Cats were worshipped by the ancient Egyptians, and some would argue that they still should be. And it’s no wonder—cats are a great source of comfort for millions of people, both nationally and internationally.
Since February is Cat Health Month, we put together some tips on how your cat can live their best nine lives because there is more to caring for a cat than food, water, and a litter box.
Cats are twice as likely to lose their lives in shelters than dogs. Shelters don’t have the room to house every cat that comes into them, so when you are considering getting a cat, please visit your local shelter or non-profit organization like Simply Cats.
Introducing your existing fur-babies to your new feline fur-baby is a process. If possible, introduce them in a neutral place; if it isn’t possible, then introduce them in short time intervals. Make sure to pay attention to all your pets’ body language. If things get tense, separate them, and try again later. Getting all your fur-babies to cohabitate successfully will be worth the time in the end.
About 60% of house cats in America are obese or overweight, which puts those cats at a greater risk for diabetes, liver disease, arthritis, and more. Getting your feline at an ideal weight is in everyone’s best interest. Addressing excesses with exercise is great, but most weight gain is due to overfeeding, so make sure you follow your veterinarian’s recommendation on your cat’s dietary needs.
Cats are masters at hiding pain, it’s one of the survival skills inherited from their ancestors. Animals can suffer for months or even years from overlooked, easily treatable diseases. Yearly veterinary visits allow your cat’s doctor to do vigilant screening and find conditions that are simple to treat when caught early.
Ribbons and yarn are not toys; they are choking hazards. Yes, watching kittens and cats play with ribbons and yarn is hilarious, but it should never be done unsupervised. There are better toys for your cat to play with whether you are there or not. Puzzles and game toys can give your kitty hours of play while engaging their problem-solving skills.
If you grew up watching The Price Is Right in the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s, then you likely remember the host Bob Barker closing out every show with “Remember to spay or neuter your pet.” Those are good words to live by. Not only do you help control unplanned litters of puppies and kittens, but there are proven medical benefits to spaying and neutering.
We addressed this issue in one of our blogs titled “Why We Stopped Declawing Cats.” Declawing a cat has a lot of side effects, such as discontinuing the use of the litter box, increased back pain, and behavior changes due to the cat losing their primary source of defense.
We love felines and want them to live their best nine lives, which means keeping them happy and healthy.