Most cat owners do their utmost to take care of their feline companions, and when a mistake is made and the cat suffers as a result, it’s usually because the cat’s owners didn’t have the proper experience or knowledge to avoid the problem. Below you’ll find 8 dangerous mistakes that cat owners should never make:
Due to dangers such as other animals and vehicles, outdoor cats rarely live longer than five years, compared to indoor cats, who can live up to 20 years. You should help your outdoor cat protect itself by keeping its claws intact. They need their weapons. If your pet ends up getting into a fight with another animal, it could get itself critically injured if it can’t protect itself.
A whopping 60% of American cats are overweight or obese. There’s one main cause of this – leaving a bowl of food out all day. Doing this will tempt your cat into overeating, especially if the brand of food is high in carbs. Place a bowl of food down two or three times a day.
Cats are true carnivores and their bodies aren’t designed to digest only plant-based food. You should feed your cat a grain-free, meat-based diet so that they can get the protein that they need. If you’re concerned about animal rights, consider a brand such as Open Farm, which uses ethically sourced protein.
Even seemingly healthy cats should visit the vet at least once a year, so don’t let your cat’s fear of crates keep you from keeping up with its health. Your vet can notice kidney disease, diabetes, thyroid disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and other conditions that you might miss. All of these diseases can show zero or very subtle clinical signs until the disease has progressed significantly.
Almost every state in America requires pets to have a rabies vaccine unless the vet says there’s a medical reason not to, and just because your cat never ventures outside doesn’t mean that it’s safe from such diseases. Your cat might one day make a dash outside or a raccoon or bat with rabies might find its way into your house.
Just like with vaccines, you cannot assume that your indoor cat is safe from pests. If you accidentally bring in ticks or fleas from outside, your cat could be exposed to Lyme disease or the plague. Furthermore, if your cat is bitten by a mosquito, it could contract heartworms. Simple monthly preventative medications can be lifesaving for your beloved kitty.
Pay attention if your cat seems to be hiding or whining more, or if it’s appetite has changed. Cats are usually pretty stoic, so if they start acting in a way that’s out of the ordinary, you should let your veterinarian know. They can carry out some blood tests to make sure that your cat’s organs are all functioning properly so that the problem can be fixed before it spirals out of control.
Those lilies might look lovely on your coffee table, but they won’t be so pretty if your cat eats them. A large number of plants are toxic to cats, so you need to be certain that plants are cat-safe before bringing them into your home. You can find an extensive list of plants that are toxic to cats here.
Source: rd
Images: depositphotos
