Advice for Cat Owners 151
Keeping Your Cat Healthy
There is a strong link between behaviour and disease (see Chapter 6). A change from
normal behaviour can be one of the first signs that a cat is unwell; also cats that are in
pain or poor health are more likely to experience stress and exhibit behaviour problems.
It is therefore important for your pet cat’s overall welfare to keep him in good health.
● Feed a healthy, well-balanced, meat-based diet. It is best to take the advice of your
vet or vet nurse/technician as to the best diet for your cat.
● Keep up to date with vaccinations, worm and flea treatments. It is advisable to use
products recommended by your vet. Also ensure that you only use products that
are safe for cats, and for the age and size of your cat.
● Ensure that your cat is given a regular veterinary check-up at least once a year.
One reason why a cat may not be taken to see the vet for regular check-ups, or even
when showing signs of illness, is the difficulty that can sometimes be involved. The
first obstacle can be getting the cat into the cat carrier and transporting it to the vet-
erinary practice. This can be dealt with by training the cat to regard the carrier as a
place of comfort and safety, rather than as something to be feared and avoided (see
Appendix 12). The other problem can be the cat’s fear while at the vet which can
intensify at each visit and not only be highly stressful for the cat but also cause the
cat to become increasingly difficult to handle and examine.
The International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) has set up a worldwide pro-
gramme that aims to help veterinary practices to become ‘Cat Friendly Clinics’ where the
sources of stress and fear for cats associated with veterinary visits are reduced, which
can make visits to the vet much easier for both cats and their owners. In the USA, the
programme, known as ‘Cat Friendly Practice’ is licensed by the American Association
of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) (for further details see: http://www.catfriendlyclinic.org in the
UK and countries other than the USA, and http://www.catvets.com/cfp/cfp in the Americas).
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