Our furry friends are incredibly important to us, as they shower us with love, hugs, and essential companionship. Sadly, they’re not immune to sickness, diseases, and pain. Moreover, your cat’s health is crucial to a terrific life for them, so it’s no wonder you’d be concerned for their health.

Luckily for you, we live in the golden age of information, where you can discover common problems your cat might be dealing with. I’ve got tons of helpful resources about some of these issues, so fear not.

Below, you’ll find some information on common feline health issues, unusual cat behavior, and foods that cats can and cannot eat, amongst other things about how to care for cats. Let’s dive right in!

Common Feline Health Issues

Just like humans, our cats can suffer from all kinds of things. Your cat can get a cold. You may even have a depressed cat that struggles with obesity and dental issues. This makes it crucial that you pay attention to your kitty’s well-being.

You can start by doing a cat check-up at home or taking your pet to the vet at least once a year. That said, caring for your cat is not always that simple. However, regular symptoms for a sick kitty include cats panting or rapid breathing, excessive cat sneezes, changes in appetite, and your cat shivering or shaking.

Cats can suffer from a variety of different illnesses, but here are the most common ones:

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
Kidney Disease
Obesity
Dental Disease
Cancer

That said, as long as you monitor your cat’s behavior, feed them a good diet, and care for them as your cat grows, you can alleviate the likelihood of your furry friend getting seriously ill.

Diet & Nutrition | What Cats Need to Eat

As I mentioned, a well-balanced diet is seriously important to the physical well-being of your cat. So what can and can’t a cat eat? Let’s get into it.

What Can’t Cats Eat?

While feeding human food to animals can sometimes be a bad idea, there are some things that cats can eat in moderation that will not affect their health that much. For example, cats can eat peanut butter, but due to the fat content, it should be given in very small amounts or as a treat.

What’s more, cats can eat cheese, but many kitties have lactose intolerance, so it’s not particularly good for their digestive systems. Lastly, cats can eat raspberries. However, these should be given in extremely small amounts due to the sugar content and xylitol present in the fruit.

Try to avoid feeding your cat cashew nuts, as they are also very high in non-essential fats. And just like cats eating popcorn, it’s also a choking hazard for your sweet creatures. Additionally, cats must never consume onions, garlic, raw eggs, raw meat or fish, chocolate, alcohol, grapes, or coffee.

What Can Cats Eat? | Best Cat Food Options

There’s a whole bunch of foods out there that cats can eat, but I’d suggest sticking to cat food. This is because cat food is specifically made with minerals and nutrients for cats, like protein and fiber.

This can get complicated, so check out this ultimate feeding guide if you’re new to owning a cat. For younger kitties, wet cat food is often the best starting point. This is because most cats enjoy its texture more than dry food. It’s also a helpful way to improve their water intake and good urinary health.

One thing is for sure, getting a cat to eat consistently and drink enough water is an important part of keeping your furry friend happy. Cats shouldn’t go without food for more than 24 hours.

Understanding Your Cat

Cats can be very affectionate and personable. However, they also sometimes do the strangest things. Often, it’s just part of their personalities, but it’s important to keep an eye on them. This is because these behaviors can, at times, be an underlying symptom of a health problem.

This can range from excessive farting, your cat drooling, and your cat stinking more than usual. Another example is that cats often react to stress by getting hotspots, shedding abnormal amounts, and having hot cat ears.

Understanding your cat will help you realize when something is wrong with your kitty. You can look at how often your cat is peeing, whether they’re gaining or losing weight, and how their appetites are.

Spending enough time with your fur baby is the perfect way to improve your bond, and combined with petting your cat, you’re sure to have an affectionate animal.

Taking Care of Cats | Unusual Cat Behavior

We all know cats can exhibit strange behavior sometimes. But what about behaviors that may seem a bit out of character? For example, a cat could be seen as autistic due to their lack of social interaction and vocalization. Moreover, cats gag at combs thanks to the noise the combs make.

Caring For Cats | What Does a Cat Need?

If your feline’s health is important to you, you should also know how to take care of a cat. Cats are often labeled as easy to take care of due to their independent and aloof-like nature. However, caring for cats isn’t always that simple, as they need attention, just like other pets.

For example, you shouldn’t leave a cat alone for too long. This can cause all kinds of issues, such as separation anxiety, bad behavior, and, even worse, injury or illness. Cats’ memories can last long, and chances are your cat will remember you ‘abandoning’ them.

Certain cats also need lots of exercise. If you live in an apartment and your kitty doesn’t have enough space, cat walking can be a good solution to keeping them healthy and happy.

That said, cats shouldn’t participate in all physical activities you enjoy. Taking your cat swimming isn’t a great idea due to their coats and general dislike of water.

Cat Care Essentials

Caring for your cat does require quite a bit of understanding, so it’s a good thing you’re here. That’s because looking after a kitten starts from the moment you get them, and sometimes even before.

It’s important to know how often to groom a cat – usually once a week is good to keep their coat in top condition. What’s more, keeping your cat’s teeth clean can also improve their health.

All of these things help cats live long and fulfilling lives, full of purring, tail-wagging, and cheerful meowing. Before you know it, your little kitten will become an adult cat and an irreplaceable member of your household.

Have you seen a viral video that’s been going around of a cat gagging when its owner runs their nails over a comb? Or, have you ever noticed your kitty companion reacting strangely to certain sounds? This type of cat behavior might have you scratching your head, but it turns out there’s a perfectly good …

Like most cat owners, if you take every opportunity to scratch, rub or cuddle your cat, you may also be the kind of owner who notices odd things. Observant owners are very good at telling when something is not quite right or unusual. Perhaps your cat’s eyes are tearing a little too much, or they …

It is a stressful time for any parent when their child isn’t feeling well – including pet parents. So when you notice that your cat isn’t eating well, you might already be on high alert. But how long can a cat go without eating? And what is the best way to increase their appetite? While …

The short answer to can cats be autistic is no. Autism Spectrum Disorder is a complicated disorder with symptoms that range from mild to severe, depending on the individual. The symptoms are also not very stable as they can change from person to person. There is a typical list of signs that most people learn …

Knowing how long can you leave a cat alone is essential when leaving the house for any length of time. Actually, can you leave your cat alone? When is it not okay to leave your cat alone? If you find yourself asking yourself these questions but struggling to find answers, you’re in luck. I’ve covered …

The thing about cats is that they never fail to surprise you. There’s probably a lot that cats can do that we are unaware of… like driving, or playing golf. But let’s start with something simple: Can cats swim? The short answer is yes. When pressed to do so, cats will more than likely …

Seeing your cat shaking may be very alarming for a cat owner. For one thing, it’s an unusual behavior, and your first instinct will likely be to assume the worst and Google, ‘Why is My Cat Shaking?’ First things first – don’t panic. Try to remain calm, there are several reasons for a cat shaking. …

If you’ve just gotten a kitten, you may be wondering, “how long do cats grow to reach their adult size?” No matter the kind of cat breed, from Sphynx to Siamese, your feline friend is sure to grow as big as they possibly can. Your cat hits similar developmental milestones to a human baby in …

When you think about your cat and its memory, do the strains of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musicals fill your mind? That would be weird. But the question of whether cats have a good memory is an intriguing one, whether or not they’re on stage. Some people love to confer human traits upon their pets. It’s …

Whether you leave your popcorn bowl unattended or spill a few kernels while watching a movie, your curious cat is bound to try and taste it. But can cats eat popcorn? If they do nibble on a few kernels, you may be worried about whether it’s safe for your cat to eat popcorn. Or, you …