10 Proven Steps to Keep Your Cat Healthy and Happy

In this article, I shared 9 ways you can raise a healthy cat.

Most ailments that cats suffer can be traced to the negligence of their parents.

I know that you love your cat so dearly and you would do all that is within your means to keep her healthy and happy.

Hence, I have put this article together to help you get there.

If you are ready, let’s get started!

How To Raise A Healthy Cat

1. Ensure That Your Home Is Safe For A Cat

Before you adopt a cat into your home, it is essential to kitten proof your home so that your pet will not have any problems.

Relevant steps you can take to achieve this are:

•  Get rid of indoor plants as they can be toxic – even if they are not, your cat can still chew on them. Remove the plants or keep them where your cat won’t find them if they are important to you.

•  Place cleaning chemicals and medications out of reach – cats are sensitive to smell and if you don’t apply caution, you may find your cat licking chemical bottles or medications.

•  These chemicals are harmful to your pet’s health so, be sure to keep them away.

•  Always keep your toilet closed – if it is open, your kitten may fall inside and you don’t want that.

•  Wrap the electric cords lying around – this is to save your cat from shock and also protect the cords from your cat’s bites. You can also hang the chords where your cat can’t reach them.

•  Provide ample space for your cat – it helps to give your cat an entire room. Then section it into segments: where he eats, plays, uses the bathroom, and a scratching post.

2. Consider Spaying or Neutering Your Kitten

Spaying means removing the ovaries and uterus of a female cat while Neutering refers to removing the testicles of a male cat.

These procedures have lifelong benefits including a well-behaved cat, prevention of hormone-related cancer, and dangerous infections of the reproductive system.

Spaying or neutering your kitten is also a good way to avoid overpopulation and unwanted kittens.

You can spay or neuter your kitten when it is as young as 2-4months.

3. Maintain Proper Hygiene – Teeth, Ears, Eyes, & Litter Box

A healthy cat maintains clean teeth and fresh breath.

Cleaning your cat’s teeth should form a huge part of your cat’s routine.

Brush your cat’s teeth daily but if you cannot afford that, do your best to brush them at least twice a week.

Most importantly, send your cat to the vet for professional teeth cleaning once every year.

Taking good care of your cat’s teeth will help reduce plaque and tartar build-up. And there are good oral products for pets that you can invest in.

Worse is when your cat digests bacteria from a dirty mouth. It can lead to other feline diseases.

Therefore, endeavour to clean your cat’s teeth always.

Your cat’s ears are also important areas you must clean.

Materials you can use are gauze (from the pharmacy) or cotton balls dipped in a veterinarian-approved ear cleaning solution.

Clean your cat’s ears weekly.

For your cat’s eyes, you can use a clean damp cloth to wipe off any dirt around her eyes. Do this every morning.

If you notice anything unusual in the process like smelly discharge or discolouration of the white part, do well to alert your vet.

4. Put The Litter Box In Order

The little box is a very crucial place when maintaining the hygiene of a healthy cat.

Ensure that there is a good distance between your cat’s food bowls and her litter box.

Place it in a quiet part of the room. Also, make sure the location is lightened and easy to get to. This will encourage your cat to use the litter box as expected.

Furthermore, be careful to note any disturbing changes when scooping your cat’s poop or watching him use the bathroom.

Is there blood in the poop? Does your cat frequent the bathroom without urinating much? Do you hear loud meows when your cat is doing her business? Then you should take her to the vet.

Moreover, it is recommended that you have an extra litter box in the house. And if you have more than one cat, each one should have her litter box.

To raise a healthy cat, make sure the litter boxes are always clean even if you have to clean them more than once a day.

Did you know? When your cat urinates outside the litterbox, it could be that he has a urinary tract infection or another medical issue.

So, do not assume that he is being naughty. Rather, report to your vet and find a solution.

5. Groom Your Cat (How To Raise A Healthy Cat)

Two things come to mind here: brushing your cat’s coat and trimming her nails.

If your cat is long-haired or medium-haired, do well to brush his coat daily. Where the cat is short-haired, weekly brushing will do.

Brushing your cat’s coat protects him from rigorous shedding and lice. It also keeps him fresh and free of dirt.

Secondly, do not fail to trim your cat’s nails when they grow too long. Once you can hear those nails beat against the floor, it’s time to trim them.

You can also choose to trim them monthly. Nails that are free of debris make a healthy cat.

Note: the best period to begin grooming your cat is at a very young age. That way, he will get accustomed to the sensation of the brush and nail clippers. Then grooming will not be a problem as your cat ages.

6. Help Her Maintain An Active Lifestyle

One of the ways you can raise a healthy cat is to ensure that you keep her active always.

Cats are carnivores, so it is their nature to run around. Try your best to create a playful environment for your pet.

Here’s a list of what you can do:

•  Give her lots of toys especially laser toys and toys at the end of poles

•  Find time to play with her

•  Introduce games like fetch

•  Adopt another cat (this makes for a natural playmate for your pet), etc.

Keeping your cat active will reduce boredom, stress, and the risk of obesity.

7. Feed Your Cat The Right Foods

Ever heard the statement, ‘you are what you eat’? It is very true for you and your cat.

Gratefully, different brands specialize in providing quality cat foods (both dry and wet foods).

Generally, wet cat food is preferred over dry cat food as it tallies more with what your cat would eat in her natural habitat.

If you are not sure who to buy from or what to buy, you can always speak with your vet.

The type and quantity of food that you give your cat largely depends on her age, size, and activity level.

Also, endeavour to feed your cat twice daily, 8-12 hours apart. This helps her expend the energy she gains from the food.

Additionally, ensure that you give your cat fresh water daily. You may have to refill his water bowl more than once every day so that she will always have access to clean drinking water.

Again, don’t give in to the temptation of feeding your cat from your plate. Most human foods are not digestible by cats and can cause stomach problems like onions, raisins, garlic, some nuts, milk, and chocolate.

Furthermore, be wary of giving your cat too many treats at a time. Be moderate in offering him treats so that he does not gain undesired weight.

If you prefer, you can also prepare your cat’s meals. But be sure that you are using the right ingredients.

You can seek advice from an animal nutritionist on the best ingredients to use.

8. Examine Your Cat Daily (How To Raise A Healthy Cat)

As you take measures to raise a healthy cat, it is wise for you to confirm that your efforts are being rewarded.

Listed below are important cues you should look out for:

•  Bright eyes – your cat’s eyes should be bright and clear. If you ever notice a discharge or crust in the eye area, inform your vet. It could be a sign that something is wrong.

•  Fresh breath – a healthy cat does not have stinky breath. Open your cat’s mouth every morning, white teeth and pink gums show that you have been doing a good job.

•  A bad breath, on the other hand, indicates a dental problem that you must address with immediate effect.

•  Good looking coat – a healthy cat displays a shiny, matt-free coat.

•  Healthy weight – always use the Body Condition Score to confirm that your cat is maintaining a healthy weight. Never allow your cat to be underweight or overweight under your watch.

•  Small and firm stools – if your cat’s stools are loose, it could be an indication of a digestive problem.

Do well to take a good look at your cat’s stools before disposing of them. And report any disturbing changes that you observe to your vet.

9. Visiting The Vet Should Be Top Priority

As a parent looking to raise a healthy cat, visiting your vet should be a top priority.

In addition to the general vaccinations, FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) test, flea and tick preventative, and deworming protocols, you should fix monthly appointments with your vet to ensure that your pet is still on the wellness track.

And whenever you notice any discomforting change in your pet’s behaviour, do not fail to speak with your vet.

10. Get A Pet Insurance (How To Raise A Healthy Cat)

Lastly, as you plan to raise a healthy cat, getting pet insurance will be very helpful.

Such that when your pet falls ill or is injured, you can be sure that she will receive optimum treatment.

And you will not be concerned with the financial implications.

Conclusion

Raising a healthy cat makes for a happy family member and better fur companion. You can follow the tips shared in this article to set your cat on a road to wellness.

We have now come to the end of our discussion on how to raise a healthy cat. I hope you enjoyed the read.

Do you have any questions or suggestions? Let’s see them in the comments section right now.

Also, share this article with other cat lovers on your list, thank you!