Around 80% of the total veterinary care industry is derived from treating and caring for dogs, cats, and other small animals. Although dogs are a man’s best friend, cats are just as witty and playful and deserve as much care as any other pet, which is why you should take your feline companion to a veterinarian for cats.
What a veterinarian for cats can do for you: This type of veterinary care center is just focused on cats — from newborns to old-timers. A veterinarian for cats will be able to provide top-notch pet injury advice, as well as be able to provide your cat with medications. Around 75% of vets in the U.S. practice their skills at a private practice, so you may want to search for a private practice first in order to get the best care.
You will also be able to receive free veterinarian advice for cats at whatever cat vet clinic you choose. A veterinarian technician will be sure to tell you that if your cat is over 10 years old, they should visit the clinic twice a year, while under 10 years old they should visit just once.
Here are some of the most common general cat care questions:
Feeding
- An adult cat needs to be fed one large meal a day, or two to three small meals
- For kittens six to 12 weeks only, they need to eat four times a day
- Kittens three to six months old should be fed three times a day
Any leftover canned food should be thrown away 30 minutes after it’s been opened. Keep dry food available in your house. You will find dry food to be less expensive than canned, and it is generally better for their health. However, buying top-shelve brand name cat food is guaranteed to be much better for your furry friend.
Grooming
Generally, most cats should stay relatively clean and will rarely — if ever — need a bath. You should brush or comb your cat three to four times a week in order to collect any fur they were not able to clean off with their tongues. Brushing also reduces the amount of shedding.
Handling
Cats can be picky when it comes to handling; not many like to be picked up, and if they do, they only like to be picked up a certain way. For most cats, place one hand behind their front legs and another under their hindquarters. Lift them up gently! Also, never pick up your cat by the scruff of their neck or by their front legs. Picking them up by throwing an arm underneath their belly can also be painful for them.
For any further questions or concerns about how to handle or treat your cat, always consult your veterinarian.
