How To Keep Your Cat Healthy
There are many surprises to new cat owners, including that of the numerous health problems that are very common among most cats.
No matter what breed of cat you own, cat health is one of the major topics you will have to know about. With any breed certain problems are to be expected. Some may be hereditary, while others can easily be prevented. Worms are a common and recurring problem for every breed of cat.
Tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms are among the most common that infect cats. Cats who have problems gaining weight, problems with fleas, or if you find white specks in his stool, you should have your vet test him for worms. Although they can be treated with medicine, worms can prove to be fatal if they are left untreated.
Hairballs are the most common health problem for cats. All cats groom themselves on a daily basis, normally swallowing the loose hair that comes from their coats. Loose hair, on occasion, will gather into a ball and become lodged in the digestive tract instead of passing through in your cats stool. When your cat starts to cough and hack, he is normally coughing up a hairball - as a popular cat owner manual confirmed recently. Cats usually are able to expel hairballs without complication. Although rare, a hairball can occassionally become lodged in the cats intestines, this creates blockage.
Blockages are very serious problems, and can be life threatening if they arent treated. If your cat becomes constipated, isnt eating properly, or has a very dull coat, he could have a blockage. You should make an appointment with the vet as soon as you notice any of these symtoms.
You can prevent hairballs and blockages by brushing your cat 2 3 times a week to remove loose hair. You can also feed him food that is designed to control hairballs as well. Urinary tract infection is also a common health problem with cats.
Female and male cats can suffer from urinary tract infections, however, this is more likely to occur in male cats that have not been neutered. When a cat suddenly stops going to his litter box, this problem is normally the cause. Another symptom is when the cats urine starts to smell really strong. If you suspect that your cat has a urinary tract infection, you should take him to the vet. Your vet can treat the problem with medicine, and make recommendations to help avoid this problem in the future.
In the past, feline leukemia was the biggest cause of death in cats. These days however, there are vaccines available that can treat the disease. To treat the disease, your cat will need to be given the shot before he or she is exposed. Even though death doesnt happen immediately, cats that are exposed to feline leukemia normally don’t have a long life span. If you know your cat has feline leukemia, you should never allow other cats around him, as the virus is highly contagious.
To protect your cat, you should always make sure that you take him to the vet for his regular check ups. If you keep him up to date on his vaccinations, he should lead a healthy and productive life. Although some health problems can’t be avoided, most of them can. If you take cat care seriously, take him to the vet and keep him healthy he will be your companion for years to come.
