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.