Celebrate Happy Cat Month in September by Caring for Your Cat’s Health and Happiness

Those of us who love cats will be pleased to know that September is “Happy Cat Month.” Often in the past, cats have taken a backseat to dogs as the preferred family pet. Even medically, cats were seen just as small dogs, with little thought given to the unique needs of our feline friends.

Today, cats are finally enjoying the prominence they deserve in family life, and veterinarians are focusing on their unique needs. Here are a couple of thoughts on keeping your cat happy and healthy.

A healthy cat is a happy cat! Make sure a new kitten or cat receives an exam by your veterinarian soon after coming home

Every new feline family member should be examined by your veterinarian soon after or even before coming home. Many catteries and pet stores offer warranties, but most require a veterinarian’s exam within a certain time after purchase. Humane societies often partner with local veterinarians who offer free exams, usually within three days of an adoption.

Even if no warranty or free exam is involved, this first visit with your veterinarian is very important. The veterinarian will thoroughly examine your new family member to assess his or her health and answer any questions you may have. They will examine any available paperwork and vaccine history to make sure that your new pet has had the proper testing and is up to date on vaccinations.

All cats should have a baseline feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus test along with a fecal parasite screen. Cats need to stay current on vaccines, especially when going into a new environment. Your cat’s first exam can also serve to let you know if you need to schedule any other procedures, such as ovariohysterectomy (commonly known as spaying), neutering or dental care.

Protect your cat from parasites:

Parasites can cause a plethora of health problems for your cat. One of the most common parasite problems, and among the easiest to prevent, are flea infestations. Fleas are a significant source of disease for both humans and animals, and can cause a great deal of suffering for your cat.

When I began practice nearly twenty years ago flea control was one of our greatest challenges. Due to recent significant advances in flea medications, however, the task of flea control has become more straightforward. There are many very safe and effective flea preventatives, the best of which are only available through your veterinarian. An added bonus is that many of these new flea preventatives also treat and prevent internal parasites.

Ensuring that your cat is happy is a significant responsibility. It requires an investment of time, energy, emotion, and finances. Since domestication by the early Egyptians thousands of years ago1 cats have been the happy recipients of human care and interaction. Let’s do all we can to make certain that this healthy relationship continues for years to come.

1. CatsInfo.com


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