Looking After Pets

Being a cat owner can be a challenge when it comes to providing excellent kitty medicare . Because felines can be secretive or don’t want to be bothered, cat health issues might not be easy to determine. Cat health, when entering a prolonged state requiring long term medical care, treatment and medications is not only stressful to your cat, but can be a stress on you as well.

Ordinary pussy-cat health concerns can include small problems including ear mites and tape worms to more moderate issues including flea infestation and felines that are sensitive to flea bites. All these moggy health worries can be addressed by taking your kitty to the vet for annual checkups, shots and buying a good flea preventive. Worse kitty health problems having an effect on felines can range all the way from bad teeth that have get infected and need extraction, urinary tract issues that may be a long-term issue, colon issues requiring lifetime medicine and feline leukemia which is a very urgent kitty health concern.

As a cat caretaker and provider, one of the first things you can do to promote good moggy health is to have your cat spayed or neutered. Felines that aren’t changed and make contact with other male felines run the danger of not only undesired pregnancies for the females, but also being exposed to unhealthy moggies that have not had their shots and can be afflicted with minimal attention by a kitty medicare supplier. Males who have not been altered are also at risk of becoming infected by unhealthy cats and also become injured while fighting with other unaltered males. These sorts of wounds can get infected.

Other things you can do to help promote good cat health is to provide your feline with good quality food, both dry and canned, that is high in the types of vitamins a cat needs. Exercise is a complete must for felines as you don’t need your moggy to become chunky. As kittens, they have an abundance of energy but as they age, they tend to slow down so it’s vital to find ways to keep your feline active. Using a collar and leash and walking around the yard, buying a carpeted scratch post for clawing exercise, sprinkling catnip on a throw rug or towel that will keep them busy, finding safe cat toys that interest your feline and playing with them are all things you can do to help keep your cat active. Yearly visits to the veterinarian to have a record of the ongoing pussy-cat medical care being provided for your pet will warn the doctor of any changes in the fitness of your pussy-cat.

If you own a cat you’ll know that they’re as much a part of the family as any human and you’d be devastated if you lost them. But if the unthinkable were to happen and your cat was to get injured or become unwell would you have the money to pay for the cat health care?

When asked about the costs behind keeping a cat, people think of the cat food and perhaps the cat litter. Perhaps the cost of worm and flea treatments might also be factored in. You probably wouldn’t stop to think about the costs of cat health care.

If surgery or regular, ongoing treatment is needed then vet costs can be massive. Cats who are fortunate enough to survive being hit by a car often need extensive surgery. Similarly, there are some diseases which require costly or ongoing medication, like cat diabetes or leukaemia. Would you be able to afford these cat health care costs.

Perhaps you think you’ll be lucky, but is it worth the risk? It’s for this reason that pet insurance exists. The idea is that you pay for the pet insurance and if anything goes wrong the insurance covers the costs. You won’t have to worry about paying for expensive cat health care.

Buy the pet insurance whilst your pet is still a kitten. Insurance companies are unlikely to take on an older cat with an existing cat health care problem. Also bear in mind that there could be terms and conditions affecting the insurance, so read the small print. You’ll still have to pay for vaccinations and an insurance company will normally not payout for conditions which could have been prevented if you’d have the cat vaccinated.

It’s not just about cat health care though, some companies will offer you other extras. For example, if your cat gets lost, some might offer reward money for its safe return.

Pet insurance is the best way to get peace of mine. It’s just important to get the best deal you can and to be certain you understand what is and isn’t included. Make sure you understand any limitations to the policy and don’t forget to renew it annually.

If you own a cat you’ll know that they’re as much a part of the family as any human and you’d be devastated if you lost them. But if the unthinkable were to happen and your cat was to get injured or become unwell would you have the money to pay for the cat health care?

When asked about the costs behind keeping a cat, people think of the cat food and perhaps the cat litter. Perhaps the cost of worm and flea treatments might also be factored in. You probably wouldn’t stop to think about the costs of cat health care.

If surgery or regular, ongoing treatment is needed then vet costs can be massive. Cats who are fortunate enough to survive being hit by a car often need extensive surgery. Similarly, there are some diseases which require costly or ongoing medication, like cat diabetes or leukaemia. Would you be able to afford these cat health care costs.

Perhaps you think you’ll be lucky, but is it worth the risk? It’s for this reason that pet insurance exists. The idea is that you pay for the pet insurance and if anything goes wrong the insurance covers the costs. You won’t have to worry about paying for expensive cat health care.

Buy the pet insurance whilst your pet is still a kitten. Insurance companies are unlikely to take on an older cat with an existing cat health care problem. Also bear in mind that there could be terms and conditions affecting the insurance, so read the small print. You’ll still have to pay for vaccinations and an insurance company will normally not payout for conditions which could have been prevented if you’d have the cat vaccinated.

It’s not just about cat health care though, some companies will offer you other extras. For example, if your cat gets lost, some might offer reward money for its safe return.

Pet insurance is the best way to get peace of mine. It’s just important to get the best deal you can and to be certain you understand what is and isn’t included. Make sure you understand any limitations to the policy and don’t forget to renew it annually.

There’s an old saying that you are what you eat. Obviously, this isn’t a literal truth but the importance of a good diet for cat health care as well as our own cannot be underestimated. It’s a big responsibility to ensure that our pets get the nutrition they require to stay healthy but as long as we understand a few simple points it doesn’t have to be complex.

Drinking plenty of water is really important both for us and our pets. If a cat is denied fresh drinking water it can become seriously ill in a matter of hours. Dehydration can lead to grave cat health care problems and eventually death.
The diet of a cat must be very specific. Felines are what are known as obligate carnivores which means that they cannot live on a vegetarian diet. A cat which is denied a meat based diet will develop cat health care problems including blindness and would eventually die.

As owners we must be careful not to upset the fine balance of our cats’ diets. Although we may think of it as a harmless treat, giving titbits of human food can have serious consequences for cat health care. Human food is often too fatty and calorific for cats and may even poison them. Onions, for example, are highly toxic to felines.

As owners we should try and allow our cats to eat several small meals a day as they are naturally inclined to do. Obviously, cat owners may have work commitments which mean they are unable to be at home feeding their cats frequently. One option to overcome this problem is to give the cat dried food which it will be able to return to at regular intervals through the day.

Lastly, as well as diet we must think about obesity, which is one of the most common cat health care problems at the moment. Because obesity can cause such serious problems as heart disease, breathing problems, arthritis and even death, it must be avoided at all costs. As a rule of thumb, a short haired cat would be a healthy weight if its ribs can be felt but are not visible. Pay close attention to the instructions for serving sizes on cat food and always see a vet if you believe that your cat’s weight is a problem.

Obesity is one of the largest cat health care problems in the United Kingdom. More pet cats than ever before are struggling with obesity and the serious cat health care issues that come with it. Unfortunately, once a cat becomes obese it all too often enters a vicious circle: its weight prevents it being physically active and in turn it gains more weight.

Diagnosing this particular cat health care problem is not difficult at all: it is clear to see just from looking at the cat. Cats which have a healthy weight will have a waist just in front of their hind legs which is easily visible from above and if they are short hair breeds you will be able to feel but not see their ribs.

Obesity can be confirmed by a vet: the cat will be weighed and the vet will suggest a weight loss regime for the cat. Cat health care problems such as arthritis, heart disease, diabetes and breathing difficulties are likely to follow if the obesity is not treated. In short, obesity can kill a cat.

Owners can buy special, low calorie cat food from pet shops and their vet’s practice. It’s important that we remember that any cat treats we give still count towards to overall daily intake of calories for the cat, so meals should be reduced accordingly. Also remember that any leftovers or titbits that cats receive could upset their finely balanced diets. One thing that a lot of cat owners don’t realise is that their pet is often being fed by well meaning neighbours who see the cat in their garden. A polite request that neighbours do not feed your cat might make all the difference.

All cat owners have a responsibility to promote good cat health care and this includes encouraging physical activity. You should try to encourage your cat to go outside everyday so that it can go for a stroll or even a run. Also try to spend more time playing with your cat. Having your pet chase balls and other playthings will help keep their weight down.

Amongst the more common cat health care problems are certain urinary problems. A lot of the diseases, illnesses and even undesirable behaviour that our cats display are directly caused by urinary problems. Cystitis, or Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease, spraying and kidney failure are some of the biggest urinary problems faced by cats.

Cystitis and FLUTD are umbrella terms used to describe the cat health care problem of inflammation in the urinary bladder. As this problem causes irritation and inflammation related to urination, common symptoms include urinating frequently or urgently, appearing to experience difficulty urinating and possibly blood in urine. These illnesses are caused by various triggers, although very often food causes urinary crystals to form into bladder stones. It is also the case that overweight cats, which are more prone to developing cat health care problems generally, are often affected. Fortunately, cystitis can be treated by a vet.

Spraying, on the other hand, is more often thought of as a problematic behaviour than a cat health care issue. When male cats are eight or nine months old they will become more territorial and exhibit new behaviours. This includes marking his territory- your house- with very strong smelling urine. The smell is very difficult to remove. With this behaviour will come other masculine, tom cat behaviour, including fighting with other cats, which can cause cat health care problems: this can be avoided by neutering the cat.

Renal disease is a cat health care problem which is particularly prevalent in middle aged and older cats. This is because cat urine is very concentrated and cats do not pass urine exceptionally often, meaning that their kidneys work very hard. It is therefore not uncommon for the kidneys of older cats to begin to fail. Renal failure causes cats to drink and urinate more and in serious cases, vomiting bile, appearing disorientated and losing weight are not uncommon. Besides old age, this cat health care problem could be caused by cancer, infections or ingestion of a poisonous substance.

The Feline Immunodeficiency Virus is an untreatable cat health care problem which is not uncommon in the UK since there is unfortunately no vaccine for it at the moment. Because this serious cat health care problem is passed from one cat to another in the saliva when they bite each other, it is especially prevalent amongst un-castrated male cats who are more likely to fight.

The virus is similar to HIV in humans, so it works by attacking and even killing the white blood cells in the cat. This endangers the cat’s health because it is these white blood cells which are responsible for fighting off infections. The virus means, therefore, that cats with the infection are much more susceptible than others to developing infections and the complications that go with them.

Because cat health care should be a priority for any cat owner, they should be watching out for FIV symptoms. Swollen lymph glands, eye and nose discharge, gum disease known as gingivitis, reduced appetite, anaemia and skin infections are some of the more common symptoms. Owners often fail to realise the scale of the threat to cat health care posed by FIV because infected cats can often appear to be healthy for years, despite being susceptible to infection.

There is not yet a treatment available for the virus but cat health care professionals are able to prescribe antibiotics to treat secondary infections to improve the cat’s quality of life. Because there is not yet a vaccine for the virus either, avoidance cannot be guaranteed, but avoiding cats mixing and fighting does help. Because cats which have been castrated are less likely to fight, it is a good idea to ensure you cat is castrated or neutered.

As cats get older they are faced with more cat health care problems. Exactly as is the case with people, as cats age their health deteriorates. People with older cats should always make cat health care a priority and keep close watch of their pet’s condition. Although unfortunately many of the cat health care problems associated with older cats are untreatable, vets can make life as comfortable as possible for the pet through medication or diet.

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common afflictions to affect older cats. Osteoarthritis affects cats by causing inflammation of the joints meaning that moving around becomes difficult, in much the same way the condition affects humans. Normally, it is quite easy to tell when a cat is suffering from osteoarthritis. Typically the cat displays stiffness, difficulty standing up or lying down, problems in climbing the stairs, walking awkwardly or general lameness. Cat owners who believe that their pet is affected by this particular cat health problem should take him or her to the vet’s practice. Although there is no exact treatment for the illness, a range of cat food aimed at senior, arthritic cats is available and this can ease pain.

Heart disease is another common cat health care problem in older cats. An estimated one in ten cats is found by their vets to have some sort of heart condition. Symptoms of heart disease are not so obvious but may include coughing, particularly at night and a noticeable reduction on appetite. A vet will be able to confirm suspicions of heart problems and suggest ways to improve the pet’s condition. This might include altering the animal’s diet or exercise regime. Alternatively, some other treatments might be able to lengthen the cat’s life.

Finally, older cats are also often affected by chronic renal failure. Basically meaning a deterioration in kidney function, this is a progressive and irreversible cat health care problem. The factors that can cause this illness are many, but they include: toxic poisoning, cancer, polycystic kidney disease and other infections. Some of the symptoms include excessive thirst and urination, weight loss, excessive drooling, vomiting and mouth ulcers. Owners should remember that not all cats will develop all of these symptoms. The illness has no cure, but options are available to manage it and maintain the highest possible quality of life for the cat. Preventing the cat from becoming dehydrated should be an absolute priority. Feeding moist foods is important, as is providing plenty of water. Try to use a cat food that is lower in protein and phosphate, this will reduce toxins in the bloodstream, reducing pressure on the kidneys.

One of the more frequent cat health care issues our cat friends experience in this country is cat flu virus. The main reason that it’s so problematic is that it may be worsened by secondary bacterial infections and can be life-threatening. Ironically, in spite of its risk of serious harm, it really is very easily preventable. Cat health care is jeopardised by feline flu virus as there are two types of the illness: viral feline flu virus as well as bacterial cat flu. Pet cats can catch either or both, with bacterial cat flu being a well-known secondary infection in cats and kittens with viral flu. Like happens with people getting common colds and flu, it’s most often and most easily transmitted between cats who’re kept in big groups, like those in catteries or cat rescue organisations. That is among the principal reasons why cattery proprietors insist your furry friend is vaccinated before its stay.

Some of the very typical symptoms of cat flu to check for are sneezing and coughing, a clear discharge from the nose and eyes, abnormal salivation, depression, lack of appetite, lameness and ulcers on the tongue, nose or top of the mouth. If the cat develops a secondary bacterial infection then the discharge from the nose and eyes may become thicker and yellowish in colour. These signs and symptoms are all indicators of a cat health care problem and the cat must be taken to see the vet. In these circumstances, intensive treatment by a veterinarian will be the infected cat’s best possibility for survival. The cat health care veterinarian should be able to treat bacterial feline flu with antibiotics but there is unfortunately no particular treatment for viral cat flu.

Because of the fact that there is no cure for life threatening feline flu, cat health care experts will always be keen to emphasise that vaccination as a kitten with ongoing booster jabs is very important. Vaccination is the only proven means of protecting against cat flu.

No cat owner wants to have to deal with hairballs, but they are a common problem with cats. They are caused by a build up of fur and lack of brushing. Cats end up swallowing furballs and this is where the problem starts. Once these lodge in the cat’s throat, choking can ensue. This is not a nice thing to witness and it can end up being quite risky.

If you want to know how to minimise the risk of hairballs, you need to make sure you know your cat health care. That means watching out for hairballs and matted fur accumulating. Great advice is to make sure grooming your cat forms a part of your daily routine. This is a great activity as you are helping the cat’s health and also your pet will love being stroked. Just be sure to be gentle to make the cat as relaxed as possible.

Some cats with longer fur (and more of it) are prone to hairballs, and this is something that the vet should remind you of when you take it for check-ups. Anyone with a Persian cat will know how stunning it is to look at, but the long fur is more likely to make hairballs. You can’t stop the cat from licking itself, as they all do it, which is why hairballs are such a problem. Luckily, dogs don’t suffer with this hairball problem, as they don’t clean themselves by licking the fur. As cat owners know, cats keep clean by licking their fur and thus hairballs occur.

The process is simple – as soon as the hairball gets into the stomach, the cat tries to cough it up. When the choking starts, the cat’s owner will get a bit nervous about how they are supposed to handle the situation. There’s not much you can do at this stage, and it’s a case of letting the cat cough the hairball up, but be sure to keep an eye on the cat. Look out for any worrying signs and just make sure the cat is okay after coughing the fur up. If you like to stay prepared, there are some hairball treatments out there which a vet can advise on.

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