How To Keep Your Indoor Cat Healthy

The decision to raise a cat indoors is a good one. It protects your pet from potentially dangerous health issues thereby helping it live longer. However, at the same time, the indoor environment should be modified to suit a cat's natural instincts. Cats are curious creatures that love to climb, hunt and play. If not provided enough stimulation, they get bored, put on weight and start targeting furniture and other valuables around the house.

Keeping a kitty happy and healthy indoors includes looking after its fur, eyes, ears, nose, teeth and dietary needs. It also involves providing adequate exercise opportunities around the house. Here are 6 tips to care for your pet. Your cat will thank you.

Body Weight:
Maintaining optimum body weight is as important in cats as it is in humans. Your kitty should not be too skinny or too fat. You should control its food intake. Avoid refilling the bowl often. If the cat is underweight, see a veterinarian. You can also buy weight control foods for cats at a local grocery store. Install an artificial tree for your pet to climb. It is a form of exercise.

Fur:
A fur coat that has not been brushed for long tends to develop severe hairballs. Brushing helps get rid of dirt and debris stuck in the hair coat. A brushing routine also allows an opportunity to examine the skin for sores and rashes. Cats hate to have a bath. You should bathe your kitty only if it is very dirty. If you have a breed with long and flowing hair, trim its fur coat regularly. Fleas take a toll on your pet's health. If your cat scratches and bites itself, there is a possibility of flea infestation. You should visit your pet. He will prescribe oral medication or a medicated soap.

Dental health:
Good oral health is a must in cats. The teeth should be white while the gums should be pink. Tartar and plaque buildup makes the teeth yellow and brown. You should brush your kitty's teeth regularly. Dental treats and chew toys also reduce tartar buildup. If you notice bad breath, speak to your doctor. Bad breath is an indication of oral infection.

Eyes and Nose:
Your kitty's eyes should be clean and bright, not hazy. Discharge at the corners of the eyes should be wiped. Speak to your vet if there is an excess amount of discharge. Moving to the ears, wax, black gunk or foul smell are signs of ear infection.

Claws:
Cats scratch very badly. They damage furniture, carpets and other valuables around the house. However, scratching is a natural instinct and is their way of exercising. Trim the claws regularly. Purchase a scratching post for your cat. A scratching post or cat tree will promote healthy scratching.

Food:
As owners we are tempted to share our food with our pets. There is nothing wrong in sharing table scraps, but it might not prove the best decision. Cats have a very sensitive stomach. Hence, food choices should be made carefully. Buy good quality food designed for an indoor pet. You should avoid food items and treats with corn, ash and coloring agents. In addition to food, cats need an adequate supply of fresh, clean water.

Certain human foods are poisonous for felines. This includes onions, tomatoes, potatoes, coffee grounds, chocolate and alcoholic beverages. These foods should be kept out of the reach of cats. Felines should not be given milk as it is heavy to digest and could cause stones in the urinary tract.

In addition to all this, clean the litter box daily for cats are picky creatures. Set aside time to play with your pet and offer toys