Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cats

PawTracks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

8 essential things you should be doing now to promote cat health

By

Here at Pawtracks, we believe sharing your home with any animal enriches your life and makes you a happier, healthier person, and research agrees. But did you know that cats might actually be better for your health than dogs? According to a University of Minnesota study, owning a cat lowers your risk of suffering from a heart attack by an impressive 30 percent, while owning a dog decreases your risk by just 11 percent.

(Don’t worry, dog lovers. Research shows you’re still happier and healthier than people who don’t own any pets.) 

Recommended Videos

Considering how much your cat improves your health, it’s only fair for you to keep a close eye on her well-being. We’re here to help, so we’ve compiled a list of the most common forms of cat illness and what you can do to promote cat health. 

A blonde woman wearing a purple sweatshirt holds a tabby kitten in her arms.
Japheth Mast / Unsplash

#1: Monitor your cat’s weight and activity level

While obesity is more common in older cats, any cat with an imbalance between their diet and exercise level can begin to pack on the pounds. Just like with humans, weight gain in cats is caused by eating more calories than they burn. However, weight gain can also be a symptom of medical conditions like hypothyroidism, and it can be indicative of pregnancy in unspayed female cats. 

Cancerous tumors in the abdomen might also be mistaken for weight gain, so we recommend taking your cat in for a checkup if you notice she’s starting to look chunky. Feed your cat a nutrient-dense diet, and make sure to engage in daily play sessions to help keep her active. Toys and climbing posts, such as cat trees, also encourage your cat to spend more time playing and less time napping. 

#2: Keep your cat indoors and away from stray and feral cats

As a cat parent, one of the most frightening diagnoses you can hear is that your cat has feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). FIV is transmitted via bite wounds from an FIV-positive cat. Contrary to popular belief, the experts at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine can offer reassurance: Sharing food and water with an FIV-positive cat isn’t an effective way of spreading the virus. 

#3: Watch out for gastrointestinal issues

The occasional bout of stomach upset is no big deal. But if your cat frequently experiences diarrhea or vomiting, it’s time for a trip to the vet. Gastrointestinal distress may indicate a food sensitivity, but it can also be a symptom of a much more serious medical condition: cancer. Although older cats are more likely to develop cancer, it can strike at any age. Other symptoms include lumps, changes in bathroom habits, unexplained wounds, and loss of appetite. 

#4: Maintain a clean litter box

Kidney disease most often strikes older cats – a mere 10 percent of younger cats are impacted – but there are things you can do to help prevent kidney disease. Keep toxins like antifreeze (and toxic plants like calla lilies) out of your home, make sure your cat has plenty of clean water, and keep her litter box as clean as possible. Cats will refuse to urinate in a dirty litter box, and holding her urine can contribute to kidney problems. 

A closeup of a peach and gray calico cat with amber eyes.
Ruditahputih / Shutterstock

#5: Keep a flea-free home

Fleas are one of the most annoying pests in the world. Unfortunately, they’re also one of the most common. Research indicates that the majority of cats become infested with fleas as kittens. But we have some good news: You don’t have to live with fleas. Using a flea and tick preventative, keeping your cat indoors, and regularly treating your lawn to ward off these pesky pests can allow you – and your cat – to live flea-free. 

#6: Be on the lookout for mosquitoes

While heartworms are much more common in dogs, studies show that heartworm disease is more prevalent in cats than previously believed. Dishearteningly, around one-third of cats infected with heartworms live exclusively indoors. Transmitted through mosquito bites, infected larvae reach a cat’s heart and lungs, leading to cardiac symptoms like rapid heart rate, and pulmonary symptoms such as chylothorax, a buildup of fluid around the lungs. 

#7: Don’t forget to brush your cat’s teeth

Dental health is crucially important to your cat’s overall health. Worryingly, an estimated 50 to 90 percent of cats age four and older suffer from some form of dental disease. Regularly brushing your cat’s teeth is the best way to prevent plaque buildup, the root cause of gingivitis. If left untreated, gingivitis progresses into periodontitis, an irreversible condition that can lead to tooth loss, bone loss, and it can even reduce your cat’s lifespan. 

#8: Watch your cat’s carb count

As obligate carnivores, cats aren’t equipped to ingest significant amounts of carbohydrates. Feeding your cat a low-carb, protein-rich diet is essential for your fur baby’s well-being. Not only does a nutritionally dense diet reduce the risk of weight gain, but it also helps prevent diabetes. Canned cat food is typically better in terms of protein, but its higher fat content can lead to weight gain. We recommend consulting a veterinarian to find the most beneficial diet for your cat. 

A tabby cat reaching one paw up toward the camera.
mdazad4399 / Shutterstock

Your cat is more than just a furry roommate, she’s also a member of your family. Your cat keeps your feet warm, welcomes you when you come home from work, entertains you when you feel down, and even improves your health. You can give her the same happy, healthy lifestyle if you follow our tips and take your cat to the vet for regular checkups. 

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Mary Johnson
Mary Johnson
Contributor
Mary Johnson is a writer and photographer from New Orleans, Louisiana. Her work has been published in PawTracks and…
Why do cats cover their face when they sleep? This adorable behavior, explained
Keep an eye out for these symptoms of feline sleepiness and discomfort
A white cat sleeps with a paw in front of their face

If you ever notice your cat sleeping in an especially cute or odd-looking position, you're not the only one. Most cats get comfy in unique ways -- whether curled up on top of a laptop or stretched out on their back like a dog -- but some feline sleeping positions are more difficult to understand than others.
For example, why do cats cover their face when they sleep? There are several noteworthy reasons, though it's up to you to decipher which reason applies to your kitty. The good news is that none of these reasons are cause for worry unless, of course, there are other unusual behaviors or symptoms present. If this is the case, please consult your cat's veterinarian instead!
If sleeping with their paws covering their face is all your feline friend is doing, all you need to do is keep an eye on them. If there is a minor problem going on, like seasonal allergies, you'll be able to notice and help your cat sooner rather than later.

Sense of security and comfort

Read more
Why do cats eat plastic (and when you should be concerned)?
The reasons for this behavior might be surprising
Cat in a basket with plastic bag

Cats are quirky — sometimes puzzling — creatures. Part of the fun of kitty parenthood is laughing off these funny, curious traits and perhaps looking into what each might mean. Is your cat staring at you because they're plotting against you? Why does your cat want to sleep on your chest? Does your kitty wish you would get back to the office already after several years of this work-from-home thing?

Often, these questions — and our search for answers — are all in good fun. Cats are cats, and that's why we love them. Yet, if your cat eats plastic, you might wonder, "Why does my cat eat plastic?" You'll want to get a formal answer to this question from a vet.

Read more
When can kittens eat dry food? The lowdown on what you should feed them
Tips on feeding your new kitten
A tabby kitten standing in a bowl of kibble

Caring for kittens is hard work, but it's one of the most rewarding experiences of a lifetime. Not only are you responsible for the most adorable little lives, but you get to watch them grow and thrive! Preparing to keep them fed and happy, however, is a lot more work. 

Just like human babies have different nutritional needs than adults, kittens have different dietary requirements than adult cats. With few exceptions, your new feline fur baby is considered a kitten for the first year of life. (Large cat breeds like Norwegian forest cats and Maine Coon cats mature more slowly and don't reach adulthood until they're two years old.) Have you ever asked yourself, "When can kittens eat dry food?" We'll give you the full scoop on what you should feed your kittens — and when to change their diet.
Do kittens need wet and dry food? 

Read more