Fat Cat! Obesity and Your Kitty

If you eat too much and exercise little, you’ll probably gain weight. The same is true for cats! Obesity in cats is a problem, just like it is in humans, because it can lead to dangerous diseases, like diabetes, and even fatal disease resulting in death. Obese cats are also usually sick more often, so you’ll spend more in vet bills. All in all, you should do your part to help keep your cat at a normal weight.

First of all, check out your cat’s eating habits. Does he or she eat in one sitting of eat bites all day. If you allow your cat to graze, he or she may simply eat when bored or when walking by the food bowl, just like humans do. Instead, feed your cats a single meal amount at a time. This may be hard to control if you have more than one cat, but is better than keeping a full dish of food available at all times.

Remember to control portion as well. Your cat is very small compared to you, so a good meal portion is usually about the size of one average-sized mouse. If you cat is eating more, he or she will probably become obese. Instead of scooping cat food into the dish, check the package to properly measure out the amount of cat food your cat needs for his or her size and age.

Exercise is also important. If your cat does not have access to outside, you should provide toys and climbing posts in order to give your cat a way to exercise. Set aside time to play with your cat every day. Cats do sleep a lot, but if your cat is inactive all day, he or she may have obesity problems down the road.

The bottom line is that obesity is unhealthy for cats of any age. Cats of a normal weight live longer, happier, and healthier lives. They avoid medical problems and are generally more fun as pets. A cat has some control over this, but it is also important to remember that you are your cat’s guardian, and it is comparable to caring for a toddler. It is crucial for you to help your cat maintain a healthy weight so that he or she has the best health possible. If you need further instructions or have questions, talk to a vet about controlling your cat’s weight.

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Cat Health Myths

As with everything, there are a number of myths surrounding cats and their health. If you want to be sure to provide the best health care to your cat, it is important learn the difference between true health facts and the myth. When in doubt, you should call your vet.

First and foremost, some people believe that spaying a female cat is not always the best choice. This is false, unless your cat has specific medical conditions, as diagnosed by your vet, that make the surgery risky. In the vat majority of cases, cats suffer and are more at risk when having a litter of kittens. It is not true that a cat needs to have a litter before spaying, and it is not true that neutering your male cat will cause depression. In a female cat, fixing can prevent cancer, ovarian cysts, and a number of other health problems. In a male cat, it will prevent unnecessary roaming and fight, which can also help to keep your cat healthy. Beyond that, there are hundreds of cats without good homes. If you really want kittens, go to your local shelter, because they often get litters that need good homes or foster parents.

Another myth about cats is that they cannot be happy or healthy if he or she does not have access to the outdoors. This is not true. If an older cat is suddenly confirmed, he or she may be very unhappy, but a cat that has grown up indoors can be very happy and healthy. Make sure that you provide lots of stimulating toys and some climbing towers for exercise, but don’t worry that your cat is somehow growing up unnaturally. Of course, you can use gates and leashes to take your cat outside in special cases. It is important to remember that your cat is naturally a carnivore, so if he or she does not go outside where killing mice and other small animals can be done, you’ll need to provide protein to meet dietary needs.

One of the scariest myths is that cat’s shouldn’t be vaccinated. A few years ago, there was a scare amount VAS in cats, or Vaccine Associated Sarcoma. However, vaccinations are crucial in your cat’s life, and your cat’s vet should be able to tell you which ones are absolutely necessary. In general, when you have questions about health facts with your cat and his or her health, you should talk to your vet.

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Does Your Cat Need Health Insurance?

Just like humans, cats sometimes get very sick or injured and need extensive medical attention. When this happens, vet bills can be extremely expensive, and you will be responsible for these bills. However, don’t forget that pet health insurance is available to help you car for your cat if your funds are limited. Just like health insurance for humans, pet health insurance is always a gamble, and there are many things you must consider in order to determine if you need to purchase an insurance plan for your feline friend.

First, look at the companies offering the health insurance. If you love your current vet, you have to make sure that the health insurance company doesn’t have a provider network that doesn’t include your vet. Many pet insurance plans are available where you have full choice of your vet.

Also look at the health insurance offered. Many will not include coverage for a cats’ per-existing condition. That means that if your cat has already been diagnoses with a chronic condition, it will not be covered. It also may not be covered if your pet has complications due to an injury that happened before getting the insurance. Other exclusions may be things like vaccinations, spaying and neutering, flea control, and dental care. Make sure you read all of the fine print before you purchase a policy.

If you’ve decided to purchase a health insurance plan for your cat, check out the different plans available. Look at deductibles and the co-pays to find out how much you’ll have to pay in case you cat gets ill. This should even out with the price of the insurance plan per month. Deductibles are a flat rate that you have to pay before the insurance takes over. Co-payments are a percentage of the bill instead. There also may be a cap on how much a company will pay per year or how much they will pay on a single procedure. Again, read the fine print.

The bottom line is that you have to take everything into consideration before you purchase a policy. If your cat is healthy and young, you might want to consider going without a policy at all. Your vet can talk to you about your options when it comes to pet health insurance. Consider all of the information carefully so that you can be sure you are doing the best thing possible for your pet and your family’s financial situation.

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General Cat Care Tips

Many people think that because cats are generally independent creatures they don’t need much care. Nothing could be farther from the truth! Although cats are small pets, they are comparable to a two-year-old child. You are responsible for all of your cat’s health care needs, so it is important to learn how to best take care of your cat. If your cat is a new addition to the family, you’ll need to work extra hard to learn how you can best care for your cat’s health.

First and foremost, it is important to get to know your cat. Cats are generally creatures of habit, so if you know your cat’s normal daily activities, then you’ll know when something is wrong. A cat who walks differently, losing or gains an appetite, or has a chance in behavior may be ill or injured.

Cat care of your cat’s dental health is an important step that many people forget. If your cat is eating on one side or making loud noises, you should be concerned about sore gums or teeth. Cats with a broken canine tooth often sneeze a lot, which can indicate the problem to you. You should also brush you cat’s teeth regularly using a small toothbrush and pet toothpaste.

Remember, diet is important to your cat. Make sure that you are purchasing pet food that is balanced for your cat’s age and health. Your vet can make recommendations. Do not feed your cat human food unless your vet indicates that this is ok. Although cats like the taste of sweet things, items like chocolate can actually be fatal, even in small doses. Also avoid feeding your cat with dog food, unless you have no other option. Dogs and cats and genetically different, so dog food will not have the same nutritional value as in cat food.

Grooming is also crucial. Cats self-groom with their tongues, but combing the fur of a long-haired cat is necessary. You can also use talcum powder to help remove dirt as your combing, and baths can be effective if you’re dealing with fleas. You can also have your pet professionally groomed, which he or she will probably find very therapeutic.

Lastly, it is simply important to make sure that you have all important numbers written down. If you got the pet from someone else, have their number on hand for the first month in case problems or questions arise. Also keep the number for your vet on hand, and make a note of the number you should call in an emergency. Doing this will help to keep any cat safe and healthy.

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First Aid for your Cat

Cats sometimes get sick, but that isn’t the only reason you may need a vet—you cat could also get injured. Injuries happen for many reasons, and sometimes nobody is to blame. However, you can increase you cat’s chance of survival or help to comfort a cat with minor wounds if you are prepared and know a little about first aid for kits. This is essential information that any pet owner should know.

First and foremost, it is important to understand that your first aid efforts can never replace a vet. Your cat needs to have a primary vet in the area where he or she can be treated for emergencies. If you have any doubt in your mind as to how to care for your cat, you should contact your vet. Also, remember that your cat make receive internal injuries as well as external ones, so if he or she is acting strangely and you don’t know what is wrong, a vet is your best choice.

You should have first aid items on hand in order to care for your cat when injuries are not serious or until you can get to the vet’s office. It’s a good idea to keep a cat first aid kit on hand, and this should travel with you whenever your cat leaves home. In fact, most of the time it is in your best interest to make two kits—one for home and one for travel. Included in the first aid kit should be a small roll of gauze and a large roll of gauze. Surgical tape, an emergency ice pack, a bottle of 1% hydrogen peroxide, gloves, a pillowcase (for transferring the cat), a blanket, a towel, a bottle of saline eye wash, a rectal thermometer, a small flashlight, a pair of tweezers, scissors, antihistamine, and a box of backing soda.

Talk to your vet about the appropriate items to use if you cat is injured. If your cat is comfortable with it, you can practice bandaging and taking his or her temperature. You should also practice using the pillowcase to lift your cat, and if you are new to the area, make sure that you know the route to the nearest vet hospital.

Remember, a sick or injured cat can be difficult to control. Learn to talk soothingly to your cat and avoid eye contact when your cat is injured, as this is seen as threatening. If you fell uncomfortable approaching an injured cat, call an animal shelter, animal control officer, or vet for assistance. Your cat will be scared, but the sooner you provide first aid the better.

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