With one or two cats in the home, even the most devoted cat parent can slack off and take Kitty’s presence for granted. Even the simplest oversight can have serious consequences on your cat’s well-being and quality of life. Here are 8 things you should NEVER do to your favorite feline.
Skipping flea or heartworm treatment
Your cat stays indoors and rarely comes into contact with other animals. Why bother with a flea and heartworm preventative for an indoor cat? Believe it or not, heartworm-carrying fleas and mosquitoes can easily enter your home and cause big problems for cats. You can bring fleas into your home after visiting a friend with a dog or cat, and mosquitoes can pass through a door or window that is left open for just a few seconds. With many prescription flea, tick and heartworm prevention products available, keeping your cat free of fleas and heartworms has never been easier.
Put your cat outside without supervision
Do you think your cat wants to explore all the splendors of spring alone? Hey, she knows where she lives and she would never move away, right? Fake. Your indoor cat’s reaction to the great outdoors may be curiosity, confusion, or fear. She may run away into traffic or cower under a bush when a strange dog approaches. Keep Kitty harnessed, securely tied, and reassured by your presence outside, for her peace of mind and yours.
Leave Windows open
Poorly screened windows can pose a danger to curious cats. The excitement of flying over a robin may cause your sweet cat to accidentally dislodge that screen and fall to the ground. If you are at work when the incident occurs, it may be hours before you realize your cat is injured or missing. Make sure your screens are sturdy and limit window openings to an inch or two when you’re not there to keep Kitty safe inside.
Delaying Vet Visits
Your cat seems healthy. She eats well, looks great and has not changed her activity level. But cats, like the rest of us, can experience subtle health changes, from poor vision to kidney dysfunction. Felines are masters at hiding their ailments and compensating for their problems. An annual veterinary exam can identify the start of any health problems and treat minor problems before they become major problems.
Hold your cat on your lap while you drive
Most cats don’t like traveling and don’t like being confined in their carrier, but a loose cat in a moving vehicle can become a terrified furry missile. An unconfined cat distracts the driver and is vulnerable to injury or escape. With your cat running loose, playing ping-pong around the car, your final destination is a disaster. Secure your cat’s carrier in place for a safe trip.
Push your cat off the counter
A curious tabby cat poking its nose into that rotisserie chicken cooling on the counter may be annoying, but it doesn’t deserve to be treated like a feline Frisbee. Pushing or throwing your cat out of frustration can harm it, both physically and mentally. Always handle your cat gently and your cat will be more likely to respond to your wishes.
Forget to brush your cat’s teeth
Cats don’t like anyone touching their precious pearly whites, and your cat’s reluctance to open wide may have convinced you that dental cat treats are enough to protect Kitty’s smile. But plaque buildup eventually turns into tartar, which can lead to pain and even tooth loss later. Brushing your cat’s teeth daily, or at least a few times a week, is the best way to keep Kitty’s gums and teeth healthy and reduce the frequency of expensive, professional dental cleanings.
Ignore those furballs
Felines groom themselves and their constantly busy tongue captures loose fur, which is then swallowed. When your cat destroys a hairball, you probably sigh in annoyance (that’s how cats are, right?) and clean up the mess. But giving a helping hand with grooming can significantly reduce the amount of hair your cat ingests, meaning there’s less hair to deal with or throw up.
