5 Common Cat Illnesses To Watch For

Written by: Modi Ramos
| Published on December 8, 2014

No cat owner likes it when their kitty gets sick, but there are certain preventative measures you can take or things to watch for to try and keep this from happening. Cats can be like children to us, and we would hate to see our little one suffering–especially if it’s something that we “parents” can do to prevent it.

Here are 5 common cat illnesses to keep a look out for so your kitty baby can stay happy and healthy:

cat-14147_6401. Gingivitis

If your kitty’s got a bad case of halitosis, chances are you may have a case of feline gingivitis on your hands. Cats that have developed gingivitis may also have difficulty chewing their food due to swollen gums and possible tooth decay. Be proactive by taking matters into your own hands as your cat’s go-to dentist. Invest in a cat tooth brush or chewing toys specifically designed for cleaning cat teeth to keep feline gingivitis from happening.

cat-20773_6402. Parasites

These nasty buggers can come in a number of forms, and there are preventative measures that you can take as your pet’s owner to keep these bad news bugs from getting in/on your precious kitty. Whether or not your cat travels in and out of the home, it’s important to safeguard your pet with flea/tick/heartworm medicine as often as recommended by your vet to keep your cat safe.

10174141164_23dec15f4c_zSource: @Randi Deuro via Flickr

3. Urinary tract disease

Feline lower urinary tract disease, or FLUTD, can have a very bad outcome for your cat if left untreated. If you notice that your cat isn’t using their litter box or having trouble going, it’s best to take them to the vet as soon as possible to be sure that kitty is okay. If you want to keep a close eye on your feline friend in between vet visits, try Pretty Kitty Litter which offers at-home testing for common feline cat illnesses like UTI’s.

3036050726_d3a107f42e_zSource: @HelloMokona via Flickr

4. Obesity

Everyone’s favorite cartoon fat cat Garfield may have been a lovable ball of fuzz, but having a real life overweight cat on your hands is not actually a good thing. This common health issue is a problem for many cats today, and it can lead to a number of conditions (like diabetes) that can cause your cat to become very sick. Skip out on the treats, and implement some playful exercises for kitty to get them to work off some of that Meow Mix.

6965447234_081eab1896_zSource: @Val D’Aquila via Flickr

5. Respiratory infections

If your cat is making some strange coughing sounds, it doesn’t always mean it’s a hairball. Other common symptoms include: sneezing, runny nose and teary eyes. As a precaution, if you notice any or all of these signs in your feline friend, get them to the vet and quick so they don’t have to suffer any longer.

Recent Articles

Interested in learning even more about all things dogs? Get your paws on more great content from iHeartDogs!

Read the Blog

Comments are closed.