Our furry companions are the ones we hold most dear. And so, there are certain steps that should be taken to ensure their health and hygiene, as well as ours.

Both indoor and outdoor cats clean themselves throughout the day and as many times as required. Therefore, it is not necessary to wash cats as frequently as dogs. Frequent washing can lead to your cat’s skin layer drying up, which can create patches of fur loss due to the lack of essential oils. 

The recommended way to clean cats is to dampen a fresh towel and wipe it across their fur to get rid of surface debris. Otherwise, if you really wish to bathe your cat, you may do so once a month. Make sure that you use cat shampoo, soap and/or conditioner - human and dog products will lead to rashes and skin issues.

If your cat has long fur, they must be brushed daily to avoid knots. A matted coat is uncomfortable and unhygienic, and will have to be shaved completely to untangle. 

Before a bath, make sure to brush their coat. Then, slowly introduce them to the sound of the water running in the sink. Make sure the water is warm but not too hot. Bathe them using a small cup or a hose. Make sure to dry them with a towel thoroughly to avoid getting a chill.

Most cats do not like to be bathed and often lash out. It helps to be calm and talk soothingly while doing so. Please note that if the cat is struggling, they may injure themselves. Put a carpet or a towel underneath them and hold the back of their neck with one hand and wash with the other, to prevent slipping and struggling.

Pets often contract ticks and fleas. You need to routinely check the central points in which they hide - i.e. in between the paw pads, under the arm, under the neck, inside and behind the ears. In the case of ticks, consider bathing with a medicated tick removal cat shampoo and using a flea comb during the bath. You should also consider using tick control medicine such as Tixfree Spot On vials or Bolfo Powder for effective control. But be warned, cats lick off anything that’s put on their fur, so make sure to use an e-collar when using such methods. Keep your cat indoors till they’re tick-free and check your other pets for infestation. 

You may put a decorative collar on your cat once they are past 6 months of age. Collars are especially beneficial for outdoor cats. It lets neighbors know that they are not a stray cat that’s free to adopt, and also helps identify your cat in case they go missing.

However, there are also risks that come with it. It is very important to get the right collar size and adjust it as the cat grows older. Not doing so may lead to extreme discomfort and suffocation. Routinely insert a finger under the collar, to ensure there’s adequate space to comfortably breath. If your cat is noticeably irritated, itching or uncomfortable, change or remove the collar immediately.

While dry and wet cat food is convenient, there are claims of long term bad health effects. This is in regards to water intake and kidney diseases, as well as carbs and obesity. Regardless, processed meals are of course less healthier or safer than home cooked meals. If you cannot provide complete homemade meals, consider giving your cat boiled fish as a daily snack.

Change their water daily. Do not give cow milk or rice, as most cats cannot digest them. Do not give raw fish or meat. Please note that certain fish are toxic to cats - we recommend salayo. When giving fish to kittens, make sure that they do not have bones to prevent choking. (Refer Episode 14 for Weaning)

Indoor cats must always have fresh cat litter. If they are tray trained, opt for cat litter instead of sand for hygienic and health purposes. Cat litter is easy to use and easy to clean. There are various scented, clumping and flushable litters to choose from. The litter tray must be cleaned daily. Do not allow the litter box to remain dirty - this will dirty your personal belongings and anything your cat comes in contact with. Ensure to dispose of the cat litter effectively - never flush or bury it unless it is flushable and biodegradable. (Refer Episode 08 for Litter Training)

It is mandatory to deworm your cat regularly. Starting from 2 weeks of age to 3 months, they must be dewormed every 2 weeks, per their weight. From then till 6 months of age, they must be dewormed once a month. From then onwards, they must be dewormed once every 3 months. 

To spot worms in your cat, look into their overall behavior and health. Symptoms include excessive diarrhea, vomiting, changes in appetite, sensitive or swollen anus and weight loss, as well as eggs or worms in feces and a swollen stomach.

Lastly, routine health checkups are important. It is important to sterilize your cat, for health and behavioral purposes (Refer Episode 15), and routine vaccinations are vital to strengthen your cat's health and life span (Refer Episode 11). If you can accommodate it, consider getting a full blood checkup done yearly, which will help catch any asymptomatic illnesses your cat may have. 

If you notice anything out of the ordinary with your cat, do not administer human medicine and do not consult strangers online. Symptoms can point to various illnesses and treating the wrong diagnosis can be fatal. We urge you to consult a vet immediately.

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