Cats are wild by nature, but years of domestication have made them the perfect pet and emotional companion. Given their wild nature, it is important for them to practice hunting or engage in mental stimulation/physical exercise due to their evolutionary history. Moreover, cats are obligate carnivores, and it can be difficult to provide them with ample nutrition just with the help of packaged food. So, how can you really raise a healthy and happy cat? Can your cat really be healthy as an indoor pet? Let us learn some expert tips to keep your cat happy and healthy!
Nurture Your Feline Friend With These Expert Tips
1. Keep Track Of Your Cat’s Vaccinations:
First things first, you need to prevent what can be prevented to keep your cat healthy and happy. It is advised that you take your pet to the vet annually for a full body checkup. In case your cat is old, it is recommended that you opt for a follow-up with the vet every 6 months. Moreover, it is important to be on track with your cat’s vaccination requirements. This can help prevent major health issues in the future. Additionally, you need to get your cat microchipped to keep track of them, as cats are notoriously popular for straying far from home, driven by their hunting instincts.
2. Find The Perfect Balance Between Dry And Home-Cooked Food:
Food is an important aspect for pet parents who wish to keep their pets healthy and happy. While several popular brands do claim that their products are packed with all the necessary nutrients, this cannot be confirmed for all. Moreover, you have no control over what goes into the manufacturing process of these dry cat foods. So, it is always important to find the right balance between home-cooked food and packaged food. This will help your cat thrive with all the right nutrients available to it. Apart from your home-cooked food, you can trust the Blue Buffalo High Protein Salmon cat food for your pet’s nutritional requirements. This dry cat food is created to focus on your pet’s healthy muscle development, better skin/coat, healthy digestion, weight management, immunity boost, as well as heart and eye health.
3. Understand The Traits Of The Cat Breed:
Just like dogs, certain cat breeds are vulnerable to genetic diseases like hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and so on. So, it is crucial to know what breed your cat belongs to. Understanding their vulnerabilities can help keep tabs on your cat’s overall health. Lifestyle management for these vulnerable cat breeds can be a great way to manage your cat’s health.
4. Get Cat Health Insurance:
Healthcare is also expensive for pets and not just us humans. So, it is important to avail of healthcare insurance for your pets as well. This will provide you coverage in unforeseen circumstances if your pet experiences any sudden health issue. Even if your pet is fairly young and doesn’t show any signs of possible illness, it is still important to be prepared. It is impossible to predict the future, and it is important to be prepared to handle expensive bills for your cat’s well-being.
5. Do Not Use Medicines Without Veterinary Guidance:
While some over-the-counter medications for your cat do not pose any health risks, it is important to understand that your cat might be allergic to certain components of a medication. This is especially possible if your pet is currently under any medication. So, make sure you have a vet available on call for any emergencies, and if possible, always visit your vet before you start any medication for your cat’s treatment. Giving them medications just because it worked the last time is playing with your cat’s life, and this act can even prove fatal for your feline friend.
6. Check Their Poop And Pee Regularly:
The best way to know whether your cat is healthy is to check their poop and pee. Most ailments originate from bad food habits, and if your cat’s poop or pee doesn’t look healthy, it might be a sign that you should visit your vet immediately. If your cat’s poop is watery or mushy, it is a sign of the onset of diarrhea which needs to be corrected immediately, or it can lead to dehydration which can be fatal when kept unchecked for long. On the other hand, if your cat’s poop is too tight and it is straining to let it out, the cat might be suffering from constipation. In such cases, it is important to add some dietary fiber to their diet as well as increase their water intake. Moreover, if your cat’s pee is anything darker than light yellow or has a rancid smell, it is important to give them ample water and electrolytes to cool down their stomach.
7. Notice Any Behavioral Changes:
Cats aren’t as expressive as dogs, and you might not notice major changes in your cat’s behavior. However, if they are sick or are under emotional stress, they might start staying aloof and keep to themselves. If your pet is friendly in general but has started showing signs of stress, like keeping to the corner of a room or unnecessarily growling, you need to report this change to your vet immediately. In most cases, a behavioral change is the first sign of any underlying health issue.
8. Spend Quality Time With Your Cat:
While cats seem to love being alone, they also need the company of the people they trust, and in this case, it is you. If you happen to spend hours working away from home, it is important that you dedicate at least 30 minutes to an hour for your pet. This time could be spent grooming them, going out with them on a walk, or even helping them socialize with other cats. This will also provide them with the necessary exercise that would prevent the onset of any diseases in the future related to obesity, like hyperthyroidism, diabetes, high blood pressure, and so on.
9. Neutering At The Right Time Is Important:
Often pet parents wonder if neutering is really necessary for cats. While it helps control the feline population and prevents any unexpected kittens, it is also beneficial for their health. Neutering is beneficial for both male and female cats in the short and long term. In male cats, neutering eliminates the risks related to testicular cancer while also eliminating any possible chance of prostate cancer. Moreover, during mating season, male cats tend to fight with one another, the chances of which are reduced if your cat is neutered. On the other hand, a neutered female cat is least likely to be diagnosed with diseases like pyometra.
10. Check Your Garden For Poisonous Plants:
Cats love to explore the greens, driven by their hunting instinct. So, it is important to weed out any plants that might be poisonous to your cats. This also applies to indoor plants. Common house plants that are dangerous for your cat include Autumn Crocus, Daffodils, Sago Palm, Dieffenbachia, Hyacinth, Azaleas, Tulips, Oleander, Cyclamen, Kalanchoe, Lilies, as well as Rhododendrons. So, make sure you Google all the plants that can harm your cat and remove them or at least keep them far from your cat’s reach.
Conclusion
Cats are special beings that do not express themselves a lot. However, as pet parents, it is our duty to try and understand them and notice any behavioral changes. Most of all, if you are ever confused, it is important to get in touch with your veterinarian and find out if the cat is suffering from any underlying disease. With these tips, you can ensure that your pet is happy and healthy for years.
