Cat Wellness

Outfit your cat with a collar and ID tag that includes your name, address, and telephone number. No matter how careful you are, there's a chance your companion may slip out the door—an ID tag greatly increases the chance that your cat will be returned home safely.

Keep your cat indoors. Keeping your cat safely confined at all times is best for you, your pet, and your community.

Take your cat to the veterinarian for regular check-ups. If you do not have a veterinarian, ask your local animal shelter or a pet-owning friend for a referral.



Spay or neuter your pet. This will keep her healthier and will reduce the problem of cat overpopulation.
Give your cat a nutritionally balanced diet, including constant access to fresh water. Ask your veterinarian for advice on what and how often to feed your pet.

Groom your cat often to keep her coat healthy, soft, and shiny. Although it is especially important to brush long-haired cats to prevent their hair from matting, even short-haired felines need to be groomed to remove as much loose hair as possible. When cats groom themselves, they ingest a great deal of hair, which often leads to hairballs.

Set aside time to play with your cat. While cats do not need the same level of exercise that dogs do, enjoying regular play sessions with your pet will provide him with the physical exercise and mental stimulation he needs, as well as strengthen the bond you share.

A cat should be kept in a clean and safe area. A cat restricted to the house has the safest place in which to live. The cat put out to roam at night can be a nuisance to neighbors, a menace to sleeping birds, and a less satisfying friend and companion. The night prowler is also more exposed to injury and infectious disease. The litter box should be kept clean, removing feces daily in plastic bags. Studies have shown, cats kept indoors live substantially longer, healthier lives.

Rule one in caring for your pet’s health is choosing a veterinarian. Don’t wait until your pet is critically ill before you seek the assistance of a veterinarian. If your pet shows symptoms of illness, get him to the veterinarian quickly. Cats should have annual veterinary physical check-ups. Spayed females are normally healthier, live longer, and do not have breeding problems. Neutered male cats do not have the tendencies to roam, spray their urine, or pick fights with other cats. Never give your cat aspirin.