Healthy Happy Cats
Cats can suffer from many different types of health problems. While some are just minor aggravations, there are many that can threaten your cats life.
Contents at a Glance
Cat Care Tips Quick List
1. One of the first things you should always do whenever you get a new kitten or cat is to take it to the veterinarian. The vet will check out your cat to make sure that nothing is wrong and give it any needed shots.2. If your cat is old enough you should seriously consider having it spayed or neutered. Studies have shown that spayed or neutered cats live longer, and of course, it helps to control the cat population and avoid having unwanted kittens to deal with.
3. Whenever your cat misbehaves you should use a spray bottle, you should not hit your cat. All you need to do, in most cases, is to spray your cat with the water bottle while you say, "No" or something similar.
It is a good idea to use the same word or words each time as your cat will soon learn the meaning and may not even need to be sprayed. Just take care not to over spray your cat, you don't want to soak it down.
4. Depending upon the age of your cat you should probably change your litter about once a week. With an adult cat you may have to change the litter more often than with a kitten. Use a scooper to remove waste at least once a day.
Consider getting one of those nice covered litter boxes to minimize the amount of litter your cat may scatter.
5. If you are considering having your cat declawed you should read this: Declawing Your Cat Is Inhumane and Painful.
6. Last, but not least, give your cat plenty of love and attention.
Common Health Issues in Cats
Hairballs
One of a cats most common problems is hairballs. Their rough tongues actually pull out hair as their constantly grooming. Most often this hair is easily digested through the cats system, but sometimes it will gathers in a ball that the cat will vomit up!The best way to deal with hairballs is to help prevent them. Brushing your cat will remove any loose hair and keep him from swallowing it. You can also look for cat foods and treats with ingredients to prevent hairballs.
Hairball Help
Hartz Hairball Remedy Plus
Hartz Cat Hairball Remedy Plus is newly formulated and infused with Omega 3-6-9 oils to support healthy skin and coat and help prevent hairballs and pass hairballs easily.
Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 03/18/2010) 
Friskies Cat Treats Tender Hairball Remedy with Chicken, 3-Ounce Pouches (Pack of 10)
Ingredients: Chicken, Wheat Flour, Soy Elour, Water, Petrolatum, Animal Digest, Dried Corn Syrup, Wheat Gluten, Chicken By-product Meal, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Dried Whey, Phosphoric Acid, Dried Cheese Powder, Glycerin, Brewers Dried Yeast, Salt, Lecithin, Sorbic Acid (A Preservative), Propionic Acid (A Preservative), Added Color (Yellow 5 and Other Color), Bha (A Preservative), Citric Acid. D5372 Active Ingredient: Each I G Piece Contains 90 Mg of Petrolatum.
Amazon Price: $27.76 (as of 03/18/2010)
8in1 Kittymalt Hairball Remedy - Malt Flavor, 4.25-Ounce
Flavor gel formula that is effective in relief of hairballs. Aids in eliminating existing hairballs and stops new ones from forming. Works for even the finicky cat.
Easy to Administer. Tasty malt flavor.
For cats and kittens.
Active ingredient: mineral oil. Inactive ingredients: lecithin, malt syrup, mono and diglycerides, potassium sorbate, sorbic acid, and water.
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 03/18/2010)
Worms
Another very common problem is of course, worms. There are several types of worms that cats can get such as roundworms, tapeworms, ringworms and hookworms. Worms are a serious health concern, they make your cat very sick and left untreated can even cause death. Some good signs to watch for are diarrhea, gas, dull coats or a bloated belly.Lungworms may be the most serious type of parasite for a cat because they are often undiagnosed. With lungworms, the cat will find it hard to breathe and cough a lot. These symptoms could appear to just a minor illness or even a hairball. The problem with lung worms is that the symptoms don't get really serious until the infection gets really serious!
Aside from your cats health, many types of worms can be transferred to other pets and even to humans! Regular checkups with your vet is the best way to protect your cat and your family.
Help For Worms
Farnam D-Worm Liquid Wormer for Cats and Dogs
This product is effective for those roundworm stages found in the intestine and does not remove migrating larval stages. Animals should be checked periodically by a veterinarian for the presence of other intestinal parasites. Consult a veterinarian before using in severely debilitated animals. Do not worm animals more than twice yearly except as advised by a veterinarian.
Amazon Price: $8.27 (as of 03/18/2010)
List Price:
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Tape Worm Tabs for Cats (3 tablets)
Now available without a prescription! Removes both types of tapeworms in adult cats and kittens over 6 weeks of age. 100% safe and effective when used according to label directions. Sized for easy oral administration or may be crumbled and mixed with food. Each tablet contains 23 mg Praziquantel. Dosage: 4 lbs. & under ? ½ tablet 5-11 lbs.? 1 tablet over 11 lbs. ? 1 ½ tablets. Each bottle contains 3 tapeworm tablets.
Amazon Price: $27.13 (as of 03/18/2010)
List Price: $21.99
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Fleas
Fleas aren't only annoying they can become dangerous to your cats well-being. They can cause hair loss, allergies, tapeworms and even cause your cat to become anemic! There are many flea control products available such as collars, dips and shampoos. The type of product that's best for you and your cat is a personal preference. An indoor cat that is in close contact with you or other family members, may need to be treated differently. For a more natural remedy, it is believed that feeding your cat garlic will deter fleas!However, there are other ways to avoid smelly collars, dips and powders. Have the vet vaccinate your cat against fleas, the shots will need to be repeated every six months. You can also use many of the monthly treatments available, these are tubes of treatment that you apply to the back of the cats neck.
No matter which solution you choose, you will need to treat both the cat and his surroundings. Ridding your cat of fleas won't last long if his bed, your carpet or furniture is full of them!
Help For Fleas
Frontline Plus kills up to 100% of existing fleas in less than 24 hours and continues, on a single dose, killing them for at least an entire month. Its special ingredient also kills flea eggs and larvae, which, in effect, prevents the development of new fleas. It destroys all stages of 4 major ticks, including ticks that may carry Lyme disease, which provides your cat and your family with additional protection. Frontline Plus is waterproof, so your cat will still be protected if it bathes or goes for a swim. Merial backs up Frontline Plus with a limited Satisfaction Guarantee.
Merial Frontline Plus Flea and Tick Control for Cats and Kittens, 3 Doses
Amazon Price: $31.50 (as of 03/18/2010)
List Price: $60.00
Using Frontline Plus is a simple 3-step process. First, remove the applicator from the child-resistant package, use scissors or just lift the plastic tab to expose the foil, and then peel down. Secondly, open the applicator, hold it upright, and snap the tip away from your face and body. Finally, apply Frontline Plus by placing the applicator tip through your cat's hair to the skin between the shoulder blades. Squeeze the applicator to apply the entire dose to a single spot on the cat's skin.
Urinary Tract Infection
The cats urine will develop an even stronger smell, it will often appear painful to urinate and he may stop urinating at all. This is a problem best left to a professional, your vet will prescribe the right anti-biotic and dosage for your cats weight and infection.
Cat Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook
Fully Revised and Updated ~ Hardcover
For years, many veterinary treatments for cats were based on research conducted with dogs because it was wrongly assumed that cats were very similar. Recently, there have been giant strides in feline veterinary research. This classic reference is fully updated and revised to reflect these advances and gives you the most up-to-date guidance on cat health and cat care. It includes:- An index of signs and symptoms to help you find information fast
- Clearly written, step-by-step directions for handling common feline ailments and problems
- Hundreds of photos, drawings, and tables that illustrate what to look for and how to provide the best care for your cats
- All new anatomical drawings and diagrams
- New information on genetics, geriatrics, drug sensitivities, raw diets, arthritis medications, dental disease, and more
- Information on supplements, nutraceuticals, and holistic treatments that have proven beneficial
Interesting findings on cat behavior
The most comprehensive, essential reference for every cat owner, this easy-to-use, authoritative guide provides the vital information you need to take good care of your cat in all types of situations and in all ages and stages of her life. This fully revised and updated Third Edition covers common feline problems and ailments in language you can understand. It includes current information on:
- Vaccine protocols
- Flea, tick, and heartworm preventives
- Nutrition and understanding cat food labels
- Newly recognized heart, muscle, and dental diseases
- Lower urinary tract disease, hip dysplasia, calicivirus, and many other conditions
- New drugs and surgical techniques
- Therapies using supplements, nutraceuticals, and holistic modalities
Read more about the Cat Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook at Amazon.com
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Feel free to post your thoughts or let everyone know what you think.
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- Irenemaria Irenemaria May 26, 2009 @ 2:54 am
- Some years ago I had a Cat Hotel! I looked after the guests while masters were on vacation or similar. I also had my own kittens. Guess I saw about 100 born in my home. =)
by AnimalGuy
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