Cat Health Awareness – Feline Fine in May and June

Book online or call your local Sydney Animal Hospital now;

Valid 1st May until 30th June. T&C’s apply.

When it comes to keeping your cat healthy, some of the most important signs of illness can be hidden — and a simple urine test (urinalysis) can reveal problems long before they become serious.

 Routine urine testing helps us catch issues that you can’t see at home.

• Kidney disease – one of the most common and serious conditions in older cats
  
• Diabetes – often picked up by sugar or ketones in the urine
  
• Urinary tract infections – common and painful, especially in stressed or senior cats
  
• Bladder stones or crystals – which can cause blockages and life-threatening emergencies
  
• Liver disease – changes in urine colour or consistency can provide early clues
  
• Dehydration or overhydration – which can be linked to a range of underlying health conditions

Cats are naturally very good at hiding pain and illness. By the time they show obvious symptoms, diseases like kidney failure or urinary tract infections can be quite advanced.

A urine test allows your vet to:

• Detect problems early when treatment is simpler and more affordable
• Prevent more serious health emergencies
• Tailor your cat’s care plan based on real evidence, not just symptoms

A quick urine test could be the difference between early treatment and serious illness.



If you have any concerns about your cat — or it’s been a while since their last full health check — contact our team today.

Your cat deserves the best care — and it starts with prevention.

Cats can’t brush their teeth, but just like people, they are at risk for dental problems that can cause pain and serious health issues. Your cat is counting on you for dental care to stay healthy and happy.

Saliva, bacteria and food particles combine to form plaque every day. Plaque is the film you feel on your teeth in the morning when you wake up. Within 24 hours the plaque may begin to turn into tartar, a hard yellowish deposit on the teeth. Plaque also causes gingivitis – inflammation of the gums – that is the first stage of periodontal disease.

70% of cats have periodontal disease by the age of two, but other types of gum disease can occur even earlier. The major cause of gum disease is accumulation of plaque, which contains a high number of bacteria. These bacteria can spread to the lungs, liver, kidney and heart, causing infection there. Periodontal disease is painful, even if your cat may not show it.

Your vet will be able to spot any problems during your cat’s check-up, but until then, here are some things to look out for:

There are 3 parts to taking care of your cat’s teeth:

Although not easy, this is the best method for keeping your cat’s teeth as healthy as possible. It is best to start them getting used to the process from a young age.

Daily is ideal, but as often as you can is better than not at all. A special toothpaste must be used as human toothpaste contains fluoride which is toxic to our pets. Ask your vet or vet nurse what he or she would recommend and get them to show you what to do.

Ensure you have enough litter trays for each cat. We suggest if you have 2 cats your need 3 litter trays. Make sure they are away from where they eat and in a nice quiet place. Some cats who go outside might prefer a little bit of soil added in to their litter tray to make it more “natural”.

Cats can be quite sensitive to the type of dish that they feed from. Shallow dishes are best as deep bowls affect the sensation on their whiskers and you will often find that they eat food in the middle and leave the food around the edge. Plastic bowls although cheap and easy, can get easily scratched and harbour bacteria and lead to what we call “feline acne” on their chin. Ceramic and stainless steel dishes are the best to avoid bacteria and are also easy to clean.

Environmental enrichment is very important, especially for indoor cats. Scratching posts with different levels help keep their claws healthy and protect your furniture as well as giving cats high areas to lie and rest on which they often prefer. Toys and play time are a good way to keep them happy as well as healthy with the exercise.

Cats are not the best drinkers. It can be trial and error as to what works best for your own cat yet they still prefer the dirty water from the bottom of the bath! Having water bowls or mugs dotted around the house and away from their food can help. Also drinking fountains that are specifically made for our picky drinkers which can be found online or in pet stores.