Many people enjoy the companionship of a cat. A house cat has an average life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. With proper care, nutritious food, regular play and checkups with the veterinary clinic, your cat could live a long and healthy life.
Happy Kitty: 4 Ways to Improve Your Feline's Health Every Day
Groom Your Cat
Groom your cat on a daily basis. A fine-toothed metal comb designed for cat hair helps to remove tangles and debris from your cat's coat. Brush with the grain of your cat's fur, moving the brush slowly and cleaning it as needed. It is not necessary to brush all of your cat's fur every day. You could brush its back one day, its legs the next, and belly the third.
Visit a Veterinary Clinic
Cats have specific health needs that can be met by visiting a veterinary clinic. Professionals, like those at Chester Valley Veterinary Hospital, know that cats need routine vaccinations against rabies and the feline leukemia virus. The veterinary clinic staff will also weigh your cat and check its teeth. As cats get older, they may be at risk of health problems such as diabetes, thyroid disease and cancer. The veterinary clinic's staff could check your cat for these health problems.
Choose Nutritious Cat Food
Just like with people food, you get what you pay for with cat food. The cheapest cat food may not meet your cat's nutritional requirements. Confer with your veterinarian about the best type and amount of food for your cat. As your cat gets older, it may have an easier time of eating a wet cat food rather than a kibble or nugget style of food.
Play with Your Cat
Cats are naturally curious and have an instinct to hunt. Playing with your cat every day allows it to exercise its body and mind. It also helps to keep your cat happy. Experiment with different types of cat toys, such as a fishing pole toy with feathers on the end or a laser dot pointer toy. Choose some toys for your cat to play with while your asleep or away from home, such as a catnip-filled mouse or a ball with a bell in it.
Each of these four simple tips helps you to improve the health of your cat every day. Spending a few minutes per day brushing your cat and playing with it can be enjoyable for you, too. Choose the best type of cat food you can afford, and make your cat's mealtime pleasurable. It is also important to talk to and pet your cat.
Terri Quick says
Thank you for sharing
Mary Gardner says
These are great tips. I always try to remember to groom since cats do a pretty good job of taking care of themselves.
Nancy says
Adorable kitty.
Antoinette M says
Great tips! My cats love to play with their cat nip toys.
Calvin says
Good to proactively try to improve their well being
Calvin says
Definitely have to pay lots of attention to mine, he really likes to play and is very active
Abigail Gibson says
Yes. We do need to be vigilant in caring for our feline friends. Thank you for sharing.
Mary says
That is a beautiful kitty!
tammy ohagan says
I believe Robert A. Heinlein (author, Red Planet) was correct when he said “How we behave toward cats here below determines our status in heaven.” Wouldn't you agree
Jo E. says
How cute!!!
Cynthia R says
I wish I had fed my cats better when they were young. I was young and broke but still buying cheap stuff like meow mix just feels so wrong now.
Candle Light says
Cynthia, Please don't feel guilty. There is NO reason to feel guilty for Saving and Caring for your little kitties!!! You did the absolute Best you could at that time in your life! Being "young and broke" is a situation that happens to almost everybody. YOU had the decency to Love your Kitties! They know you love them, and that's enough - more than enough! Peaceful thoughts to you always.
Veronica Lee says
Thanks for sharing these helpful tips. I certainly want my kitty to live a long and healthy life.