By Wendy C. Fries
WebMD Feature Reviewed by Audrey Cook, BVM&S

Cats can be a contented bunch, cared for and pampered by devoted owners who have their pets’ best interests at heart. Yet sometimes our good intentions don’t align with the health needs of our cats. We love a little too much in the form of overfeeding, for example, or miss subtle signs of serious illness.

WebMD talked to veterinarians to learn what we can do to keep our cats in fine fettle. Here are the most common mistakes they see cat owners make, along with their tips on how to avoid them.

Cat Health Mistake 1: Not Getting Preventive Care

By far, the most common health mistake owners make is not getting their cat preventive care, say the pros. Preventive care is vital to catching health problems in their early stages, says Oregon veterinarian Marla J. McGeorge, DVM, who has a special interest in cat health.

Although regular vaccinations are an important part of preventive care for cats, they’re not the whole picture. A comprehensive annual exam goes much further and can include:

An evaluation of a cat’s eyes, ears, coat, and skinBlood workAn oral examParasite controlAdvice about nutrition, exercise, and enrichment

“Cats generally get less healthcare than dogs,” says Adrianne Brode, DVM, CCRP, associate medical director at the Canine Health Institute in Houston. Brode speculates that one reason may be because cats are more expert at hiding their pain — something these small prey animals do instinctively.

“Some older house cats are pretty inactive and sleep a lot, so owners often just don’t notice problems,” Brode says. Although you might not see signs of arthritis, tooth loss, or malnutrition in your cat, your vet will.

Cat Health Mistake 2: Not Spaying or Neutering

Kittens are precious — there’s no doubt about it. Yet every kitten has the potential to grow into a healthy, reproducing cat. If left unchecked, one female cat and her kittens can produce as many as 420,000 cats in seven years.

“There is a huge cat overpopulation problem in the U.S.,” McGeorge tells WebMD. Nationwide, shelters receive up to 7 million unwanted pets every year, and more than half of them are euthanized.

That’s why it’s important to have cats spayed or neutered before they are old enough to reproduce, McGeorge says. Because a cat can become pregnant at four to six months of age, they should be spayed or neutered promptly. Kittens can be spayed as early as eight weeks old.

Spaying or neutering costs less than raising a litter of kittens for a year, according to the ASPCA. Many nonprofit groups offer low-cost spay/neuter options, with fees as low as $20. Talk to your vet or a local animal shelter. They may be able to recommend a low-cost spay option near you.

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 Post in female, Health, Heart, Male