Cat Care 101: Health & Grooming

Health Cats need routine veterinary care to live healthy and happy lives, just as people need medical care. Use your local phone book or a search engine to find a reputable cat veterinarian in your area. The highest priority trip to the vet should be to get your new cat spayed or neutered. For both male and female cats, doing so provides many health benefits such as reduced risks for certain illnesses and diseases as they age, and will also prevent your cat from going into heat and trying to escape your home to find a mate.

A cat that is spayed or neutered will not produce litters of kittens that you will need to find good homes for. Hundreds of thousands of kittens and cats die on city streets or are euthanized each year because there is such an enormous overpopulation of cats that there are not enough homes for them all. This is a very serious problem - and getting your cat neutered or spayed is a very simple solution. By choosing to neuter your cats (as well as other pets) you can do your part to help save the lives of kittens and cats by helping to curb overpopulation of cats.

Other aspects of veterinary care your cat needs may include de-worming and vaccinations. Vaccinations will prevent your cat from acquiring certain illnesses and diseases, so if you can afford vaccinations for your cats, it is definitely a worthy investment.

Aside from veterinary care, the best thing you can do to keep your cat healthy is to feed them nutritious, quality cat food and provide a safe, clean and healthy environment for them to live in. Ensure your home is cat-proofed so it is a safe place for them to play. For advice on cat proofing your home, visit our Cat Proofing page from the main menu or click here. If you notice a change in your cat's behavior, eating habits, or another issue, always contact your veterinarian for advice.

Grooming With the exception of short-haired cats, almost all cats require some type of grooming to keep their coat healthy and shiny. Cats with long, thick or curly fur need more frequent grooming to prevent mats from forming in their fur. Many types of cat brushes and grooming tools are available, so choose one you like and get in the habit of brushing your long-haired cat regularly. Some cats may need to be brushed as often as once a day if fur is extremely thick, while cats with only mildly-thick fur may need brushing once or twice a month.

If you start brushing your cat on a regular basis when he or she is a kitten, and pet and praise your cat when you brush them, they will become accepting of being brushed and when they are older, it will not bother them. People who do not have time to groom their long-haired cat regularly may also apt to take their cat to a pet groomer to be brushed and groomed, although these services can be quite expensive, and for most cat owners are easy enough to do at home.

Some cats with long fur may also become dirty or get poo on their tail more often than short haired cats, so it is also a good idea to get them in the habit of taking a bath. If you bathe your cat when they are a kitten, they are less likely to be afraid of it later. Remember when bathing your cat that it is never a good idea to use shampoos or soaps made for humans. Instead, spend a few dollars on a shampoo or cleanser made especially for cats. Take special care to keep soap and water away from your cat's head, face and ears. Even if your cat becomes used to taking a bath, most cats still are not adoring of a bath, so unless your cat needs a flea-bath or is excessively dirty, bathing can usually be avoided. Cats do have their own hygienic instincts and will lick and clean away everyday dirt on a regular basis.

Back to Cat Care 101

© 2009-2010 Happy Humans, Happy Cats. All Rights Reserved.