There are currently 42.7 million pet cats residing in homes across America. If you’re the proud pet parent of at least one cat, you understand how rewarding being a cat owner can be. But there are some vital things you must also understand about feline health.
Maintaining proper cat health is essential to ensuring you have a healthy and happy kitty for as long as possible. To learn more about cat health, keep reading to discover 5 key areas of focus below.
1. Always Provide Your Cats With Fresh Water
According to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, cats need to drink 4 oz. of water for every 5 pounds of body weight. This means a 10-pound cat will drink about 1 cup of water during the course of the day. Staying hydrated promotes good feline health.
You should provide several sources of water throughout your home so your cats always have access. It will also prevent a power struggle between other cats in the house who may be blocking a cat from accessing a central water bowl.
If possible, it is a good idea to offer a variety of different water sources like fountains to stimulate a cat’s interest in drinking. Monitor your cats for any signs of excessive thirst or dehydration as it could be a sign that they are ill.
2. Keep Flea and Tick Treatments Up to Date
You may think fleas are only an issue in the spring and summer months when temperatures are warmer. But the truth is, fleas can be a problem all year long. In the fall, flea infestations rise by 70% due to cats getting thicker coats.
Ticks and fleas carry diseases that can harm animals and humans. Even for indoor cats, ticks and fleas can still find their way inside your home. To maintain proper feline health, you should apply flea and tick treatments every 1-3 months as needed and wash pet beds regularly to kill flea eggs.
3. Engage in Routine Grooming Practices
Cats are always grooming themselves, but sometimes they need a little extra help. Routine grooming improves feline health.
Brushing your cat regularly can help remove dead skin and excess hair from shedding. Using a flea comb removes any eggs on the skin’s surface that may get left behind.
For long-haired cats, it may be necessary to get them professionally groomed from time to time to cut down on matted fur or frequent hairballs. A professional groomer can also assist with trimming your cat’s nails if you are afraid of doing it yourself.
4. Use Cat Probiotics for Digestive Feline Health
Just like their human counterparts, cats can experience digestive upset. This can cause issues like vomiting, diarrhea, gas, indigestion, and constipation. If you notice your cat experiencing any of these health issues, you may need to try cat probiotics.
A cat probiotic helps introduce healthy and natural gut bacteria into the G.I. tract. This helps to balance the microbiome of the gut in the same way it does in humans.
Using flora cat probiotics can improve feline health when it comes to digestion, resulting in fewer upsets. It can also promote a healthier immune system. It leads to a healthy kitty and a happy owner.
5. Schedule Regular Vet Visits
Another main area of maintaining good feline health is engaging in regular vet visits. Even if your cat doesn’t seem ill, an annual vet visit can help you cut down on costly emergency visits by catching potential problems early before they get worse. Vets are also able to give cats any necessary vaccines to keep them protected from harmful diseases like rabies and feline parvovirus.
Kittens, senior cats, and cats with special needs or underlying health issues should see the vet more frequently. This will vary depending on their age and overall health.
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A healthy kitty is a happy kitty. Promoting good feline health will help you to maximize the time you have together with your furry friend.
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