Seven Tips to a Healthy Cat

Despite being second to dogs on the favorite pets list, cats nonetheless have a faithful following of adoring owners. Cats tend to outlive their canine counterparts by a slight margin, with many cats living well into their teens, and sometimes beyond. With proper care, your favorite feline can be with you for many years to come.

1. Spay or neuter your cat. Although veterinarians and animal advocacy organizations repeatedly stress this, many owners still do not have their cats spayed or neutered. The argument that the procedure is cruel is a rather weak one, as allowing cats to breed dozens of unwanted kittens who will probably be euthanized is far crueler. Male cats who are not neutered will urinate on furniture to mark their territory, and can be very aggressive. Females in heat can howl incessantly. For your sanity as well as your cats', have them fixed.

2. Keep your cat indoors. A domestic cat does not need to go outdoors, and if allowed to do so, faces many unnecessary hazards, including other animals wild and domestic, fleas and ticks, automobiles and unfortunately, people who do not like cats. Feline AIDS is a potential threat, as is feline leukemia, which is actually contagious among cats. While having your cat vaccinated is essential, this will do nothing to prevent being run over by a car or attacked by a raccoon.
3. Exercise your cat. While outdoor cats face a variety of dangers, they do tend to be more active, and therefore lighter and more physically fit. Exercising your pet not only promotes better health for the cat, but allows you to bond with him or her. Some cats will run after a wad of paper thrown across the room, or bat around a ping pong ball. Others are perfectly contented to jump at a dangled shoestring or chase a belt dragged across the floor. If you like, buy a simple, inexpensive cat toy, or tie a string to a small stick, and attach a rubber ball to the end.