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Pet Health Care: Cats
Here's the MyFamilyUK lowdown on cat health: part of our Pet Health Care guide. Cats need regular health check-ups, so register your cat with a vet before you get it, or as soon as you bring it home. An annual health check should be enough for most cats but seek further advice and treatment if it shows signs of injury or illness.
Pay special attention to changes in behaviour such as loss of appetite which can indicate illness. Vaccinations are available for serious infectious diseases such as feline influenza (cat flu) but there are other common health problems of which you should be aware.
1) Parasites
Fleas and worms will affect pretty much all cats at one time or another. Fleas may cause skin irritation and hair loss, but worms often cause no symptoms at all. Watch out for discomfort and behavioural change. Treatment is available from your vet.
2) Diarrhoea and vomiting
Digestive problems can be caused by a change in diet or minor infections picked up from scavenging. Vomiting is usually nothing to worry about, as cats regularly make themselves sick to dislodge a fur ball. Consult your vet if your cat has persistent problems or if diarrhoea and vomiting occur with other symptoms.
3) Teeth
Watch out for bad breath and problems breathing, which can be signs of teeth problems. Tartar builds up on cat’s teeth over time and leads to gingivitis (gum disease), a very common complaint in cats. Your vet can scrape your cat’s teeth to get rid of excess tartar, and feeding them dried toast and cat biscuits will help wear tartar down. The best method for avoiding dental problems is to brush your pet’s teeth with cat toothpaste and toothbrushes or cleaning mitts. Ideally, this should start when the cat is still young, as older cats that are unaccustomed to a dental care regime will react violently to the experience.
4) Eyes
Reddening and discharge may be a sign of conjunctivitis. Clear discharge away with a piece of tissue or cotton wool soaked in warm (previously boiled) water. Consult a vet if symptoms persist.
5) Ears
Infections or mites can cause discharge and redness. Take the cat to the vet rather than trying to clean the ear as putting an object in the ear may damage the eardrum.
6) General injury
Cats commonly receive injuries from fighting each other. These are not usually serious, but bacteria from cat bites can lead to abscesses, which may need treatment with antibiotics. Wash a wound with warm, salt water to reduce the risk of infection. If your cat has a more serious injury or has been run over by a car, take them straight to a vet for emergency treatment.
Pedigree cat health
Because of over breeding and limited genetic variation, pedigree cats can be more prone to certain conditions. Problems vary from breed to breed, so check out what problems particular breeds are vulnerable to on the PDSA website and get more information on pet health care.
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