Do you take your cat to the vet every year? If so, that’s great! Proper veterinary care is crucial to Fluffy’s health and well-being. However, it isn’t always easy to notice signs of illness at home. Kitties are masters at masking their symptoms. (They actually do this deliberately, as showing signs of illness can attract predators in the wild.) Here, an Aurora, CO vet lists some ways for you to track your pet’s health at home.
Weigh Fluffy
A gain or loss of a pound or two may not make much difference for a person, but is actually quite a lot for a kitty. Weigh Fluffy every week or so. You probably won’t have much luck getting your cat onto the scale, so weigh yourself first, then pick up your pet and get back on the scale.
Offer Food/Water On A Schedule
Sudden increases or decreases in your furball’s appetite can be a red flag that something is going on with her. The same is true for Fluffy’s water intake, though of course she may drink a bit more when it’s hot out. Fill your furry pal’s bowls at the same time every day. This will help you keep track of how much she is eating or drinking.
Regular Brushing
Kitties are very diligent about keeping up with their beauty rituals. However, Fluffy can still use a helping hand. Brushing your furball regularly will help remove dead fur, dust, and dander from her coat. It also gives you a chance to check for lumps, bumps, swelling, cuts, and skin problems. (Bonus: it will also help prevent hairballs and reduce the amount of pet fur that ends up stuck to your sofa.)
Daily Litterbox Cleaning
Changes in the color, texture, amount, or odor of your cat’s waste can be indications of some serious medical issues. Scooping Fluffy’s box out daily will increase the odds of you noticing anything amiss. You can also try using a litter that changes color if something is off. Ask your vet for more information.
TLC
Last but not least, pay attention to your cat, and spend time with her every day. This will make any changes in your feline buddy’s personality or behavior much easier to spot!
Please contact us, your Aurora, CO vet clinic, for all of your cat’s veterinary care needs. We are always here to help!
