| Keeping your cat healthy is key to ensuring a long | | | | food for the day. As your cat gets older, try mixing |
| life. By following a few guidelines you can increase | | | | dry food with some moist food to provide better |
| your cat's life expectancy. | | | | intestinal health. Older cats require more water and |
| My cat, Cutie Pie, was found within minutes of his | | | | fiber intake to maintain good health. |
| birth and the first two months of his life were | | | | Litter pans should be scooped twice daily or more if |
| touchy, but he made it through. Last month he | | | | needed. Litter pans should be emptied, washed |
| turned eighteen years old and continues to thrive. His | | | | thoroughly and filled with fresh clean litter once a |
| doctor says his health is better than most cats half | | | | week. Not only will this keep your cat healthier, but it |
| his age. He attributes Cutie Pie's great health to his | | | | will keep the humans of your household healthier and |
| life style. | | | | the air clear of litter pan odors. [Always wash hands |
| A key factor in longevity is indoor living. Not only | | | | thoroughly after contact with litter pans.] |
| does this protect them from poisonous plants and | | | | Keep your cat active by dipping their favorite toy in |
| parasites, but it prevents them from being exposed | | | | catnip. Use only 100% organic. I have tried |
| to other animals which might carry diseases. Indoor | | | | non-organic cat nips, but it resulted in various side |
| living also eliminates the hazards of traffic or natural | | | | effects. Exercise is important in longevity. Catnip is a |
| enemies of felines. | | | | great means of providing extra energy to get your |
| Annual medical exams and vaccinations are crucial in | | | | cat moving, but again I must caution -- do not |
| maintaining your cat's long term health. Even when | | | | depend on it as a sole motivator for exercise. |
| your fluffy feline remains indoors they are still | | | | Providing towers and shelves, along with plenty of |
| exposed to the outside environment every time you | | | | toys will provide the incentive most cats need. Placing |
| or someone else enters and exits your home. | | | | their favorite toys on the top shelves will keep them |
| Daily vitamins assist in the prevention of illness in | | | | climbing. A word of caution on toys: Bells, feathers, |
| addition to making sure your kitty is getting the | | | | and squeak toys might seem fun, but they pose a |
| required nutrients. Ask your vet what your cat's | | | | serious choking threat. If you are going to use these |
| particular needs might be. Kittens have different | | | | toys with your cat, use only while you are in |
| needs than adult or older cats and require different | | | | attendance. Never give your cat access to these |
| strengths. Pet supply stores carry a variety of | | | | toys unattended. |
| flavors to suit even the pickiest taste buds. | | | | Finally, interaction with lots of love goes a long way. |
| Food and water dishes should be washed daily. A | | | | Brushing their coat weekly cuts down on shedding |
| clean fresh supply of water will lesson the chances of | | | | and provides loving interaction. Talking to your cat |
| urinary tract infections. Water dishes should be kept | | | | regularly goes a long way too. The more you talk, |
| in low traffic areas to prevent dust and dirt | | | | the more they learn and understand your directives. |
| contaminants. Your cat should have access to fresh | | | | This leads to better behavior also. Cats are |
| water around the clock. Automatic dispensers are OK | | | | independent creatures, but they thrive on affection |
| as precautions, but should never be relied upon. Food | | | | and attention. |
| dishes should not be overfilled, containing only enough | | | | |