Common Cat Health Issues and How to Avoid Them 3

One of the most common problems affecting cats is an ear condition. This is caused by mites that can reside in the ear canal.

If you notice your cat’s ears are seeping a brownish discharge and they are scratching their ears constantly, they may be exhibiting symptoms of this condition. To avoid this potentially medical problem, it is best to keep your cat indoors as these mites come from contact with other cats.

While dogs can suffer from worm infestation, so can cats. They can develop tapeworms from eating rodents, for example. Tapeworms can be passed from cat to cat through the feces. Thus, it is important to check their stool to look for signs they are infected with these parasites. Visit a vet to determine course of treatment. Worms are particularly dangerous for kittens.

Just as humans develop allergies, cats also suffer from this condition as well. Fleas can cause a myriad of problems such as skin infections, tapeworms, and anemia.

The best course of action to prevent cats from becoming infested with fleas is to consult your vet to determine what type of flea protection is best suited for their age and overall health.

As with any pet, any change from their normal routine may signal that there is a problem. Keeping a watchful eye on your cat’s behavior and habits can alert you when something doesn’t seem quite right.

If your cat exhibits any sign that he or she is having a problem, it’s time to act.

What signs should you look for? A lack of eating or drinking is a clear sign that something is wrong.

If you notice vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, inability to urinate, sluggishness, scratching of the ears, eating problems, or any drastic change in behavior, and/or development of any lumps or sores under its coat, it’s time to visit the vet.

No one knows your pet better than you, so keeping a watchful eye on all of your cat’s activities will allow for immediate treatment before the condition becomes too serious. No cat should go longer than 24 hours without eating. If s/he refuses, bring him/her to the vet.

Your pet may look healthy, but it is relying on you to see the warning signs, and act fast to help it before it’s too late. Make sure no matter if you have one cat, or several, you spend time with each one every day, and note any change in habits.

FURTHER READING:

Pet Safety in Summer and Warm Weather

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