As our felines are getting better cat health care, and more are indoor cats, they are experiencing a greater lifespan. It’s not as uncommon anymore for cats to live into their twenties. Having your kitty around longer is great, but the downside is with the longer lives cats may experience more age-related cat health problems like arthritis, hearing loss, vision loss, kidney disease and a decline in their mental state. A mental decline may also be referred to as Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS).
Although not all cats will have symptoms of CDS, it is estimated that almost half of those over the age of sixteen will exhibit one or more behavior problem related to age.
Read Elder Cats & Mental Decline
Proper feline dental care is a vital part of cat health care. When plaque and tarter build up on a cat’s teeth unhealthy bacteria start to outnumber the healthy bacteria increasing the opportunity for disease and various cat health problems. This bacteria can be absorbed into the bloodstream where it can circulate and start to accumulate in the liver, kidney or heart tissue.
Keeping your cat’s teeth and gums healthy not only helps control bad breath it also helps prevent periodontal disease, joint problems and more serious cat health problems like liver or kidney disease and heart conditions. Inflammation in the mouth due to a high level of bacteria can become quite painful and prevent the cat from eating properly and getting enough nutrients.
Read Feline Dental Care
Pet insurance has become increasingly popular because of great improvements in animal health care but also because we see our pets as part of the family and want to keep them around and healthy as long as possible. Because of the advances in veterinarian medicine veterinarians can offer pet care treatments that weren’t possible just a few years ago. But some of these treatments can come with a pretty hefty price tag. That’s where animal health insurance can be a lifesaver.
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Feline constipation can be extremely uncomfortable and painful; it can also make cats feel pretty sick. When constipation in cats is prolonged or when it prevents the passage of stools it is known as feline obstipation. Some cats who experience severe constipation can develop another related condition known as feline megacolon.
There are a few factors that can contribute to constipation in cats including a sedentary lifestyle, diet, medications or possible cat health problems to name a few. It is important to take your cat to the vet if you suspect constipation both to provide relief for your cat and to find out if it may be due to a health condition.
As unpleasant as it sounds paying close attention to your cats bathroom habits is important as changes in these habits can be a signal that something may be wrong.
Read Feline Constipation
Cat health problems can be genetic or a result of factors out of your control, but I can’t stress enough the importance of a healthy feline diet and the availability of fresh water when talking about cat health care. A healthy, species appropriate feline diet can go a long way towards prevention of some common cat health problems.
Knowing this ahead of time can create a much happier life for you and your feline friend by decreasing the human and cat stress that go along with cat illnesses, as well as the unpleasant frequent and often costly trips to the vet.
If you suspect your furry friend isn’t feeling well and may be suffering from cat health problems you should consult
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Regular vet visits are important because many symptoms of cat health problems can be subtle. Often times cats don’t show obvious signs of illness or pain. With regular checkups your vet can see early signs of cat illnesses and help prevent serious health conditions. This can help your cat live longer and have a better quality of life.
Adult cats should have an annual check up. Senior cats, 11 yrs or older, may need to have routine checkups twice a year.
Read Basic Cat Health Care
The more I study a natural feline diet and general cat health care the more I understand how essential a high-quality feline diet is, but how little it’s actually talked about. You really have to do some research to get good information about what you should feed your cat to keep her healthy and happy.
A natural species appropriate feline diet is the foundation for your cat’s health.
Read Avoiding Common Cat Health Problems