3 days, is also a reason to contact the veterinarian.

Condition of the eyes, ears and mouth: look at your pet's face. Eyes and nose should be clean, free of discharge, redness, or dried crusts. Saliva should not leak from the mouth, and the cat's teeth should be white and free of plaque. Bad smell from the mouth (halitosis), severe plaque on the teeth, erosion on the gums are an indicator of ill health and require action.

Then look into the cat's ears. The ear canals should be clean, free of brown discharge, redness, and swelling. If the pet often scratches the ears, they might be itching, which often occurs with allergies or external parasites (fleas, ear mites).

What to do if during the examination of your pet you find deviations from the norm? When identifying signs of an illness, it is always better to contact a veterinary clinic for a full examination, as has already been said so many times. There you will also receive recommendations from qualified people on solving the problem. You should not self-medicate, because improperly provided assistance can significantly complicate diagnosis and even aggravate the situation.

 

 

 

 

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