PURRaffection

Posts Tagged ‘Cat Health Care Problems’

Urinary problems are amongst the most frequent cat health care problems our feline pets experience. Some illnesses, undesirable behaviours and diseases that we see most often in our feline friends are related to urinary problems. Cystitis, or Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease, spraying and kidney failure are some of the biggest urinary problems faced by cats.

Cystitis and FLUTD are umbrella terms used to describe the cat health care problem of inflammation in the urinary bladder. The symptoms include irritation and inflammation affecting urination, an increase in the frequency of urination and the urgency of it, general difficulty urinating and evidence of blood in the urine. The causes of this illness can be very varied but often food causes urinary crystals to form into bladder stones, triggering the illness. It is also the case that overweight cats, which are more prone to developing cat health care problems generally, are often affected. This problem can be easily treated by a vet.

On the other hand, spraying is more likely to be considered a problematic behaviour than an actual cat health care issue. At the age of eight or nine months, a male cat is likely to become more territorial and begin behaving in new ways. He will begin spraying strong smelling urine around your house to mark his territory. The smell is very difficult to remove. With this behaviour will come other masculine, tom cat behaviour, including fighting with other cats, which can cause cat health care problems: this can be avoided by neutering the cat.

Kidney failure is another associated cat health care problem which is commonly associated with middle aged and senior cats. This is partly because of the way cats’ kidneys work so hard because of the concentration of their urine and the infrequency with which they pass urine. It is therefore not uncommon for the kidneys of older cats to begin to fail. Renal failure causes cats to drink and urinate more and in serious cases, vomiting bile, appearing disorientated and losing weight are not uncommon. The causes of this particular cat health care problem can also be varied, including cancer, infections, ingestion of toxins or, sadly, old age.

Amongst the most serious cat health care problems in the UK is obesity. More cats than ever before are obese and the result is increased incidence of serious cat health care problems. Sadly, obesity amongst cats can be regarded as a vicious circle: an obese cat is significantly less likely to be physically active, meaning that they are more likely to remain obese.

This common cat health care problem is easier to spot than most others: all it takes is a careful look at the cat. Cats which have a healthy weight will have a waist just in front of their hind legs which is easily visible from above and if they are short hair breeds you will be able to feel but not see their ribs.

Obesity can be confirmed by a vet: the cat will be weighed and the vet will suggest a weight loss regime for the cat. Cat health care problems such as arthritis, heart disease, diabetes and breathing difficulties are likely to follow if the obesity is not treated. In short, obesity can kill a cat.

Owners can buy special, low calorie cat food from pet shops and their vet’s practice. Its important that we remember that any cat treats we give still count towards to overall daily intake of calories for the cat, so meals should be reduced accordingly. Similarly, it is important to remember that tidbits and human food leftovers could seriously upset the delicate balance of your pet’s diet. Many pet owners are not aware that their cat is being fed by well meaning neighbors, as well as at home. It is a good idea to mention the cat health care problem and politely request others do not feed your cat.

It is an important part of an owner’s responsibility for cat health care to ensure that their cat exercises and is physically active, but this is more difficult with cats than it is with dogs. Try to send your cat outdoors for some time every day so that it can take a stroll. Also try to spend more time playing with your cat. Toys like balls encourage cats to chase, which will boost their weight loss.