Complete Cat Health Guide for Every Life Stage
Many people consider cats to be self-sufficient, independent pets. But you might be surprised to know that cat health care requires just as much effort as dog health care. Because many cats are indoor-only, and they’re difficult to get into a cat carrier, some pet parents may try to avoid veterinary visits with their feline friend as much as possible. This can lead to an increased risk of illness and disease, as medical issues may not be detected as early as they could have been. It’s important to make sure that your cat has the proper veterinary care, vaccines, diet, parasite prevention, and mental and physical stimulation that they need from the time you adopt them. Here’s a complete cat health guide for keeping your cat healthy throughout each life stage. What Cat Health Issues Are Most Common? Although they can suffer from a wide variety of health issues, some cat health issues are more common than others. Here are a few cat health problems that are regularly diagnosed: Intestinal parasites Infectious diseases Inflammatory bowel disease Orthopedic issues Cancer Diabetes Hyperthyroidism Kidney disease While many of these can affect a cat at any age, some cat health issues (such as intestinal parasites in kittens and kidney disease in older cats) are mostly seen in certain life stages. Indoor cats do tend to have longer-than-average life spans compared to outdoor cats, but they are not immune to infectious diseases, parasites, and injury. They can still get fleas, accidentally get outside and come into contact with other cats, or even be exposed to rabies by a surprise bat in the house or a feral animal. How to Keep Your Cat Healthy at Every Life Stage Don’t let the amount of cat health information out there overwhelm you! While adopting a cat and committing to keep them healthy is a big responsibility, veterinary professionals are ready to educate and help. From taking your kitten for a vet visit to helping manage your older cat’s arthritis, it is important to keep in contact with your veterinarian and have your cat examined annually to make sure they are in good health. Kitten: 0–12 Months You’ve fallen in love with a kitten at the shelter and are committed to a lifetime of care. While having a kitten is fun, it can also be a lot of work. Here’s how to set your kitten up for success when it comes to vet care, dietary needs, flea and tick meds, and keeping them mentally and physically healthy. Nutritional Needs Your kitten has specific nutritional needs, such as more calories and protein to fuel those growth spurts. These needs can be met with kitten-specific diets. The number of diet options out there can be overwhelming, so talk to your veterinarian about their recommendations. A few good options are: Purina Pro Plan Focus kitten formula Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition kitten formula Hill’s Science Diet kitten formula IAMS ProActive Health Healthy Kitten formula Most cats transition to an adult diet around 10-12 months of age, but you should talk with your veterinarian about your cat’s specific needs. The most important thing to remember when transitioning your kitten to the adult stage is that they need fewer calories and less protein than they did when they were growing kittens. Food should always be transitioned gradually over 7-10 days, as sudden changes in diet can lead to upset stomach and diarrhea. Supplements Something that every cat struggles with at least once is the dreaded hairball. Brushing your kitten on a regular basis can help reduce the amount of hair they ingest. You can also use a hairball product such as CAT LAX to make it easier for your kitten to pass the hairball. If you notice that your cat is vomiting hairballs more than once or twice a month, they should be seen by their veterinarian to rule out any underlying illness. Medical Needs Kittens are tiny creatures that require a lot of care, especially in their first few months of life. Here’s what you need to know about their medical needs. Veterinary Care It is ideal to have your kitten seen by their new veterinarian within a few days of adoption, but at the very least, they should be seen within 10-14 days. Their first veterinary visit may be long, as there is a lot of information to go over. Your veterinarian will do a thorough physical exam that includes: Checking your kitten’s eyes and nose for any abnormalities or discharge Checking the mouth for any sign of cleft palate or unerupted kitten teeth Evaluating your kitten’s demeanor and gait for any neurological abnormalities Listening to your kitten’s heart and lungs to make sure there is no evidence of a heart murmur or arrhythmia Looking for an umbilical or inguinal hernia Taking a stool sample to check for intestinal parasites (may recommend deworming) Kittens should also be tested against feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV). These are both viruses that can be transmitted from a mother cat to her kittens, as well as from one cat to another via contact. Your veterinarian can perform a blood test to make sure your kitten is not affected by either of these viruses. Depending on how old your kitten was when they had their first vaccination, they will likely need to go see the vet every three to four weeks until 16 weeks of age or older. At this point, most kittens will be done with their vaccine series. Vaccines Vaccination is a very important aspect of kitten health care. There are many serious but preventable diseases that your veterinarian will recommend vaccinating against. While many shelters will give the first round of vaccines, you will need to take your kitten to the vet to continue the series of vaccines. Feline Distemper / FVRCP Vaccine It is recommended that all kittens receive the “feline distemper vaccine,” also known as FVRCP. This is a combination vaccine that stimulates the immune system against rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia. Cats should be vaccinated against FVRCP for life. Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) Vaccine It is also recommended that all kittens receive the feline leukemia virus (FeLV) vaccine. Both of these vaccines (FVRCP and FeLV) will need to be boostered according to your veterinarian’s recommendations. Indoor-only cats may not need to be vaccinated against FeLV as adults, depending on their lifestyle. Rabies The rabies vaccine is legally required in many areas, and kittens are vaccinated once for rabies at 12-16 weeks of age. Even if your cat is indoor-only, you can never completely guarantee that your pet will never come into contact with another animal that could be spreading rabies. Rabies is a fatal disease that can be spread to humans, too. For this reason, it is recommended that even indoor-only cats always stay up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations. Dental Care There is no exact answer for when your cat should have their first dental cleaning. Your cat’s veterinarian will check their teeth at their annual wellness appointments. They will recommend a dental if they note gingivitis (inflammation of the gums), tartar buildup, or any signs of infected, broken, or resorbing teeth. Your kitten should not need a dental unless they have retained kitten teeth that need to be extracted, or some other anatomical abnormality affecting their teeth. The best way to keep your cat’s teeth healthy and prolong the time between dental procedures is to brush their teeth daily with a cat-safe toothpaste such as Vetoquinol Enzadent. Spay/Neuter Kittens coming from a shelter or rescue are often spayed or neutered around 8 weeks of age. If your kitten is not already spayed or neutered when it joins your family, it is recommended that the surgery be done around 4-6 months of age. Female kittens can get pregnant as young as 4 months of age, so it is very important to spay them before this point, especially if they have access to male cats, to help prevent overpopulation. Other risks of delaying spaying and neutering include mammary tumors, uterine infection and ovarian cysts in female cats, and territorial marking and testicular tumors in male cats. Read the adult cat section for more information. Flea and Tick Prevention Your veterinarian will discuss flea and tick prevention at your kitten’s first veterinary visit. Most flea and tick preventatives are labeled for use at 8 weeks of age, but some can be used on younger kittens. Start preventative medications as soon as possible, as even indoor-only cats can get fleas, and kittens and senior cats are especially prone to severe flea-bite anemia (life-threatening loss of blood due to having so many fleas feeding on them). All cats, regardless of whether they go outside or not, should be kept on flea prevention year-round. Make sure that the dose of flea prevention that your kitten is on is still correct as they grow and gain weight. Mental and Physical Stimulation Kittens are a lot of fun, but they can also cause a lot of trouble if they aren’t given the correct outlet for their energy and curiosity. Cat-friendly toys that mimic prey species like birds or mice, and toys with catnip are encouraged: Frisco Cat Tracks Butterfly cat toy PetFusion Ambush electronic cat toy Frisco Brown Squirrel refillable catnip toy Do not give your kitten string toys like yarn or ribbons, as these are easily swallowed and can lead to an intestinal obstruction. Many kittens love laser pointers, and there are lots of dry food puzzles and foraging games that can provide both physical and mental stimulation: Frisco 2-in-1 laser & LED light cat toy PetSafe Funkitty Egg-Cersizer treat dispenser cat toy Cat Amazing interactive treat maze Kittens are often even happy with cardboard boxes or crumpled paper, so you don’t have to spend a fortune to have fun with your new friend. Scratching is a normal cat behavior that should be expected. Encourage your kitten to scratch on cardboard scratchers or carpet scratching posts from a young age so they don’t develop the habit of scratching furniture. Kittens and cats can be particular about the type of surface they scratch on, so try out different types like wood, sisal, carpet, and cardboard. Some cats will scratch at any incline, while others might want a flat or angled scratching surface. You may have to experiment to find what works best for your kitten. Adult Cat: 12 Months–8 Years Many people think that once their cat is done with the kitten vaccine series, he doesn’t need to come into the vet’s office again unless he is ill or injured. Nothing could be further from the truth. Cats age much more quickly than humans do, so they require frequent exams and preventative care to keep them healthy. Here are some tips for keeping adult cats in good health. Nutritional Needs The Cornell Feline Health Center estimates that 50% or more of the adult cats in the United States are overweight, if not obese, and need to lose weight. They’re consuming too many calories because people feed their cats too much food or too many treats. Most indoor cats don’t have to work very hard for a living, so they don’t need tons of calories. Your adult cat needs fewer calories and protein than he did as a kitten, so he should be transitioned to an adult cat food at 10-12 months of age. Cats are obligate carnivores, but they can tolerate some grains and plant material (think of the plants and grains that their prey, such as birds and mice, would have in their stomachs when ingested by cats). In the past, diets deficient in taurine have led to severe, life-threatening heart issues, but quality commercial diets have been formulated specifically to ensure that these basic nutrition needs are met. Here are some good options for adult cat food: Canned Cat Food: Purina Pro Plan Seafood Favorites variety pack Royal Canin Feline Weight Care cat food Hill’s Science Diet Hairball Control cat food IAMS Perfect Portions Healthy Adult cat food Dry Cat Food: Purina Pro Plan Focus Weight Management formula Purina Pro Plan Savor chicken & rice formula Royal Canin Indoor adult cat food Hill’s Science Diet Indoor adult age 1-6 cat food IAMS ProActive Health Healthy Adult cat food AAFCO Statement on Cat Food Labels Look for a food that has been approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) to ensure that the diet has the proper balance of nutrition necessary for your cat’s health. If you have further questions regarding your cat’s diet, consult with your primary care veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. Supplements Different cats have different needs, and while your cat’s diet should be nutritionally complete, some cats may need some extra help with things like hairballs or anxiety. Brushing your cat regularly and keeping her at a healthy weight so she can groom herself is your best bet for keeping hairballs under control. Sometimes even the tidiest of cats needs a little help with hairballs, and in these cases, lubricating products such as CAT LAX can be very helpful. If you have a cat that’s prone to anxiety, products like calming pheromones (Feliway) and calming chews (VetriScience Composure) can help for sudden anxiety triggers like fireworks, house guests, or road trips. If your cat’s anxiety is severe enough to lead to behavioral or medical issues, you should consult with your veterinarian for help. Medical Needs It is important to ensure that your cat is getting yearly veterinary examinations throughout his life. You’ll also need to keep up with your cat’s flea and tick meds and dental health. Here’s a guideline for your adult cat’s medical needs. Veterinary Care The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) and American Animal Hospital Association recommend that all adult cats have a wellness exam at least once a year. Some cats with health or behavioral problems may require more frequent exams. Stool samples should be checked for intestinal parasites every six to 12 months, depending on risk factors. The AAFP recommends annual blood work for senior cats, but routine blood work is also beneficial in adult cats. This can help catch manageable diseases earlier. It also helps establish a healthy baseline, so if your cat comes in ill, their blood work can be compared to the values when they were healthy. Your veterinarian will look for some of the more common health issues in adult cats, such as dental disease, obesity, digestive problems, and issues with skin or coat health (among others). It is also important that your cat be monitored regularly for a heart murmur, eye and ear health, digestive health, and internal and external parasites. Talk to your veterinarian about their recommendations for your cat, as some cats benefit from having lab work done more often than others. Cats with health issues and those on certain medications may require blood work more frequently. If the thought of getting your cat into a carrier has kept you from taking them to the vet, there is hope! Ask your veterinarian about a medication to give your cat before your visit to help keep your cat calm. There are also calming pheromone products and chews that you can use at home and in the car on the way to the vet. Vaccines All cats, regardless of whether or not they go outdoors, need to be vaccinated against rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia, also known as the FVRCP vaccine, or the feline distemper vaccine. All cats should also be vaccinated against rabies. Even if you can guarantee that your cat stays inside, you can’t always guarantee that animals such as bats stay outside. Adult cats should be vaccinated against feline leukemia virus (FeLV) based on risk. Cats that go outside and interact with other unknown cats are at the highest risk. Dental Health At each annual wellness exam, your cat’s veterinarian will examine their mouth and look for signs of tartar, gingivitis, or tooth resorption, which is a painful condition in which a tooth is broken down and resorbed by the body. Your cat’s genetics play a role in their susceptibility to dental disease, but the majority of cats are likely to need a prophylactic dental procedure by the time they are 3-5 years old. The Cornell Feline Health Center estimates that only about 10% of cats make it through their whole life without any dental issues. Because cats can’t tell us if their teeth hurt, and because they have to eat to live, many pet parents don’t realize how much dental disease may be affecting their companion’s quality of life. Many cats need annual dentals after a certain age, while some may need dentals every six months, and others every two to three years. There is no one-size-fits-all plan. Your cat’s veterinarian can advise you on the best course of action for your cat. While dental diets and treats shouldn’t replace regular veterinary dental care, they can help to decrease the amount of tartar and gingivitis in your cat’s mouth. Brush your cat’s teeth daily with a cat-safe toothpaste, and you can give the occasional dental treat, as long as you don’t add too many calories to your cat’s daily intake with them! Here are some options for dental diets and treats: Hill’s Science Diet Adult Oral Care dry cat food Hill’s Prescription Diet t/d Dental Care dry cat food Greenies Feline Tempting Tuna flavor cat dental treats DentaLife Savory Salmon flavor cat dental treats Spay/Neuter Cats can reproduce at a truly alarming rate, so it is recommended that they be spayed or neutered by 4-6 months of age. If they have not been spayed or neutered by the time they enter adulthood, you could end up with quite a few problems on your hands. The most obvious issue you might face if your female cat isn’t spayed is an unwanted cat pregnancy. While kittens are adorable, more cats means more mouths to feed, more veterinary bills, and the risk of an expensive C-section or medical treatment if something goes wrong. Another consideration for female cats is the risk of ovarian cysts, uterine infection (pyometra), and mammary tumors. Spaying is the best way to minimize the risk of these conditions. In addition, sharing your house with an intact (not spayed) cat in heat is not fun for anyone! Male cats that have not been neutered also contribute greatly to the overpopulation problem. An intact male cat is much more likely to spray and urine mark in the house, and their urine has a much stronger, more pungent odor than that of a neutered cat. Neutering is also the best way to eliminate the risk of testicular cancer in your male cat. Continuing Flea and Tick Medication Flea prevention should be continued year-round for adult cats. While your indoor-only cat may tremble at the sight of the great outdoors, fleas show no such hesitation at hitching a ride on your clothes or your dog, jumping through your window screens, or coming in through the front door. Heartworm prevention is also important, as heartworm is transmitted by mosquitos, and mosquitos can easily end up inside your house and stay around long enough to bite your cat. Apartment cats are especially prone to fleas, as you don’t know whether your neighbors’ dogs are on flea prevention, and fleas can easily jump off of a dog and under your door. Cats that do go outside or that live in heavily tick-infested areas also benefit from tick prevention. Have a discussion with your veterinarian about what product might be the best fit for your cat. These are a few options: Revolution Bravecto Seresto collar for cats Cheristin for cats
