Good routine pet care can mean the difference between a year of health problems or a year of comfort for your beloved cat. Routine health care includes proper nutrition, regular grooming, dental care, routine veterinary exams and vaccinations, parasite control, and protection from household hazards. A cat only has nine lives if you take care of all of them. Here are three key areas of health to pay attention to in 2019.
Flea and Tick Prevention
A flea asks for very little during its short life – a warm place to live, enough to eat, and a hospitable environment in which to raise a family. Unfortunately, the warm, furry hide of your cat is cozy flea heaven. Many cats will develop an allergy to the saliva in a flea bite, and the resulting irritation and itching will provoke much scratching on the part of the cat. These scratchings can cause secondary skin lesions, opening up the skin to severe bacterial infections. And, severe flea infestations can lead to anemia, especially in kittens. Ticks are also capable of transmitting infections such as Lyme disease to your pet and your family.
Keep Your Cat and Home Flea Free – There are many excellent flea and tick preventative products specially designed for a healthier cat. Note that it’s important to follow the product instructions. And, if your home does become infected with fleas, click here for some advice on how to get rid of them.
Heartworm Prevention
The American Heartworm Society has reported that cases of heartworm disease in cats have been found in every single US state and at all times of the year. And, unfortunately, there’s currently no treatment that can cure feline heartworm disease. This is why it’s so vital to fully protect your cat against deadly heartworm disease all year round by never missing a dose of preventative medication.
Indoor Cats – A North Carolina State University study found that 25% of cats infected with heartworms never went outside. Mosquitoes can get inside your home, and it takes just one bite from an infected buzzing insect to pass the infection along to your beloved cat.
Urinary Tract Health
Have you ever had a cat unexpectedly urinate outside of their litter box? This behavior from your toilet-conscious cat often indicates a urinary tract issue. The cat associates the discomfort with the litter box and tries other areas “thinking” the irritation will go away. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are fairly common in cats. Easy-to-administer (i.e., tasty) supplements can help keep your cat’s urinary tract in optimal condition. A healthier cat is one with a healthy urinary tract.
Prevention is Best
So, the next time your cat is curled up on your lap purring away in contentment, make it one of your new year’s resolutions to make the upcoming year the healthiest and happiest for your furry friend. It’s the least that you can do in repayment for all the enjoyment they have given you. If in any doubt about what preventative medication to use, consult your vet.
Emergency Treatment – Bad reactions to a flea or tick product are uncommon, but they can happen. If your pet does need immediate medical attention, contact your vet, a local emergency veterinary clinic (such as CVETS), or the National Animal Poison Control Center.
