| If you are new to owning a cat, you may be | | | | tract infection is more common with male cats |
| surprised to find that health problems are a | | | | that haven't been neutered, although females can |
| common thing. No matter what breed of cat you | | | | suffer from this problem as well. When a cat |
| own, health problems are to be expected. Some | | | | suddenly stops going to his litter box, this problem |
| may be hereditary, while others can easily be | | | | is normally the cause. Another symptom is when |
| prevented. | | | | the cat's urine starts to smell really strong. If you |
| Worms No matter what breed of cat it may be, | | | | suspect that your cat has a urinary tract |
| worms are a very common and recurring | | | | infection, you should take him to the vet. Your |
| problem. Tapeworms, roundworms, and | | | | vet can treat the problem with medicine, and |
| hookworms are among the most common that | | | | make recommendations to help avoid this |
| infect cats. Cats who have problems gaining | | | | problem in the future. |
| weight, problems with fleas, or if you find white | | | | Feline leukemia In the past, feline leukemia was |
| specks in his stool, you should have your vet test | | | | the biggest cause of death in cats. These days |
| him for worms. Although they can be treated | | | | however, there are vaccines available that can |
| with medicine, worms can prove to be fatal if | | | | treat the disease. To treat the disease, your cat |
| they are left untreated. | | | | will need to be given the shot before he or she is |
| Hairball Hairballs are the most common health | | | | exposed. Even though death doesn't happen |
| problem for cats. All cats groom themselves on a | | | | immediately, cats that are exposed to feline |
| daily basis, normally swallowing the loose hair that | | | | leukemia normally don't have a long life span. If |
| comes from their coats. On occasion, this loose | | | | you know your cat has feline leukemia, you |
| hair will gather into a ball and become lodged in | | | | should never allow other cats around him, as the |
| the digestive tract instead of passing through in | | | | virus is highly contagious. |
| your cat's stool. When your cat starts to cough | | | | To protect your cat, you should always make |
| and hack, he is normally coughing up a hairball. | | | | sure that you take him to the vet for his regular |
| Although it can be rather disgusting in the end, | | | | check ups. If you keep him up to date on his |
| most cats can dislodge hairballs without any | | | | vaccinations, he should lead a healthy and |
| problems. | | | | productive life. Although some health problems |
| In rare cases, a hairball can pass through to a | | | | can't be avoided, most of them can. You can also |
| cat's intestine, creating a blockage. Blockages are | | | | keep your cat indoors as well, which will protect |
| very serious problems, and can be life threatening | | | | him from a majority of health problems. If your |
| if they aren't treated. If your cat becomes | | | | cat is an outdoor cat, regular visits to the vet will |
| constipated, isn't eating properly, or has a very | | | | keep him healthy. As long as you take your cat |
| dull coat, he could have a blockage. If you notice | | | | to the vet and keep him healthy - he will be your |
| any of these symptoms, you should take him to | | | | companion for years to come. |
| the vet immediately. You can prevent hairballs and | | | | We provide grooming for dogs and cats, and free |
| blockages by brushing your cat 2 - 3 times a | | | | pet grooming consultation services! Our pet |
| week to remove loose hair. You can also feed | | | | products include fashionable carriers, embroidered |
| him food that is designed to control hairballs as | | | | shirts, reversible raincoats, pet shoes, cotton |
| well. | | | | dresses, pet food, pet carrier, dog ribbons, and |
| Urinary tract infection Urinary tract infection is | | | | other related pet products. |
| also a common health problem with cats. Urinary | | | | |