Typical Cat Health Problems and Cures

Healthy Cats

If you are new to owning a cat, you may be surprised to find that health problems are a common thing.

No matter what breed of cat you own, cat health is one of the major topics you will have to know about.  With any breed certain problems are to be expected. Some may be hereditary, while others can easily be prevented. Worms are a common and recurring problem for every breed of cat.

Cats are more susceptible to getting Tapeworms, Roundworms and Hookworms. Cats who have problems gaining weight, problems with fleas, or if you find white specks in his stool, you should have your vet test him for worms. Worms have been proven to be fatal if not treated correctly, so always remember to use the medicine prescribed.

Hairballs are the most common health problem for cats. Cats clean themselves every day, and they swallow the hair that they shed. On occasion, this loose hair will gather into a ball and become lodged in the digestive tract instead of passing through in your cats stool. When your cat starts to cough and hack, he is normally coughing up a hairball - as a popular cat owner manual confirmed recently. Although it is kind of gross, cats can usually get rid of the hairballs without difficulty. In rare cases, a hairball can pass through to a cats intestine, creating a blockage.

Blockages are not to be ignored, since they can kill you if left untreated. If your cat becomes constipated, isnt eating properly, or has a very dull coat, he could have a blockage. Seek veterinary assistance immediately if any of the symptoms listed appear.

You can prevent hairballs and blockages by brushing your cat 2 3 times a week to remove loose hair. Urinary tract infection and hairballs are common ailments in cats. You can purchase food specifically designed to control hairballs.

Female and male cats can suffer from urinary tract infections, however, this is more likely to occur in male cats that have not been neutered. This problem is usually the culprit when your cat(s) suddenly stops going to their litter box. If a cat's urine smells unusually strong, the cat may have a urinary tract infection and should be taken to the vet. Your vet can treat the problem with medicine, and make recommendations to help avoid this problem in the future.

Feline leukemia was the biggest cause of death in cats in the past, however, these days, vaccines are available that can treat the disease. To treat the disease, your cat will need to be given the shot before he or she is exposed. Even though death doesnt happen immediately, cats that are exposed to feline leukemia normally don't have a long life span. If you know your cat has feline leukemia, you should never allow other cats around him, as the virus is highly contagious.

To protect your cat, you should always make sure that you take him to the vet for his regular check ups. If you keep him up to date on his vaccinations, he should lead a healthy and productive life. Although some health problems can't be avoided, most of them can. If you take cat care seriously, take him to the vet and keep him healthy he will be your companion for years to come.