Caring For Your Cat
Most pet owners understand that providing adequate medical care is one of the key ways to help ensure their cat’s health. Despite this common knowledge and the fact that there are 12 million more owned cats than owned dogs, the reported number of cat visits to the veterinarian has declined and cats receive less frequent veterinary care than their canine counterparts. Because cats are masters at hiding an illness, the American Veterinary Medical Association recommends twice-yearly wellness examinations. Diagnosing a disease early on usually improves the prognosis, lessens the cat’s discomfort, and costs less money. Of course, if your cat is showing any sign of illness or discomfort, you should contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Some people believe that indoor cats do not need vaccinations. Indoor cats are not immune to disease. A number of diseases are airborne (think of your cat basking in the screened window and facing that outdoor cat peeking in) or can be carried on their owners’ clothing. Rabies vaccination is required by law in Cook County and many other municipalities. Another area where cat owners tend to not be as vigilant as dog owners is in the realm of heartworm disease prevention.
The prevalence rates of heartworm infection in cats are significantly higher than the rates of feline leukemia (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), yet, according to the American Heartworm Society, only about 5% of cat owners use any type of heartworm preventative for their cats. Animals
acquire the parasite from mosquitoes, and, although outdoor cats are at greater risk of being infected, a relatively high percentage of indoor-only cats also become infected. It is recommended that all cats (and dogs) be kept on heartworm preventative, which can be obtained from your veterinarian in both oral and topical forms.
One commonly cited reason for not taking their cat to a veterinarian is that it is difficult to get the cat there! The process of “stuffing” your cat into a carrier can be stressful and exhausting for both you and your cat, but with a bit of planning and patience, you can train your cat to accept the carrier
(visit www.anticruelty.org/catsandcarriers for tips).
Any animal can be trained with patience, consistency, and rewards—your cat is not an exception. The hardest part of training a cat is finding a satisfactory reward that doesn’t quickly lose its desirability. Food is a huge motivator for most animals, but if you do use food as a reward, be mindful of your cat’s weight. Too many treats or extra food can lead to an overweight cat. Obesity is a common problem with cats, and, just like with people, is caused by too many calories and not enough exercise. Playing with your cat is an excellent way to encourage activity—chasing a toy or running to catch the laser dot can be entertaining for you and stimulating for your cat.
Toxoplasmosis, a parasitic disease that can result in miscarriage or birth defects, is often a concern of pregnant women. You should always discuss your health with your physician, but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, if you follow proper precautions, there is no need for pregnant women to relinquish a pet. Since cats can become infected by eating small mammals or birds, it is important to keep your cat indoors. Cats can also become infected by eating raw or under-cooked food, so feed your cat a commercial dry or canned food. Toxoplasmosis is transmitted through ingestion of infected feces, so clean the litter boxes daily and wash your hands immediately afterwards. It would be ideal if expectant mothers have someone else clean the litter box. Cover any sandboxes to prevent outdoor cats from using them as a litter box. Wear gloves while gardening or with any contact with soil and, again, wash your hands immediately after removing the gloves. Clean hands do save lives!
Many people mistakenly believe that an indoor-only cat does not need a collar and tag, but accidents happen—a workman forgets to close the door or a cat runs out the door during deliveries. If a cat is wearing a collar and identification, the chances of getting the pet back are greatly increased. Many people think that cats will not tolerate a collar. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association found that the majority of cats do tolerate collars. Only 3.3% of cats in the study had their collars get stuck on something, and the conclusion was drawn that the benefits of collars well outweighed any potential negatives.
Identification tags are important, but collars and tags may come off, so implanting a microchip is critical for permanent, tamper-proof, backup identification. It is crucial that both tags and microchip data are current—we see many lost animals that have a microchip, but their owners have moved multiple times and have forgotten to update the information. If you adopt your pets from us, they come with a micro-chip, collar, and tag!
Owning a cat can be one of the most rewarding experiences you have. If you are like most cat lovers, you will eventually consider your cat as a member of your family and develop a strong bond. With proper nutrition and routine veterinary care, you can help your cat live a long and healthy life. When you have questions, or if you feel unsure about your animal's health or behavior, always ask! The Anti-Cruelty Society's Behavior Hotline is here to help pet owners better understand their pets, and our team of talented veterinarians can always help answer questions about your animal's health. To contact our experts, email help@anticruelty.org or call our Behavior Hotline at (312) 644-8338, ext. 315 or ext. 343.
