Tips for Having a Healthy Cat

We love our cats and they quickly become a member of our family. Vaccinations and periodic exams are just as important for them as it is for us. On average, an indoor cat's life span is 12 to 20 years but there are some that live well into their 20's. Here are just a couple things you can do to keep your cat healthy and insure they have a long life.

Obesity is something we have shared with our pets and it is just as hard on them as it is on us. In fact, it can take years off their lives just as it does our lives. Obesity can also lead to other health problems for cats. The average weight for cats is 6 to 12 pounds. So check your cat to see if you can feel ribs, if you cannot then diet time. Does kitty's stomach hang half way to the ground? Not a good sign. There are options available so that you do not have to deprive your cat. There are several brands of "healthy weight formula" cat foods available. They do cost a little more than regular formulas. Also cheaper brands of cat food tend to have more cereal fillers and that is not good for them. So take a moment or two and read the back of that bag of cat food carefully.

Spaying and neutering can also add years to a cats live expectancy. Although the main benefit is to control the cat population there is other aspects to consider. It helps prevent the urge to roam and fight to find mates. It also curbs the urge of tomcats to "mark territory". If you have ever left a car window down and gone out early the next day to go to work and found a sopping wet, smelly spot on the car seat left by a roving tom, then you know what I mean by life expectancy. Especially if that discovery comes the split second after you plop your butt down on that wet spot. In addition, if that spot is still warm then that is like adding insult to injury. But I digress.

Our cats give us much comfort and love. In fact petting a cat calms us and causes our blood pressure to drop and our heart rate to slow down. Isn't that a bit of good news for a change? So keep kitty healthy and kitty will help you to stay healthy also.