Top tips for cat health

Maintaining cat health is essential to ensure they lead a long and happy life. As a cat owner you will understand your cat’s needs and behaviour and come to recognise if they are not themselves.

Cats can be very independent, but also make great companions and seeing them unwell can be stressful as their owner. Looking out for early signs of poor health is key to maintaining optimum cat health.

Here are our top tips to help monitor and maintain cat health:

Diet

It’s important to feed your cat a healthy balanced diet. Factors such as your cat’s age, activity level and health should be considered when choosing their food. Whether you feed your cat dry or wet food, or a combination of both, it needs to be specifically formulated for cats and contain essential nutrients.

Water

You should ensure that your cat has a fresh supply of water. The water should be changed daily and their bowl should be kept away from where they are fed. You could distribute a few water bowls around you house to ensure they have easy access.

Bedding

Cats like to have their own place to retire to. Although they will settle wherever they like, it’s always best to have a cat bed should they need it. Make sure they have a warm and safe place to sleep, with plenty of bedding and access to clean water and their litter tray.

Cat proof your home

Make sure your home is safe for your cat. Avoid buying any poisonous plants or flowers that can affect your cat’s health. Be sure to block any small places they might be able to get into, and check washing machines and tumble dryers before use. Be careful not to leave windows open where your cat can jump out of and hurt themselves. Some household cleaners and chemicals can be toxic to cats, be careful not to leave any lying around to prevent your cat ingesting them.

Scratch posts

All cats love and need to scratch to help shed the outer layer of their claws, as well as marking their territory. A tall and stable post will give your cat something to scratch rather than your furniture. Your cat’s claws may also need trimming occasionally and you can ask your vet for advise on how best to do this.

Grooming

Grooming not only helps to keep your cat looking nice, it can help to remove loose hairs, especially on long haired cats. Brushing your cat’s hair at least once a day can prevent the build up of hairballs in their stomach. This also gives you an opportunity to check their coat and skin for fleas or ticks.

Dental care

It might not be the easiest task to perform on your cat, but regular dental care is important. Brushing their teeth daily with a soft toothbrush helps to remove plaque and bacteria. Regular checks of your cat’s mouth should also be done, looking out for broken teeth. If you start brushing their teeth when they are kittens this will to get them used to it early.

Nutraplaque is a 100% natural tartar and plaque remover for cats, which provides an advanced double action formula to help aid oral health and hygiene by systemically working against bad breath, tartar and plaque for healthy teeth and gums.

Exercise

To maintain good cat health, it’s important that your cat gets a sufficient amount of exercise to prevent weight gain and aid their mobility. Engaging your cat with 10-15 minutes several times a day is a good way of ensuring they get the exercise they need. Use toys that are proven popular. You could consider using Nutraquin, which aids optimum joint health as your kitten grows.

Ear care

Keep an eye on your cat’s ears, as they can be prone to bacteria, ear mites and feline polyps. Checking their ears and consulting your vet if you spot anything will help to maintain their health.

Eyes

Your cat’s eyes should be bright and focused. Keep a check on them to make sure there isn’t any excessive discharge in the corners.

Vaccinations

Keeping up-to-date with your cat’s vaccination schedule can help to prevent and protect them from viral infections. Yearly booster vaccinations are also a great opportunity for your vet to give your cat a full health check.

Regular vet checks for cat health

Your vet is best placed to monitor cat health, it is important to have regular health checks with your local vet to ensure that your cat is receiving the best possible care.

Fleas and ticks

Use an effective flea management treatment to prevent fleas and ticks affecting your cat’s health. Your vet will be able to advise on a sufficient flea management treatment for your cat’s health needs.

Reduce stress

Try to reduce any stress in your cat’s home environment. Read our top tips on keeping your cat calm and consider using Nutracalm, a unique formula specifically developed to naturally reduce stress and anxiety for cats and dogs.

Litter boxes

Be sure to place their litter box in a private place away from where your cat eats their food. If you have more than one cat, it’s advised to have a litter tray for each cat. Cats like a clean litter box otherwise they will go to the toilet elsewhere in your home. Ensure that it is cleaned daily to prevent any stress, which could lead to urinary tract problems. To help maintain bladder health, keep an eye on their activity for any irregular urination.

To help maintain cat health, consult your vet, who is best placed to monitor your cat’s health. Ask your vet about Nutravet products such as, Nutraquin, Nutracalm and Nutracys+, which can all help to maintain the health of your cat.