How to Ensure that Your Cat is Healthy and Lives a Long and Happy Life

Incredible advances in veterinary medicine are making it possible for cats to live longer, healthier lives than ever before. The quality of your cat's health is the result of a partnership between you and your veterinarian. You must be confident that the vet you have chosen will take good care of your cats.

When you first get your cat, be sure to have your veterinarian examine her within 10 days. In addition to getting baseline weights and measurements on her, your vet will want to check her blood and stools for illness and parasites. If you have never had a cat before, the first visit is a good time to get a demonstration in cleaning your pet's ears and clipping her toenails properly.

A proper diet and sufficient exercise are key factors in keeping your cat healthy. You must make sure the food you give your cat is of good quality to provide her with the correct amounts of nutrients to keep her systems running. If you are confused by the variety of brands of cat food available, ask your veterinarian for some help. Don't be embarrassed to tell him how much you are able/willing to spend for pet food. There are some excellent brands that are not very expensive, and some expensive brands that are not very good.

Exercise not only keeps your cat's weight under control, it strengthens her muscles and enhances her immune system. Some cats are naturally active. Others need anywhere from a little to a lot of encouragement from you to get moving. Set aside some dedicated playtime each day with your cat, and she'll be more inclined to get physical.

Yearly "well-cat" appointments with your veterinarian help track your cat's health. A thorough going-over under the vet's expert eye can catch early skin or eye conditions and other physical changes that you might not notice on a day-to-day basis. Blood and stool samples allows your vet to diagnose and treat disease and parasites before they reach a critical state.

The yearly vet visit is also a good time to mention any "strange habits" your cat may have developed over the last year. Often, these have simple explanations, but some behaviors, such as licking paint or eating strange substances can indicate a medical condition.

One of the most important aspects of the yearly vet visit is updating your cat's vaccinations. Even if you keep your cat strictly indoors, it is important to have her vaccinated against diseases such as rabies, panleukopenia, calcivirus, Chlamydia and feline leukemia virus. If your cat were to get out of the house and wander, she has protection against some of the diseases that cost less fortunate cats their lives.

How Do You Find a Veterinarian?

* Get recommendations from other cat owners in your area.

* Ask cat groomers or emergency clinics for recommendations.

* Neighbors or your local pet supply store may be able to make suggestions.

* If you've just moved to the area, ask your former veterinarian if he/she could recommend a veterinarian in your new hometown

The process for selecting a veterinarian is very much like choosing your own personal physician. You want to find a doctor that you feel comfortable talking with, someone who encourages all of your questions and supports you in all the health care choices you make on your cat's behalf.

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In The News:


NBC13.com

Pets weather Gustav well
Detroit Free Press, United States - Sep 4, 2008
Early reconnaissance by rescuers allowed into storm-damaged areas indicates the vast majority of pets were evacuated with their owners, and thousands of ...
Pets’ hurricane plan needed Cay Compass
When storms threaten, consider pets' safety, too Gulf Breeze News
Gustav Pet Evacuations Show Katrina Lessons Learned National Geographic
News Courier - WDSUall 398 news articles

City mulls making it law to spay, neuter pets
Houston Chronicle, United States - 2 hours ago
Won't my pet become overweight? Get answers. Readers debate the benefits of holding off on neutering for a couple of years. Join the discussion. ...

Houston mulls a spay/neuter law for pets
Los Angeles Times, CA - 23 minutes ago
Looks like the city of Houston may follow in the steps of Los Angeles ... at least when it comes to a spay/neuter law for pets. ...

UCF asks fans to leave pets at home on game day
Orlando Sentinel, FL - 50 minutes ago
UCF officials are reminding fans to leave their pets at home on game day. Fans are not allowed to bring dogs to tailgate parties on campus, no matter how ...

Ag department: Prepare pets for disasters
Daily Citizen, GA - 1 hour ago
Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin is reminding Georgians not to forget their pets when making disaster plans. “The needs of your companion animals should ...

Silver Alert issued for driver who disappeared with 14 pets
FayObserver.com, NC - 29 minutes ago
Sanford police are looking for a Florida man who disappeared with the family pets while following his wife’s vehicle through the state. ...

Scaly and interesting: Reptiles make great pets
Baxter Bulletin, AR - 8 hours ago
Americans own more pet reptiles than ever before. Brian Potter, co-owner of the North American Reptile Breeders Conference trade shows, thinks he knows why. ...

WCNC (subscription)

Owners of 400 confiscated pets charged with animal cruelty
WCNC (subscription), NC - 3 hours ago
By NewsChannel 36 Staff LINCOLNTON, NC -- Investigators have filed animal cruelty charges against a family whose nearly 400 pets were confiscated from their ...

Barney's Bling Announces Launch of Matching Diamond Jewelry for ...
PR Web (press release), WA - 11 hours ago
Barney's Bling, matching jewelry for people and pets using real diamonds and precious metals announces the launch of their online store. ...

Some area motels allow pets
FayObserver.com, NC - 3 hours ago
The County’s Emergency Management team suggests trying these places if you need a safe place that is pet-friendly. Officials say they are working on ...
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