February is National Cat Health Month! Of course, for us, every month is National Cat Health Month. While our feline friends are typically quite hardy, they can and do suffer illness and injury. Read on as a Pickerington, OH vet offers tips on keeping Fluffy purring.
Good Food
A proper diet is a crucial part of your furball’s care regimen. Offer your feline buddy the best food you can afford. It’s also important to choose foods that are appropriate for Fluffy’s life stage. Kittens have different nutritional needs than senior cats! Pay attention to portion control as well. Even giving your kitty a few calories too many each day can cause her to pack on extra pounds. Ask your vet for specific advice.
Veterinary Care
It’s probably safe to say that most of our feline patients would rather take yet another nap than come visit us. Regardless of your pet’s opinion on the matter, she’ll look and feel much better with proper veterinary care. We recommend that all kitties be spayed or neutered, microchipped, and kept current on exams, vaccinations, and parasite control. Healthy cats are happy cats!
Keep Kitty In
One of the best things you can do for Fluffy is to keep her indoors. Although your furry pal may love fun outdoor kitty activities, like making paw art on your car, she’s both safer and healthier staying inside. Cats that go outdoors face several threats, such as traffic, weather, chemicals, and wild animals, to name just a few.
Catproofing
Fluffy certainly has a knack for getting into mischief. Make your home safe for your fuzzy little friend by addressing anything that could be dangerous. This includes things like medicine, chemicals, wires and cords, and anything small or sharp. Also, choose houseplants that are safe for kitties. The ASPCA has a full directory of safe and unsafe options
here.
Kitty Comforts
Your kitty’s mental and emotional well-being also play huge roles in her overall health. Stress and loneliness can be very detrimental to our furry friends! Entertainment is very important here. Make sure that Fluffy has lots of fun toys to play with. Your cat will also appreciate comfy beds, scratching posts, window seats, catnip, and, of course, lots of cuddle time.
Please reach out to us, your Pickerington, OH vet clinic, for all of your kitty’s veterinary care needs. We are here to help!