Tips for keeping your cat healthy

There are a number of things you should do on a regular basis to help keep your cat healthy and happy.

• Schedule regular vet visits — The most important thing you can do for the health of your pet is to schedule regular visits to your veterinarian. Bringing your cat to your vet for annual checkups keeps your cat's vaccinations up to date — essential for both indoor and outdoor cats — and lets your vet keep a close eye on your pet's health to identify any health concerns before they become a problem.
• Keep your cat on a healthy diet — Ensure that your cat's food is suited to its age, size, and lifestyle, contains the proper nutrient and protein levels, and comes from a reputable manufacturer. When in doubt, ask your vet for recommendations.
• Keep an eye on your cat's weight — As a general rule of thumb, if you can see your cat's ribs, your pet is too thin. If you can feel your cat's ribs during grooming but can't see them, your pet is at a healthy weight. And if you can't see or feel your cat's ribs during grooming, your cat is likely overweight. Actual healthy weights will vary by breed, so consult your vet for specific guidance and diet recommendations.
• Always make fresh, clean water available — It's extremely important to keep your cat drinking, especially if they eat a diet with a high dry food content. Anything you can do to encourage them to drink is a good idea. Keeping their water clean and fresh is a great start. You might even consider an automated fountain.
• Keep your cat active — Encourage your cat to play at least 15 minutes a day. It's great fun for your cat and a great stress reliever for you. Vary the toys you play with to keep your cat interested and engaged.
• Use grooming time to examine your cat — When you're petting your cat, check for anything out of the ordinary that could indicate a potential health problem. Make sure your cat's ears are clean, pink, and free of any black, waxy build-up that could indicate mites. Check to see that your cat's eyes are clear, bright, focused, and free of discharge. Feel your cat's body for any lumps, bumps, sores, scratches, or signs of fleas. If you find anything unusual, contact your vet to discuss the situation and treatment options.
• Don't neglect tooth care — Check your cat regularly for signs of plaque build-up and swollen gums. See your veterinarian on a routine basis for dental exams and, if necessary, a dental cleaning. Between visits, use a finger brush or dental treats to help keep your cat's teeth clean.
• Make brushing a daily part of your routine — Brushing your cat on a regular basis is an excellent way to remove dead skin cells and loose hair — saving your pet from ingesting too much hair when they groom and decreasing the occurrence of hairballs. If your cat brings up hair, discuss hairball remedies with your veterinarian.
• Protect your pet from common household dangers — Many things we have in our homes pose real dangers to our pets. Some human foods, like chocolate, are toxic to cats. Some household plants, like azaleas, lilies, mistletoe, and philodendron, are poisonous. Even seemingly innocent things like string, cotton, rubber bands, or dental floss are dangerous because they are easy to swallow and can cause intestinal blockages or strangulation. If you're not sure what you need to do to make your home safe, ask your vet for advice.
• Never give your cat medications without being directed to do so by your veterinarian — Many human medications like pain medications, cold medicine, and even some vitamins can be toxic and even fatal to cats.