8 Tips for Keeping Your Kitty Happy and Healthy: Cats are not just adorable, clever, and charismatic; they’re also cherished members of our families, bringing endless moments of delight into our lives. As devoted pet parents, it’s incumbent upon us to prioritize their wellbeing, ensuring they remain content and in optimal health. After all, the thriving of our beloved feline companions is intricately intertwined with our own happiness and fulfillment.
While the realm of cat care encompasses numerous facets, we’ve carefully curated eight essential strategies to bolster the wellness of your cherished companion in the intervals between veterinary check-ups.
#1 Feeding a Cat
Choosing a high-quality cat food ensures your feline enjoys a well-balanced diet and receives optimal nutrients. Your cat’s dietary needs depend on their health, activity level, and age, so it’s important to consult your veterinarian to determine the best choice. Remember, according to the ASPCA, treats should only make up about 5 to 10 percent of your cat’s diet.
And of course, be sure to fill your cat’s water bowl daily so they stay hydrated; a general rule is that cats need between 3.5 to 4.5 ounces of water per every 5 pounds of their body weight a day, according to Preventive Vet.
#2 Choosing Cat Supplements
A balanced diet tailored to your cat’s age and lifestyle typically provides most essential nutrients. Yet, supplements can be beneficial for addressing specific aspects of your cat’s wellbeing, especially areas where added support is commonly needed, like urinary tract or digestive health. Each furry friend has unique needs, so consulting your veterinarian before introducing supplements is crucial.
For instance, while cat multi-vitamins support overall health, supplements with cranberry extract may aid in maintaining a healthy urinary tract. L-lysine supplements can help support upper respiratory health. Additionally, pre & probiotic supplements may assist in maintaining gut health and regulating the immune system.
Learn more about the benefits of pet supplements and what they do.
#3 Maintaining Cat Dental Care
Like humans, cats develop plaque and tartar on their teeth. Therefore, it is important to establish a cat dental routine to keep their smiles healthy! Along with preventing bad breath, regular dental care helps avoid future problems down the line such as periodontal disease, according to PetMD. When cleaning your furry friend’s teeth, be sure to use a cat toothbrush—which is specially designed with an angled head that’s easier to maneuver in your kitty’s tiny mouth—and a cat toothpaste to ensure the ingredients are safe for felines.
It is recommended to brush your cat’s teeth daily, but if that is not attainable, aim for a minimum of three times per week, according to the VCA. You can also consult your veterinarian about a professional teeth cleaning for additional cat dental care!
#4 Grooming a Cat
While cats are indeed skilled at self-grooming, it’s important for pet parents to also take an active role in grooming their furry companions. Regular grooming not only helps maintain your cat’s health and hygiene but also strengthens the bond between you and your feline friend.
Frequent brushing is key to removing loose hair and promoting a glossy, healthy coat. This grooming routine also provides an opportunity for you to familiarize yourself with your cat’s body, enabling you to detect any potential issues early on and consult with your veterinarian.
Although cats typically don’t require frequent baths, occasional bathing becomes necessary when they get dirty or muddy, or if they have a skin condition requiring special attention. Using a cat-specific shampoo ensures that their sensitive skin and coat are gently cleansed without causing irritation.
Additionally, trimming your cat’s nails every few weeks is essential for preventing them from becoming too sharp and causing accidental scratches, as well as reducing the risk of painful broken claws.
Incorporating these grooming practices into your routine not only keeps your cat healthy and comfortable but also deepens the bond of trust and companionship between you and your cherished pet.
Discover more tips on cat grooming.
#5 Controlling Cat Hairballs
As a cat parent, you’re probably all too familiar with finding hairballs around your home. But why do cats have hairballs? Kitties have tongues with rough projections that capture and ingest loose hair during self-grooming. While most of this hair is passed, the rest comes up in the form of a cat hairball. It is normal and natural for cats to produce a hairball every week or two, according to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. However, hairballs can pose a threat if they become too large and get lodged in the esophagus or intestinal tract, so ensure you contact the veterinarian if you suspect a hairball blockage.
To care for a cat prone to excessive hairballs, prioritize regular grooming sessions. Brushing your feline friend frequently helps minimize loose hair on their coat, reducing the amount of hair they ingest during self-grooming sessions. Additionally, consider incorporating a specialized cat food formula or a cat hairball remedy into their diet to promote a healthy coat and minimize hairball formation. This proactive approach to grooming and dietary management can significantly improve your kitty’s comfort and well-being.
#6 Offering a Scratching Post
Scratching is a natural behavior for cats, serving various purposes essential to their wellbeing. It enables them to stretch and exercise their muscles, while also aiding in the shedding of old claw layers to reveal new, smooth claws. Additionally, scratching assists in maintaining a healthy nail length between trimmings by naturally filing down a cat’s nails. Moreover, it allows felines to mark their territories both visually and through the scent left behind from their paws, according to The Humane Society of the United States.
To redirect your cat’s scratching behavior away from furniture, provide them with a scratching post featuring a textured surface such as carpet, sisal, or cardboard. Furry friends often engage in scratching after waking up from a nap, experiencing bursts of energy (commonly known as the zoomies), or when they get excited, such as during meal times. Therefore, strategically place the scratching post in accessible areas where your cat is likely to scratch, such as next to their favorite napping spot or near the kitchen. This encourages them to fulfill their natural scratching instincts in an appropriate manner, while also preserving your furniture.
#7 Providing a Litter Box
While most felines take to a litter box naturally, you may also have to train your cat to use a litter box. The litter box should be placed in a quiet, comfortable, and convenient location; if you have several floors in your home, there should be one box on each level. For multi-cat households, ensure you provide at least one litter box per cat, plus one extra. For instance, if you have two cats, that means three litter boxes total.
To keep up with litter box maintenance, scoop and discard clumps on a daily basis. Getting rid of waste regularly will help keep your home environment fresher and provide a more inviting space for your furry friend, especially because cats often avoid a smelly or dirty litter box. This is why using a clumping cat litter is critical! The tighter the clump, the easier it is to scoop and maintain a cleaner litter box.
#8 Spaying or Neutering a Cat
By about five months of age, female cats should be spayed and male cats should be neutered, according to the ASPCA. For female cats, spaying helps prevent reproductive diseases such as uterine infections and ovarian cancer. For males, neutering could help prevent testicular cancer and prostate complications. Not to mention, fixing your cat is important if you do not wish for your female cat to reproduce and don’t want your male kitty to roam.
Living a Vibrant Life with Your Cat
In addition to adhering to these eight essential cat care tips, it’s important to consult your veterinarian for any further inquiries about your cat’s health. Ensure to schedule your feline friend’s annual checkup without fail. Here’s to nurturing a lively furry companion and crafting countless cherished memories together for years to come!
