Common worries in junior cats

Once your little furry bundle arrives home it is your responsibility as a pet parent to see that he is well groomed, goes to regular vet visits to ensure he remains healthy and is administered vaccination and booster doses regularly. You can always contact your vet even if you have the slightest of worries.

Here are a few common things you need to be aware of:

• Claws:  Cats usually keep their claws well maintained by scratching on scratching posts or trees. If he does not have a scratching post then he may fancy sharpening his claws on the coffee table or on your expensive sofa set! So, get him a regular scratching post that will enable him to remove the dead outer layer of his claws, to mark his territory and to flex and relax his body.
• Ears:  You need to keep a regular check on your cat’s ears and watch out for dark brown wax as it may be ear mites. This may come to your notice if he keeps scratching his ears, as most cats get ear mites at some point. Contact your vet immediately for effective treatment.
• Eyes:  Eye diseases and  injuries are very common in cats. If your cat has an discharge or coating in the eye of if his eyes seem sore to you, then take him to the vet immediately.
• Fur balls:  During the moulting period, your cat will shed most of his fur. When he licks himself clean, some of it gets into his stomach. This may cause him to become sick by throwing up his fur balls. It usually does not pose a problem, unless your cat feels constipated and has difficulty passing motion. Consult with your vet if he has this issue.
• Grooming:  Cats require regular grooming to eliminate the risk of illness and external parasites. Use a metal comb or a soft brush to groom your feline pal. Long haired cats require regular grooming whereas short haired cats need to be groomed only once a week.
• Teeth:  Oral hygiene is sadly overlooked by most pet parents. Taking care of your cat’s teeth is very important as there maybe the presence of tartar which is a hard substance that is present on the surface of the teeth. Your vet may need to remove it if it is too much or it may cause further gum problems. You can brush your cat’s teeth with a brush and toothpaste specially formulated for your  furry pal. There are also special types of food that take care of your cat’s teeth.
• Vaccination:  Cats need to be vaccinated to keep illness at bay and to protect them against infectious diseases. If your cat does not get regular vaccinations then he may fall fatally sick and can even die. So, it is very necessary that he is administered his first vaccinations 9 weeks upwards and gets his booster doses once a year for the rest of his life.