The 10 Worst Tips for Cat Owners

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When you get your first cat you’re totally excited to have a new member of the family.   Often times we’re so excited that we in fact ignore some simple yet crucial advice when it comes to caring for our cats.   And many times because of this ignorance we tend to let our cats roam around, do whatever they want, and make assumptions that can be very costly to their lives and well being.  Don’t make this mistakes.   Be a responsible cat owner.  But in case you are doing any of the wrong things we wanted to share with you this list of 10 of the worst tips for cat owners.  With the help of Dr. Becker, here are the worst tips for cat owners. Karen runs Healthy Pets as well as contributes to the Huffington Post.  Enjoy this terrible advice!

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1. Be Hands Off. Let Your Cat Roam Free – some people think that by allowing their cats to be independent and self sufficient that they’re helping their cats. That may be true for being in the wild but let’s face it. You’ve got yourself a domestic cat and when you have a cat in your house the last thing you need is that cat roaming around free to do whatever they want. Plus you have responsibilities like taking cat of your cat’s health, grooming, feeding, etc etc.

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2. Let Your Cat be a Fat Cat – some people think that it’s cute that their cat has a little extra weight on. The belly looks adorable right? Maybe so but cat obesity is not a laughing matter. Did you know that half the cats in the U.S. are overfed and under exercised? And let’s not forget that obesity in cats, like humans increases the risk for a number of diseases and ailments.

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3. Don’t Worry about the Litter Box – this is a huge mistake for cat owners. Litter boxes are not just some automatic device you can leave alone and be happy with. Cats loathe filth and they can’t stand a dirty and smelly litter. Also, cats can be very particular about what type of box they like so do your research and know your cat.

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4. Skipping out on Vet visits – Most pet owners fail to take their pets to the vet when in reality a once a year checkup can make a huge difference. While your cat might not exactly enjoy these visits it something that can save their lives and also extend them. Just because your cat is struggling at the vet’s office doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be there. Be sure to visit your vet regularly.

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5. Making Behavior Assumptions – Every cat owner in the world has had a cat that has misbehaved. It doesn’t always mean that your cat has turned bad on you and you need a new one or have to make behavior modifications. Remember, often times when a cat starts exhibiting unusual behavior that this could be a sign of a health issue. Before coming to conclusions about a behavior change, first rule out anything medical.

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6. Cat’s Throwing up is Totally Normal – you think things like hairballs and consistent vomiting are normal? Think again. If your cat can’t keep anything down then it’s most likely a sign of an underlying health issue and your cat should be taken to the vet right away.

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7. Dry Food is OK to Feed Your Cat – Dry cat food is probably the worst thing you can possibly feed your cat. Most brands are devoid of exactly the kind of nourishment your cat needs to be healthy all her life. If you’re feeding your cat dry food, I recommend you start today to make gradual improvements in her diet.

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8. Don’t Brush Kitty’s Teeth – Dental disease is one of the most common reasons cats visit the vet, and also one of the most costly. Dental disease isn’t always confined to the mouth, either. It can lead to a host of other health problems for your furry feline.

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9.  Human Medication is Fine to Administer – This is a given.  Allowing your cat to take human medication can be fatal.  Before giving any type of medication to a cat always consult your vet first.

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10.  Use dog products on your cat – Never assume any product designed for dogs is safe for cats as well. Use only products that clearly state they are safe for kitties.  While these products might look and seem safe they can be deadly.  It’s just not worth the risk.  If you insist on trying this then consult a vet before making the dog to cat product leap.

Most of this advice has been accumulated through the help of Dr. Karen Becker.

Dr. Karen Becker is a proactive and integrative wellness veterinarian. You can visit her site at: MercolaHealthyPets.com.

Her goal is to help you create wellness in order to prevent illness in the lives of your pets. This proactive approach seeks to save you and your pet from unnecessary stress and suffering by identifying and removing health obstacles even before disease occurs. Unfortunately, most veterinarians in the United States are trained to be reactive. They wait for symptoms to occur, and often treat those symptoms without addressing the root cause.

By reading Dr. Becker’s information, you’ll learn how to make impactful, consistent lifestyle choices to improve your pet’s quality of life.

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