| Incredible advances in veterinary medicine are | | | | moving. Set aside some dedicated playtime each |
| making it possible for cats to live longer, healthier | | | | day with your cat, and she'll be more inclined to |
| lives than ever before. The quality of your cat's | | | | get physical.Yearly "well-cat" appointments with |
| health is the result of a partnership between you | | | | your veterinarian help track your cat's health. A |
| and your veterinarian. You must be confident that | | | | thorough going-over under the vet's expert eye |
| the vet you have chosen will take good care of | | | | can catch early skin or eye conditions and other |
| your cats.When you first get your cat, be sure to | | | | physical changes that you might not notice on a |
| have your veterinarian examine her within 10 | | | | day-to-day basis. Blood and stool samples allows |
| days. In addition to getting baseline weights and | | | | your vet to diagnose and treat disease and |
| measurements on her, your vet will want to | | | | parasites before they reach a critical state.The |
| check her blood and stools for illness and | | | | yearly vet visit is also a good time to mention |
| parasites. If you have never had a cat before, | | | | any "strange habits" your cat may have |
| the first visit is a good time to get a | | | | developed over the last year. Often, these have |
| demonstration in cleaning your pet's ears and | | | | simple explanations, but some behaviors, such as |
| clipping her toenails properly.A proper diet and | | | | licking paint or eating strange substances can |
| sufficient exercise are key factors in keeping | | | | indicate a medical condition.One of the most |
| your cat healthy. You must make sure the food | | | | important aspects of the yearly vet visit is |
| you give your cat is of good quality to provide | | | | updating your cat's vaccinations. Even if you keep |
| her with the correct amounts of nutrients to | | | | your cat strictly indoors, it is important to have |
| keep her systems running. If you are confused | | | | her vaccinated against diseases such as rabies, |
| by the variety of brands of cat food available, | | | | panleukopenia, calcivirus, Chlamydia and feline |
| ask your veterinarian for some help. Don't be | | | | leukemia virus. If your cat were to get out of the |
| embarrassed to tell him how much you are able | | | | house and wander, she has protection against |
| willing to spend for pet food. There are some | | | | some of the diseases that cost less fortunate |
| excellent brands that are not very expensive, and | | | | cats their lives.How Do You Find a Veterinarian?* |
| some expensive brands that are not very | | | | Get recommendations from other cat owners in |
| good.Exercise not only keeps your cat's weight | | | | your area.* Ask cat groomers or emergency |
| under control, it strengthens her muscles and | | | | clinics for recommendations.* Neighbors or your |
| enhances her immune system. Some cats are | | | | local pet supply store may be able to make |
| naturally active. Others need anywhere from a | | | | suggestions. |
| little to a lot of encouragement from you to get | | | | |