8 Pawtastic Ways to Keep Cats Healthy

February is Cat Health Month in an effort to get cat owners to go to the vet for check ups! But what are some ways that you can help maintain your cat's good health the rest of the year??

1. Check On The Litter Box

When scooping the litter box, inspect the "business" a little closer for an abnormalities. While this is more difficult if you have more than one cat, you can at least know something is wrong with one of them. Whether it be little worms, diarrhea or maybe no poop at all, you'll know that it's time for a vet checkup.

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2. Grooming Regularly

You know those nasty hairballs your cats like to hack up on your bed in the middle of the night? Well by brushing them regularly, you're removing dead hair that they would otherwise ingest when grooming themselves. Plus you're able to get a closer look at their bodies incase of any abnormalities. When a cat gets older, they might also need more help since they can't groom themselves as well. A matted cat is an unhappy cat.

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3. Keep Up With Exercise

You can't necessarily take your cat on daily walks like you do with your dog (or maybe you do!) but cats still need exercise to prevent them from becoming over weight. Plus a bored cat is a destructive cat. Make time in our day to stimulate them with toys whether it be fetch or chasing a feather wand.

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4. Take Peeing Outside the Litter Box Seriously

Cats usually don't pee outside the litter box for no reason. More often than not, it's related to a medical issue. This could be a sign of a urinary tract infection or another medical issue that needs to be diagnosed by a vet.

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5. Invest in a Scratching Post

Not only does this help keep your couches from becoming a scratching post, it allows cats to stretch their muscles along with keep those claws nice and sharp. Plus, scratching on an appropriate surface helps them shed old layers of their nails.

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6. Dental Care is Important

Do you ever consider making a dental appointment for your cats like you do with your dogs? No? You should! Tartar build up can lead to gum disease or tooth decay. Tartar build up can also allow the bacteria to enter the blood stream which then contributes to a number of feline diseases. Schedule regular dental cleanings with your vet at least once a year to keep them in tip top shape!

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7. Spay or Neuter!

This should be a no brainer. Both males and females can suffer from a number of reproductive diseases. Females can contract ovarian cancer, breast tumors and uterian infections for example. Males may contract prostate problems and even testicular cancer. Plus an intact cat is more likely to try and break out of the house to roam and find a female to mate with. Also, for your sake, neutering greatly decreases the chances of your male cat spraying to mark territory in and around your home.

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8. Make Regular Vet Visits

Overall, it's your vet who will make the ultimate decision as to whether your cat is healthy. By scheduling annual visits, they can monitor any changes along with possibly preventing a feline disease in its early stages.

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