Did you know that cats were domesticated at least 8.000 years ago? Farmers used cats for pest control but, no doubt, became enraptured with their beauty and charm. And, of course, everyone knows that in Ancient Egypt cats were worshiped as sacred and magical creatures.
This month is the perfect (purr-fect) time to focus on the physical and mental health of your own beloved feline friends, as well as cats everywhere! Cats don’t make many demands and are very stoic, not readily showing illness, so sometimes their daily health and needs get ignored. National Cat Health Month is a great time to focus on their well-being. There are many ways to do your part for felines.
Annual Wellness Visit
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Cats often don’t display signs of illness until it is advanced. This is the importance of an annual wellness visit, where problems can be identified before they become more serious. Every beloved cat deserves feline preventive health care.
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Always ask your vet to check the oral and dental health of your cat.
Paytime for Your Feline!
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We all live very busy lives. But all your cat has is you! Playtime, for most cats, is their most happy place.
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Some sources suggest playing with your cat for at least 15 minutes, two times daily.
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Playtime with your cat provides great exercise, and it draws on their deep instincts to chase and hunt.
Spend More Time With Them
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Some cats will run to their owners when they come home. But other cats sit and wait to be approached, petted, and talked to. Cats learn, if they are not given attention, not to seek it.
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Always acknowledge your cat when you come home. Give some pets and have a conversation. You will likely make their day.
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Make daily treat time a special event.
Groom Your Furry Friend
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Cat grooming removes dead hair, prevents matting, and a clean and comfortable coat will help improve their overall health. If you need help, look for cat grooming services in your area.
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Brushing your cat regularly helps prevent fur balls. Excellent cat grooming tools can be found at your neighborhood pet store.
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Grooming is a great bonding time.
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You may need to experiment with different brushes to find the type your kitty accepts.
Feed the Best Quality Food You Can Afford
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Growing research points to the significant health benefits of canned, fresh, or frozen foods over kibble. Cats seem to love kibble and it’s easy. But the biggest concern is that they rarely drink adequate water and many cats experience kidney and urinary issues as a result of dehydration.
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Kibble is cooked at a high temperature and is highly processed. It may not provide the best nutrition for your beloved furry friend.
Attend to Your Cat’s Dental Health
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Current research suggests that 70% of cats will have some form of dental disease by age three. Dental disease can even occur in kittens. Feline dental health care is one of the kindest things you can do for your kitty.
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Research how to brush your cat's teeth. Start slowly by rubbing their gums with your finger. Experiment with different flavored toothpastes.
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Speak to your vet regularly about your cat’s oral health. He or she may recommend a dental cleaning.
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The earlier you can begin taking care of your cat’s dental health, the more likely you are to effectively treat or prevent serious periodontal disease, which is painful and can cause serious distress for your kitty.
Adopt a Kitten or Cat
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You may already have one or two cats, but have room for another! If everyone who loved cats adopted just one cat or kitten, we could help bring an end to the homeless cat crisis in cities everywhere.
Volunteer
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Maybe you love cats but aren’t in a position to adopt. That doesn’t need to prevent you from helping cats! Nearly every city has an animal shelter or local rescue groups. You can volunteer and help multiple cats and kittens.
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You can also get involved in helping to rescue stray cats or fostering a rescued cat or kitten.
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Any amount of time you can spare, short or long, will contribute.
We hope you’ll celebrate National Cat Health Month 2025 in the many ways you can participate. If you have friends and family members who are cat owners or cat lovers, spread the word that the month of February has been designated for the health of felines! Your cats, and all cats, will thank you in purrs.
Steph Mueller
The Pet Market Press
Photo courtesy of FreePik