If you are new to owning a cat, you may be surprised to find that cat health issues are a common thing. No matter what breed of cat you own, cat health issues are to be expected. Some may be hereditary, while others can easily be prevented.
Let’s dive right in.
4 Cat Health Issues To Look Out For
1. Worms
No matter what breed of cat it may be, worms are a very common and recurring problem when it comes to cat health issues. Tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms are among the most common that infect cats.
Cats who have problems gaining weight, problems with fleas, or if you find white specks in their stool, you should have your vet test them for worms. Although they can be treated with medicine, worms can prove to be fatal if they are left untreated.
2. Hairballs and Cat Health Issues
Of all the cat health issues hairballs are the most common health problem for cats. All cats groom themselves on a daily basis, usually swallowing the loose hair that comes from their coats.
On occasion, this loose hair will gather into a ball and become lodged in the digestive tract instead of passing through in your cat’s stool.
When your cat starts to cough and hack, they are normally coughing up a hairball. Although it can be rather disgusting in the end, most cats can dislodge hairballs without any problems.
Rare Cases
In rare cases, a hairball can pass through to a cat’s intestine, creating a blockage. Blockages are very serious problems, and can be life threatening if they aren’t treated.
If your cat becomes constipated, isn’t eating properly, or has a very dull coat, they could have a blockage. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should take them to the vet immediately.
Prevention
You can prevent hairballs and blockages by brushing your cat 2 – 3 times a week to remove loose hair. You can also feed them food that is designed to control hairballs as well.
3. Urinary Tract Infection
Another of the cat health issues are urinary tract infections. They are also a common health problem with cats. Urinary tract infection is more common with male cats that haven’t been neutered, although females can suffer from this problem as well.
The Cause
When a cat suddenly stops going to their litter box, this problem is normally the cause. Another symptom is when the cat’s urine starts to smell really strong.
If you suspect that your cat has a urinary tract infection, you should take them to the vet. Your vet can treat the problem with medicine, and make recommendations to help avoid this problem in the future.
4. Feline Leukemia
In the past, feline leukemia was the biggest cause of death in cats and the most serious of cat health issues. These days however, there are vaccines available that can prevent the disease. To treat the disease, your cat will need to be given the shot before he or she is exposed.
Even though death doesn’t happen immediately, cats that are exposed to feline leukemia normally don’t have a long life span. If you know your cat has feline leukemia, you should never allow other cats around them, as the virus is highly contagious.
Regular Checkups
To protect your cat, you should always make sure that you take them to the vet for their regular check ups. If you keep them up to date on their vaccinations, they should lead a healthy and productive life.
Although some cat health issues can’t be avoided, most of them can. You can also keep your cat indoors as well, which will protect them from a majority of cat health issues.
Keep Them Safe
If your cat is an outdoor cat, regular visits to the vet should keep them safe from most cat health issues. As long as you take your cat to the vet and keep them healthy – they will be your companion for many years to come.
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