Cats should be fed dry food and have annual scalds. 33 cats at all stages of life require veterinary dental care at home to ensure complete oral health, especially for kittens who retain milk teeth and have dental problems, and cats 2 years and older who have periodontal disease and other problems. 41 A wellness exam is an ideal time to talk about dental health. Sources: 1

If you bring your kitten to the veterinarian, you can treat your older cats with arthritis, but it is important to stay in touch with your veterinarian so that your cat is regularly examined to make sure it is in good health. During checkups, a veterinarian may detect conditions that may affect the health of your cats before they become noticeable, and if managed or cured, they may become less painful and less costly. It is also important to make absolutely sure that your cat has the right veterinary care, vaccines, nutrition, parasite prevention and the mental and physical stimulation it needs from the time you adopt it. Sources: 4, 7

Visit your vet for 10 ways to keep your cat healthy. To keep the teeth of your cat in the top condition, plan a cleaning at least once a year with your veterinarian. Most cats stay clean and rarely need a bath, but you should brush and comb your cat regularly. Sources: 2, 5

If you have a dog and a cat, it may be tempting to give them the same dog food, which is not good for cats, as cat systems rarely tolerate carbohydrates as well as dog systems. Sources: 3

Your new cat needs a separate food and water bowl and should be kept away from the litter tray to avoid contamination. You also need to ensure fresh, clean water and regularly wash and refill your cats. Give your cat access to fresh water at all times, especially if you notice that the cat drinks more than it eats dry food. Sources: 0, 3, 5

Your veterinarian will be able to assess your new kitten or cat to determine the best diet for them. Factors such as age, activity and health can make a difference in how much a cat eats. For the sake of the health of your cats, you should give him or her the appropriate amount and balance of a complete diet formulated for his or her phase of life (adults or kittens). Sources: 0, 5

Before you bring your new cat home, make sure you have all the basic supplies your cat needs, including a litter box, food and a scratching post. Cat owners should regularly clean the litter tray as it takes at least a week for intestinal parasites and eggs to be infected. They should wash their hands after contact with cat litter, feces, vomit and other bodily fluids. If you decide to adopt a cat with health problems, you should know that the cat needs to see a vet as soon as possible. Sources: 0, 6

Cats can become infected with heartworm, a parasite transmitted by mosquitoes. There is no effective treatment for heartworm infections in cats, so prevention is crucial. Heartworm disease can be diagnosed with a blood test and prevented by administering monthly medication. Sources: 6

New cats should be examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible and come home. If you see other signs of disease or have doubts about the health of your cats, contact your veterinarian immediately. Your veterinarian will be on the lookout for general health problems in adult cats, such as dental disease, obesity, digestive problems, problems with skin and coat health, and others. Sources: 0, 7

If you have other cats at home and the newcomer has no medical history and does not know how to separate the new cat from the other cats, your veterinarian should have had the chance to examine him or her. Changes in litter habits can mean a urinary tract infection of the cat or other medical problems. Fecal samples should be examined several times a day, especially in kittens and domestic cats, at least once a year, as cats are more likely to be infected with parasites outdoors. Sources: 0, 2, 6

If you blame an accident or the condition of the litter box for the naughty behavior of your cats, arrange a visit to the veterinarian. Visit the veterinarian with your cat to check for urinary tract infections or other diseases that could be blamed for the new behavior. Ask your veterinarian for medicines you can administer to your cat during your visit to keep her calm. Sources: 2, 3, 7

This is a personal decision that you should discuss with your veterinarian based on the health and happiness of your cats. If you say that your cat needs dental care, the veterinarian should explain the benefits of oral health to the client and explain what it is about. For example, a veterinarian may say that dental prophylaxis for cats is recommended every year from the age of one year to prevent periodontitis. Sources: 1, 7

On the occasion of National Cat Health Month, we would like to remind you that even if your cat does not appear to be ill, prevention is important. A veterinarian who specializes in cat health and anatomy can be a valuable ally when it comes to keeping your cat in the best possible health. The division of preventive pets health care into cat-like phases of life allows veterinarians to focus on specific physical and behavioral changes which are needed in each phase of life: congenital defects in kittens, obesity prevention in young cats, osteoarthritis management in older cats, and so on. Sources: 1, 2

Visit our People Food Avoiding Feeding Your Pet page for a list of prohibited items and our Cat Nutrition Tips page for more information. So that your cat can lead its best furry life, the veterinarian Jeff Werber from Los Angeles, who owns eight cats himself, offers helpful advice for pet parents. Read on for useful tips for new cat parents and for those who want to brush up on their pet grooming skills.

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