Cat Health Guide: Keeping Your Feline Happy & Healthy

🐱 Complete Cat Health Guide

Cats are masters at hiding illness, so knowing common health issues is crucial for early detection. This guide covers essential feline health information, symptoms to watch for, and when to seek veterinary care.

📋 Table of Contents

• ⚠️ Common Cat Health Issues
• 🔍 Warning Signs & Symptoms
• 🛡️ Preventive Care
• 🍗 Feline Nutrition
• 🚨 Emergency Situations

⚠️ Common Cat Health Issues

Condition	Prevalence	Risk Factors
Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)	1-3% of cats annually	Overweight, stress, dry food diet
Dental Disease	50-90% of cats over 4	Lack of dental care, soft food
Chronic Kidney Disease	30% of senior cats	Age, dehydration, genetics
Hyperthyroidism	10% of senior cats	Age, canned food diet
Diabetes Mellitus	0.5-2% of cats	Obesity, inactivity, high-carb diet

💡 Did You Know?

Cats are obligate carnivores and require a meat-based diet. Plant proteins don't provide all the essential amino acids they need.

🔍 Warning Signs & Symptoms

💦 Urinary Changes

• Straining to urinate
• Blood in urine
• Frequent attempts
• Urinating outside litter box

🍽️ Eating Changes

• Increased thirst
• Decreased appetite
• Weight loss despite eating
• Chewing difficulty

💤 Behavior Changes

• Increased hiding
• Decreased grooming
• Excessive vocalization
• Lethargy

👁️ Physical Signs

• Bad breath
• Dull coat
• Vomiting more than 2x/month
• Lumps or swelling

🛡️ Preventive Care

Essential Vaccinations

• FVRCP: Feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia (core)
• Rabies: Required by law in most areas
• FeLV: Recommended for outdoor cats

Recommended Schedule

Age	Care Needed	Frequency
Kitten (6-16 weeks)	Vaccinations, deworming	Every 3-4 weeks
Adult (1-6 years)	Wellness exams, boosters	Annual
Mature (7-10 years)	Bloodwork, dental care	Every 6 months
Senior (10+ years)	Comprehensive geriatric screening	Every 6 months

🍗 Feline Nutrition

Dietary Requirements

• Protein: 30-45% of diet (animal-based)
• Fat: 15-20% for energy
• Carbohydrates: Minimal (cats lack enzymes to process carbs efficiently)
• Water: Critical - cats have low thirst drive

🚰 Hydration Tip

Wet food provides essential moisture. If feeding dry food, add water fountains and multiple water stations around your home.

Foods to Avoid

• Toxic: Onions, garlic, chocolate, alcohol, xylitol
• Problematic: Milk (most cats are lactose intolerant), raw fish (thiamine deficiency risk)
• Dangerous: Grapes/raisins, caffeine, bones

🚨 Emergency Situations

Seek Immediate Veterinary Care For:

• Difficulty breathing or choking
• Straining to urinate with no production
• Seizures or collapse
• Trauma (falls, car accidents, animal attacks)
• Poison ingestion (lilies are extremely toxic)
• Uncontrolled bleeding
• Sudden paralysis (especially hind legs)
• High fever (>103°F) or hypothermia (<99°F)

Poison Control Resources

• ASPCA Poison Control: (888) 426-4435
• Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661