About all

Cat health issue: Common Health Problems in Cats

Common Health Problems in Cats

Cats can suffer from a variety of health problems from digestive upset, urinary problems, skin disease, respiratory infections, ear infections, and dental and gum problems. Cats are known to mask illness and disease very well, and they don’t often show any symptoms until they are very ill. If your pet has a change in energy level, appetite, behavior, or increase in discomfort, it is probably best to take your cat in for a full physical examination, and possible diagnostic workup.
If your pet is suffering from milder symptoms in some of these areas, there are many at home treatments that are available that can often alleviate symptoms in many of these conditions. See the list of common problems cats suffer from below and how you may be able to help your precious cat.

Tapeworms
Tapeworms are very common in cats, and usually come from ingesting fleas from a current or prior flea infestation. In some cases ingesting stools of other animals may also lead to a tapeworm infection. In heavy infestations, tapeworms may cause pets to be bloated, with occasional vomiting or diarrhea, as well as anal itching and irritation. Often feline guardians will find unsightly tapeworms crawling out of the anus or near the tail of their feline companions. Many times flat, rice like segments are found in the stool samples. Unhealthy tapeworms can be gotten rid of with over-the-counter HomeoPet Wrm Clear. It is effective and easy to give.
Other prescription products such as Drontal may also be used in some cases. It is important to treat tapeworms in cats because unfortunately the family, especially the children can become infected. Aggressive flea control with products such as Frontline Plus, Advantage II, or Revolution, which also prevents heartworm disease are also important, since fleas commonly carry tapeworms and are the source of many infestations.

 

Itching and hair loss
The number one cause of hair loss in cats is fleas. Just one flea bite can cause an allergic reaction, which leads to itching, over-grooming, and hair loss. Use Advantage II or Frontline Plus to prevent fleas before they become a problem. Oral Comfortis has been recently approved for flea control in cats, and has been very successful in treating and preventing flea infestations in dogs. The broad spectrum topical product called Revolution has also been a favorite prescription of many veterinarians. To quickly decrease inflammation and itching, Yucca Intensive can be used topically and orally. Antihistamines such as Chlorpheniramine at a dose of 2 mg twice daily often eases allergic reactions. Long term oral fatty acids added to the diet, including Missing Link for Cats which may also help many itchy pets when used long-term.

 

Raw spots and hot spots
Underlying inhalants/contact allergies, food allergies, and flea allergies may cause cats to develop secondary raw spots and hot spots. These type of allergies often lead to secondary yeast or bacterial infections. Parasites including mange mites and ringworm may also cause raw spots and hot spots to develop. In any pet with chronic raw or hot spots, a full veterinary evaluation for underlying causes is recommended so that the best course of treatment can be instituted.
Both Malapet and Ketochlor shampoos can help eliminate bacteria, ringworm and yeast that thrive in raw, open skin infections. Animax, and Dermalone are also helpful to ease localized inflamed areas of the skin. Bactoderm is an excellent topical product, particularly for cats with localized skin acne or other infections, and Yucca Intensive is an excellent natural product that can be used both topically and orally. HomeoPet Hot Spots may relieve hot spots that are red, oozing, or dry and flaky. This all-organic product supports healing where hair loss occurs from chewing and licking the hot spot area.

 

Excessive shedding
Excessive shedding can be unhealthy, cause pain and discomfort, and lead to skin problems. Excessive shedding can be due to poor diet or dietary allergies, as well as internal metabolic illness and disease. Any pet who chronically sheds should receive a full medical exam and evaluation. Hairball control from reduced shedding helps prevent unwanted digestive upsets. Excellent natural diets including Nature’s Variety Cat Food and Halo often help eliminate excessive shedding in some cats. Fatty acid supplements including Missing Link for Cats and Be Well for Cats are also wonderful products for enhancing coat quality and reducing shedding.

 

Diarrhea
Diarrhea distresses the family and the cat. There can be many causes of diarrhea in cats including parasites, viral infections, dietary/food allergies, metabolic illnesses of the liver, intestinal tract, pancreas, or thyroid. FortiFlora helps promote intestinal balance and can help cats with diarrhea. Feeding broth or bland turkey or lamb baby food for a day can also help a cat’s digestive tract recover from mild or acute diarrhea. Petdophilus is another favorite probiotic that is safe to use both short and long term. NatureVet Digestive Enzymes with Prebiotics & Probiotics is an excellent source of digestive enzymes that can help with digestion and lessen diarrhea. Adding Vetasyl to meals can help as a source of soluble fiber, as well as help regulate bowel movements.If diarrhea persists or is bloody, a full veterinary exam and evaluation for some of the above underlying diseases is recommended.

 

First Aid
Cats are naturally very clean, but be ready to help them when they have a wound. Use a wound cleanser to help clean wounds and help relieve pain associated with bacterial infections.

Vomiting
Vomiting can have many causes in cats from ingested foreign bodies, excessive hair, viruses, parasites, food allergy to metabolic illness. Laxatone and Petromalt , and Hairball Plus are excellent over the counter remedies for hairballs. Pepcid AC at a dose of 2.5 to 5 mg once to twice daily may also help ease an acute upset stomach. If vomiting persists or worsens, a full veterinary exam is recommended.

 

Urinary infections
Cats may suffer from inflammation of the bladder that may lead to increased urgency, bloody urination, as well as inappropriate urination. This syndrome is known as feline urologic syndrome. In some cases injectable antibiotics are needed such as Convenia, while in other cases nutritional supplements including UT Soft Chews and NaturVet Cranberry Relief may be helpful. If a cat is straining and not urinating, an emergency veterinary evaluation is recommended to make sure urinary tract obstruction is not present.

 

Respiratory infections
The most common infection among cats is an upper respiratory virus infection. Boost your cat’s overall health to make him or her less prone to infection with wonderful immune boosters such as Vetri-DMG. Vetri-Lysine Plus Soft Chews contains an amino acid that can help lessen the severity of many upper respiratory viral infection that may cause sneezing, nasal discharge and difficulty breathing.

 

Dental and gum problems
Dental disease is very common in adult and senior cats and may lead to gum inflammation/infection, tartar buildup and sometimes painful tooth loss. Many cats need periodic ultrasonic scaling and cleaning at the veterinarian to maintain optimal dental health. C.E.T. IntelliDent Cat Bites are a great-tasting and effective way to help your pet’s breath stay fresh and clean. They enhance and activate naturally-occurring oral defense mechanisms. In addition, regular brushings with enzymatic toothpastes such as C.E.T. Enzymatic Toothpaste can also help. Adding Be Fresh Dental Care Solution to your pet’s drinking water can help with oral health in those kitties that are difficult to handle. Two of my favorite natural products include Leba III and Vetzlife that often reduce bacteria and plaque in the mouths of affected pets.

 

Ear infections
Cats hate having ear infections that hurt and interfere with their delicate sense of balance. Underlying allergies are often causes of overgrowth of yeast and/or bacteria in the ears. It helps to keep the ears clean of wax and discharge with products such as Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleanser and PetMeds Ear Cleansing Solution. If needed, topical antibiotics including Animax may be indicated in case of severe bacterial or yeast infections.

 

Vet Tip

While a veterinary evaluation is often indicated for cats suffering with common health problems, there are many at home and over-the-counter measures that pet owners may take to help lessen severity of symptoms and increase comfort.

Swipe

6 Most Common Cat Health Problems

  • View Full Guide

Written by Wendy C. Fries

Reviewed by Poonam Sachdev on April 02, 2023

In this Article

  • 1. Vomiting
  • 2. Feline Lower Urinary Tract Diseases (FLUTD)
  • 3. Fleas
  • 4. Tapeworms
  • 5. Diarrhea
  • 6. Eye Problems

Cats are good at self-maintenance. But even your fastidious feline can’t prevent some of these more common cat diseases and health issues.

Vomiting is a very common problem with cats with a multitude of causes. They range from eating something poisonous or inedible (like string), to infection, urinary tract disease, or diabetes to hairballs.

Symptoms are usually obvious and include drooling and abdominal heaving. Vomiting can quickly leave your cat dehydrated, so if your cat continues vomiting or acts ill, call your vet right away. It may help to collect a sample of your cat’s vomit and take it with you to the vet.

Since there are so many possible causes of vomiting in cats, you can’t prevent them all. But there are some things you can do to make some of the most common ones less likely:

Treat your cat for fleas. Fleas can cause intestinal parasites like tapeworms that in turn, cause vomiting. 

Feed the right foods. It’s best to stick with foods designed just for the nutritional needs of cats. Foods such as dairy products and raw or undercooked meats can make your cat sick. 

Head off hairballs. To get rid of extra hair before your cat has a chance to swallow it, treat them to regular grooming sessions with a brush and comb. You can also try a laxative product formulated for hairballs: A dot placed on their paw once a week or so will help to lubricate their digestive tract. 

Keep non-edible items out of reach. Watch out for and pick up things that might be tempting for your kitty to chew that if swallowed, could trigger vomiting, like rubber bands or thread. Keep things like poisonous houseplants and human medications away from your cat.

Some estimates say as many as 3% of cats seen by vets have feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), which is a group of feline diseases with multiple causes.

Female and male cats can get FLUTD, and it often occurs in cats that are overweight or unfit or who eat dry food. Stress, a multi-cat household, and sudden changes can all raise a cat’s risk of FLUTD, and treatment depends on the type of FLUTD your cat has. FLUTD symptoms include:

  • Drinking more
  • Straining to urinate
  • Urinating more frequently
  • Bloody urine
  • Urinating in unusual places
  • Crying when urinating
  • Licking around the urinary area (often because of pain)
  • Depression
  • Dehydration
  • Lack of appetite
  • Vomiting

It’s always an emergency if your cat can’t urinate. Call your vet immediately if you suspect your cat has a urinary tract problem.

To lessen your cat’s chances of FLUTD: 

  • Have clean, fresh water available at all times.
  • Talk to your vet about the best diet for your cat. They may suggest a special diet or recommend that you give your cat canned food. 
  • Give your cat frequent, small meals. 
  • Reduce sources of stress. Try not to make any major changes in your cat’s routine. 
  • Make sure your cat has access to a clean litter box in a quiet part of the house. 

Read more about cat urinary tract problems.

Fleas are a very common external feline health problem. But it’s one you can easily treat. Signs your cat has fleas include:

  • Flea dirt on its skin (it looks like tiny black dots)
  • Constant scratching
  • Frequent licking
  • Red or irritated skin
  • Hair loss
  • Skin infections or hot spots

Fleas can live for more than a year (although they typically don’t) and your cat risks anemia if the problem becomes serious, so be sure to treat your cat’s flea problem and prevent future infestations.

Talk to your vet about which flea control would be best for your cat. Treatments include oral medication, powders, foams, and topical medication.

Remember that flea medications only kill fleas that come in contact with your cat. To prevent fleas, 

  • Keep your cat inside. 
  • Vacuum your floors, rugs and carpets, baseboards, and upholstered furniture daily. 
  • Wash your cat’s bedding in hot, soapy water once a week. 

Read more about treating and preventing fleas in cats.

Tapeworms are one of the most common feline health problems. These parasites live in your cat’s small intestine and can  grow to be as long as 2 feet. They’re made up of segments called proglottids and usually break apart when your cat passes them. It’s very unlikely to see a full worm. You’ll usually just see the segments.

Symptoms of a tapeworm infection can be hard to see but may include vomiting and weight loss. The easiest way to tell if your cat has tapeworms is to look at its poop, around its anus, and where it sleeps. Usually tapeworms come out of your cat’s anus while it is sleeping or relaxed. If you see tiny white worms or what look like grains of rice or sesame seeds, your cat likely has tapeworms. 

If your cat is heavily infected, you may see other tapeworm symptoms such as:

  • Irritation in the anus area 
  • Weight loss
  • Vomiting and diarrhea
  • Anemia
  • Dehydration
  • Inability to thrive

How Do Cats Get Tapeworms?

When they clean themselves, cats can ingest fleas that are infected with tapeworm larvae. The larvae develop into adult tapeworms inside the cats’ intestines. 

Cats that are older than 6 months are more likely to get tapeworm infections. Kittens can get tapeworm infections if they have fleas.

Can Humans Get Cat Tapeworms?

It is possible for humans to get tapeworm infections from cats. In order to get a tapeworm infection, you’d need to swallow a flea that has the tapeworm larvae.

It’s more common for children to get tapeworm infections. You’ll see the proglottids in the child’s stool or in and around their anus. Teach your children to wash their hands after playing with your cat. Don’t let your kids play in areas where there may be cat poop.

Talk with your doctor if you think your child has tapeworms. Your doctor will examine your child and provide the best treatment options.

What Is the Treatment for Tapeworm in Cats?

You’ll need to treat your adult cat with a deworming product every 1 to 3 months. Speak to your vet about getting the right kind of dewormer for your cats. You can find many deworming products in supermarkets and pet stores, but they may not all be safe for your cat or effective for the type of worms that your cat has. 

Your cat will usually be given a drug called praziquantel in pill form or as a shot. Praziquantel is a tapeworm dewormer for cats. The drug helps to dissolve the tapeworms in the intestines.  

How Do You Prevent Tapeworm in Cats?

Your cat can easily get reinfected with tapeworms. There are some things you can do regularly to keep tapeworm infections at bay:  

Control the carriers. Get rid of fleas and ticks, as well as mice and other rodents, which can carry tapeworm larvae that can transfer to your pet. Keep your cat on a regular flea preventative. 

Deworm regularly. Deworm your cat regularly to prevent reinfection. 

Dispose of cat waste daily. Scoop your litterbox often and throw the poop and urine clumps away in a plastic trash bag. Clean and wash the litterbox regularly using a pet-friendly disinfectant.

When your cat has diarrhea, they’ll have to poop more frequently than usual, and their poop will be soft, runny, or even watery. It may be yellowish or grayish in color and smell especially bad. Diarrhea usually clears up fairly quickly. If it goes on longer than a day or so, it may be a sign of a serious problem.  

Many things can cause diarrhea in cats, including a change in diet, stress, intestinal parasites, allergies, infections, liver or kidney disease, cancer, and more.

If your cat has diarrhea, offer them plenty of fresh, clean water so they don’t get dehydrated. Then take their food away for no more than 12 hours. If they still have diarrhea after a day, take them to the vet. Take them right away if they 

  • Won’t eat 
  • Are straining to poop 
  • Are vomiting 
  • Pass dark or bloody stools
  • Have a fever 
  • Are sluggish

A few symptoms that may mean your cat has eye problems include:

  • Watery eyes 
  • Buildup of discharge in the corners of the eye 
  • Tear stains on the fur around the eyes
  • Cloudy eyes 
  • Red or white eyelid linings 
  • Excessive squinting 
  • Pawing at the eye 
  • Visible third eyelid 

A number of things can cause eye problems in cats can be caused by a number of things, including:

  • Trauma 
  • Viruses 
  • Inflammation
  • Conjunctivitis (pinkeye)
  • Corneal ulcers
  • Cataracts
  • Glaucoma
  • Retinal disease

You can keep your cat’s eyes clean by wiping your cat’s eyes gently with a cotton ball dampened in warm water. If you notice signs of eye problems in your cat, make an appointment with your vet.

Read more about cat eye problems and discharge.

Top Picks

What diseases do cats carry

Many families have pet cats, and therefore it is very important to know which of their diseases can be dangerous for humans, how to identify them, treat and prevent them. Diseases transmitted from cats to humans are not very numerous, but they are often very dangerous. If the owner responsibly approaches the content, then the pet will be reliably protected from health problems, and therefore will not infect people.

There are a large number of diseases transmitted from a cat to a person, we note the six most common of them:

    1. Rabies.

    It is one of the most dangerous diseases that affects both animals and humans. It is most often transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for rabies in cats. We can only advise you to get vaccinated to prevent infection.
    The initial symptoms of pathology in a cat occur on average 10 days after infection:

    • aggression appears, the causes of which remain unknown;
    • the animal becomes afraid of the light and tries to stay in the dark corners of the room;
    • there are convulsions that resemble an epileptic seizure;
    • can paralyze a pet’s paws;
    • often there is increased salivation.

    Of course, the symptoms alone cannot be used to diagnose an infection. It is possible that you have to deal with a completely different pathology, so you will need to urgently visit a doctor.

    2. Ringworm.

    Infection occurs after contact with a sick animal. It will be enough to stroke him once to pick up lichen. A microscopic fungus that is treatable provokes pathology. Sometimes contact with an object where the pathogen remains after a cat is enough for a person to become infected.

    The pet will develop round spots with short hair. At the same time, the skin in these places will turn red, begin to peel off. Often the muzzle of the pet suffers, as well as the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe tail and limbs.

    People have similar symptoms: one or more spots appear, the skin turns red. You will need to be treated by a dermatologist if a person has undergone a disease.

    3. Worm infestations.

    Worms quite often disturb pets, and even cats that stay only in the apartment are not immune from them. You can get infected with them even through food, as well as after contact with other animals. Be sure to perform deworming every three months to prevent the development of complications due to parasites. A person can also become infected from an animal, so often all family members have to be treated.

    The presence of the disease can be understood by the following signs:

    • increased weakness;
    • digestive disorder;
    • matting of the coat in a pet;
    • itching in the anus. In this case, the cat begins to intensively comb the perineum;
    • loss of appetite, as well as a noticeable increase;
    • weight loss, which may be rapid or gradual.

    4. Felinosis (cat scratch disease).

    Based on the name, it is easy to understand that the disease occurs when the human skin is damaged by the cat’s claws. It is under the claws that the pathogen is located, which is able to penetrate into the cells of the blood vessels. Children are more prone to the disease than adults.

    Symptoms:

    • increased body temperature. In some cases, this symptom can persist up to 10 days;
    • regular headaches without cause;
    • swollen lymph nodes;
    • reddening of the skin in the area of ​​scratches. Often this area begins to swell, pus appears.

    It is possible to determine the presence of a disease in a cat only by signs that occur in humans. After the onset of symptoms, it is necessary to begin treatment, at the time to consult a doctor.

    5. Chlamydia and toxoplasmosis.

    Caused by the protozoan chlamydia and toxoplasma, which can be caught from small rodents. A person becomes infected from a pet by airborne droplets.

    Signs of chlamydia:

    • loss of appetite;
    • inflammatory process affecting the eyes;
    • coughs and sneezes that vary in intensity;
    • significant weakness and fatigue;
    • breathing is accompanied by wheezing, which should definitely alert the person;
    • the presence of purulent discharge that comes from the nasal cavity.

    If you do not start treatment for chlamydia after the first symptoms appear, the animal may die within 2-3 days due to swelling of the lung area. In humans, chlamydia manifests itself as an acute inflammation of the lungs. And for women, toxoplasmosis is dangerous by the threat of abortion and habitual miscarriage. Be sure to immediately begin treatment if you do not want to face complications.

    6. Salmonellosis.

    A fairly common disease in the animal world. You can recognize the pathology by the characteristic symptoms that will be observed in the pet.

    • sudden increase in body temperature;
    • loss of appetite;
    • lethargy, drowsiness and fatigue;
    • avoiding contact with other animals or people;
    • presence of pus in the eyes and nose;
    • excessive salivation;
    • problems with respiratory function;
    • nausea and vomiting;
    • diarrhea with blood impurities.

    It is extremely important to help the animal as quickly as possible, otherwise it will die in 3-4 days. If a person becomes infected with salmonellosis, then he will have signs of acute poisoning. It is often possible to prevent pathology in that situation, if meat and milk are always processed using high temperature. In this case, it will be much more likely to prevent the occurrence of pathology, both in the pet and in the owner.

    Diseases of cats dangerous to humans should be treated and their occurrence should be prevented. If a pet becomes ill, then it is important to immediately contact a veterinarian. Care must be taken not to get infected from a cat, and even more so to prevent transmission of the infection to children and pregnant women.

    Prevention of diseases common to humans and cats

    Preventing the occurrence of pathologies dangerous to humans in your pet is much easier than treating them. As preventive measures are recommended:

    • timely vaccination;
    • complete animal nutrition;
    • timely appeal to the veterinarian in case of violations in the health of the pet;
    • compliance with the rules for the care of cats;
    • prevention of stress in an animal;
    • prevention of uncontrolled presence of an animal on the street;
    • Prevent animals from eating rodents and some bird species (waste-eating).

    Cat health – cat health problems

    The health of a cat depends on many factors. In many ways, the health of the animal is laid down from birth. The genotype of a pet can contain both strong and strong genes of its parents, as well as weak physical health characteristics, which will largely determine the entire future fate of the cat. Often small and frail kittens from birth then get sick throughout their lives.

    Physical endurance, immunity to disease and energy for life are largely dependent on genetic inheritance.

    However, even a kitten strong from birth can be at risk of contracting various diseases with poor care from the owner.

    The conditions in which the animal is kept greatly affect the health and well-being of the pet. Therefore, the responsibility for the health of a kitten and an adult pet lies entirely with its owner.

    Care, good living conditions and proper nutrition will help maintain cat’s health and affect its longevity.

    It is known that on average street cats live 5-8 years, domestic cats – 12-15 years. However, there have been cases when cats lived up to 34, 36 and even 38 years.

    The lifespan of your purring pet depends only on your attention and care!

    Let’s figure out how to achieve such amazing results and extend the life of your cat for decades.

    Never forget that living conditions in an apartment can also negatively affect the condition of the cat. Stuffiness, dust, lack of fresh air and natural atmosphere can affect the well-being of the pet.

    Of course, living in an apartment protects the pet from the hassle of finding food, lodging for the night, heating on cold and rainy days, conflicts with relatives for territory, and much more. But still try to periodically take your household outside. Buy a leash so that the fluffy beast does not run away from you in joy. Fresh air and natural surroundings will boost your cat’s mood and make her feel better.

    The main thing in the issue of maintaining the health of your pet is an attentive attitude towards him, the correct upbringing of a kitten. You must watch the cat, pay attention to its behavior and mood, as well as the physiological manifestations of its body.

    It is necessary to conduct regular inspection and care for the cat.

    If irritability, anxiety, dissatisfaction and refusal to eat, lethargic and passive behavior appear, the pet lies all the time or hides in secluded corners or freezes in an unusual position for a long time – these may be signs of illness and poor health.

    Follow your eyes. With daily cleansing of the corners of the cat’s eyes, see if there is purulent discharge, or excessive tearfulness, the appearance of a second eyelid (white film), and discharge from the nose – all these are signs of various diseases. Residues of black wax in the ears, bad breath and ears, stool disorders, difficulty urinating and defecation, vomiting, coughing, shortness of breath, hot and dry nose, increased thirst, dull coat, severe uncontrollable shedding, as well as other cat health problems – all this is a serious reason to contact the veterinarian.

    Do not ignore any deviations in the behavior and well-being of the cat from the norm. The sooner you contact your veterinarian, the better and more effective the treatment will be.

    Normal physiological manifestations of a cat are a cold and slightly damp nose, even breathing, rectal temperature ranges from 38-39 ° C, pulse 110-130 beats, in kittens – 170-200 beats per minute. A cat’s estrus passes 2-4 times a year for 4-10 days, the gestation period is 59-65 days, on average 62 days.

    A healthy cat is energetic, her eyes are sparkling, she has a good appetite and mood.

    Of course, the cat also has its own internal reserves, which allow it to heal itself, there are whole legends about the survivability of a cat. So, for example, cat saliva contains a special substance – lysozyme, the action of which contributes to the healing of wounds and cuts.

    You have probably noticed that street cats sometimes eat grass, the cat finds a special grass that helps her correct her digestive problems.

    Nevertheless, there are numerous diseases that a cat cannot resist, relying only on its internal reserves, so you need to contact the veterinarian for an examination in time.

    This means that in order to protect the health of your pet, you need to carry out a preventive examination of the animal at the veterinarian, and not only take him to an appointment with a specialist when signs of illness appear. Despite your love and attention, you are not a specialist and you may not notice signs of a cat’s disease. In addition, many diseases may not manifest themselves externally or in the nature of the cat’s behavior.

    By the way, be sure to get a kitten a veterinary passport. It records all the vaccinations that were made to the pet, notes on chipping and other information that will be recorded in the passport throughout the life of the cat.

    The animal is vaccinated annually. But you need to drive your pet for inspection at least once every three months.

    Preventive examination will significantly reduce the risks of diseases of internal organs, hair, teeth, and so on.

    In many ways, the frequency of visits to the veterinarian depends on how often your pet is on the street. In late spring and early summer, it is especially important to take your pet to the veterinarian, since during this period, ticks, fleas, and helminths are especially active. Drops and collars specially selected by a veterinarian will help protect your pet.

    Now let’s talk about the most important factor in the health of cats – nutrition!

    Any veterinarian will tell you that a cat’s nutrition is the most important pillar of its health. It is nutrition that fills the cat’s body with the necessary energy for life. The quality of the kitten’s nutrition determines the health of the cat for the rest of its life. But even in adulthood, the absence of problems due to various diseases caused by malnutrition depends on how properly and balanced the pet’s nutrition is.

    Many diseases can be caused by malnutrition. Feeding the pet with the leftovers from his table, the owner does not understand how much damage he causes to the health of his pet.

    The digestive systems of cats and humans are different. The combination of foods and dishes that are familiar to humans can cause indigestion and even allergic reactions in a cat.

    In cat food, proteins, fats, vitamins and trace elements must be properly balanced. Do not forget that the nutrition of a kitten, a mature and an elderly cat should be different. That is why the age of the pet for which this food was developed is indicated on the packaging of professional food. In addition to age, the pet’s lifestyle is also taken into account, how active it is. Fortified food for a lazy couch potato can cause obesity, while an insufficiently nutritious food for an active cat can threaten her with malnutrition.
    Today the market is replete with a variety of animal feed. However, do not chase cheapness. Remember that an animal’s health is in the bowl. Choose feed from trusted manufacturers, those companies that are not chasing super profits by reducing the cost of the production process, introducing cheap substitutes and dangerous chemicals into the feed.

    Choose those who value the reputation of conscientious manufacturers of high-quality, natural and healthy food.

    In addition to high-quality food, provide the cat with places for outdoor games. An active lifestyle will help your pet to keep his physical shape in good condition. Arrange different platforms, shelves, minks where a cat can jump, climb, squeeze. Play with the cat, it allows you to establish friendships and stir up your pet, allowing him to practice his hunting skills.

    Thanks to physical activity, the muscular system is maintained, blood circulation improves, congestion is removed.

    You also need to know that cats are prone to stress.

    The most important reason that can cause stress in a cat is a change in environment. If you move, make repairs in the apartment or you have any changes in your usual way of life, especially concerning the personal space of your pet, then all this can negatively affect the mood and well-being of the cat, increase its irritability, or vice versa cause passivity and apathy.

    Such changes are perceived by the cat as a threat to its safety. Manifestations of stress can vary from cat to cat. At the same time, the same reasons for some cats may be completely unimportant, while in other cats they can cause a strong negative reaction.

    In addition to interfering with the cat’s personal space, loneliness can become a cause of stress. Everyone knows the saying that a cat walks by itself. Don’t let her independent appearance fool you, it doesn’t mean at all that your cat doesn’t need affection and attention from you.

    A cat is a living being, it also needs communication. In the space of the apartment, she will seek communication with all its inhabitants.