Tips For a Healthy Cat

 by: Todd Rip

If you love your cat you’ll want to know how to keep your cat as healthy as possible. There are many different things that could come into play and be dangerous to your cat's health, so it's important to know what to look for to keep your cat healthy her entire life.

The typical house cat will go through three main life stages. The exact duration of each stage varies between different cats and different breeds, but the time frame is generally quite similar between cats. Cats begin their lives as kittens, and during this process they are constantly growing and developing. It's very important to make sure they are getting proper nutrition and care during this time, as they are especially vulnerable to disease and the elements when young. Make sure your kitten is warm at all times, and is eating a healthy diet of nutritious food. You should also take your kitten to the vet to get shots to protect it against diseases, and to get it spayed or neutered. Kittens have usually reached adult cat hood at around one year old, though some kittens continue growing until they're over two years old.

Once your cat has reached adulthood, the point where she has stopped growing, she continues to live a normal adult life, until around age eight or nine. During this time as an adult, your cat is stronger, and less vulnerable to the dangers that are posed as a kitten. However, your focus should be switched to maintaining a healthy adult cat, in addition to protecting your cat from possible health risks as an older cat. Keeping your adult cat at a healthy weight is also important, as an overweight cat is more likely to get other health problems.

Annual trips to the vet should be a top priority, to check up on your cat's health and detect any problems early. You should also keep your eyes peeled for the first signs of diseases that show up in older cats, like heart disease and feline diabetes.

Cats over the age of eight or nine are considered senior cats, entering their last stages of life. However, there is still much that can be done to ensure your senior cat has a healthy life. It's a good idea to go to the vet twice a year at this point as an additional step to detect any health problems early. Focusing on dental health is also very important now, and it may be necessary to adjust your senior cat's diet to accommodate any health issues. For example, a cat with weak teeth may need a more moist diet, while an overweight cat should go on a weight control diet. These tips can ensure your cat will live a happy, healthy life.