5 Common Mistakes Made By Cat Owners

All pet owners want for their furry family members is for them to lead a happy and healthy life in the home. Cats are notorious for their ability to hide when they're ill; symptoms of illness can be easily overlooked, making it difficult for their owners to know something is going on or that their cat isn't feeling well.

However, despite this tendency, there are some common mistakes you can avoid as a way to ensure your cat is healthy!

1) Not going to the vet regularly

Cats are commonly considered as the sort of pet that doesn't need regular visits to their local veterinarian. Despite outnumbering dogs as household pets, cats don't visit the vet nearly as regularly as dogs do. Cats are very much masters of disguising illnesses. Early symptoms are often subtle and hard to notice, especially in comparison to their canine friends.

Additionally, taking a cat to the vet can also be quite a hassle, influencing how often they visit. Conditioning your cat to their carrier is the most effective way to overcome the difficulty in getting them to the clinic. If this is an issue, discuss how to adjust your cat to the carrier with one of our veterinarians.

2) Overfeeding

A common mistake in cat ownership is overfeeding. Over half of cats are either overweight or obese, both of which put them at serious risk for a variety of health issues that can ultimately shorten their lifespan. Fortunately, with weight management, these issues can be preventable.

Cats generally don't need as much food as some imagine, particularly if they're an indoors only cat. With regular check ups, you can ensure your cats weight is monitored properly and adjustments can be made to their diets and lifestyle before any serious issues develop.

Maintaining your cat's weight is easy with the help of your veterinarian, so be sure to discuss it at your next visit.

3) Assuming hairballs are normal

The occasional hairball isn't generally a cause for concern. However, frequent hairballs, especially when accompanied by bouts of vomiting, coughing or gagging, could mean your cat is suffering from an underlying issue.

Cats with these symptoms can be suffering from several issues such as gastrointestinal disease, anxiety, allergies or skin disease.

If your cat is coughing up hairballs, it could be indicating something more sinister is going on and that a trip to the vet to have a check-up is worthwhile.

4) Not considering their dental health

Dental health is an important aspect of a cat's overall health, however, it's commonly overlooked. A large portion of cats over the age of 3 are already showing evidence of dental disease, which can lead to additional health problems later in life.

One way to avoid dental disease is to condition them from a young age to tolerate having their teeth brushed. If you're struggling to get your cat to cooperate with this new hygiene measure, check in with your vet for help and other options that can be provided to help keep your cat's mouth healthy.

5) Ignoring flea and parasite care

It's easy to think that indoor cats don't need flea, tick and parasite control. However, those pesky fleas and parasites can travel into your home through different methods. Not only can they travel on human clothes, they can also fit through tiny holes in screens and doors or travel into the house on a dog who might spend some time outside.

Mosquitoes can also put your cat at risk of exposure to heartworm. Parasite prevention is key to avoiding any complications. Ensuring your cat is receiving parasite prevention will keep them safe and free of related health risks.