Cat Care
Cat Behavior Problems
Find information on Your Older Cat
Grooming
Routine Cat Care
Regular home checks:
Keep an eye on all the following aspects of your cat’s care, condition and demeanor.
General condition, skin, and coat:
A healthy cat is alert, interested in what’s’ going on around him, and curious, and he looks well. The skin should be clean, supple, and pliable, while the fur should be soft and glossy, not dull and lank. For cat care concerns for parasites check thoroughly for wounds, flaky skin, lumps, and scabs.
Appetite and thirst:
Any change from normal eating and drinking patterns can indicate a digestive, urinary, or mouth problem, so if you notice this, it’s essential to take your cat to a vet as soon as possible.
Grooming:
A healthy cat constantly cleans and grooms his coat. A sick cat neglects himself in this department and soon begins to look scruffy. Reasons for failure to wash include mouth soreness and joint stiffness (which could indicate arthritis), while female cats who stop cleaning their gentile area could have a distasteful discharge.
Mouth and teeth:
Cat breath should not be offensive: tooth and gum problems are easy to diagnose because of the resulting unpleasant smell. The gums and tongue should be pale pink. White gums indicate anemia; red, bleeding gums are an indication of gingivitis and blue or gray gums suggest a circulatory problem. If your cat shows a reluctance or inability to eat, seek veterinary advice, as this could be due to a mouth abscess, a broken tooth, or a more serious ailment.
Eyes, ears, and nose:
The eyes should be clear, bright, and free of discharge. Some breeds of cat with “typey” facial feature often have eye discharges as a result of the skull structure being deformed in such a way that tears can’t drain away as they would normally. Tear stains can be removed with cotton dipped in clean, boiled and cooled water. Any clouding of the surface of the eye requires veterinary attention. The pupils should be the same size and the third eyelid retracted.
The inner ear surface should be clean, smooth, and odor-free and feel slightly greasy to the touch. Smelly or dirty ears need veterinary attention, as this suggest there may be infection.
The nose should be clean, slightly damp, and free of discharge. Runny noses are often a sign of viral infection or allergy.
Weight:
Cats, like humans, vary greatly in size and conformation. The average adult weight of a cat is 9 to 11 pound (4 to 5 kilograms); a small cat may weigh only 5 ½ pounds (2 ½ kilograms) and a large one as much as 12 pounds (5 ½ kilograms). Your vet will be able to tell you what your cat’s ideal weight should be, and any deviation from this should be closely monitored. Obese cats have a shorter life expectancy than those of the correct weight, as carrying excess weight puts strain on the heart and limbs. Weight loss can indicate internal disease, a parasite, or a pancreatic problem.
Feces and urine:
If your cat has difficulty defecating or urinating, he needs urgent veterinary attention. Stools should be firm, not hard or loose, while urine should be pale yellow and red of clouding and an offensive smell. Both should be free of traces of blood.
Ease of movement:
Stiffness when moving around may indicate join problems. Limping suggest a direct pain source such as a fractured limb, a wound, a thorn stuck in the foot pad, or an infected claw bed. A general reluctance to move combined with crying, out when picked up or even when touched, maybe be due to an internal injury or ailment.
Veterinary Health Checks:
Chose a vet who specializes in feline and cat care it will help in the effort to have a good relationship. Owners who take their cat for regular health checks and routine vaccinations and seek advice are valued pet owners to whom a vet will be prepared to give more time to.
Your Cat's Body Language Speaks Volumes:
Some people say cats are distant and uncommunicative, citing their solitary nature and independence. But chances are, these misguided folks haven't actually lived with a cat. They've missed out on the languorous leg rubbing that means "I Love You," and the frenetic tail-twitching that means there's something wildly exciting just outside the window. While felines may not "talk" incessantly like canines, cats speak volumes via body language. All you have to do is understand the lingo and cat care comes easy. Read More....
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