How to Ensure that Your Cat is Healthy and Lives a Long and Happy Life

Incredible advances in veterinary medicine are making it possible for cats to live longer, healthier lives than ever before. The quality of your cat's health is the result of a partnership between you and your veterinarian. You must be confident that the vet you have chosen will take good care of your cats.

When you first get your cat, be sure to have your veterinarian examine her within 10 days. In addition to getting baseline weights and measurements on her, your vet will want to check her blood and stools for illness and parasites. If you have never had a cat before, the first visit is a good time to get a demonstration in cleaning your pet's ears and clipping her toenails properly.

A proper diet and sufficient exercise are key factors in keeping your cat healthy. You must make sure the food you give your cat is of good quality to provide her with the correct amounts of nutrients to keep her systems running. If you are confused by the variety of brands of cat food available, ask your veterinarian for some help. Don't be embarrassed to tell him how much you are able/willing to spend for pet food. There are some excellent brands that are not very expensive, and some expensive brands that are not very good.

Exercise not only keeps your cat's weight under control, it strengthens her muscles and enhances her immune system. Some cats are naturally active. Others need anywhere from a little to a lot of encouragement from you to get moving. Set aside some dedicated playtime each day with your cat, and she'll be more inclined to get physical.

Yearly "well-cat" appointments with your veterinarian help track your cat's health. A thorough going-over under the vet's expert eye can catch early skin or eye conditions and other physical changes that you might not notice on a day-to-day basis. Blood and stool samples allows your vet to diagnose and treat disease and parasites before they reach a critical state.

The yearly vet visit is also a good time to mention any "strange habits" your cat may have developed over the last year. Often, these have simple explanations, but some behaviors, such as licking paint or eating strange substances can indicate a medical condition.

One of the most important aspects of the yearly vet visit is updating your cat's vaccinations. Even if you keep your cat strictly indoors, it is important to have her vaccinated against diseases such as rabies, panleukopenia, calcivirus, Chlamydia and feline leukemia virus. If your cat were to get out of the house and wander, she has protection against some of the diseases that cost less fortunate cats their lives.

How Do You Find a Veterinarian?

* Get recommendations from other cat owners in your area.

* Ask cat groomers or emergency clinics for recommendations.

* Neighbors or your local pet supply store may be able to make suggestions.

* If you've just moved to the area, ask your former veterinarian if he/she could recommend a veterinarian in your new hometown

The process for selecting a veterinarian is very much like choosing your own personal physician. You want to find a doctor that you feel comfortable talking with, someone who encourages all of your questions and supports you in all the health care choices you make on your cat's behalf.

Pet Medication Supplies can help you get the best possible protection for your pet. Advantix, Arthramine, Cosequin, Frontline, Heartgard - find the best deals in pet medication for flea and tick control, arthritis and lyme disease. Upto 50% discount everyday on brand names.


AddThis Social Bookmark Button


1-800-PetMeds


YourActivePet.com, Incorporated


____________________

Advertisement: SitStayFetch Dog Training - Click Here!

In The News:


Keeping your pets safe from holiday hazards
Buffalo News,  United States - 1 hour ago
By Denise Flaim Lost in the holiday shuffle are usually the family critters, and maybe just as well, lest anyone get the bright idea of making them wear ...
Williams: Having a pet-friendly holiday season Stafford County Sun
Top Six Holiday Pet Hazards NewsBlaze
all 3 news articles

How to protect your house and pets during a freeze freezing ...
Dallas Morning News, TX - 20 hours ago
Bring pets inside. Provide adequate shelter that is elevated and facing away from the wind for pets that must remain outside.
That's a chilling wind Waco Tribune Herald
all 2 news articles

Pets Found Emaciated In Folsom Foreclosed Home
CBS13.com, CA - 7 hours ago
FOLSOM (CBS13) ― A local man now faces charges for allegedly leaving his pets behind. CBS13 went to Folsom to find out how authorities found the pets just ...
Pets found abandoned in Folsom Folsom Telegraph
all 6 news articles

Social Release: PetSmart(R) Brings Comfort and Joy to the Holidays
CNNMoney.com - 16 hours ago
To give pets everywhere comfort and joy this holiday season, PetSmart offers holiday toys and pet-friendly festivities in-store and online. ...
Puppy bling? Kitty couture? Perfect holiday pet gifts CTV.ca
all 9 news articles

Examiner.com

Let's fund-raise the roof for pets
Examiner.com - 38 minutes ago
by Karen Lee Stevens, Santa Barbara Pets Examiner The holidays are rapidly approaching and you know what that means: a bit of the bubbly here, ...

Has Fido been naughty or nice?
Chicago Tribune, United States - 5 hours ago
Santa has been known to pose with a wide range of pets, from dogs and cats to ferrets and lizards. Big-box pet stores have been offering photo opportunities ...

Lydia Rippey students throw needy pets a bone
Farmington Daily Times, NM - 6 hours ago
Many schools hold canned food drives at this time of year, and Parker decided to organize a food drive as well — a food drive for pets. ...

Pets & Pals a safe haven for dogs, cats
Manteca Bulletin, CA - 3 hours ago
The love of animals is ingrained in Pets & Pals director Sue Molen - it all started years ago for her when she was just a child. ...

Pawtags® PAWS Alert System® Provides More Ways To Find Lost Pets
Inventorspot - 1 hour ago
by Lady Bee Pets can get tagged, micro-chipped, telephone-collared, and high frequency-buzzed to be located when they've wandered, but none of these methods ...

Pets also foreclosure victims
Charlotte Post, NC - 18 hours ago
by Herbert L. White With home foreclosure rates rising across the Carolinas, more pets are being abandoned as homeowners try to find accomodations for their ...
A Season Of Responsibility For New Pet Owners eMaxHealth.com
all 2 news articles
pets - Google News
Your Ad Here

Games at Buy.com

Holiday Home Store at Buy.com

The Background and Use of Clicker Training For Dogs

Presently, and throughout the 1990s a phenomena swept through the dog-lover's community. It was called "Clicker Training," and was implemented to teach dogs (along with horses and... Read More

How to Housebreak Your Dog or Puppy

Dogs are creatures of habit; and once they develop a habit, breaking it can be a long, frustrating process. Your dog needs guidance and encouragement from you... Read More

The Positve Benefits of Dog Day Care

Dog day care programs benefit the dogs of owner's who have busy lives and are not able to socialize and exercise their dogs. Owners benefit from a... Read More

Your Dogs Health; Why Dog Breath is No Laughing Matter

Your dogs health is important to you. You show her how important by keeping her well fed and groomed, making sure she gets plenty of exercise and... Read More

Bird Cage Stands

Like us, birds need variety in life. To be happy and healthy, they need socialization and exercise. This cannot be accomplished if they are cooped up in... Read More

Do You Enjoy Watching Your Dog Wear Handmade Dog Scarfs Just To Suit Their Personality?

Yes! We love our wonderful and dear Pooches! We care for them so much that we love to dress them up in all sorts of dog clothing.... Read More

Westie Pups - How to Prepare for Your Westie Puppy

Just like when you bring home a new baby, you will need to prepare before you bring home your westie puppy. The needs of westie pups are... Read More

Setting Up A New Aquarium

Location of your aquariumSo, you bought your very first fish tank. And you probably already decided where to place it. But keep in mind that a fish... Read More

How to Maintain Your Love Affair ... With Your Dog Part Two - Assemble a Great Team

In part one we talked about forming good behavior traits early. Part two focuses on the types of people you want on your dog's 'team.'Create a Good... Read More

Treat Fleas Naturally and Avoid Vaccinations, for a Truly Healthy Dog

An essential to your dog's health is his/her regular annual checkup with the vet. The vaccinations* which are given to your dog each year supposedly ensure your... Read More

Dog Lover Gifts

Whether you are searching for something to say "Happy Birthday" or "Merry Christmas" a dog owner will agree that dog lover gifts are always among those most... Read More

Leash Training Your Dog-Take The Time To Get It Done and Do It Right

Attempting to train your dog to walk on a leash may feel like you're a contestant in a tug-of-war contest. But, it doesn't have to. If you... Read More

Are You Feeding Your Cat The Right Food?

What should you feed your cat to make sure he or she will have the necessary nutrition? What is the ideal mix of food to help your... Read More

Protecting Yourself From Online Pet Classifieds Scams!

Internet Fraud, Classifieds Scams, Abuse and Suspicious Replies are world wide issues that have become widespread in targeting sellers and buyers everywhere specially on the Internet. Often... Read More

Syrian vs. Dwarf Hamsters, What Should I Get For My Family?

As pets go hamsters are fairly easy to take care of. Hamsters require no walking, are not particularly dirty or stinky, they are small and don't take... Read More

Universal Principles For Successful Dog Training

Dog training is not rocket science and is not as difficult as you think. It is certainly possible for ANY dog owners to train their dogs themselves... Read More

Canine Infectious Hepatitis

What is Canine Infectious Hepatitis?The word hepatitis refers to an inflamation of the liver. First reported in 1947, Canine Infectious Hepatitis (CIH), is a caused by canine... Read More

The Noble Skye Terrier

With ancestors who were a breed of tenacious terriers, most often used for ratting (hunting vermin), the Skye Terrier has become less a working dog and more... Read More

Rabbits As Pets

Rabbits are one of the most popular pets, apart from dogs and cats. They look attractive, lovely, gentle, friendly and cute. They are easy to take care... Read More

West Highland White Terriers- Fascinating Facts

West Highland White Terriers began their history as the undesirable white offspring of the dark-colored Cairn Terrier. With the dog's popularity today, it is hard to believe... Read More

Reincarnating Pets

It is always sad when a beloved animal family member leaves their body and goes into spirit. We call this death, but truly, no one dies. The... Read More

Dog Safety: How to Keep Your Pups Safe From Loss or Theft

According to the American Humane Society, just 15% of dogs in shelters ever find their way home again. Thankfully, these loved pooches had identification, enabling shelter personnel... Read More

Weaning Puppies Is Only Natural

Weaning puppies is a perfectly natural process. Mamma dogs have been doing it successfully for ages, so how hard can it be, right?But humans, not being dogs,... Read More

Water Chemistry For The Discus Tank

Much has been written about the Discus, or Symphysodon aequifasciatus, its Latin name. The Discus has always been given a bad rap for being hard to raise... Read More

Acclimating New Birds

Now that my services have expanded into the "matchmaking" business, it dawned on me that we need to talk about the transition of a bird moving to... Read More

The Gifts We Give Our Dogs

Whoever coined the phrase, "It's a Dog's Life" wasn't familiar with 21st century dogs. Time was when the average canine slept outside, ate whatever scraps of food... Read More