The month of February is National Cat Health Month, and while we always think your cat’s health should always be a priority, we wanted to share some extra special cat care tips with you.
Let's dive into some of our favorite tips for improving your cat's physical and emotional well-being!
Pay Attention to Diet and Thirst
A cat’s diet and thirst haven’t changed much from their desert-dwelling ancestors–they’re strictly carnivores and need to get most of their daily water intake from their food.
Most dry food is made with too many carbohydrates, which can cause obesity and diabetes. High-quality wet food is the best option for your cat since it mimics their diet in the wild.
Let’s break down some food sources and their water content:
● Mice - 70% water
● Wet food - 78% water
● Dry food - 5-10% water
Cats need access to fresh water at all times to prevent dehydration and common health issues like urinary tract infections and kidney disease. If your cat paws at the sink or their water bowl, they likely prefer running water.
Here are some great fountain options for your home:
● Stainless Steel Cat Fountain
Give Your Cat A Clean & Safe Space
Even the most social cat will want a quiet place they can retreat to whenever they want. They'll be thrilled if you can provide a bed, cat tree, or window perch.
The litter box needs to be a safe place too. Consider getting a lidless one because cats need to be able to see around them when going to the bathroom–it’s a very vulnerable time for them!
If you have more than one cat, be sure to have one litter box per cat. It’s important that each cat feels like it has its own place to go to the bathroom.
Keep your cat’s litter box as clean as possible—no on likes using a dirty bathroom. And if your cat seems to hate the litter box, it may have an issue with the type of litter you’re using. Cats can be quite finicky about texture.
If you’ve exhausted your traditional litter options, try cat litter substitutes like:
● Shredded paper
● Wood shavings (avoid pine, it’s toxic to cats!)
● Sand
● Alfalfa pellets
● Horse bedding pellets
Enrich Your Cat’s Environment
If your cat is an indoor cat, they likely need some extra enrichment. Cats are natural-born hunters. They want to chase, smell, touch, and explore their surroundings–so make it as fun as possible for them.
Adding different types of enrichment toys and activities will keep your cat active and stimulated.
Some fun toys to try:
● Tunnel
Another important outlet to give your cat is somewhere to scratch, or your furniture, carpets, and curtains may suffer the consequences. Try placing scratching posts in high-traffic areas of your home, and if your cat needs encouragement to use the, rub it down with catnip.
Brush Your Cat Regularly
This one might feel like overkill since cats are excellent at grooming themselves, but brushing your cat one or two times a week is important.
Regular grooming sessions with your cat will remove dirt, dead hair, dead skin, and help cut down on shredding. If your cat is prone to hairballs, a regular brushing regimen will cut down on them developing in the digestive tract.
Make Annual Vet Visits a Priority
Annual vet appointments for your cat will give your vet the chance to catch any potential health problems early. Finding a vet you trust should be a top priority for you and your cat.
Vets will help you with vaccine schedules, flea and tick prevention, teeth cleaning, deworming protocols, and so much more.
Vets will also help you decide the best timeline to spay or neuter your cat. Spaying prevents uterine infections and ovarian cancers and reduces the risk of mammary tumors in female cats. Neutering will reduce a male cat’s urge to roam and mark territory.