Cat Health Problems
Keeping your pet cat healthy is usually not a complicated process. Most cats stay naturally healthy as long as you give them a nutritious diet, clean water, a comfortable home, and plenty of love and attention. But there are a few things you should do when you first get a new cat in your home that will help prevent health problems later on.
Getting the proper vaccinations have saved the lives of millions of cats. Vaccines have been developed that now routinely prevent once-common fatal diseases in cats, including feline leukemia, distemper, rabies, upper respiratory infections, and ringworm. While most vets agree that an initial vaccination is important, there is controversy over whether your cat needs regular annual booster shots throughout its life, or if the first shots give it a lifelong immunity to the targeted diseases.
Shots used to be given in the traditional fashion using a needle, but new vaccines can now be given through the cat's nostrils. Typically, kittens should receive their shots at between four and twenty weeks of age, but you should discuss the matter with your veterinarian and follow his or her advice.
Cats are vulnerable to catching colds, just like humans (but DO NOT ever give your cat aspirin, Tylenol, or any other human pain reliever or cold medicine). If you cat just has a mild case of the sniffles, and still seems playful and energetic, then the problem will likely go away in a few days by itself. But if your cat becomes listless, loses its appetite, or if you see a discharge from its eyes or nose, then you should talk to your vet right away.
Your cat loves to chew on greenery, and often the only thing it can find indoors will be your house plants. Unfortunately, some of these plants can be poisonous to your cat (and even if the plant isn't toxic, there may be pesticides sprayed on the plants at the place you purchased the plant that is harmful). It can take only a small mouthful to make your cat seriously ill, and if this happens, you need to take action immediately to save your cat's health, and possibly its life.
One way to discourage your cat from chewing your plants, even the ones you know are safe, is to regularly spray them with diluted lemon water. Your cat hates the taste and will learn to avoid the plants. You can give your cat catnip and other "cat grass" sold at pet stores to satisfy your pet's desire to chew plants. A beneficial side effect is that you cat's digestion will benefit, helping to eliminate hairballs. It's possible that your cat will occasionally throw up a bit of greenish bile, but as long as it doesn't do this constantly, it's nothing to worry about.
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