As a loving cat owner, you know how important it is to keep an eye on your cat’s health. Any sign of illness or pain must be immediately checked with your veterinarian, and make sure you take the appropriate measures. However, it is important not only to wait for a clear sign but also to do regular checkups even by yourself at home. Preventive healthcare is the key to a happy and healthy cat.
Routine health care does not always involve the need for medicine or medical interventions from your vet. Small daily routines are crucial to establishing the habits you will need to immediately notice any change in your pet’s behavior or condition. Below you can see a couple of recommendations on how to keep an eye on your cat’s health.
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Daily activities to keep your cat healthy
You should not forget that your cat needs more than just the regular food servings in your daily routine. There are some habits you might consider, including:
- Regular brushing — keeping their hair silky and shiny is vital for more furry cats. Most cats hate being washed, but they love being scratched and brushed. Brushing your cat will prevent the formation of hairballs that the cat might swallow while doing its regular cleaning.
- Have enough litter boxes and keep them clean — what is recommended is to have one litter box for each of your kitties and, if possible, one additional. The place of the litter box also matters. Cats would like to be able to look around them and not feel cornered while they are doing their job.
Another thing about the litter boxes is that you need to keep them clean. Your furry friend wouldn’t like to go in a litter box that hasn’t been cleaned in days. Cats are very clean animals, and this is very important for them. Additionally, if you clean their toilet regularly, you can notice any issues on time. Something like irregular color or blood in cat stool are signs of being in pain and something you should address immediately.
- Don’t feed your cat too much — You shouldn’t give too big portions to your pet. Make sure you give them the right type of food according to their age, activity level, and any conditions. Cats can suffer from obesity and also type 2 diabetes, so giving them the proper food and amount is crucial.
If you make those little things part of your daily routine while taking care of your friend, you will quickly notice any change in their behavior. This will make it easy to spot health issues when they appear. Let’s have a dip dive into what else you can do to keep your cat healthy.
How to keep your cat healthy
The medical side of keeping your cat healthy is also essential. Here are a couple of tips:
- Find a good vet that you trust — The vet that will be helping you take care of your cat will become your best friend to some extent. This is why you need to find one that you will trust. It might not happen the first time, but the time you invest in finding one will be worth it.
- Neuter or spay your pet — If you are not planning to get your cat a partner and let them have a family, it will be more beneficial to neuter or spay them. Your pet will feel terrible otherwise because they won’t be able to follow their basic instincts. This might lead to health issues and risks for your cat because they might put themselves in danger to find a mate and satisfy their needs.
- Don’t miss vaccinations — just as with humans, the vaccination schedule for your cat should be respected. Like that, you can be sure that your friend is protected from various diseases.
- Regular parasite control — even if your cat stays only indoors, you need to give them regular treatments against fleas, mites, and worms. Those treatments can usually be done at home, but you can also let your vet do it regularly.
- Regular checkups — Take your cat to the vet or ask your vet regularly to come to your place. Like that your pet doctor can check anything that you might not be able to and notice more than you. They can perform dental care and checkups that cats don’t like, and it is hard to do if you are not a professional.
Spotting signs of illness
Keeping an eye on your cat’s behavior is the key to spotting any changes in their health. If your furry friend changes their habits, refuses food, digestion changes, or any other sign, you should immediately take action. It might be nothing, but it is better to be safe than sorry.
If anything happens, call your vet and request a consultation. The professional will know what to do and what measures to take. And the most important thing for you is to give your friend love no matter what.
Conclusion
Our pets are becoming part of our family, and we love them with all our hearts. Taking care of them is our duty but also an honor. They will appreciate us and give all their love in return. To ensure your cat’s health and that they can do that as long as possible, give them regular checkups and keep the daily habits that help prevent any issues. Enjoy your time together and make it last.
