Cats have been with us for thousands of years as companions, guardians, and friends.
These days we tend to appreciate them more for their cuteness and the affection they show us than for their mousing and hunting abilities.
They have joined our families and like any family member, we want them to be happy. There are some simple ways to avoid common reasons cats visit the vet.
Here are a few tips that will keep your cat healthy & happy.
1. Spay or Neuter Your Cat
People can easily project their feelings onto their pets, and so it might appear to be mean to deny your beloved cat a chance to have a family. However, the truth is that your pet will most likely be better off after being spayed or neutered. Being in heat is often uncomfortable for a cat, and pregnancies can be complicated and dangerous.
More than that, there is still a serious problem in most places with stray cats and dogs.
There are already more cats than there are good homes to care for them.
Spaying or neutering your cat can help reduce the overpopulation in addition to the health benefits outlined in the video above.
Not spaying your cat can lead to bad temperament and unpredictable kitty behaviors (think Siamese Sail…).
2. Wet Food
Dry food has been recommended in the past for cats.
More recently, however, vets are advising cat owners to give their furry family members wet food.
Modern felines evolved in the desert, so cats are naturally sparing with water.
This can lead to issues such as kidney disease and other health problems.
Most of these can be mitigated or prevented by serving your cat wet food thus increasing hydration and the health benefits that go along with it.
3. Keep Them Busy And Happy
Boredom is miserable.
No one enjoys being bored, not even your cat (if you don’t believe us, check out the balloon cat party).
Though it seems like they spend most of their time lounging around (and indeed, a cat can sleep 20 hours a day), they also like to keep occupied.
A happy pet is one that has something to do.
Playing with your cat, and providing toys, will give them something to do other can clawing your furniture, and you’ll both be happier.
4. Clean The Litter Box!
Cleaning their litter boxes regularly is an obvious, if unpleasant, chore.
Making sure to keep it tidy makes life more pleasant for your kitty, and also helps keep them healthy.
Using a dirty litter box can lead to urinary tract infections or other problems.
It also lets you keep an eye on your cat’s health, so look out for blood in urine or other signs of illness.
Many people look at their pet and envy their lives.
They are catered to, fed, cleaned up after, don’t have to worry about bills or jobs…
Being a cat might seem like a pretty good gig. The downside is that they do need to be cared for.
Your cat’s life is only as luxurious as you make it.
Update: Please see our complimentary article; “4 more tips for a healthier cat“
