Are you passionate about feline wellness and ensuring you have a healthy cat? In other words, are you smitten with your kitten?
At Space Coast Pet Services, we share your love for happy, thriving feline friends and could spend hours captivated by their adorable antics. While showering your pretty kitty with VIP attention is excellent for strengthening your bond, it also plays a vital role in monitoring their overall health.
Paying close attention to your cat’s behavior and physical condition can provide valuable cues about their well-being. To help you keep your cat looking and feeling their best, we’ve outlined key signs of a healthy cat and practical tips for maintaining feline wellness. Read on to learn more!
Physical Signs of a Healthy & Happy Cat: How to Spot Feline Wellness
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and that’s a good thing when it comes to feline wellness since your cat can’t talk. That’s right; since the cat’s got their tongue (figuratively speaking, of course), you’ll need to learn to read the signs to determine whether they’re in good health.
Here are a few quick key areas of interest:
- Eyes: Bright, clear, expressive eyes often signify good health. On the flip side, cloudy, red, and watery eyes may indicate underlying health problems, and discharge is worth visiting the vet.
- Coat: Healthy cats are fastidious self-groomers, often boasting a smooth, shiny coat. Dull, matted, or greasy coats, on the other hand, may cue you in that something is amiss.
- Mouth: You may not get a glimpse of the inside of your cat’s mouth easily, but a healthy cat should have healthy teeth and gums. Bad breath, chipped teeth, or swollen gums are all signs of deteriorating health.
- Weight: It’s not always easy to eyeball your cat’s weight and determine if they’re underweight, overweight, or just right, but you can get a general idea from the size of their belly, whether or not it hangs down, and how full they appear from behind when seated. If you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to call your vet and check!
- Movement: Cats are known for their agility, precision, poise, and power. So, if your cat seems to glide through their environment effortlessly, it’s usually a sign that they’re feeling great!
Behavioral Indicators of Feline Health and Happiness
Of course, your precious kitty’s appearance isn’t the only indicator of their general health. Paying close attention to their behavior may also provide clues, as happy, healthy cats often exhibit a handful of “cat” behaviors.
When watching your cat go about their cat business, ask yourself:
- Are they grooming themselves regularly?
- Are they playful and curious about their surroundings?
- Are they consistently using the litter box?
- Are they interested in engaging with you, doing things like rubbing themselves against your legs, sitting in your lap, asking for or accepting pets, or other social behaviors?
If your cat exhibits all or some of these behaviors, they’re likely communicating that they’re in good health. However, not all cats are the same, so it may not be noteworthy if your couch potato Maine Coone is more interested in dinnertime than playtime.
Understanding Sudden Behavioral Changes in Cats
So, the real thing to look out for is a sudden change in behavior. For example, a housebroken cat suddenly soiling your carpets, or an energetic Bengal cat suddenly sleeping all day when they always preferred hours of uninterrupted playtime instead.
Some sudden changes in behavior may indicate an underlying health condition, so it’s prudent to consult your vet and bring your cat in immediately if the vet thinks there’s cause for concern. As they say, better safe than sorry!
How to Keep Your Cat Healthy: Essential Tips for Feline Care & Wellness
So, what can you do to ensure your cat stays healthy?
Start by feeding a high-quality, balanced diet with plenty of healthy ingredients, vitamins, and minerals. You’ll also want to ensure your pretty kitty has access to clean water to stay adequately hydrated throughout the day.
Play with them, talk to them, and generally acknowledge them throughout the day. Your cat is your companion, so it’s only proper that you treat them like the royalty they think they are! Plenty of affection and play will keep them calm, safe, engaged, and healthy, too!
In addition to making sure you’re meeting all of their care needs, you’ll want to pencil in some time to take them to the vet regularly. Visiting the vet is rarely on your cat’s list of favorite things, but it’s essential to make sure they’re not developing any conditions that may complicate or diminish their quality of life as they age.
Maintaining Cat Health & Happiness with Proper Diet, Play, and Vet Visits
Knowing your cat is healthy brings joy and peace of mind, enabling you and your feline friend to enjoy your best lives together. Thankfully, several physical and behavioral signs let you know they’re feeling their absolute best.
And if they’re feeling great, we want them to stay that way! That’s why Space Coast Pet Services offers the best professional pet sitting services in Central Brevard County. We’d love to spend quality time with your pretty kitty whenever you’re stuck at the office, out on a business trip, or otherwise unavailable.
So, what are you waiting for? Contact us now and find out what makes us the best! In the meantime, tell your cat we said hi!!!
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