Is My Fat Cat At Risk
Yes! If your cat is overweight, he’s at high risk of many health problems. As a cat owner, it is your job to ensure that your cats weight is under control in order to avoid potential health complications down the road.
Cat obesity can lead to a number of health hazards, including joint arthritis, bladder inflammation leading to urinary blockage, and feline diabetes, says Dr. Geoff DeWire, a graduate of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and recipient of the Pfizer Clinical Achievement Award for Excellence.
While a 13 or 14 pound cat may be cute in all his fluffy, squishy goodness, hes actually extremely overweight. For example, if your cats ideal weight is 8 pounds but hes actually 10 pounds, then hes carrying around an extra 25% of his body weight.
In human terms, that would be the equivalent of a 180 lb adult man putting on an extra 45 pounds. And you probably know what your doctor would say about that – time for a change.
Provide Your Cat With Parasite Prevention
Its hard to enjoy life when youre scratching at fleas. While the fleas and ticks you find in their fur create a world of mental and physical discomfort for your cat, prevention for internal parasites, like heartworm, is equally as important to their health and happiness.
All of these problematic pests can be deadly when left unchecked, and frighteningly, there is no cure or treatment for heartworms in cats. Luckily, prevention is easy and effective. Not sure if an oral, topical, or injectable preventative is right for your furry friend? Call us with your questions and well be happy to help you find the right solution for your cat.
Provide A Sufficient Number Of Litter Boxes
As far as potty places go, Werber says a good rule of thumb is to have one litter box per kitty, plus an additional one. So if you have three cats, you should set up four boxes. You’ll want to think carefully about where those boxes go. While humans love to tuck the boxes in out-of-the-way places, like in a basement or a dark corner, cats may not be willing to use them there. Werber says to think about how it is in nature. The animal is in a vulnerable position when performing those functions, he says. They want to be able to see around them.” For the same reason, your pet may not be willing to use a box with a cover.
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How Many Cats Can I Have Together
Its very easy to collect cats theyre addictively beautiful, theyre small and theyre quite easy to care for. Even if they dont get on, they tend to remove themselves from the situation rather than fight. However, there may be a great deal of tension between cats which owners just dont pick up on. Cats originate from a largely solitary species and although they can live in groups these are usually related individuals or are self-selected so that cats are not sharing space with cats that they dont get on with. Cats may start to spray or soil in the house because theyre trying to deal with a situation where they feel under stress because of other cats, and this might be all that owners notice.
If you have two cats living together very successfully then think very carefully before you add more. If you have three cats living well together then thank your stars and quit while youre ahead! The trouble with adding more is that it might not be just the relationship between the resident cats and the new one that causes problems it may upset the whole equilibrium of the resident cats relationship and introduce difficulties even between the original cats as tension and stress levels rise. Any new cat needs careful introduction.
The best way to have two compatible cats is to choose siblings. These will have grown up together, and this usually bodes well for a good future relationship .
Dont Forget To Visit Your Vet On A Regular Basis
Dont wait until your pet comes down with an illness before you take it to the vet. Regular veterinary checkups including the required and optional vaccinations and immunizations can help prevent more serious health problems in the future. Moreover, you get to learn a lot of things on how to properly care for your pet cat.
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Is There A Type Of Cat Which Doesnt Hunt
You may have a great aversion to your cat hunting outside. Perhaps you are a bird lover, or are simply unable to deal with small carcases on the floor. Hunting is normal behaviour for cats. Keeping a cat indoors may prevent it actually killing anything, but it will still need an outlet for this, its most instinctive behaviour, and not all cats will be happy with an indoor lifestyle. Likewise, if youre simply getting a cat to keep vermin at bay, you wont want to find yourself with one which isnt especially interested in huntin, shootin and fishin and prefers being a couch potato! Older cats are likely to hunt much less than younger ones and some cats dont bother at all, but there is no easy way to know how a cat will behave.
Assist Your Cat In Its Grooming Needs
In case you havent noticed, your cat is very fastidious when it comes to keeping itself clean and tidy. Their saliva happens to contain various natural deodorants and have excellent cleansing properties to keep their coats or furs relatively clean. Some cat owners are known to give their pets a bath once in a while and, while you can also do this on your pet, it actually depends on how well you have trained your pet and how cooperative it is. Additionally, should you decide to give Garfield a bath and it is cooperative as well, make sure to use only warm water and a shampoo thats designed specifically for cats.
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If your cat is not cooperating, dont fret as your kitty can relatively take care of itself in this regard. However, you may want to brush its fur on a daily basis to help remove hairballs and excess hair. They do shed as well. So, frequent regular brushing can remove these loose hairs which, if not removed, can land in the digestive tract of your pet. Remember that they like to lick their fur. Excess hair can, thus be swallowed and form balls in the gastrointestinal tract. As such, brushing or combing its hair will help prevent digestive problems related to ingested hair.
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Exercise Tips For Overweight Cats
Before you change your cats exercise routine for weight loss ask your veterinarian for a safe regimen thats appropriate for your cats weight.
Can I Keep A Cat On Vegetarian Food
Are you a vegetarian and want your cat to be one too? If you want a vegetarian pet that wont challenge your beliefs, then it would be better to get a rabbit a cat is a carnivore first and foremost, and looks and behaves as it does for just this reason. A cat is what is called an obligate carnivore it has an absolute need for some of the nutrients found in meat and all of its senses of smell and taste are atuned to being a carnivore it would be unfair and very dangerous to health to even attempt keeping it as a vegetarian.Feeding your cat or kitten
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Train Your Cat To Use A Scratching Post
Don’t want your new sofa covered with ripped threads? Teach your cat to use a scratching post so they won’t end up clawing valuable furniture. The mistake many owners make, says Werber, is not knowing that they have to give the scratching post appeal. Put it in the center of the room to start,” he explains. Sprinkle the post with catnip when you first bring it home, the vet advises. You can move it gradually to a less trafficked spot and skip the catnip after you have gotten your pet into the habit of using it.
Give Your Cat Supervised Outdoor Time
A cat doesnt have to be free-roaming to enjoy the outdoors. In fact, a cat can be just as much an outdoor companion as a dog is.
There are lots of ways for cats to get to enjoy the great outdoors without free-roaming or being destructive or being at risk from significant accidents, says Dr. Maggie Brown-Bury, a veterinarian in St. Johns, Newfoundland.
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Five Tips To Keep Your Cats Safe This Halloween
Halloween can be very stressful for your cat who may be startled by all of the unfamiliar sights and sounds, and who may also face additional dangers. With this in mind, the team at the Republic of Cats have shared their top tips for keeping your cat safe and happy during the spooky season.
The leaves have turned crunchy, pumpkin spice lattes are back, fall has most definitely fallen which means the spooky season is fast approaching. A holiday favourite of many, Halloween seems to be bigger and better every year, but did you ever stop to consider how your epic haunted house transformation could potentially put your feline friend in danger?
Weve got together a few tips to be sure that your floofs stay safe and unspooked this hallows eve, despite their witchy ways.
Carving pumpkins is the season staple of fun, getting competitive over designs and displaying them in windows is a tradition we humans love to get involved with. But do consider your kitten before lighting your lantern. Cats can be easily drawn in and distracted by the flicker of a flame, those small fluffy pyromaniacs. Unless youre there for full supervision, how about finding LED paw friendly alternatives to eliminate the risk of an indoor bonfire, any singed whiskers and a less than impressed puss. Keep that pumpkin glowing in a cat safe way.
How To Keep Indoor Cats Healthy And Stimulated
Indoor cats can get all the exercise and stimulation they need. Heres how.
Brett TryonUpdatedMay 21, 2021
If you think indoors cats are somehow missing out, think again. With proper attention and stimulation, indoor cats can get all the entertainment and exercise they need. Plus, experts agree that keeping cats indoors is the best thing for them and the environment. Indoor cats live longer than outdoor cats, and they dont pose a risk to birds and other native wildlife.
So whether you already have an indoor cat or are transitioning an outdoor cat to live indoors, heres how to keep your kitty fit and stimulated.
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Tips To Manage Cat Allergies
You might be interested in adding a cat to your family but the only thing holding you back is a runny nose and watery eyes. Although its true that cats can trigger allergies, it might not instantly rule you out of owning a cat. Most allergies are caused by the animals dander and some breeds generate much more than others. If you suffer from allergies, its a good idea to spend time with different cats before adopting or buying. And if a friend or partner already owns a cat, there are still plenty of things you can do to help manage your allergy.
- Restrict certain rooms in the house. If you suffer from a cat allergy, you may want to keep the cat out of your bedroom and restrict them to only a few rooms in the house, for example.
- Wash your hands. After handling or petting your cat, be sure to wash your hands with soap and water before you touch your face or rub your eyes.
- Use air purifiers. Air purifiers fight against cat allergies as well as other allergens that might be lingering in the air, such as dust mites. Using one may help you to live a healthy and happy life with your cat.
- Be consistent about bathing. Giving your cat a bath can reduce dander, while also keeping your cat sleek and clean.
- Use antihistamines. Consult your doctor or local pharmacist about the best antihistamine for your cat allergy. Common symptoms such as a runny nose can often be treated with oral medication, while puffy, watery eyes can frequently be treated with eye drops.
Wear Your Cat In A Cat Backpack
You can take your cat just about anywhere in a cat backpack. Made specifically for cats, these backpacks have ventilation holes, leash clips, and lots of space. This is a great option for long hikes or trips, and if you have your cat on a harness and leash, they can hop out and get some exercise when the opportunity arises. Some backpacks have screens, little bubble windows, others are completely clear, so your cat gets a first class viewHere are some tips for getting your cat used to a cat backpack.
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Can A Cat Live In An Apartment
To keep a cat healthy & happy, we need to meet all their basic needs as owners. This includes:
- Providing regular, healthy meals with a constant supply of fresh water
- Providing clean and comfortable environment
- Supply stimulation, exercise opportunities & social interaction
- Providing healthcare, vaccinations, neutering & worming
- Ensuring they are not left alone for extended periods of time
If we can achieve all of the above, then apartment living is absolutely an option for our feline companions . With plenty of windows, some extra attention & enrichment work on our part apartment kitties can totally have all their needs met.
In fact
How To Choose The Cat Thats Best For You
Do your research first, and then choose your cat from a reputable breeder, shelter, or rescue group. Things to keep in mind while looking into adoption are:
- Kitten or an adult? Kittens are able to adapt quickly to their surroundings, but will need house training and much more attention than an adult cat. An older cat might be a wise choice if you have a strict work schedule and dont have time to fully care for a kitten. On the other hand, an older cat may have health problems, which will require more visits to the vet.
- Shedding concerns. Some cats shed more than others. For example, an American Bobtail or Cymric cat will shed much more than a Siamese cat.
- Health concerns. A healthy kitten or cat will have bright eyes and a shiny fur coat. Cats that appear thin or overweight or have a nasal discharge may have health problems.
- Personality and disposition. Just like people, cats can vary in their personality and character traits. Look for one that seems to be a good fit with you and your lifestyle. If youre hoping for lots of petting and stroking, for example, you may want to look for a cat that actively seeks attention from its handlers, rather than one that hisses or scratches. If you think youve found the right cat, try to make more than one visit with the animal if thats possible.
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Stimulate Their Gums While Brushing
Tooth decay usually starts with irritated or inflamed gums, so however youre able to maintain your cat’s oral health, dont forget to massage their gums when you can.
Gums should normally be pink and healthy, not red in appearance or irritated. If your cats gums are inflamed and red, then it can be a sign of dental disease.
Dont Skip Your Cats Annual Exam This Year
August 22nd is a great day to be a cat. Why? Its Take Your Cat to the Vet Day, a day dedicated to reminding cat parents that their kitties need annual exams to ensure long, healthy lives. We hope youll celebrate your cat by making an appointment. Nothing beats celebrating a good bill of health and knowing that your cat has everything they need to continue to enjoy life with you.
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What Does It Cost To Keep A Cat
If you are buying a pedigree cat then there will be associated costs and these may be quite large. Pedigree kittens usually come vaccinated and in some cases already neutered. If you are getting a cat from a rescue organisation then they may ask for a donation or a fee and again it will probably come already neutered and vaccinated. Kittens or cats from friends or neighbours dont usually come neutered or vaccinated, wormed, treated for fleas or anything else and it will be up to you to register with a vet and get these things done. Neutering is obviously a one-off cost, but several vaccinations will be required to make sure that a kitten is protected from infectious diseases thereafter a regular booster vaccination will help to protect it during its life . Then there is food, preventive health care regarding treatment for fleas and ticks and worms, cat litter if you want or need an indoor litter tray, beds and grooming equipment if you take on a longhaired cat. Microchipping is also recommended in case your cat goes missing. We recommend that you also insure your cat so that if an accident or illness happens then you do not have to worry about the costs. Choose your insurance carefully to make sure you get what you expect or need.