Cats are a wonderful choice of pet as they are very good at looking after themselves and can be playful, loving and great company. But, as with all animals, they can suffer from a number of health issues. In most cases these illnesses can be avoided with prevention, but there are also cures available.
A problem every cat owner will go through at one time is fleas. These tiny creatures lay their eggs on your cat which then transfer to surfaces such as carpets, furniture and beds. If you notice your cat scratching a lot or that you and your family have mosquito-like bites that itch it may be time to de-flea your cat and your home. There are a few options. Flea collars can be bought cheaply and will need to be replaced every couple of months. You can also use liquid treatments such as Front Line which are applied to your cat every 2-3 months. For your upholstery, use a flea spray and don`t forget to comb the eggs and dead fleas out of your cat`s coat.
Another common parasite with cats are worms. There are 2 classifications of worms that affect cats in the UK; roundworms and tapeworms. They are usually picked up from the prey your cat catches outside the house and are easily treated. Suppliers such as Panacur offer wormers that prevent and destroy all commonly found worms and most must be administered 3-4 times a year. Take care to wash your hands after handling your cats litter tray and food bowls as some cat worms can be passed on to humans.
Hairballs are literally balls of hair. As your cat washes itself it will ingest a small amount of hair which it then sometimes coughs up later as the hair is not easily digested. The cats that suffer the worst are long-haired cats and hairballs are rarely a problem. You can buy so-called `hairball treats` in pet stores which your cat will enjoy eating and then help break down the hair in the digestive system.
A less common and more serious ailment that your cat can suffer from is cat flu. The symptons of this are similar to a human cold. Your cat may have a running nose, be lethargic and can affect the eyes with ulcers. Your cat can be vaccinated by the vet against cat flu, but boosters will be needed. If your cat is suffering from the illness, take him or her to the vet for antibiotics and make sure they take it easy at home.
To ensure your cat will keep fit and love playing with you, quality cat toys offers a range of high-quality toys that will keep you and your moggie amused for hours.