photo credit: Mandy Frediani

1. Cats need to be fed diets that are high in moisture , balanced for them and mostly meat. Cats are obligate carnivores and should not be feed diets high in grain or carbohydrates. Many feline diseases including diarrhea and inflammatory bowel disease are related to feeding grain to a body that was not meant to eat it. Canned food is preferred to dry as cats need moisture–after all they were made to eat mice which are mostly water! Feed your cat homemade diets high in moisture and less dry food that contains carbs.

2. Cats need a yearly examination at the veterinarian. Every cat should be examined at least once a year by a veterinarian. Cats are very good at hiding symptoms of illness and if they do not have regular exams some diseases may not be detected until it is too late. Yearly vaccines are not necessary but yearly exams are.

3. Cats are subject to heartworm just like dogs. If you live in an area in which dogs can develop heartworm, then cats are also at risk. Heartworm in cats is more common than most people think and unlike in dogs, even 1 heartworm in a cat can be deadly.

4. Indoor cats can get fleas. Fleas are common even in indoor cats, especially if your household also has a dog. If you have a flea problem, do not forget to treat your cat and use prevention for your dog and cat.

Cats are amazing and adaptive animals. We need to do the best we can when it come to their health!