Cats make wonderful pets. They’re cute, cuddly, and charismatic, and definitely keep us smiling. Fluffy is easy to care for, but, just like any other pet, she is susceptible to illness and injury. In this article, a local Cherry Hill, NJ vet offers some helpful tips on keeping your kitty happy, healthy, and purring.
Good Food
Offer your kitty good, nourishing food and healthy, suitable treats. Portion control is a common issue with cats. Some of our feline patients have their owners trained to feed them on demand! Ask your vet for specific recommendations, including serving sizes, safe and unsafe foods, and, of course, treat suggestions. Let Fluffy’s doctor—not her cute meows—determine her feeding schedule.
Entertainment
As you’ve probably noticed, kitties are very, very fond of napping. However, Fluffy can’t spend all of her time sleeping. Your cat will be much happier if she has entertainment options, like fun toys, cat furniture, and a good window view. Playing with your feline friend regularly is also important. This will keep your pet active, which is wonderful for her physically. It’s also great for her brain!
Clean Facilities
Make sure to keep Fluffy’s litterbox nice and clean. Our feline overlords hate dirty bathrooms! Scoop your furry buddy’s powder room daily, and change the litter out completely every week. If you have more than one cat, you’ll need multiple litterboxes. A good rule of thumb is one box per furball, plus at least one extra.
Keeping Kitty Safe
Our feline buddies have big personalities, but in reality, they are quite small and fragile, and can easily be hurt. Kitties that go outdoors are especially vulnerable, as they are in grave danger from cars, weather, and other animals. We recommend that cats stay safe and sound indoors. Petproofing is also very important. Ask your vet for specific recommendations.
Veterinary Care
Proper veterinary care is absolutely crucial to Fluffy’s health. Your kitty should be microchipped, spayed or neutered, and current on recommended vaccines and parasite control products. It’s also important for you to watch for any potential signs of illness. Some common ones are hiding, poor grooming, vomiting, and litterbox issues. Contact your vet immediately if you notice anything unusual about your cat’s appearance, appetite, vocalizations, or behavior.
Does your cat need an exam, vaccinations, or parasite control products? Call us, your local Cherry Hill, NJ animal clinic, anytime!