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The Wonderful World of
Cats and
How to Care for Them
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Kittens
When a kitten first enters your life it has specific needs: special food,
a training regime, a vaccination program and
a wellness program.
Adults
Each breed of cat has its own specific needs: recognize the particular characteristics
of your cat. Routine wellness exams and a good vaccination
program are essential preventative health measures.
Older
Cats
As our cats age they have special requirements: they may need special food
and you should watch carefully for any signs of disease: all lumps should
be checked: watch for signs of arthritis and pay special attention to their
teeth. Check our geriatric page on this website.
Feline
Diseases
Current research shows that these diseases only affect cats: Feline Leukemia
Virus (FeLV), Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) Feline Infectious Peritonitis
(FIP) and feline distemper. These viruses are major causes of illness and
death in cats. Watch for loss of appetite, diarrhea, abdominal swelling, mouth
sores, enlarged lymph nodes, fever, disorientation and vestibulitis.
Dermatology
Scratching maybe a painful process for your cat and could signify fleas, allergies
or infections. Don’t ignore it: there are many treatments to make their
lives and yours more comfortable.
Dentistry
As cats age annual teeth cleaning becomes an essential part of their health
program.
Hair
Balls
Hair balls are a common occurrence in cats causing intense retching,
vomiting and sometimes abdominal pain. If you suspect that your cat's intestine
is blocked by a hair ball prompt veterinary care is important. There are some
special diets and oral feline laxative pastes to help with this condition.
Nutrition
There are different diets for various stages of a cat’s life. High quality
commercial foods pay attention to these needs: special dietary needs for medical
conditions such as kidney and heart problems are also available. We stock
all these special needs: see the section on supplies.
Daily
Check
- Ears:
watch for bad odors and scratching
- Eyes:
watch for redness or a closed third eyelid
- Skin:
watch for bald patches or a lot of scratching
- Paws:
watch for thorns or stones between the pads
- Nails:
clip nails monthly: our veterinary technicians can do this for you:
- Teeth:
watch for bad odors and swelling in the mouth
- Kidneys:
be sure your cat urinates regularly
- Bowels:
be sure your cat has at least one bowel movement a day.
Feline
Needs
- Water:
be sure your cat always has access to fresh water
- Food:
feed your pet high quality catfood
- Exercise:
cats kept indoors need lots of play time
- Shelter:
outdoor cats need access to shelter from both the sun, rain and cold winds
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