Celebrating Happy, Healthy Cat Month
Cats are widely perceived as being solitary, aloof, low-maintenance pets, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. They are inquisitive, affectionate, entertaining, and just as dependent on routine veterinary care as their canine counterparts. However, despite the fact that cats are America’s #1 pet, they receive less in the way of supportive medical care.
Fortunately, there are many ways to promote feline health and welfare. After all, a healthy cat is a happy cat!
The CATalyst Council
The CATalyst Council is a national organization that aims to raise awareness of the needs of our most popular companion animal. Through high-quality veterinary care, cats can live the longest, healthiest lives possible. The greatest thing about that? The human-cat bond can continue to thrive for as long as possible.
September is Happy Cat Month, and like the CATalyst Council, we encourage all cat lovers to ensure their cats are valued, protected, and content. The ways to do this are fairly easy and enjoyable – and the rewards are enriching.
Healthy Cat, Happy Cat
Protecting your cat’s health can be as easy as keeping them indoors. While this lifestyle certainly reduces accidental injury or exposure to illness, a strictly indoor cat still benefits from routine veterinary care.
Annual wellness visits for younger and adult cats ensure that they are current with necessary vaccinations and parasite preventatives. As cats age, they can develop issues related to nutrition, weight gain, and dental disease.
We love our feline patients, and are always happy to develop a cat wellness plan that works for you.
Feline Enrichment
Cats allowed to roam may be happier than indoor-only cats, but this freedom is not without risk. Fights with other animals, vehicle accidents, falls, exposure to toxins, and more are common in indoor-outdoor cats. But what are you to do about possible boredom at home?
- Play every day with your cat. Laser pointers, catnip mice, and feather toys can trigger their predatory instincts and keep them moving.
- Build a catio! These cat-centric enclosures offer the best of both worlds. They keep your cat safe while they enjoy the sunshine, fresh air, and bird songs. Outfit the catio with perches, nap zones, scratching posts, and a litter box. Parasite prevention, vaccinations, microchip, and spaying or neutering your cat are all exceptional ways to ensure a happy, healthy cat.
- Training your cat is a great way to stimulate mental acuity. If you opt to crate train, you not only help them learn that their crate is a special, secure place, but over time, they’ll learn that being transported to the vet isn’t the end of the world! Other training can include commands, fetching, toilet training (yes, it’s a thing!), leash training, agility, and more. The best part is that you and your cat can become even closer friends this way.
- New friends can bring a lot more fun and cuddles to the table, but it’s critical to introduce your resident cat to a new pet slowly and with careful consideration. Sure, they might be fine with a new animal in the house, but cats are highly territorial animals. If you have questions about how/when to bring your cat a new playmate, please let us know.
A Bright Future
At Sunrise Boulevard Animal Hospital, our team members are always happy to discuss the many ways you can provide for a happy, healthy cat. If you have additional questions or concerns, feel free to contact us.