How To Keep Your Cat Healthy
If you’re a cat lover, then you’ll know just how stubborn cats can be when it comes to taking care of their
health.
health.
After all, they are known for being fickle at the best of times but when it comes to administering
cat medicine, for instance, you are likely to find a more belligerent side to your feline friend than you
knew existed. The challenge is that you can try your best to get medication down your cat, and prevent
the dreaded pilling (where you have to open your cat’s mouth and pop the pill down their throat) which
causes a fair amount of stress for both parties - but, unlike a dog, cats don’t seem to be quite as
collaborative in their effort to work with you as a team.
cat medicine, for instance, you are likely to find a more belligerent side to your feline friend than you
knew existed. The challenge is that you can try your best to get medication down your cat, and prevent
the dreaded pilling (where you have to open your cat’s mouth and pop the pill down their throat) which
causes a fair amount of stress for both parties - but, unlike a dog, cats don’t seem to be quite as
collaborative in their effort to work with you as a team.
You can crush up their medication in their favourite food to find them meticulously licking around the
medicine, no matter how finely crushed it is introduced, or syringe the medicine along with a little cat
milk into their mouth to have them spit it back out.
medicine, no matter how finely crushed it is introduced, or syringe the medicine along with a little cat
milk into their mouth to have them spit it back out.
These are just some of the challenges of keeping your cat healthy, as they tend to work against you,
rather than with you - even when you’re acting in their best interest.
rather than with you - even when you’re acting in their best interest.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at three core ways to keep your cat healthy:
1. AFFECTION & ENGAGEMENT
Cats are known for being fiercely independent yet they also have a strong emotional need for stability
and affection. Cat’s don’t tend to respond well to sudden change as they value routine. Just like a child
they need to know they have a warm, safe, and comfortable home environment to come back to after
their little adventures out on the prowl; and a large part of this comes down to having a reliable source of
comfort and tactile affection.
and affection. Cat’s don’t tend to respond well to sudden change as they value routine. Just like a child
they need to know they have a warm, safe, and comfortable home environment to come back to after
their little adventures out on the prowl; and a large part of this comes down to having a reliable source of
comfort and tactile affection.
Cats unlike dogs, tend to want affection when they feel like it, and tend to require you to come to them
rather than them to come to you… but that doesn’t mean they don’t appreciate a good cuddle and
stroking session.
rather than them to come to you… but that doesn’t mean they don’t appreciate a good cuddle and
stroking session.
2. DIET AND NUTRITION
With such a wide array of cat food options the most important advice is to look beyond the marketing
hype and focus on the ingredient list; as this way you can determine the nutritional value of the product.
hype and focus on the ingredient list; as this way you can determine the nutritional value of the product.
Cats have specific nutritional requirements as they are “obligate carnivores”, unlike dogs that don’t
require meat to function, cats NEED animal proteins to stay healthy. It’s therefore important their diet is
comprised predominantly of meat proteins.
require meat to function, cats NEED animal proteins to stay healthy. It’s therefore important their diet is
comprised predominantly of meat proteins.
Equally important to food is hydration - your cats need water - they might not lap it up in the same way
as a dog does, but it’s vitally important you supply them with a fresh supply of clean water each day. Of
course, some cats will be thirstier than others and if your cat doesn’t tend to drink much fresh water it’s
important to remember they are consuming water within their food (if it’s wet food) and therefore don’t
require so much.
as a dog does, but it’s vitally important you supply them with a fresh supply of clean water each day. Of
course, some cats will be thirstier than others and if your cat doesn’t tend to drink much fresh water it’s
important to remember they are consuming water within their food (if it’s wet food) and therefore don’t
require so much.
3. FLEA TREATMENT
The most obvious sign that your cat has fleas is when they start itching a lot. If you have a flea infestation in your home, whether this is from a cat or a dog, neither you or your pet will be happy in your home environment. Prevention is, of course, much better than cure when it comes to fleas, as treating an infestation, particularly if the fleas start hatching within your home can be a nightmare.
