Cat Health- How to Have a Happy, Healthy Cat

To keep your cat healthy for the majority of the time, all you really need to do is give him good shelter, food and plenty of water. Like all other living beings however, cats can get sick from time to time no matter what you do.

As a cat owner, you'll want to ensure that you feed your cat only the best. Premium cat food is the most ideal for cats, as the food is designed to keep your pet happy and healthy. You'll also need to pay attention to his behavior, so you'll know when he's sick and when to take him to the vet. Most of the more common ailments and sicknesses are minor, although there are some cases where a vet can be the determining factor between life and death for your cat.

Your cat's behavior will be one of the most critical factors when you are trying to determine whether or not he is under the weather. Acting sluggish, laying around all the time, lack of energy and not eating are all signs that you need to take him to the vet immediately. His coat is also a good thing to watch as well. If you notice his coat is dull and patchy, or notice him shedding abnormally, you should contact your vet as soon as you possibly can.

Diarrhea and vomiting are common symptoms of ailments. If your cat seems to be doing either one of the two for more than a day, you should contact your veterinarian. Coughing is common as well, simply because coughing will cats dislodge hairballs. If your cat seems to be coughing for another reason, or persistently, you should have him checked out as soon as possible.

To ensure that your cat isn't at risk of contracting various diseases, you should always make sure that he stays up do date with his vaccinations. There are several diseases out there that require vaccinations, including rabies and feline distemper. Feline distemper is one of most devastating diseases a cat can get, yet it is also one of the easiest to prevent. The disease strikes cats very fast, and can leave you very little time to seek treatment.

Feline leukemia is another disease that is very deadly, yet can be prevented early on with the proper vaccinations. Although the disease isn't possible for humans to contract, it can be spread quickly among cats. There are vaccinations that can treat the disease these days, although you'll still want to be careful not to expose other cats around a cat you know has feline leukemia.

Another problem, which is very common with cats that access outdoors is worms. Cats that have worms will normally have a lackluster coat and little to no appetite. There are several different types of worms, including ringworm and hookworm. Worms can come from fleas, lice, or even the organs of dead rodents that cats consume. Normally, the cat will digest the eggs which will later mature and attach themselves to the walls of the intestines. If you feed your cat garlic frequently with his food, it can help to protect him against worms.

If you take care of your cat, chances are you'll keep him healthy for years to come. You should always make sure he has quality food, and has regular scheduled checkups with the vet. If you keep his vaccinations up to date, he should be protected against some of the more devastating diseases. Taking the proper steps now will help prevent anything from happening to him in the future.

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The thought of kittens scampering around a contented mother cat, or the prices achieved by pedigree kittens in the paper can tempt many people into letting their cats breed. Then there's the well meaning advice from friends- having at least one litter is good for a female cat, neutered cats become fat and lazy etc etc.

Yes, breeding kittens can be immensely rewarding and great fun, but definitely not something to be entered into lightly. Anyone who is hoping to make their fortune should think twice; by the time you have paid out for stud fees, food, vaccinations etc, there is not much profit to be made. Pedigree kittens are generally expected to be inoculated, which means keeping them until they are around 12 weeks old, rather than the usual 8 weeks. Then you will generally need to register them and obtain a pedigree. Plus you need a great deal of time to devote, and you have to ask yourself whether you are prepared to keep any kittens you can't find homes for.

There are so many unwanted cats needing adoption that you need to think long and hard about whether having kittens is a good idea. Neutering your cat won't necessarily make her fat, and contrary to popular opinion, female cats can adjust perfectly well to life if they never have kittens!

If you do find yourself with a pregnant cat, though, it can be a very rewarding experience; my mother's pedigree cats had several litters over the course of their lives, and as long as you have time to devote to toilet training the kittens, and getting them used to being handled and petted by humans (essential if they are to grow into confident, sociable cats) then breeding can bring you a lot of happiness.

A word of warning, however; a female cat may come back into season as soon as her kittens are weaned, and can fall pregnant again straightaway. If you intend to have her spayed, keep her in during this period and have the operation done as soon as possible after the you have found good homes for the kittens.

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There are several different types of ailments that cats can get, one of which is feline diabetes. Feline diabetes is a serious disease, although it can be treated by a veterinarian.

Diabetes is more common with humans than with cats or other animals. The cause of diabetes is actually quite simple. Sugar, or glucose, is found in the blood. The level of blood sugar in the body or the animal is kept under control by hormone insulin, which the pancreas produces. When the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin, diabetes is to blame.

The symptoms of feline diabetes will vary. The most common symptoms include an increase in urine and an increase in thirst. Other symptoms of feline diabetes include a loss of appetite, weight loss, and a poor coat. An increase in thirst is easy to detect, as you can easily notice the water dish empty throughout the day.

If you don't get your cat treated for feline diabetes immediately, the cat will eventually become inactive, vomit on a regular basis, and eventually fall into a coma. On the other hand, if you get the diabetes treated in time, the cat will more than likely lead a normal and healthy life. Keep in mind that treatment doesn't happen overnight - it takes time and dedication.

Cats that have feline diabetes will need to be given food at the same time every day. They should be prevented from going outside as well. If your cat has diabetes, you'll need to give him insulin shots once or twice or a day. Once your veterinarian checks your cat, he will tell you how many shots and how much insulin you need to give your cat.

Before you give your cat his insulin shot, you should always make sure that he has some food first. If he hasn't eaten and you give him a shot anyway, he could end up with a hypoglycemic shock. This can also occur from too much insulin as well. A hypo can be really dangerous, and should be avoided at all costs. If your cat gets a hypoglycemic shock and you aren't around, he may end up dying.

If you have to give insulin shots to your cat due to feline diabetes, you should always keep a watchful eye on him after you have administered the shot. After your cat has been on insulin for a period of time, your vet may reduce the amount of insulin. Even though he may have to stay on insulin the rest of his life, he will lead an otherwise healthy life.

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Ringworm is a very common form of skin disease that is found in both dogs and cats. Although its name might make you think otherwise, this skin disease isn't actually caused by any type of worm. It's actually caused by fungi known as Dermatophytes that feed on dead tissues found in the surface of the skin, spreading them around the skin of the animal.

With cats, there is a certain type of fungi known as M Canis that is found in nearly 95% of all ringworm cases. Normally, cats will get the ringworm disease from contaminated objects like bedding, clippers, or another animal that already has the disease. If there are animals in your home or around your house that have the ringworm disease, your cat could very easily contract it this way.

If you have kittens or cats that are under a year old in your home, you should always use precautions, as they are more susceptible to ringworm. Kittens can easily contract the disease, especially if you allow them to go outside. They can easily come in contact with a contaminated object or another cat that has the disease. Kittens take a long time to build their immune system up, and in the meantime they are more susceptible to common disease such as ringworm.

The most common symptoms of ringworm in cats are rough or broken hairs, or hair loss around the head or the paws. Ringworm can easily be identified by a patch of scaly skin on the body that appears itchy and inflamed. There will also be broken hairs around the patch of scaly skin. This area is very sensitive, and you should never try to touch it, as it will hurt your cat.

If you notice any of the above symptoms with your pet, you should immediately schedule an appointment with your vet. If the vet diagnosis your cat with ringworm, he may prescribe ointment or tablets. What he describes however, will determine on how serious the ringworm is. If he prescribes tablets to your cat, you should give them with meals. Ointment on the other hand, is normally spread into the coat. You should always use what your vet prescribes as directed to ensure that your cat recovers. The healing process will take time, normally around six weeks or more.

Cats that have ringworm should be labeled as infectious. If you have children in the house, you should keep them away from your pet. Whenever you handle your cat, you should always use gloves- ringworm is contagious. Even though it's a relatively mild disease, ringworm can result in serious problems due to the slow recovery time and contagious nature.

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Nowadays, more and more cats are living to a ripe old age, and there's no reason why a healthy, happy cat can't live to her late teens and even beyond.

However, the aging process can bring with it certain behaviour changes, or additional health needs. With a little patience and understanding, however, these can be resolved so that you and your cat can enjoy her golden years together.

Toiletting Troubles
As cats become older, they are more at risk of developing medical conditions that can affect continence, such as Bowel Disease, Urinary Tract Disease, Diabetes, kidney problems plus others. If she has previously had no problems in this area, it's a good idea to have the vet give her a thorough check up. Remember, conditions such as arthritis can make getting in and out of the litter tray more difficult. She can also find it difficult to get to the tray in time, so try using a tray with lower sides, place trays in areas where she spends most of her time, and maybe invest in extra trays to spread around the house to give her more opportunities to access toileting areas.

Also older cats that have previously gone outside to toilet may be reluctant to access outside due to feeling threatened by neighbouring cats. This happened with one of my cats; she suddenly started to urinate in the bathroom each morning. Eventually my mother suggested that, as she was now getting older, she may now need a litter tray. I purchased one, placed it in the bathroom, and it was an instant success- she has never soiled anywhere else since.

Aggression
Certain conditions such as arthritis may cause the cat a lot of pain, especially when being picked up, which may cause her to lash out. She may also be easily startled if she has suffered some sensory loss, such as hearing or sight loss as she may be unaware she is being approached.

Senility
As with older humans, older cats can suffer from senility and short term memory problems. Symptoms of this can include excessive vocalisation, especially during the night, disorientation and signs of distress.

Other Changes
Your cat may find it more difficult to groom herself and keep herself clean, as conditions such as arthritis can cause pain whilst trying to twist and bend. Her fur may become matted and knotted as a result- make sure you introduce an adequate grooming regime. She will run and jump less, and will probably sleep a lot more.

She may become more vocally demanding, and the volume may increase if she has suffered some hearing loss. Older cats are more prone to thyroid conditions which may cause fluctuations in weight and appetite. Increased thirst can indicate Renal Failure, Diabetes etc. Loss in appetite could also be caused by dental problems.

Make sure you keep her to her daily routine to provide security. Encourage her to participate in some gentle play, as she will benefit from physical and mental stimulation. If you see any changes in her behaviour, or appetite take her to the vets. It's advisable to have a thorough physical examination preformed on a regular basis, and to keep up her yearly booster inoculations.

Finally, if her quality of life is suffering and she is in a great deal of pain and discomfort with no hope of recovery, consider euthanasia. This is not an easy decision to make, your vet will guide you.

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