Common Cat Ailments
Cats are great pets. They pretty much take care of themselves, go to the bathroom in the litter box, and groom themselves. All owners really have to do is give them food and water, a fresh litter box, and a little attention.
Hairballs
But cats are prone to certain ailments, some serious, some just annoying. Cats commonly get hairballs. While these may sound awful when the cat is continually trying to hack them up, they are not usually harmful. Owners can give their cat special lubricant to help them pass the hairball through.
Parasites
Young cats often suffer from internal parasites like roundworms and hookworms. Ear mites are also common in kittens, as well as fleas. All of these can easily be managed with the proper medication.
Bladder Infections
Some cats are prone to bladder infections, and these can be more serious if not treated. To diagnose this, a urine sample can be checked by a veterinarian. Antibiotics will usually take care of the infection, but if it becomes an ongoing problem, the vet may have to do some more testing to see what’s causing the infections. Sometimes bladder stones trouble cats and need to be surgically removed or managed with prescription food.
Disease in Older Cats
Older cats often develop more serious diseases like diabetes, hyperthyroidism, renal failure, and even cancer. These things can be detected through blood work, and most diseases of older cats can be managed for months or years by medication or treatment.
Obesity
Another thing that affects many cats is obesity. Cats just aren’t very active animals. They sleep all day, they rarely play, and their favorite interaction with their owner usually involves sitting on their lap and being petted. Obese cats are more likely to develop diabetes, and they usually suffer from flaky skin and hair mats because they can’t groom themselves anymore.
Because of their sedentary lifestyle, it is really hard for obese cats to lose weight. Diet food, along with an encouragement to play or be more active, are the best ways to get a cat to lose weight, but the best thing is to not allow them to get obese in the first place.
An aware owner can spot many of these feline ailments simply by keeping an eye on their pet. If there are any concerns with the health of a cat, see a veterinarian for treatment.
