5 Common Mistakes Cat Owners Make and How to Avoid Them

As cat owners, we want nothing but the best for our feline friends. However, cats are experts at hiding illness, and subtle symptoms can easily be missed. This can make it challenging to ensure your pet stays healthy. Thankfully, by avoiding a few common mistakes, you can significantly improve your cat’s well-being.

Many cat owners believe that regular vet visits aren't necessary, especially since cats tend to be low-maintenance and good at hiding illness. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Cats often outnumber dogs as household pets but don’t visit the vet nearly as often. Illnesses can develop quietly, with early symptoms being so subtle they are easy to miss.

Regular check-ups are vital to catch any health issues early before they worsen. Additionally, if taking your cat to the vet is difficult due to stress with the carrier, conditioning your cat to feel comfortable in it can make the experience smoother.

It’s easy to overfeed cats, especially when they beg for food or treats. However, over half of cats are overweight or obese, which puts them at risk for serious health problems such as diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease. Overfeeding can significantly shorten your cat’s lifespan, but the good news is that this is preventable.

Cats, particularly indoor ones, generally require less food than we think. Monitoring your cat’s weight with regular vet check-ups ensures they stay within a healthy range. Adjustments can be made to their diet and lifestyle before any serious problems arise. Ask your vet for advice on weight management and feeding portions at your next appointment.

While the occasional hairball is common, frequent hairballs—especially when accompanied by vomiting, coughing, or gagging—can indicate a more serious issue. Excessive hairballs could be a sign of gastrointestinal problems, anxiety, allergies, or skin disease.

If your cat regularly coughs up hairballs, it’s important to schedule a vet visit. This could reveal an underlying health issue that needs attention, so don’t dismiss frequent hairballs as a normal part of feline life.

Dental care is an often-overlooked aspect of cat health. By the age of three, many cats show signs of dental disease, which can lead to more serious health complications as they age.

To prevent dental disease, it’s essential to start conditioning your cat early to accept tooth brushing. If this proves difficult, consult your vet for alternative options, such as dental treats or special diets designed to improve oral health. A healthy mouth is a key to your cat’s overall well-being, so don’t skip out on dental care.

A common misconception is that indoor cats don’t need flea or parasite prevention. However, fleas, ticks, and other parasites can easily make their way inside. They can hitch a ride on humans, squeeze through small cracks, or come into the home via other pets, such as dogs that spend time outdoors.

Mosquitoes also pose a risk to indoor cats, as they can transmit heartworm. Protecting your cat with flea, tick, and parasite prevention treatments is essential, even if they never leave the house. Talk to your vet about the best options for keeping your pet safe from parasites year-round.

Avoiding these common mistakes will help ensure that your cat lives a long, happy, and healthy life. Whether it’s regular vet visits, proper weight management, or maintaining good dental hygiene, small changes in care can make a big difference. If you have any concerns or questions about your cat’s health, don’t hesitate to reach out to Taringa Vet.

Call us at 07 3871 3888 or contact us here to book an appointment and ensure your pet gets the best care possible.