Give your cat a home health-check.
You don't need to wait till you're going to the vets to think about your cat's health. In fact, just like humans, prevention is better than cure and there's a lot you can do to prevent certain health problems.
It's all about monitoring your cat, and you are the best person to do this because no one knows your cat better than you do. So we'd like to teach you how to become the 'eyes' and 'ears' of your vet and give your cat a monthly check-up.
That way, you can catch signs of poor health and get in touch with your vet before it gets too serious.
1. Is she overweight, a bit tubby or just right?
Weigh your cat, and also look for changes in body weight by standing above the cat to see if there's a slight "waist" behind her ribs
Place both hands on her ribs - if your cat's at her correct weight, you'll be able to feel the ribs, but they should not stick out
Check for pouches of fat in the groin area between the hind legs and under the belly
If your cat is overweight, talk to your vet about a weight reduction programme. Cut out all treats and snacks out from her diet, and divide her daily feeding allowance into two to four small meals a day. Make sure she gets some exercise too, starting slowly with short activity periods and gradually increasing the exercise time.
Being under her normal weight could be a sign of illness too so if you feel that your cat has lost weight unexpectedly, you should visit your vet for a health check.
2. Are her coat and skin healthy?
Stroke your cat's coat - it should feel smooth from head to tail Part the fur near her head and along her spine to check for flakes, scales or cuts
If she's got fleas, you'll find black flakes or specks at the base of her tail and on her rump and stomach. (Don't worry; it's easy to treat fleas with shampoos, sprays, spot on preparations and powders.)
If your cat has a dull or matted coat, she may have a nutrient deficiency or a disease - your vet will be able to help.
3. How are her eyes and ears?
Eyes.
Gently pull down your cat's lower eyelid - the area should be pink
The whites of her eyes should be glossy white with no redness
Check if her pupils look a normal size and check how responsive they are to light
A coloured or excessive discharge from her eyes is a sign of infection
Ears.
Her ears should be clean, pink in colour (not bright pink) and free of dirt and strong odours
Check for wax, especially dark wax, which may be a sign of ear mites or infection
Visit your vet if you find any problems with your pet's eyes or ears
4. Are her teeth and gums healthy?
Lift your cat's lips away from her gums and press a finger firmly over an upper tooth. When you take your finger away, the white colour of the finger imprint on the gum should return to pink
Open her mouth to inspect all her teeth. Look for tartar build-up, which is yellow to dark brown in colour and may lead to gum disease. It should be removed by a vet
You can prevent tartar build-up by getting her teeth cleaned regularly by your vet or using specially designed pet toothbrushes and toothpaste to do it yourself. You can also try chewy snacks designed to eliminate plaque.
5. Give her a 5-minute once-over
Check for unusual lumps or bumps on your cat
Place both your hands on top of your cat's head and move them down under the chin, then behind the front legs, under the shoulders, down the back, over the hips, and down the legs
Inspect her claws and footpads for cuts or cracks
Report any unusual lumps to your vet
The most important thing you can do is to learn what is "normal" for your individual cat and her breed, so you can spot anything out of the ordinary during the monthly check. You can also ask your vet for further advice on this routine.
Source: Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition (WCPN), Leicestershire, England.