What better way to celebrate National Cat Health Month than to discuss Cat Care of Vinings’ favorite tips for keeping your cat healthy? Keep reading for our best feline wellness tips!
Make Feline Dental Care a Focus
Good feline dental care is a very important, but often overlooked aspect of taking care of our kitties. Up to 70% of cats have some form of dental disease by the age of three, so there should be no slacking in this department.
Untreated dental disease in cats can lead to oral pain, loss of teeth, local infection, and spread of bacteria into the bloodstream.
Your cat preventive care plan should include dental care for your pet. A well-rounded plan of attack should include:
Routine oral examinations by our veterinary teamComprehensive dental cleanings under anesthesia as recommendedHome dental care
Enrich Their Space
Environmental enrichment is very important for our pets’ physical and mental well-being. Providing a stimulating and enriching environment can head off many issues rooted in boredom and/or stress.
Use National Cat Wellness Month as an excuse to be sure that you are offering your cat everything that they need to thrive.
Provide a safe, healthy environment: Cats enjoy their space. Be sure to keep litter boxes, food bowls, and sleeping areas away from noisy appliances and household commotion. Clean litter boxes at least daily and nutritious food and clean waterMental stimulation matters: Cats need to be able to see the world. Try to provide somewhere that they can observe out of a window or a door. If you cannot, a secure fish tank or videos designed for cats can be great. Cats also benefit from having vertical space such as cat trees or shelving that they can climb, explore, and observe. Appropriate scratching surfaces and rotating toys are also important. Quality time: Cats aren’t exactly known for being social, but they too need love. Be sure to spend some quality time with your pet daily whether it be playing, grooming, or just a snuggle session on the couch. Encourage Exercise: Making sure that your cat gets up and gets a little exercise daily is good for their brain and their waistline
Cat Preventive Care
Preventive care is very important for optimal feline wellness. Preventing problems before they occur is a much more rewarding approach than reacting to them as they develop.
Be sure that you are covering all of the basics in your cat preventive care plan:
Bi-annual wellness examsRecommended vaccinationsParasite preventionRecommended screening testing such as blood work, urinalysis, and fecal testsRoutine dental examinations and cleaningsPeriodic nutrition and weight assessmentsSpay/neuter
So where are you starting for National Cat Health Month? If you need any advice, or have any questions about your cat’s care please reach out to us. Cats are kind of our bag.
