How do I keep my cat healthy?

What should I know about cats at a glance?

The domestic cat lives about 12 to 18 years and weighs 3 to 6 kg as an adult.

What do vets see most in cats?

Dental disease, urinary disease, kidney disease in older cats and excess weight are among the most common reasons a cat sees the vet.

• Dental disease. Gum disease and tooth resorption hurt. They show as drooling, dropping food or chewing on one side.
• Urinary disease. Cystitis makes a cat pee often and in small amounts. In males the urethra can block, which is an emergency.
• Chronic kidney disease. Common in older cats: drinking and peeing more, weight loss. Vets follow kidney values, thyroid and blood pressure in seniors.
• Cat flu in kittens. Herpesvirus and calicivirus cause sneezing, runny eyes and mouth ulcers.
• FeLV and FIV. Viruses passed between cats, mostly by bites. FeLV is common in parts of Brazil, especially the Southeast and South.
• Sporotrichosis (Brazil). A fungal infection spread by scratches and bites that also infects people, epidemic in Brazil since the 1990s.

Which vaccines does a cat need?

WSAVA's 2024 guidelines say every cat needs the core vaccines against panleukopenia, herpesvirus and calicivirus, plus rabies where rabies is present or the law requires it. Where FeLV is common, its vaccine is also core for kittens under 1 year old and for adult cats that go outside or live with cats that do. Your vet sets the plan.

• Core. Panleukopenia, herpesvirus and calicivirus come in one vaccine, called V3, FVRCP, RCP or 3種 depending on the country.
• FeLV. Only cats that test negative should get it, so a FeLV test comes first.
• Non-core. Chlamydia (the extra part of V4) is mainly for multi-cat homes where it has caused disease. WSAVA does not recommend the FIP vaccine.

WSAVA's guidelines start kittens at 6 to 8 weeks, repeat every 2 to 4 weeks until 16 weeks or older, and add a dose at 26 weeks or older, because the mother's antibodies can block earlier doses. After that, a low-risk indoor cat needs core boosters no more than every 3 years, while cats that board or meet other cats may need herpesvirus and calicivirus yearly. The AAHA/AAFP guidelines for North America agree.

Both say never between the shoulder blades. WSAVA calls a spot low on a leg the gold standard, and AAHA/AAFP also accept the tail. Where vets inject varies by country, so ask your vet where each vaccine goes and to write the site on the card.

How do cat vaccines work where I live?

Vaccine names and rabies rules for cats change by country.

How often does a cat need deworming and flea treatment?

ESCCAP's guidelines suggest deworming indoor cats 1 to 2 times a year, cats that go out or hunt 4 to 12 times a year, and at least 4 times a year when the risk is unclear. Your vet picks the products and timing.

• Kittens. ESCCAP suggests starting at 3 weeks and repeating every 2 weeks until weaning. CAPC, in North America, starts at 2 weeks.
• Year-round. CAPC recommends year-round protection against worms, fleas, ticks and heartworm for cats in the United States.
• Heartworm. The American Heartworm Society says that where dogs are infected, cats are at risk too, indoor cats included. In Brazil it is concentrated on the coast.
• Fleas. Fleas also spread tapeworm. Treat every pet in the home at the same time.
• Only products made for cats. Dog flea products with permethrin can kill cats, even through contact with a freshly treated dog.

Which signs in a cat can't wait?

Call your vet or an emergency clinic now if you see any of these.

• Straining with little or no urine. A cat straining with little or no urine may be blocked. This is an emergency, most common in male cats.
• Breathing with the mouth open. Cats rarely breathe with their mouth open. If yours does, call your vet now.
• Contact with lilies. Every part of a true lily or daylily, its pollen and the vase water can cause kidney failure in cats.
• Drooling, twitching or seizures after a flea treatment. This is how permethrin poisoning shows. If your cat lets you, wash the product off with warm water and diluted dish soap on the way.
• Collapse. Keep your cat warm and quiet on the way.

How do I care for a cat day to day?

A cat needs complete food made for cats, fresh water, a clean litter box, daily play and a place to hide. The habit that catches the most illness early is looking at the litter box every day: changes in how often, how much or where your cat pees are often the first sign of urinary or kidney disease.

• Food. Dog food is not complete for cats. Measure portions, since excess weight is common.
• Water and litter. The AAFP and ISFM guidelines ask for food, water and litter boxes in several separate spots. A common rule is one box per cat, plus one. Scoop daily.
• Teeth. Daily brushing with a cat toothpaste is the best prevention.
• Indoor life. Daily play that lets your cat chase and pounce, high places, scratching posts and a hiding spot.

How do I keep my cat's health record?

VetVitae, a pet health record app, keeps your cat's vaccination card, deworming and flea treatments and FIV and FeLV results, and reminds you 7 days before something is due and on the day.

It also tracks weight and vet visits. VetVitae is free on iPhone, Android and the web.

This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. Your vet knows your pet.

Questions