To some pet owners their cat is just as important to them as a child. As a cat owner it is very important to know as much as you can about your pet. This is why it is good to be familiar with some common cat health problems. Housecats are one of the best companions one can have and are great hunters. Cats do not like to worry their owners. They tend to act like they feel fine when in reality they are under the weather. This is one of the biggest problems owner’s have because you can’t nurse a sick cat if you don’t know that it’s sick.
The best way to find out if something is wrong with your cat is to closely observe its daily routine. If anything seems off it would be best to consult a veterinarian. One of the most common cat health problems around is vomiting. Vomiting can be the result of anything from eating something that it should not have eaten to diabetes. This can leave your pet extremely dehydrated. Watch out for obvious symptoms such as excessive drooling or heaving. It may not be extremely serious each time your cat vomits. However, if it does continue it is best to bring a sample of the vomit to the veterinarian for proper diagnosis.
Feline lower urinary tract diseases (FLUTD) also makes the list of the most common cat health problems. This ailment is not limited to female cats. Male cats can also be affected by this sickness. Of the cats that visit the veterinarian, about 10% are infected with FLUTD. In most cases it was found that it was felines that were fed mostly dry food or cats that are overweight that were identified to have FLUTD. Some signs of this illness may include but are not limited to, lack of appetite, vomiting, dehydration and failure to urinate regularly. If at any time your cat stops urinating completely, call the veterinarian immediately. It is never a good sign if your pet cannot urinate.
Just like dogs, some cats also have fleas. Thankfully, this can be treated easily unless the case is severe. Constant licking, frequent scratching and bald spots are some signs that your cat may have fleas. There are many options for flea control. Never overlook this problem if you notice any of the symptoms because a flea can live for over a year if action is not taken.
Tapeworms are another familiar disease when it comes to felines. This can be caused by your cat accidently swallowing a flea. This type of health problem is found in your cats intestines and can grow up to 2 feet long. It may be hard to tell if your cat has tapeworms because the symptoms for this sickness can be as subtle as vomiting and loss of weight. Check for small, white, sesame seed looking worms around its anus. Before you remedy the tapeworms it is best to make sure your cat does not have any fleas.
Cats are just like humans. If you ever feel that they are not feeling well, the best thing to do is to consult the veterinarian.
