5 Common Cat Health Problems
We are all subject to a few health problems every now and again and there are five common cat health problems that all cat owners should be aware of. These are issues that most cats have to deal with at one time or another, but as long as the cat is taken care of they will be fine.
Hairballs is a really common issue in cats. Cats lick themselves to get clean and in the processes consume hair. This gets in their digestive track and causes hairballs. The first thing you should do when it comes to hairballs is to comb the cat regularly. This grabs all the loose hairs so the cat doesn’t eat it. You can also give them hairball medication which is a flavored oil based product that helps them pass the hairballs and even foods that help prevent hairballs.
Fleas and ticks are a danger to most cats and dogs. This is especially true if the cat is an indoor or outdoor cat. Fleas can often be seen in the house as well as on the pet and ticks can be felt. You can get flea and tick medication from your vet.
Worms can also be a problem with symptoms that include weight loss, bloating, and vomiting. Also many cats who have worms look ill. Looking for ticks is always a good idea if your cat goes out and especially if they go in areas common for ticks such as tall grasses and woods. It is also a good idea to give your cat deworming medicine on a regular basis and be prepared to take them to the vet if they look really ill.
Plant poisoning is common in many cats who have owners who grow plants or ones that go outside. If you have plants inside your home it is important to find out if they are safe and non-poisonous to your cats. It is also a good idea to keep them out of reach. It is of course safer to keep your cat inside rather then letting them outside. If you think your cat has been poisoned then call the vet immediately.
Finally many cats get urinary track infections. Often times signs that they are having a problem can include going to the litter box all the time, straining to go to the bathroom, passing very small amounts of urine, licking of the genital area (more than normal), blood in the urine, and accidents in the home. Urinary track infections will require a vet.
There are of course a lot of serious health problems that cats can have. However these are common cat health problems and most cats will have problems with at least one of them in their lifetime.