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Whether you’re considering getting your first cat or are a few cats down the line and starting to be referred to as a crazy cat lady by your family and friends, it’s important that you always remain up to date with developments in how we understand our cat’s health. Research is constantly giving us deeper insight into how our pets work, what they need, and what will give them the best quality of life possible. There are constantly new medical procedures, medications, and products on the market that can help us to achieve this too! So, here are a few tips and tricks that will help you to keep your kitty in good health!
Vaccinations
When you get any pet, you’re likely to have to carry out vaccinations to help them ward off disease and illness. Routine vaccination will greatly reduce their chances of contracting feline diseases that can prove fatal or harmful down the line. Two vaccinations that your cat definitely need are for Feline Infectious Enteritis and Cat Flu. The first is a severe and often fatal gut infection that is caused by the feline parvovirus. The virus is widespread in most environments and unavoidable, so vaccination is the best way to prevent it. The second, cat flu, comes in two varieties – feline herpesvirus (FHV-1) and feline calicivirus (FCV). While the vaccination will not completely destroy the threat (as there are too many strains to completely combat), it is effective in reducing your cat’s chances of becoming susceptible to the illness. If you have an outdoor cat who will be roaming the streets, you should also ensure that your kitty is protected against Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV). This is a lifelong infection, and the majority of cats who do develop it will, unfortunately, pass within three years of diagnosis. It is passed on through direct contact between cats and thus cannot be prevented in any way other than vaccination.
Neutering
There are various reasons that you should neuter your cat. Every year, thousands of cats find themselves in shelters because owners have failed to neuter their own cat and have ended up with numerous kittens that they either do not want to keep or cannot handle and keep up with. If your cat leaves the house, it is important for you to understand that they will probably mate and if you have a female cat, this is going to result in pregnancy and a handful of kittens. If you have a male cat, it also your moral responsibility to prevent them from breeding and impregnating all of the females in the local area. You don’t want to leave the other female cat’s owners with a litter to deal with. There are also other benefits that come hand in hand with neutering besides the moral aspect of the task at hand. Your cat is less likely to wander (and thus less likely to come into trouble or get lost). For female cats, you can remove the possibility of pregnancy-induced symptoms and illnesses, such as mastitis, complications during birth, and C section operations. They are also less likely to experience pyometra (a potentially fatal infection of the uterus) later in life. For male cats, there are also benefits, as they are less likely to fight other males for female attention which means fewer injuries and abscesses as a result of scraps.
Flea and Tick Treatments
Fleas and ticks are a constant threat to your cat. They are present in almost any location that you’re likely to live and pose a number of health concerns to your feline friend. They can transmit tapeworms, cause allergy driven dermatitis, and (if left for an extended period of time) can result in your pet developing anaemia or a low red blood cell count. The good news is that they are easily prevented with flea and tick treatments from companies such as PetAction. To check for fleas, use a fine-toothed comb to comb through your cat’s fur. Focus your efforts on their back or stomach and make sure that the edge of the comb comes into contact with their skin. Keep an eye out for black specks that may appear to be dirt. This will be flea faeces. Also, keep an eye out for scratching. To check for ticks, focus your efforts on your pet’s shoulders, neck, and head. This is where ticks prefer to spend their time. Look for tiny bugs about the size of a pinhead attached to your pet’s skin. If you do find a tick, don’t attempt to remove it, as this can be painful or uncomfortable for your pet. Instead, take action and use specialist treatments, keeping to instructions on the packaging and in enclosed leaflets. Remember that even if you don’t find any fleas or ticks, you can still use treatments preventatively.
Microchipping
While microchipping doesn’t directly affect your pet’s health, it does serve as a means of contacting you if your cat runs into trouble and is unable to return home of their own accord. All sorts of issues can occur while your cat roams out of the house. They could be knocked down and require attention and care. They could come into contact with a larger animal who could cause damage. Or they may simply become lost. While you can put your details on a name tag on your cat’s collar, this isn’t always reliable, as the collar may come loose, or the tag could drop off. A microchip is inserted into your cat (usually near the neck), meaning that it cannot be lost. It is coded with a unique number, which (when scanned) will give details of your address and phone number so that you can be contacted to pick up your pet. This will help you to ensure that they get the necessary treatment as soon as possible no matter where they are.
These are just a few steps that you should consider taking to keep your beloved cat in the best health possible. They are simple to take but could make all the difference when it comes to your pet’s happiness and wellbeing, so are definitely worth the time, effort, and financial investment.
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