How To Keep Your Cat Healthy
If you are new to owning a cat, you may be surprised to find that health problems are a common thing.
No matter what breed of cat you own, cat health is one of the major topics you will have to know about. With any breed certain problems are to be expected. Some may be hereditary, while others can easily be prevented. No matter what breed of cat it may be, worms are a very common and recurring problem.
Cats are more susceptible to getting Tapeworms, Roundworms and Hookworms. There are several symptoms that indicate your cat may require testing for worms including trouble gaining weight, fleas, or white specks in his stool. Although they can be treated with medicine, worms can prove to be fatal if they are left untreated.
Hairballs are the most common health problem for cats. All cats groom themselves on a daily basis, normally swallowing the loose hair that comes from their coats. Sometims the stray hair will become a large ball and get caught in the cat’s digestive tract instead of passing through the stool. When your cat starts to cough and hack, he is normally coughing up a hairball – as a popular cat owner manual confirmed recently. Cats usually are able to expel hairballs without complication. Although rare, a hairball can occassionally become lodged in the cats intestines, this creates blockage.
Blockages should be taken very seriously, as they can be fatal if not treated promptly. If your cat becomes constipated, isnt eating properly, or has a very dull coat, he could have a blockage. You should make an appointment with the vet as soon as you notice any of these symtoms.
By brushing your cat several times a week removes excess hair preventing hairballs and blockages. Urinary tract infection, also a common health problem with cats, can be controlled by feeding him food designed to control hair balls.
Female and male cats can suffer from urinary tract infections, however, this is more likely to occur in male cats that have not been neutered. When a cat suddenly stops going to his litter box, this problem is normally the cause. Another symptom is when the cats urine starts to smell really strong. If you suspect that your cat has a urinary tract infection, you should take him to the vet. Your veterinarian can prescribe medicine to treat the problem, and can give you advice on avoiding the problem in the future.
In the past, feline leukemia was the biggest cause of death in cats. These days however, there are vaccines available that can treat the disease. To treat the disease, your cat will need to be given the shot before he or she is exposed. Even though death doesnt happen immediately, cats that are exposed to feline leukemia normally don’t have a long life span. If you know your cat has feline leukemia, you should never allow other cats around him, as the virus is highly contagious.
To protect your cat, you should always make sure that you take him to the vet for his regular check ups. If you keep him up to date on his vaccinations, he should lead a healthy and productive life. Although some health problems can’t be avoided, most of them can. If you take cat care seriously, take him to the vet and keep him healthy he will be your companion for years to come.