Common Cat Health Issues – H&S Pets Galore

5 Common Health Issues In Cats To Look Out For!

Cats are not difficult pets to keep as they know how to take care of themselves. They don’t require frequent bathing, for example, as dogs do. However, like any other pet, cats too can fall ill for many reasons. Below is a list of some of the common issues cat owners should be well aware of!

The 5 Common Issues Amongst Cats-

1. Vomiting- This is an extremely common issue amongst cats. Most of the time it can be harmless as it may be due to a simple thing such as hairballs or eating too fast. However, vomiting is also an important sign to look out for especially in case of poisoning, infection, urinary tract disease, liver issues, or even diabetes. It’s important for you as a pet owner to check the vomitus and its contents, whether it’s just a case of a hairball or it has blood or something else in it, and to keep an eye out on your cat as vomiting can very easily and quickly dehydrate a healthy cat. When in doubt always contact your vet!

2. Flea Infestation- This is another common health issue among our feline friends and it’s important to note it can be easily treated. If you notice tiny black spots like dirt on the skin, constant itching or licking, red irritated/inflamed skin with hair loss, or infected skin then you need to check and treat your cat for fleas. The issue is that these parasites can live for long hiding in the fur and leave your cat anemic which can be a major health issue in the long run. It’s therefore important to keep checking your cat frequently for fleas along with other parasites such as ticks and treat them immediately with the right treatment which could be in the form of oral or topical medication, powders, etc. It’s best to consult your vet before using any medication to treat your cat for fleas.

3. Tapeworms- Another common issue amongst our feline friends, that goes most of the time, hand in hand with the flea infestation issue! Tapeworms live inside the intestine of your cat and they usually get in there by swallowing a flea. They can grow as long as 2ft, however, when expelled they break in segments, and hence you most likely won’t get to observe a full tapeworm but only segments. Some of the symptoms to look out for are vomiting, weight loss, and bleeding from the anus. Always inspect your cat’s potty t& even its bedding and if you notice something that resembles a grain of rice or sesame seed you can be sure that it’s most likely a tapeworm. Consult your vet for treatment and the options vary from injectable, oral, or topical medications. And as this issue goes hand in hand with the fleas your vet will also treat your cat for fleas.

4. Diarrhoea– Just like vomiting, diarrhea can be caused by many things such as food allergies, intestinal parasites, liver issues, cancers, and others. Just like vomiting this too can easily dehydrate your cat, so it’s important to replenish the fluid loss in your cat. Always inspect the diarrhoea and its contents as well as consult your vet if your cat has diarrhoea that lasts for more than a day.

5. Urinary Tract Diseases- The FLUTD or feline lower urinary tract diseases are common and it has been estimated that as many as 3% of cats (both males and females) seen by vets suffer from this condition. This condition however is more common among overweight or physically unfit cats who mostly live off dry food. There are several other factors that can help contribute to this disease such as stress. The symptoms to look out for are excessive thirst, struggling or crying when peeing, blood in urine, urinating outside the litter box, excessive licking around the area, dehydration, vomiting, loss of appetite, depression, among others. If you know your cat isn’t being able to pee you should always call your vet immediately so treatment can be started early and it can thus be more effective. Also, avoid keeping your furry friend on dry food alone. Always balance with wet food and keep a bowl of water next to his dry food.

Want To Adopt? Fill Out The Form Below If You Are Interested In Having A Furry Friend: