How to keep your cat healthier for longer

We all want our cats to live long and healthy lives. As a part of your family, you’d do anything for them, and one thing you can do is ensure they live their lives as healthily as possible. As their parent, you’re responsible for their well-being, so what exactly should you be doing to ensure they’re as healthy as possible for as long as possible?

Early days

Microchip your cat and register them with a vet

One of your first jobs as a new cat parent is to register your new cat with your local vet, get them checked over and fit them with a microchip. 

A microchip is important as it holds your contact details, so if your cat gets lost and found by a stranger, or it’s involved in a road accident and taken to a vet, they can locate you and reunite you with your cat.

Take out insurance

Another important part of being a cat parent is managing the costs of care if your cat gets injured or ill, as these costs can often be significant. Pet insurance can also help with the cost of vet visits and other outgoings involved with cat care, helping you keep your cat in the best shape possible for as long as possible. 

Get your cat neutered

Not only will getting your cat neutered or spayed mean you won’t have any surprises when it comes to unexpected kittens, but if your cat is male it will reduce their drive to fight other cats, helping reduce their chances of getting injured or picking up diseases.

Vaccinate your cat

Ensure you take your cat to your vet for their regular health checks, as well as making sure they’re up to date with all vaccinations. Your vet will also ensure your cat keeps on top of their flea and worming medication.

Regularly throughout their life

Groom your cat

Regularly grooming your cat has many advantages — for your cat, it keeps their coat clean, smooth and unmatted, it helps breeds that shed their coat, and it means that you can keep a close eye on their health and any physical changes that might require further investigation by your vet.

Keep an eye out for behavior changes or signs of illness

Recognizing the signs of illness in your cat is key to helping them if they become unwell. Keeping a regular eye on them ensures you’re more likely to notice any alterations in appearance, coat, weight, fatigue levels, sociability, appetite and thirst, toilet habits, and general well-being. Any serious or sudden changes should be reported to your veterinarian for further investigation. 

Feed them a healthy diet

Feed them regularly

Providing your cat with a regular healthy diet is key to keeping them well-fed and at a healthy weight. Ensure you provide the same size portion once or twice a day, depending on your cat’s age, breed, health and weight. The most important thing is to establish a consistent feeding time and control portion size.

Snack sensibly

How many treats is too many to give your cat? It’s a question often asked by pet parents. The general rule is that treats should only make up 5-10% of your cat’s daily recommended calorie intake. As with all cat diets, this will vary depending on age and activity levels, but it’s important not to let your cat become overweight by overfeeding treats — including human food — as they usually have a high calorie content.

Keep them hydrated

Water is vital to cats, just like humans. Cats need to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water to ensure the correct balance of electrolytes to aid organ function, healthy digestion and the transportation of nutrients around the body. A lot of cats don’t like drinking water, though, but as a cat parent you should always ensure water is available for them, and keep an eye out for signs that your cat might be dehydrated, as it can lead to serious illness. 

Ensure they stay at a healthy weight

Making sure your cat doesn’t become overweight or obese is key to ensuring a long and healthy life, as being even slightly overweight can lead to health issues ranging from arthritis and joint problems to feline diabetes and heart health problems. Talk to your vet about your cat’s current weight and what’s a healthy weight for their age/breed, and feed your cat based on that advice rather than how hungry your cat appears to be.

Monitor their diet as they age

Older cats require less calories per day, as they are usually less active and rest more throughout the day. But they still require certain nutrients, and in some cases increases in these nutrients and decreases in others. High-quality sources of protein and fat become a priority, as well as plenty of Omega-3 and lower levels of phosphorous and sodium.

Keep them active

An active cat is a happy and healthy cat. We all know cats love an extended nap, but making sure they play, hunt, run, leap and move throughout the day will ensure they stay healthy into older age. Play is important for this — if you fear your cat is gaining weight, daily play sessions are key to help them stay active and lose the pounds.