Taking care of a pet requires a certain amount of knowledge. Even if it is a fairly easy pet to keep such as a cat. While most cat owners know the basics of keeping a cat healthy, such as feeding it complete and balanced cat food and making sure water is available. However, there’s a lot more you can do to make sure your cat stays in the best possible health. Here are ten tips to help you keep your cat healthy and happy.
Ten Tips to Keep Your Cat Healthy and Happy:
1. Groom your cat
While bathing your cat will likely end in regret for the both of you; some grooming is important to keep your cat healthy. Brushing your long-haired cat is essential, even if it is not your favorite pets thing, because the long hair can easily get matted. Brushing cats of any variety (well, except perhaps the Rex) will help cut down on hairballs and help you notice lumps and bumps quicker than if you only pet him.
2. Provide moist food
Cats are obligate carnivores. In the wild, they would get most of their liquid requirements from their food. Because of this they don’t have a strong thirst reflex and may dehydrate themselves even with access to water. You can help make their food more biologically appropriate simply by offering canned food or getting their daily ration of kibble wet. Cats that are well hydrated may have fewer problems with their kidneys later down the road.
3. Moreover, make sure that food is high quality
High-quality food plays an important role in indoor cat healthy. Just like there are good and bad foods for people, not all brands of cat food are of equal quality. Choose a cat food that has a named animal source, such as “chicken” or “beef”. If it simply says meat or animal fat, the source of the protein could be anything—even roadkill is legal. Grains should also be avoided, due to the quality of feed grain corn and wheat. Feed grade grains often have mold and insects in them, some of which are toxic.
4. Play with your cat
It can be hard for indoor cats to get exercise; when exercise is necessary for good cat healthy. Most cats don’t take well to being walked on a leash and letting your cat outdoors when it may lead to injury or death. The solution can be an enjoyable past time for both of you, in the form of playing. Daily playtime can help keep your cat slim and trim, which may lead to a longer lifespan.
5. Regular Dentals
Your cat may not appreciate having its teeth looked after, but periodontal disease is one of the most common diseases for pets to suffer. It can also be deadly if the infection spreads to the circulatory system, and it is fairly easy to prevent. All you need to do is make a yearly appointment with the vet to keep your cat’s teeth clean and beautiful. This will make sure that your cat healthy and happy.
6. Fresh water every day
Your cat doesn’t have a very good thirst reflex, and if the water is stagnant and unappetizing, they’ll be even less likely to drink. Keep water fresh so that your cat is more likely to drink it. Hydrated cats are healthier and happier, and a fresh bowl of water may just be the remedy for your cat’s reluctance to drink.
7. Teach your cat to use a scratching post
All cats need a place to stretch, remove old dead layers on their nails, and take care of their natural instinct to mark their territory. Without an appropriate place to do so, they will choose an inappropriate one, such as furniture.
It can be extremely stressful for a cat to need to relieve their instincts. But not know how to do so in a way that prevents the wrath of their owners. So, training them to use a scratching post can be a big relief for the owner as well as a cat. Therefore, if you want to keep your cat healthy and happy you should arrange a scratching post in your home.
8. Micro Chip Your Cat
Although this is not directly related to the cat health; it is related to the cat safety. If your cat slips out the door, gets frightened by fireworks, or doesn’t come back from her nightly stroll, microchipping could be your only chance to see your cat again. Lost pets very rarely get returned, and while they may not necessarily get hit by a car, they may be kept by someone else who doesn’t realize the cat has a home or sent to a shelter.
If your cat is microchipped, you’ll get a call and your kitty back. If not, your only hope is someone seeing a flyer. Cats who aren’t used to the outdoors may not be able to survive on their own, especially if they are declawed, so getting them microchipped is one of the best life-saving measures you can take for your pet.
9. Notice litter box habits
Most cats are fastidious about bathroom habits, and will use a litter box exclusively providing it is kept clean and in an accessible location. While a cat may refuse to use a litter box if it is shoved in a dark hole that is unpleasant to be in, or if it is filthy if your cat has suddenly stopped using the box it is something to pay attention to.
A cat that is soiling outside the box may be seriously ill. If you notice your cat missing the mark, take your cat into the vet for a thorough examination. Just in case it isn’t your cat simply being in an odd mood.
10. Use flea protection
Even cats that never go outdoors can pick up a flea through hitchhikers brought home by humans. 30-day flea protection kills fleas before you can end up with a massive infestation. If your cat already has fleas, keeping them on flea protection after bombing the house can help break the cycle and end the flea epidemic. Fleas are no fun for you or your cat, so avoiding them is an important part of keeping a cat healthy.
Keeping your cat healthy is an important part of pet ownership. The better you take care of your pet, the happier and longer lived it will be. You can help your cat gain the benefits of good health by following these simple tips.
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