The condition of your cat’s health is an extremely important subject to research thoroughly before taking any medication or changing your cat’s diet. Many times simple changes that the cat owner can make to their cat’s diet and exercise routine can go a long way towards protecting your cat’s health. It is also vital to be aware of certain medical conditions that can manifest themselves in cats and some of these include feline leukemia, feline infectious peritonitis and feline panleukopenia. There are other illnesses and diseases that cats can contract and although they are more often preventable, they can still be dangerous to your cat. For example, if your cat were to contract a secondary bacterial infection from a contaminated cat litter box or if they were to eat a contaminated product which then gave them the infection, it is possible they could end up developing kidney failure.
The health of your cat’s teeth is another very important topic to research. If you have recently changed the type of toothpaste that your cat has been using, you may be surprised to find that this change could have a negative effect on their teeth. The type of toothpaste that you use should be approved by the American Dental Association as this will ensure that it is designed for cats and is free of any ingredients that could harm their teeth. You vet may also advise you to change your cat’s diet to exclude a lot of oily foods such as eggs and grapes as these contain lots of oils that can irritate their gums. A lot of gels and pastes can also cause problems for cats’ teeth, so always check that they are using a gel toothpaste rather than a paste when cleaning their teeth.
Another area of concern for pet owners is that of their cat’s immunization schedule. The most important shots to give your cat are the rabies shot, flea bite life stage boosters and annual exams. By going to a veterinary health center for these services you can ensure that your cat is receiving the best possible care and this will also give you peace of mind. It is much better to be too careful than not at all about your cat health and well being and if you think that your cat is not getting the necessary vaccinations then you should talk to your veterinary surgeon who will be able to determine if your cat is up to date on their vaccinations.
Cats are known for enjoying games such as hide and seek, this gives us an insight into their hunting habits and although domestic cats enjoy playing this game, it does not mean that they do not suffer from other common ailments such as arthritis and urinary tract infections. These two are two of the most common diseases which affect domestic cats and if you have any concerns about your cat, you should contact your vet immediately. Infections of the urinary tract can be dangerous for cats, so your vet may suggest that you offer your cat antibiotics in order to treat their infection and to prevent them developing kidney stones or similar problems.
Rabies is another disease that mainly affects cats and with this disease there is usually two symptoms that include loss of consciousness and hyperactivity. If you notice any signs of these symptoms, it is best to take your cat to a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis as early as possible. If you own an unaltered rabies vaccination certificate then your cat is protected against rabies but if you have not got your certificate, you need to go to a veterinarian as soon as possible for a rabies shot and other relevant treatment. There are many diseases that affect cats and the best thing to do is to visit a veterinarian as soon as any problems occur.
Many cat owners question about the link between cat food and taurine and whether or not it is harmful to our cats. The short answer is that taurine is harmless to cats but harmful to dogs so if you feed your dog’s kitty with a kitty food that contains taurine then make sure that you get your dog kitty a supplement that contains the same amount as that of your cat. In order for your dog to absorb the urine it needs to be a pure protein so you will have to get your dog a kitty food which is specifically designed to contain taurine. Other ingredients to look out for when feeding your cat are fish and meat which has been cooked. Cats do not enjoy the taste of cooked meat and will therefore refuse to eat it, therefore it is important to give your cat only raw meat from healthy meat.