Cat health checklist - 10 tips to keep your cat healthy

10 must-dos for a healthy cat:

1. Annual vet check-up

The truth is our feline friends need regular check-ups as they’re susceptible to health issues like diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, and others. Since cats are experts at hiding signs of illness, it’s best to do an annual visit to the vet to catch any medical issues early. When problems are detected, it’s this early diagnosis and treatment that are key to preserving a cat's wellbeing & longevity. 

During a vet visit, your veterinarian will carry out a thorough physical examination to check for any pre-existing or developing conditions. Our teams are happy to answer and address any concerns relating to teeth, weight, behaviour, skin, or any other issues your feline companion may have.  

Diagnostic health tests like blood or urine tests may be required to provide vital information on your pet’s organ function. If changes are detected in the body or your pet’s health status,p;your vet will tailor a preventive treatment plan to tackle it.  

2. Stay on top of your cat’s parasite protection

It’s hard to enjoy life when you’re scratching at fleas. While the fleas and ticks you find in their fur create a world of discomfort for your cat, the prevention of internal parasites, like worms, is equally as important to their health and happiness.

With parasite control, prevention is always preferable to treatment because it saves a lot of time & discomfort. If your pet already has fleas, you’ll need to treat your pets and home to eradicate all stages of the flea lifecycle. Your local Animates Vetcare Vets can advise on the right product for your furry pal.

3. Keep your cat’s vaccinations up to date

Regular vaccinations for pets are essential to their ongoing health. Vaccinations protect your cat from contagious and preventable diseases. Some of these diseases can be fatal, and many don’t have a cure, so vaccinating your cat is very important to keep them safe, happy and healthy.  

At your cat’s annual exam, your vet will review any necessary booster shots and updates to your cat’s vaccination schedule. 

4. Spay or neuter your cat

One of the best ways to maintain your cat’s good health is to have him or her desexed. These procedures prevent many illnesses and conditions related to a cat’s reproductive organs, as well as help eliminate many unwanted behaviours. They also prevent unwanted litters and help reduce animal overpopulation.

5. Proper nutrition

A high-quality food specially formulated to meet the specific nutritional requirements of your cat’s age, breed and lifestyle can also help your cat maintain a healthy weight. Ask your local Animates team which types of food are best for your cat and follow the feeding guidelines on the packaging. Treats are an enjoyable part of your cat’s life too, but remember that the calories from treats can add up quickly so don’t over do it!  
 
For optimal health, we recommend you feed your feline friend a Superior Nutrition diet. This vitamin-rich, top-quality food has all the proteins, fats and carbohydrates for healthier cats.

6. Dental health 

Proper dental care is critical to your cat’s overall health and wellbeing. Dental disease, if left untreated or detected, can cause tooth abscesses and bacteria which can result in heart, liver, and kidney health problems.  

While it is not easy to brush a cat’s teeth (unless you train your cat to accept the process from the time it is a kitten), regular teeth cleaning and exams are an important component of your pet’s overall health. Your vet will check your cat’s teeth at their annual exam.

7. Monitor your cat’s weight

Just like humans, weight can have a serious impact on a cat’s overall health, so it’s important to take action if your kitty is putting on the kilos. To help your cat maintain a healthy weight, make playtime a regular part of his day by providing boredom busters like interactive feeders, a rotation of interesting toys, or even a feline companion to help get your cat moving. Engaging your cat in playtime with wand teaser toys helps strengthen the bond with your cat while they get necessary exercise.

8. Pay attention to litter box habits

Monitoring your cat’s poop is a good way to keep track of their current health status. If your cat’s litter habits change (e.g. they urinate more frequently or inappropriately) or, if you notice a change in the litter box contents that doesn’t look right, take your cat to your vet for a check-up as soon as you can.

9. Maintain a grooming routine

You can create a strong, loving bond with your cat by brushing or combing them regularly. A grooming routine can help you identify any issues with their fur, claws and skin, including any unusual lumps & bumps. Pay attention to any changes in your cat’s coat or skin, such as dry or flaky patches of skin, red or irritated skin, missing fur, dull fur, or reddened areas around their claws. If you see any of these signs, please schedule an appointment at your local Animates Vetcare clinic. For more tips on grooming your cat, visit our cat grooming article.

Tip: Provide a scratching posts to maintain your cat’s claw health

Your cat needs a scratching post to satisfy their innate instincts. When our nails get too long we clip them with a nail clipper, but a cat can’t do that. The feline solution for nails that are too long is to start scratching on something – this is natural cat behaviour. The act of scratching removes the old nails and allows the new ones to emerge. It’s also a way for your cat to mark their territory, as cats have scent glands on their paws.

10. Protection from household hazards

From electrical cords and rubber bands to plants, there are hazards for you cat lurking all over your house! In general, keep all potentially dangerous items out of your cat’s reach, and safely store lotions, soaps, cleaners, and chemicals. If you think your cat has swallowed a non-food item, call your veterinarian immediately for advice.