Basic Health Care
Basic Health Care
When you brought your kitten home, you did a lot to make him happy, healthy and safe in your home. But you can do more than that—you can give him good nutrition, hygienic surroundings and regular checkups to keep him living longer and healthier. Here’s how:
Basic health check:
Take your kitten to the veterinarian as soon as you bring him home. He will conduct a thorough physical examination, and check for internal (tapeworm, roundworm, etc.) and external parasites (fleas, ticks, lice, ear mites). He will also give him an initial vaccination and discuss a schedule of vaccinations and whether your kitten should be sterilized.
With the results of this first health check, your veterinarian will have enough information to advise you on your kitten’s diet and care and he will be able to plan future checkups.
What you can do: Check his mouth, eyes and ears as often as possible. Does he have any loose teeth, redness in the eyes, or swelling of the gums or eye discharges? Also, take care to see that his bedding is clean and warm and that he always has fresh and clean drinking water. Give him a good and nutritious diet and lots of love.
Spaying or neutering your kitten: If you neuter your kitten, he will be friendlier, easier-to-live with and affectionate. Spaying a female kitten makes her relaxed, loving and calm and he won’t mark his territory or wander away from home or get into cat fights. It also reduces the chances of breast cancer in females and an enlarged prostate in males.
Usually, a female kitten’s uterus and ovaries are removed when she is about 4-6 months and she recovers within 10 days of surgery. When neutered, the male’s testicles are removed. This is done when he is about 4-12 months old.
Your aged cat: At the age of 8-10 years, your cat is aged and his vital organ functions are greatly hampered or slowed down. If your cat is sick, he will let you know this, so pay attention to his behavior and you will be able to solve his problems and let him lead a healthy life.
Common problems:
- Obesity: This is a big problem as a cat ages, he is less active. This means you will have to reduce his calorific intake. This will reduce the pressure on his joints, and control his chances of getting heart failure, kidney or liver disease and digestive problems. Increase his fiber, fatty acids and vitamins intake, and reduce the phosphorus, sodium, protein and fat content in his food.
- Arthritis: Your arthritic can either be moderately or greatly stiff in the joints. This becomes apparent as he becomes less attentive about his grooming and litter box habits which in turn slow down his cognitive functions. Your veterinarian will prescribe anti-inflammatory medication for the pain.
- Temperature intolerance: Since your cat produces fewer hormones that regulate the body’s normal temperature, he grows less tolerant to heat and cold. Let him sleep near a radiator or warm place, and if he is an outdoor cat, keep him indoors on cold days.
Cats also suffer from constipation, skin and coat problems, colds, increased thirst and decreased sense of smell. Give him your best care and attention.