Keeping Your Cat Healthy
Keeping your cat healthy helps to keep you and your family healthy.
Before choosing a cat
• Certain types of cat or kitten adoptions, like international pet adoption, may not be right for your family because of the risk of disease.
This is especially true if young children, pregnant women or people with weakened immune systems live in the household.
• Learn how to properly care for a cat or kitten before you bring one home. Ask your veterinarian about the right food, care and setup at home for the cat you're choosing.
• Be aware that cats can shed Toxoplasma, Giardia, hookworms, roundworms and other germs in their poop. Plan to change the litterbox daily and always wash your hands afterward.
• If you're pregnant, have someone else change the litterbox if you can. If you have to do it yourself, wear gloves and wash your hands well afterward. Changing it every day matters, because the Toxoplasma germ in cat poop takes a day or more to become infectious. Toxoplasmosis can harm an unborn baby.
How to choose a cat
• Match a cat's personality and energy level with your family, the animals you already have, and the amount of time you have to spend with your pet.
• Pick a cat that's bright, alert and playful. Cats and kittens should have shiny, soft fur that's free of poop and debris.
• Signs of sickness in a cat include seeming sluggish or depressed, diarrhea, abnormal breathing, and fluid running from the eyes or nose.
• Take your new cat or kitten to the vet within a few days to a week after adoption.
• If your cat gets sick or dies soon after you bring it home, take it to the vet right away, and let the pet store, breeder or rescue group know. Tell your vet if the pet came from a shelter or an international pet adoption.
♦ Ask about a microchip and spaying or neutering. Most shelters and rescues take care of both before adoption. A microchip is cheap and helps get a lost cat home.
How to house your cat
• It's important to give your cat a safe, warm and comfortable place to live. Talk to your vet about making your home safe for your cat.
♦ Most vets recommend keeping your cat indoors. Indoor cats tend to live longer and stay healthier, and they rack up fewer vet bills.
• If you do let your cat outside, provide shelter when it's cold or rainy and shade when it's hot. Your cat should be able to get indoors at night to stay safe from predators.
• Make sure your cat has food and fresh water every day.
• Be aware that leaving food outdoors for your cat can attract unwanted wildlife, which can spread diseases to your cat.
♦ Skip the raw food. Since 2024, many cats have gotten sick or died from bird flu after eating raw pet food or drinking raw milk. Stick with cooked or commercial cat food, and never give your cat unpasteurized milk.
• Each cat in a household should have its own litterbox, plus one extra.
Monitor your cat's health
• Take your cat to the vet regularly to keep it healthy and prevent infectious diseases.
• Talk to your vet about preventive treatments for fleas, heartworms, ticks and other parasites.
• Clean up any urine, poop or vomit in the house right away, and disinfect the area afterward. Wash your hands thoroughly when you're done.
• Call your vet if you notice any signs of illness. Keep in mind that even cats that look healthy can spread germs to people and other animals.
Get your cat vaccinated
• Keep your cat up to date on routine vaccines like rabies and feline distemper.
• Vaccines help protect your cat from dangerous diseases and help them live a longer, healthier life.
• Tell your vet about your cat's lifestyle, including whether it's indoors, outdoors or both. Let your vet know if there are other animals at home, or any animals your cat may come into contact with.
• Ask your vet about the feline leukemia vaccine. It's recommended for all kittens. After the first year, it depends on whether your cat goes outdoors or is around other cats.
