Whiskers, Wellness, and Wonders: National Cat Health Month

It is national cat health month, and Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital is all about celebrating kitties! Learn all about good cat preventive care and how to keep your feline friend healthier and happier. 

Encouraging a Healthy Environment

Cats are certainly a product of their environment. Creating a safe, engaging place for them to thrive can help support health and decrease stress and subsequent behavioral issues. Be sure that your cat has everything that they need to thrive by:

• Providing at least one litter box per cat 
• Cleaning litter boxes daily
• Providing scratching surfaces
• Giving your cat safe, comfy areas to rest
• Allowing your cat to have vertical space in the form of perches or shelves so that they can view their world from above
• Providing and rotating a variety of toys
• Considering comforting additions to the environment such as synthetic pheromones
• Allowing hunting behaviors (consider a bird feeder for your cat to watch or a kitty friendly video on the TV)

A cat-friendly home is key for superior cat care. 

Purr-fect Nutrition Habits

Feeding your cat correctly can help to support overall health and well-being. It can also prevent unwanted weight gain. Pudgy cats can be cute, but they are also often prone to diseases like diabetes, arthritis, and urinary issues. 

Select a high-quality diet geared towards your cat’s age, activity level, and existing health conditions. Please feel free to consult us for recommendations for your cat, selecting the right pet food can be a little overwhelming. 

Remember that treats should make up no more than 10% of your pet’s diet. Cats should also consume about an ounce of water per pound of body weight (although some of this can be in the form of canned food). 

Encourage your cat to “hunt” for their food by switching up feeding locations or even using a hunting style feeding system. 

Cat Preventive Care Tips

In our opinion, the best offense is a good defense. A good wellness program is important for good cat preventive care.

Cats need:

• Veterinary examinations: Cats should be examined at least annually (sometimes more often if there are existing health issues or the pet is a senior). Checking all the major body systems, monitoring weight, and discussing concerns and care frequently is vital, and often allows us to address trouble earlier. Let us know if you need help making your cat’s visit less stressful, we can help!
• Vaccinations and parasite prevention: Preventive vaccinations and parasite prevention products can help keep your cat healthy as well. All cats, even those who stay indoors, need this type of care. Our team will discuss individual recommendations based on your cat’s needs. 
• Screening testing: Periodic blood, urine, and fecal testing are necessary to detect problems early and to establish baseline normals for your pet as they age.
• Dental care: All cats need dental care. Regular oral examinations, home care, and anesthetized dental cleanings should be part of your cat’s care plan. 

Any time we can prevent disease or pain, we consider that a win. Thankfully, there is plenty that pet parents can do in order to keep their cat healthy. Consider us part of your cat care team. As partners, we can work together to keep your cat healthy for a long time to come.