When cat house owners don’t perceive the character and the wants of their pets, they will make errors that will have an effect on their well-being and well being. “They can develop chronic stress, anxiety, cystitis, obesity, aggression or behavioral problems, such as inappropriate use of the litter box,” explains Susana García, accredited veterinarian from the Association of Spanish Veterinarians Specializing in Small Animals (AVEPA) and scientific director of VerPartners.
Felines are predators, and one of many basic errors that folks make has to do with the area the place they dwell. “A cat needs an environment where it can develop its hunting nature, with hiding spots or elevated places to control its territory. It is advisable to give them access to these kinds of resources, such as high shelves on the wall for them to climb onto, or cat trees,” García recommends. The specialist highlights the routine nature of cats, and the way a lot they dislike unexpected modifications: “Frequent novelties in the house stress them out. Predictability makes them feel calm and comfortable, so they dislike situations such as riding in cars, relocating or staying in houses of people they don’t know.” When a number of cats dwell collectively, the home should be tailored to that particular circumstance. “Each one must have their own separate resources, as is the case of water and food dishes, litter boxes or resting places.” The veterinarian additionally emphasizes that we should keep away from “toxic plants, such as oleanders or lilies, as well as scolding them, hitting them or feeding them low-quality food.”
Nine errors to keep away from
The errors that cat house owners often make with felines and that put their well-being in danger must do with points starting from meals or play to hydration. Tania Velasco, director of the Neko Feline Clinic and member of the scientific committee of the Feline Medicine Specialty Group (GEMFE), lists the 9 most typical:
- An insufficient food regimen that doesn’t cowl their dietary wants — equivalent to vegetarian meals (they’re strict carnivores) or giving them pet food — could cause well being issues like retinal atrophy or cardiomyopathy. Certain meals could cause digestive issues or poisoning, equivalent to chocolate, garlic, onion, avocado or broccoli.
- Lack of correct hydration. These animals come from desert environments, in order that they have an ideal capability to pay attention their urine, which makes them susceptible to dehydration. They have to have recent water at all times available, and cans of particular moist meals. This kind of food regimen is much less fattening than dry meals, so it prevents weight problems in cats, which may trigger illnesses equivalent to feline diabetes.
- Normalizing and favoring a sedentary way of life. Cats want bodily exercise to stimulate their searching intuition and to keep away from behavioral issues and stress. It is a good suggestion to have equipment for taking part in (fishing rod-style toys with feathers, for instance), scratching posts and elevated relaxation areas (platforms or cat bushes).
- Seeing vomiting as regular. Vomiting could point out meals intolerances, digestive tumors or intestinal irritation, so it’s advisable to see a specialist. You mustn’t attribute all gastrointestinal signs to hairballs; a wholesome short-haired cat mustn’t vomit ceaselessly.
- Avoid tough play, equivalent to playfully batting them together with your palms, to stop aggressive habits and accidents. This follow stimulates the cat’s perception that palms or ft are prey, so it’s higher to make use of particular toys.
- Ignoring the significance of vaccinations and deworming for cats that by no means exit. Even if it can not go outdoors, it could contract inner parasites that additionally have an effect on individuals, which is why it is suggested to hold out these veterinary remedies.
- Not taking the cat to the vet as a result of it turns into harassed. This is harmful for the animal’s well being, as a result of it causes delays in diagnoses. There are methods to attenuate this nervousness, equivalent to the usage of enjoyable pheromones.
- Neglecting weight management. Quickly detecting the loss or achieve of kilos is crucial if these modifications are being attributable to a illness, so it’s advisable to weigh the cat recurrently and preserve observe of any modifications.
- Confusing coughing with hairballs. In actuality, it might be bronchitis or coronary heart issues that ought to be handled as quickly as doable.
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