Q: How often should my cat have a checkup?
A: Your veterinarian should examine your cat at least once a
year. A senior cat (seven years of age or older) or a
cat with chronic problems should be seen at least twice yearly.
Q: My cat has problems with hairballs. Are they harmful?
A: If the hair that is swallowed collects in the stomach or intestines and
develops into a mass, it may be difficult for your cat to eliminate it.
Frequent brushing and hairball remedy will help prevent the problem.
Q: How can I rid my cat of fleas?
A: We are recommending that our cat owners use one of the topical
flea preventatives: Advantage or Frontline, also known as TopSpot. Advantage
kills fleas within 24 hours and continues to work for 4 weeks. (*The
canine product, Advantix, is very toxic to cats.) Frontline for Cats kills ticks
and fleas and is often used on the indoor-outdoor
kitties. Both products are topical liquids, which are very safe and
available from your Veterinarian. Again, never use products intended
for dogs on your cat. Revolution is a topical product
that provides heartworm prevention, flea control, tick control,
treats earmites, and the more common intestinal parasites.
Q: What can I do about my kitty's bad breath?
A: Bad breath is often caused by tartar buildup which leads to
secondary gingivitis and should be brought to your veterinarian's
attention. Your doctor may recommend a dental cleaning by one of our
qualified
veterinary dental technicians. Some viral and bacterial
infections can also cause bad breath. This condition should be
checked by the veterinarian.
Q: Should I declaw my cat?
A: Declawing is a procedure in which the last joint and claw are
surgically removed. Declawing can be done if kitty is going to be an
indoor-only kitty. If you decide to declaw your cat, it is best to do
it when the cat is less than 6 months old; it is much more painful for
an adult cat. Pain management is provided.
Q: Why does my cat knead its paws?
A: Paw kneading usually means contentment, for example a nursing kitten
will knead its paws against its mother's body.
Q: Why do cats purr?
A: Purring may be a sign of contentment, or may also indicate nervousness.
Q: My cat loves vegetables. Is it safe to feed him a small amount as a treat?
A: An occasional feeding of vegetables is not a problem. However, cats are
carnivores and require certain nutrients which plants don't contain. Feeding
a well-balanced, good quality diet is satisfactory for most cats'
nutritional needs.
