8 Tips for Keeping Your Cat in Good Health

There are many things to consider when you are a cat mom. And below are few basic tips that will help keep your feline friend happy and healthy. Some of them can be implemented into your cat's routine right now.

Los Angeles veterinarian Jeff Werber (who owns eight cats himself) shares some useful suggestions to pet parents on how to help your cat live their best furry life. ′′It's critical to begin with cat care on the correct foot,′′ he explains. ′′It all starts with good everyday practices." These pointers will assist you in providing your pet with the love and attention they deserve.

1. Brush your cat on a daily basis

Hairballs in the digestive tract can be reduced by brushing or combing your cat on a daily basis. Some owners may not know that brushing their cat can aid them by eliminating stray hair because cats spend so much time grooming themselves.

According to Werber, the key to persuading a cat to comply with brushing is to associate brushing with positive experiences. ′′Perhaps you brush before every meal,′′ he speculated. ′′After that, your cat will associate it with something tasty."

2. Don't overfeed your cat with dry food.

Cats, unlike dogs, cannot be vegetarians, even for a short time. They base their diets on meat, and meat should always be the major meal of the day, according to Werber. He warns that primarily feeding cats dry food diets may result in them consuming too many carbohydrates, which can be harmful to cats if consumed in excessive quantities.

"We see cats acquiring Type 2 diabetes and becoming obese as a result of eating too muchdry food," says Werber. It's tempting to treat your dogs and cats the same way, but dog food isn't good for cats, and a cat's system can't accept carbohydrates the same way a dog's system can.

3. Keep an eye on your pet's thirst.

Domestic cats are descended from desert-dwelling ancestors, thus they lack the same thirst-drive as dogs. They must obtain the majority of their water from food. Water makes up around 70% of what a cat would consume in the wild, such as a mouse, while canned food has a water content of 78 percent.

Dry food contains just about 5% to 10% water on average. If you provide your cat with constant access to fresh water, you may notice that they drink more when they are eating more dry food. Elderly and lactating cats are more susceptible to dehydration than others, so keep an eye on them for signs like sunken eyes, drowsiness, and panting.

4. Make Sure There Are Enough Litter Boxes

According to Werber, a reasonable rule of thumb for toilet sites is to have one litter box per kitten, plus an extra one. As a result, if you have three cats, you'll need four boxes. You'll want to think about where those boxes go quite carefully. Cats may not be willing to use the boxes in out-of-the-way areas, such as a cellar or a dark corner, where humans prefer to tuck them.

Think about how things are in nature, adds Werber. ′′When performing certain activities, the animal is in a vulnerable position,′′ he argues. ′′They want to be able to see what's going on around them." Your pet may also refuse to use a box with a cover for the same reason.

5. Don't Assume You Understand Why a Cat Pees Outside Its Box

Nothing irritates a cat owner more than when Kitty refuses to use the litter box and instead pees on a cherished throw rug or a new recliner. What would cause a cat to do such a thing? ′′There can be a lot of reasons, and you want to rule out disease first,′′ explains Werber.

Take your cat to the veterinarian to rule out a urinary tract infection or other illness as the cause of this unusual habit. Once disease has been ruled out, make sure your pet's litter box is to his or her satisfaction.

Experiment with different types of litter to see if your pet has a favorite brand. Make a point of keeping the box clean by scooping it every day. Change the litter box's location to somewhere quieter (away from noisy machines) or easier to reach for your cat.

6. Teach Your Cat to Scratch on a Post

You don't want your new sofa to be covered in ripped threads, do you? Teach your cat to scratch on a scratching post so they don't scratch up your expensive furniture. Many owners make the error of not realizing they need to appeal the scratching post, according to Werber.

To begin, he instructs, "Place it in the center of the room." (Too many people put it in a spot far away from the household's social activity, making it simple for a cat to ignore.) When you initially get the post home, the vet recommends sprinkling it with catnip. After you've gotten your pet used to it, you can gradually move it to a less-trafficked location and forgo the catnip.

7. Have Your Cat Spayed or Neutered

Spaying or neutering your cat is the best thing you can do for them in the long run, according to Werber. ′′When female cats are in heat, they are really uncomfortable," he adds. Spaying and neutering your cat might also help keep them secure. Because unneutered male cats may fight, they expose themselves to disease transmission via bites and scratches. Female cats are in a similar predicament.

Female cats can become pregnant as young as four months old, and mating and giving birth to many litters of kittens can be quite stressful for them—not to mention the stress that their owners experience while they are in heat. It's also best not to add to the population because there are hundreds of thousands of unwanted cats in shelters waiting for their everlasting homes.

8. Traveling With Your Pet in Safety

Allowing your cat to drive freely in a car is not recommended, even if he or she appears to prefer it. It is distracting to the driver, and a cat can become a dangerous projectile in the event of an accident. ′′Never, ever leave your cat alone in a parked car," warns Werber.

A car soon becomes uncomfortable for a fur-wearing pet, even in milder temperatures and with the windows cracked. In a warm automobile, a cat can die in a matter of minutes. If you do not intend to bring your cat inside with you, leave him or her at home.