Cat Health Month

February is Cat Health Month! While every month should be considered Cat Health Month, this is the purrfect time to shine the spotlight on your furry friend’s health care needs. An Apple Valley, MN vet outlines some key aspects of them in this article.

Common Issues

Kitties tend to be fairly hardy pets, but they don’t actually have nine lives. Fluffy is susceptible to many different diseases, such as kidney disease, diabetes, dental issues, and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). Other common problems with cats include parasites, eye problems, and gastrointestinal issues. Keep an eye out for signs of sickness, and contact your vet right away if you notice anything unusual.

Veterinary Care

Many kitties don’t see their doctors as often as they should. We recommend that all cats be fixed, microchipped, and kept current on their exams, parasite control, and recommended vaccines. As far as appointment schedules, your feline pal will need to come in a few times during that critical first year. Once Fluffy is an adult, she may only need to see us once a year. When your furball reaches her golden years, she’ll benefit from more frequent visits.

Kitty Care

Veterinary care is a crucial part of Fluffy’s care, but it isn’t the only aspect. A good diet also plays a huge role. Offer your furry buddy a high-quality food that is appropriate for her age, size, and health. You’ll also want to keep your feline buddy fit and active by providing lots of toys and taking time to play with her regularly. Don’t think of this as work: there are few things more adorable than a furball hard at play!

Safety

Fluffy doesn’t actually have nine lives, but she doesn’t seem to have gotten that memo. Keeping your cat indoors and doing some basic kittyproofing will go a long way towards keeping her out of danger! 

Warning Signs

Cats can be pretty secretive about letting on that there is something wrong with them, so you’ll need to watch for signs of illness. Some common ones include hiding, lack of grooming, changes in appetite, uncharacteristic behavior or vocalizations, weight loss or gain, limping, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and withdrawal. Call your vet right away if you notice anything off. The sooner an issue is treated, the better.

As your Apple Valley, MN animal clinic, we are dedicated to providing top-notch veterinary care. Contact us anytime!