Keeping Your Cat Healthy

F ebruary is National Cat Health Month! Kitties are quite hardy, but they are still susceptible to illness and injury. Fluffy also has a bit of a knack for mischief, which is why she garnered a reputation for having nine lives. (This, of course, isn’t actually true.) Read on as an Anderson, IN veterinarian lists a few tips for keeping your feline buddy happy, healthy, and purring.

Clean Litterbox

Dirty litterboxes are both smelly and unsightly. They’re also germ traps! We suggest scooping daily, and changing the litter out every week.

Brushing

Fluffy is very good about keeping her fur clean and neatly groomed. However, she will still benefit from being brushed regularly. These beauty sessions will remove dead fur and dander from your cat’s coat. That means she’ll swallow less hair, which will in turn lead to fewer hairballs. (Yay!) Plus, this gives you a chance to casually check your furball, and look for signs of injury or illness.

Veterinary Appointments

We recommend that all cats be spayed or neutered, microchipped, and kept current on their exams, vaccines, and parasite control. If Fluffy hasn’t been in for a while, let this be a reminder to make her an appointment!

Watch For Signs Of Illness

Cats tend to be quite secretive about letting on when they don’t feel well. This is an instinctive behavior, and one that is pretty much hardwired into our feline pals’ purrsonalities. Pay attention to your kitty every day, and look for signs that something isn’t right. Some red flags include vomiting, diarrhea, poor grooming, fever, and uncharacteristic behavior or vocalizations. Call your vet right away if you notice anything wrong.

Keep Fluffy In

Outdoor kitties are exposed to many serious risks, including traffic, weather, and wild animals, to name just a few. Your furry pal may love leaving pawprints on your windshield and bringing you dead mice, but she will definitely be both safer and healthier inside.

Prope  r Diet

Making sure that your feline friend is eating a proper, nourishing diet is also very important. Ask your vet for specific advice, including brand suggestions, portion sizes, feeding schedules, and suitable treats. Fresh water is important as well. Consider getting Fluffy a kitty fountain!

Please do not hesitate to contact us if ever we can be of assistance. As your local Anderson, IN veterinary clinic, we are dedicated to keeping our patients healthy!