Typical Cat Health Problems and Cures

Healthy Cats

If you are new to owning a cat, you may be surprised to find that health problems are a common thing.

No matter what breed of cat you own, cat health is one of the major topics you will have to know about.  Some problems can be expected in any breed. Even though some are easily prevented, others are hereditary. Worms are a common and recurring problem for every breed of cat.

Some of the most typical worms to infect cats are tapeworms, roundworms and hookworms. There are several symptoms that indicate your cat may require testing for worms including trouble gaining weight, fleas, or white specks in his stool. Although they can be treated with medicine, worms can prove to be fatal if they are left untreated.

Hairballs are the most common health problem for cats. All cats groom themselves on a daily basis, normally swallowing the loose hair that comes from their coats. Sometims the stray hair will become a large ball and get caught in the cat's digestive tract instead of passing through the stool. When your cat starts to cough and hack, he is normally coughing up a hairball - as a popular cat owner manual confirmed recently. Although it is kind of gross, cats can usually get rid of the hairballs without difficulty. In rare cases, a hairball can pass through to a cats intestine, creating a blockage.

Blockages should be taken very seriously, as they can be fatal if not treated promptly. If your cat becomes constipated, isnt eating properly, or has a very dull coat, he could have a blockage. Seek veterinary assistance immediately if any of the symptoms listed appear.

If you want to prevent your cat from getting hairballs and blokages, you should get rid of shedding hair by brushing your cat 2 to 3 times every week. Urinary tract infection, also a common health problem with cats, can be controlled by feeding him food designed to control hair balls.

Urinary tract infection is more common with male cats that havent been neutered, although females can suffer from this problem as well. When a cat suddenly stops going to his litter box, this problem is normally the cause. If a cat's urine smells unusually strong, the cat may have a urinary tract infection and should be taken to the vet. Your veterinarian can prescribe medicine to treat the problem, and can give you advice on avoiding the problem in the future.

Feline leukemia was the biggest cause of death in cats in the past, however, these days, vaccines are available that can treat the disease. To treat the disease, your cat will need to be given the shot before he or she is exposed. Even though death doesnt happen immediately, cats that are exposed to feline leukemia normally don't have a long life span. If you know your cat has feline leukemia, you should never allow other cats around him, as the virus is highly contagious.

To protect your cat, you should always make sure that you take him to the vet for his regular check ups. If you keep him up to date on his vaccinations, he should lead a healthy and productive life. Although some health problems can't be avoided, most of them can. If you take cat care seriously, take him to the vet and keep him healthy he will be your companion for years to come.