If you are a cat owner, you are among the largest group of pet owners in the nation. According to the American Pet Products Association, there are more cats than dogs as pets: 94.2 million cats and 89.7 million dogs. With all those cats out there, it makes sense to recognize February’s National Cat Health Month. Here are some reminders to help your friendly felines live a longer, healthier and happier life:
- Take your Cat to Yearly Vet Check-ups
Veterinarians see more dogs than cats on a regular basis. A 2011 study from the American Veterinarian Medical Association (AVMA) showed of those surveyed, 44.9% of cat owners did not take their cats to a veterinarian while 18.7% of dog owners didn’t take their dogs. Some believe it is because cats are easier to care for and they do not get injured or sick as often. In order to be sure your cat stays healthy, it is a good idea to take your cat in for yearly check-ups with your veterinarian.
- Keep up with Vaccinations
There is much discussion about vaccinations for cats and how often should they receive them. As there are many differences of opinion, factors to consider include where you live, the age of your cat, as well as if he is an indoor or outdoor cat to determine how often and which type of vaccinations your kitty should receive. The best bet is to visit your veterinarian as the local expert who knows the answer on what is best for your cat to see what they recommend.
- Keep Your Cat Active
In the past, cats were always kept outside and served to keep mice out of fields and gardens. When they were chasing mice, they were constantly active. Now there has been a shift in society and cats are often indoors. When someone sees a cat outside they may think it’s a stray rather than a cat that is allowed outdoors. With this in mind, the adventure of being active outdoors is not part of the life of a typical indoor cat, so keep them active. Here’s a good list to try if you need some ideas.
If your cat doesn’t enjoy being active, ask yourself if something is preventing activity. Some pet parents do not know about a disease called osteoarthritis (OA), or arthritis, that affects cat mobility just as it does for humans and dogs. Because cats are good at hiding pain thanks to their naturally aloof behavior, feline pet parents miss subtle signs that their cats have joint issues simply. If you aren’t sure, take this short quiz to determine if your feline is at risk for OA.
- Keep a healthy weight for your cat
Thanks to the comic Garfield®, many cats are thought to be cuter when they are “pleasantly plump.” However, it has been estimated that over half of overall population of cats are overweight and 25% are obese. This is alarming because of the risk for obesity-associated illnesses including diabetes and osteoarthritis in cats that could potentially be avoided. If your cat’s bowl is always full, you may be feeding the bowl rather than the cat and it is possible for cats to overeat. Consider feeding your cat two or more times a day, rather than leaving food in the bowl at all times. If you fear that your cat may need to lose some weight, start with the simple things first: cut back on treats, table snacks and more.
- Dental Health is important too!
February is also national Pet Dental Health Month, and the AVMA has ideas on how to care for your cat’s teeth (as well as dog’s teeth). Dental health is so important and is often overlooked as good hygiene for your cat’s overall health. Your cat needs healthy teeth and gums so they can eat a healthy diet for a long time. Keep your cat’s teeth healthy by brushing twice a week. This will save money down the road preventing dental-related diseases. It’s never too early, or too late, to start so begin this month to taking care of your cat’s teeth.
Some say cats have nine lives. Let this month of February as National Cat Health Month remind you to be sure to keep all of your cat’s nine lives as happy and healthy as they can be.
