FAQ: Health for cats

Older cats more often use joint and kidney supplements, dental care products, soft brushes, hairball remedies and steps. Most important of all, though, are regular vet check-ups so diseases are caught early.

A cat is usually considered mature from about 7–10 years and senior from 11–14 years. From this age vets recommend more frequent check-ups and tests, as kidney, thyroid and joint problems become more common.

In older cats, weight loss with a good appetite is often a sign of an overactive thyroid, diabetes or bowel disease. Supplements will not help here; the cat needs a vet’s examination and blood tests.

In a healthy cat the ribs are easy to feel under a thin layer of fat, and a waist is visible from above. If you cannot feel the ribs and the belly hangs or bulges, talk to a vet about the right weight and feeding.

Diabetic cats drink a lot, urinate often and eat a lot yet lose weight, and sometimes start walking flat on their hind hocks. The risk is higher in obese cats; if you suspect diabetes, see a vet.

Yes, cats can have food allergies or intolerances, most often to certain proteins. They show up as itching, especially on the head and neck, vomiting or diarrhoea. An elimination diet set by a vet helps identify the allergy.

Occasional sneezing is normal, for example from dust or litter. If a cat sneezes often, has nose or eye discharge, will not eat or has a fever, it may be an upper respiratory infection that a vet should see.

Travelling with a cat to other countries may require a rabies vaccination, a microchip and a pet passport, and some countries require other treatments too. Elsewhere there may also be parasites less common in Lithuania, so discuss prevention with a vet in advance.

Not always. Some products suit both species, but doses and active ingredients often differ, and some substances safe for dogs are toxic to cats. Always check that the label clearly says the product is for cats.

Do not use expired medicines or parasite products on your cat, as they may not work. Do not throw them down the drain or in household waste – take them to a pharmacy or a waste collection point that accepts medicines.

A larger pack often has a lower cost per dose, which is handy if you use the product regularly. Check the expiry date and make sure the pack suits your cat’s weight, especially if a kitten is still growing.

Compare not the pack price but the cost of a daily dose or a kilogram. On zoogidas.lt products can be compared by price per kilogram or litre, which makes it easier to see which pack is really cheaper.

Prices are collected about daily, and each product shows when its price was last checked. You buy the product on the shop’s website, so check the final price there before buying.

Yes, the product page shows price history, so you can see whether the current price of a parasite product or supplement is usual or a discount is on right now.

Cats hide pain, so watch for changes: the cat hides, eats less, sits hunched with half-closed eyes, stops grooming, hisses when touched or changes its litter box habits. In such cases see a vet.

Yes, some cat viruses, such as panleukopenia, are very hardy and can be carried into the home on shoes or clothes. Indoor cats usually get the core vaccines, and the vet decides which and how often.

A healthy adult cat is usually advised to have a check-up once a year, and an older cat more often. During it the vet checks weight, teeth and heart and reviews the vaccination and parasite prevention schedule.

The easiest way is to weigh yourself, then weigh yourself holding the cat and subtract the difference. For more accuracy, weigh the cat in a carrier on kitchen or baby scales. Knowing the weight matters for choosing parasite products and tracking health.

Toxoplasma can be present in the fresh faeces of an infected cat, so pregnant women are advised not to clean the litter box, or to do it daily with gloves. A more common source of infection is undercooked meat and unwashed vegetables.

Wash the litter box with hot water and a mild detergent or a pet-safe cleaner, rinse well and dry it. Avoid phenol-based products and strong-smelling chlorine, which can harm the cat and put it off the box.