Here are a few tips to help you monitor the ongoing health of your cat. Early intervention when there is a health issue can make a real difference to recovery and will generally improve quality of life.
- Eating and drinking.
Most cats have a consistency to their appetite with which you will become familiar. If appetite is poor for more than a day or two, then you should contact us to arrange a consultation. Similarly daily water intake should not fluctuate substantially without good cause e.g. hot weather or changed diet. Occasionally you may find that your cat will eat grass. This on its own may be a normal activity but if accompanied by other symptoms may need checking out. Cats may routinely vomit up hairballs. This normal process can be eased by routinely adding cat malt
to the food or using a hairball control diet. - Faeces should be well formed with no sign of mucous or blood.
If your cat develops diarrhoea which persists for more than two days it may need veterinary attention, particularly if it has gone off form. The quantity and quality of faeces produced and amount of flatulence is largely dependant on the quality of the food. We stock great quality premium brands. You will notice the difference! We also stock probiotics for the natural maintenance of healthy digestion. 
The coat should be full and good quality with no flakiness.
There should be no sign of excessive thinning or patchiness of the coat or inflammation of the skin. Nutritional supplements are available to help improve the health of the coat and skin. Premium quality food can make many coats shine! It is also very important to monitor for fleas and ticks. Highly effective preventative ‘spot on’ preparations are available for monthly application.- Ears
Ears should be clean, with no malodour. Regularly examine the ears and monitor for inflammation or waxy build-up. Periodic cleaning with a solution to dissolve wax may be necessary. There are also very effective ‘spot on’ products for the prevention of ear mites. We will be happy to give you advice on which products to use. - Eyes
Eyes should appear bright and shiny with no sign of discharge or sensitivity to the light. Due to conformation anomalies in some breeds there may be some routine tear overflow or build up of mucous at the corner of the eyes. Ask us for advice if you are unsure. Lid margins should be smooth and the white of the eye should appear white. - Nose
Nose should appear clean, moist and smooth, with no ulceration or build-up of discharge. There should be no ongoing sneezing, coughing or wheezing. Some breeds are more prone to nasal congestion due to their conformation. Ask us for advice if you are unsure. - Teeth
Teeth should be regularly checked for build-up of plaque or tarter. We have a variety of products available to help keep teeth clean including dental kits as well as special foods. The gums should not look inflamed and there should be no excessive amount of malodour from the mouth or lips. Many cats need regular dental descaling at the vet hospital to prevent periodontal disease
and premature loss of teeth. - Nails
Nails need to be checked for inadequate wear as they can become ingrown or torn if they become excessively long. Don’t forget to check the dew claws which are located higher up on the foot on the inner surface. We supply nail clippers which we can show you how to use, or if you prefer, we can clip your cat’s nails should that become necessary. Nail quality can usually be improved by a good quality food or nutritional supplement . - Weight should be monitored closely.
A clear waist should be evident from above and you should be easily able to feel the ribs. There is no good reason for any healthy pet to become overweight given the right mix of diet and exercise. Neutering can sometimes cause pets to burn food more slowly, so it is important to adjust levels of feeding if bodyweight is increasing. We also stock low calorie and weight reduction prescription foods . Obesity can cause or exacerbate conditions such as arthritis, heart failure, diabetes, liver failure and difficulty breathing. Always try to encourage a healthy level of activity as dietary control is not enough on its own. Excessive weight loss or failure to reach good body condition can be a significant indicator of ill health and it is important that you contact us for a consultation to investigate further.
Is your pet a healthy weight?
→ Click here to check now! - Watch out for behavioural signs.
You know your pet! If they are off form they may show signs such as; not being as responsive as usual, reluctant to get out of bed, less tolerant of handling, more clingy etc. If such symptoms persist it is important that we carry out a full examination.
