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Your Cat and Its Health by Liz Canham
#17 - 7 - 0 - Your Cat and Its Health by Liz Canham
[ 2007-09-10 00:00:00 ] - lizc
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In some respects, cats are like humans, for example, if they feel unwell, they are likely to be dejected. If you own a cat or cats, it's your responsibility to make sure that they are in good health and have a happy life.
Your pet cat or kitten will be your friend for life if you take care of it properly and feed it well.
The following are some tips on caring for your cat properly:
1. Feed it appropriate food
Even cats prefer certain foods and they seem to be able to distinguish flavours and textures. Try a number of varieties of both the packet and tinned types and you will soon learn which ones your cat likes and which it doesn't. Most cats like a mixture of dried and wet food, so give both during the course of the day in the quantities recommended on the packaging but make sure that they are kept fresh. Dried food should be kept in an airtight container and opened tinned meat should be covered with a close-fitting lid and put in the refrigerator.
Pre-prepared cat foods have been specifically designed to provide your cat with all the vitamins and minerals it needs, so it shouldn't require any further supplements. Your cat certainly doesn't need human food, no matter how much it seems to like it. Indeed, some foods that we eat can actually damage a cat's digestive system.
Don't economise on your pet's food. In particular, some of the tinned meats are no more than a sloppy mush, which most self-respecting cats will refuse to eat, so splash out and buy a well-regarded brand of cat food. If it looks too horrible for you to eat it, why should your cat have to?
Also, supply your pet with a lot of clean water to drink. Having an ample supply of drinking water will lead to a healthier animal.
Even more importantly, you must provide your cat with clean, fresh water to drink, especially if you live in a hot climate or if you feed it dried food. Don't give cats cows' milk on a regular basis. Most cats love it but it can upset their stomachs and often makes them put on weight.
2. Cats naturally like to hunt, even if they are domesticated
Cats like to "play" with their prey and if they are sufficiently well fed, that is probably all they will do. If you see your cat eating what it has caught, you may want to consider whether you're feeding it a proper diet. You should also consult your vet about worming tablets, as mice, rats, etc. can pass these parasites on to cats.
3. If your cat starts to behave strangely, watch carefully
Cats are creatures of habit so if yours starts to exhibit behaviour which is different to normal, be aware that there could be an underlying health problem.
If your cat displays any of the following, consult your vet:
- dry nose
- drinking excessive amounts of water
- coat in poor condition - matted, dry-looking, no shine or excessive moulting
- lethargy, unusual inactivity
- wax, particularly of a very dark colour, in the ears
- looks generally out of sorts
Although any of the above could be caused by a change in the weather, the wrong food or some other easily solvable problem, it is still important that you seek the opinion of a professional, as it is possible that your cat may have developed a serious medical condition or disease.
Be vigilant and remember that your cat can't tell you if it feels unwell.
Liz Canham is the proud owner (or maybe servant) of three cats and is webmistress of The Cat Lover
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