Six Tips to Help Your Cat Live Longer

It’s often said that dogs are man’s best friend; however, many cat owners would argue the same about their feline companions. As a cat owner, you want to ensure that your best friend lives the longest happiest life possible. Thankfully, there are some simple tips to help make this a reality.

1. Establish a Balanced Diet

Possibly one of the most important things to help ensure a long happy life is the inclusion of a balanced healthy diet. Just as a junk food diet negatively impacts us as humans, so to can it impact your cat. When looking for the perfect food for your feline, consider all-natural options that are made with human-grade ingredients. Consider options with no by-products, GMO, antibiotics, hormones, preservatives, wheat, corn, or soy. This will ensure that your pet’s meals are easy to digest, healthy, and natural. Foods like this will help ensure that your pet can live a longer life without complications due to unhealthy foods.

2. Ensure Access to Clean Water

While it may sound obvious, some cats can be picky when it comes to what they drink from. If your cat isn’t getting enough water, it could be put at risk of dehydration and urinary tract disease. As such, you should monitor how much your cat is drinking, and if they seem uninterested in a typical bowl you might consider a water fountain instead. Some cats enjoy drinking from moving sources of water and catering to this preference can help keep them properly hydrated.

3. Limit Their Daily Treats

We know how difficult it can be to say no to your cat when they’re looking at you with those needy eyes; however, it’s important not to overfeed them with treats. The American Association for the prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) suggests that treats should make up no more than 5 to 10 percent of your cat’s total daily caloric intake. If you’re unsure, speak with your vet about how much your cat should be getting. While it may seem minor, overfeeding can lead to obesity, and — although fat cats are cute — it can lead to many health problems that can shorten their lives overall.

cat dental care

 

4. Keep Up Their Dental Health

Your cat’s teeth can tell you a lot about its overall health. If they are suffering from large amounts of tartar, gingivitis, or plaque, this can contribute to the growth of bacteria throughout the rest of the body. This can go on to put them at risk of other health issues if it’s not treated appropriately. In addition to having your cat’s teeth checked regularly by the vet, you can also gently clean their teeth with toothpaste that is specially made for cats. By doing this you can help keep their teeth — and the rest of them — in good health.

5. Keep Your Cats Inside

Many cat owners let their cats out during the day; however, this can actually be detrimental to them. Not only does this put them at risk of being hit by a car or hurt by another animal, but it can lead to illness. If someone in your area is using pesticides or poisons that aren’t pet-friendly, they could also be at risk for ingesting that and becoming sick or worse. The best rule of thumb is to always keep your cats indoors and only let them outdoors on a screened-in patio or on a cat leash.

6. Keep Your Regular Vet Visits

It may be tempting to skip the vet if your cat doesn’t appear ill, but this can put them at risk and allow small problems to get worse. While some conditions may not be immediately noticeable, your vet will be able to detect signs and symptoms of problems you might have overlooked. This can make it easier to treat so that your cat can continue to live healthily. These visits are also great to ensure that your cat has all their necessary vaccinations so that they are put at a lower risk of developing certain illnesses and diseases.

Keeping Your Cat Happy and Healthy

With these tips in mind, you can help keep your feline friend around as long as possible. Work with your vet to further develop the best course of action for your cat, and don’t hesitate to ask questions if you're ever unsure.
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  • "Many pet foods contain corn as the main ingredient. Dogs and cats are not “cornivores’….they are carnivores!"
  • "If I can’t eat the food, I won’t give it to my pets either."
  • "Our pets are the only ones in our family who give us unconditional love."
  • "The animals are our children. They deserve the same quality food as our two-legged children."
  • "Your pets are members of the family so treat them like members of the family."
  • "I can help your pets live longer, healthier lives."
  • "Feed your pets what your grandfather fed his pets."
  • "Would you eat what you are feeding your pet? No? Then don’t feed it."
  • "Cats are obligate carnivores, not herbivores."
  • "Animals are my children."
  • "You have never in your life been to a doctor or veterinarian who taught you how to prevent disease (or who taught you about nutrition.)"
  • "Developed with Passion by a practicing veterinarian."
  • "If your human children died at 25 instead of 75 that would get your attention as to what is going on with pets."
  • "I am abolishing disease in my practice."
  • "1 out of 5 children in the average American family walks on all fours."
  • "Tell your pet every day that you love them."
  • "You can communicate with your pet, just listen."
  • "Would you feed your other children pet food?"
  • "Think about which members of your family give you unconditional love. Then treat them the same."
  • "We don’t make pet food, we make food for pets"
  • "Give them a “mouse-full”"
  • "Read the ingredients, would you eat that?"
  • "Does your pet deserve any less?"
  • "Where else do you get unconditional love?"
  • "Who is always happy to see you?"
  • "Who never complains about their day?"
  • "Give back to your pets the unconditional love that they give you."
  • "I put unconditional love into my food, my products, my patients, my practice."
  • "These blessed creatures are giving you unconditional love. Feeding them healthy, pure organic food is not much to ask in return."
  • "Let an animal in your heart and experience unconditional love."
  • "Unconditional love is when you love with all that you have."
  • "Unconditional love is giving without taking."
  • "Unconditional love is above all the gift of one’s self."
  • "Unconditional love is above all the gift of life."
  • "Unconditional love is the deepest essence of life."
  • "Unconditional love is always available for the asking."
  • "There is nothing more exhilarating than animal love."
  • "We all need to ask ourselves, “What are we giving to the world?”"
  • "Pursue your passion. I did."
  • "I make pet food the way Mother Nature intended."
  • "You were told your whole life not to feed your pet off the table. That turned out to be a lie to help sell pet food."

- Doc -