Cat Health: How to Keep Your Feline Companion in Good Shape

Cat’s health depends largely on the ability of its human companion to provide everything it needs, prevent illness, protect it from potential dangers, and recognize early signs of disease. If you share your home with a small feline friend, reading this guide can help you ensure a long and healthy life for your cat.

Key Rules to Protect Your Cat’s Health

Cats do not have nine lives—they have only one, just like humans. To safeguard that life, it is essential to provide:

• A healthy, balanced diet
• Adequate physical activity
• Regular veterinary check-ups
• Appropriate vaccinations

Healthy Nutrition for Cats

Cats are obligate carnivores, which means their diet must primarily consist of high-quality animal proteins.

In addition to protein, cats require:

• Omega-3 fatty acids (such as EPA and DHA) for healthy bones and muscles
• Omega-6 fatty acids for skin and coat health
• Taurine to help prevent cardiac disorders
• Essential minerals to support metabolic balance

To explore this topic further, we recommend reading our in-depth article on palatability in cat food.

To ensure proper protein intake, all Naxos foods use proteins that are:

• Dehydrated, preventing discrepancies between the declared protein percentage on the label and the actual nutritional value after water removal during production
• Made in Italy with a short supply chain, helping guarantee ingredient quality and respect for animal welfare
• Free from added artificial preservatives, reducing the risk of undesirable health issues

In nature, feline prey consists of approximately 70% water. For this reason, it is advisable to balance dry food with wet food in order to prevent dehydration and reduce the risk of kidney disease that could emerge in the medium or long term.

Cat Health: Vaccinations and Parasite Prevention

Vaccinations for cats are not legally mandatory in many countries, but they play a crucial role in preventing potentially fatal diseases.

The first vaccinations should generally be administered after the first 60 days of life, once weaning is complete and the antibodies passed on by the mother begin to decline.

Booster vaccinations should then be given approximately one month later, with the exception of the very first booster, which may be administered again after about 15 days.

The most important vaccines for cats protect against:

• Feline viral rhinotracheitis (herpesvirus)
• Viral gastroenteritis or panleukopenia
• Calicivirus infection
• Feline leukemia virus infection
• Feline infectious peritonitis
• Chlamydiosis

Contrary to what is sometimes suggested, once the initial vaccination protocol has been completed, annual boosters are not always necessary for every vaccine.

For accurate and up-to-date information, it is advisable to consult the recommendations issued by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) Global Veterinary Community.

Parasite prevention also deserves special attention, particularly in spring and summer. However, due to climate change, parasites can now be present even in autumn and winter, making year-round vigilance important.

Cat Health: Creating a Safe Home Environment

Love and veterinary care alone are not enough to guarantee a cat’s wellbeing. Owners should also pay attention to potential household risks:

• Spaying or neutering cats to reduce the risk of reproductive cancers affecting the prostate, testicles, ovaries, and mammary glands
• Preventing roaming, which exposes cats to poisoning, hunting, road accidents, aggression from dogs or other cats, and other dangers
• Avoiding toxic foods, including chocolate, coffee, tomato, avocado, raisins, candied fruits, and poisoned bait
• Restricting access to toxic plants, such as laurel, hemlock, poinsettia, mistletoe, tulip, azalea, and others
• Securing balconies and windows to prevent falls
• Preventing burns from stovetops, ovens, or hot surfaces
• Protecting hearing, keeping noise levels low and avoiding bells on collars, which can cause continuous auditory stress
• Avoiding collars, which may cause skin lesions or even strangulation in certain situations
• Using pet-safe cleaning products for floors and surfaces
• Being aware of environmental hazards, such as processionary caterpillars
• Avoiding fireworks and loud explosives, which can frighten and disorient cats, often causing them to flee
• Choosing unscented litter free from dust and potentially harmful substances
• Keeping toxic household chemicals away, including tobacco, mothballs, pesticides, insecticides, rodenticides, and disinfectants

How to Tell If Your Cat Is Healthy

Your cat is healthy if its eyes are clean, bright, and tear-free. Its nose is clean, moist, and free of discharge. Its gums are moist, pink, and free of inflammation. Its tongue is pink and almost uniform in color. Its fur is well-groomed and free of tangles.

Healthy cats also make noises and meows, purr, sleep peacefully, relieve themselves regularly, love to play, and are curious; during cuddle time, they sometimes make “pasta” with their paws.

Signs of Illness in Cats

When should you worry about your cat? If you’re wondering how to tell if your cat isn’t feeling well, common symptoms include: diarrhea; vomiting; loss of appetite; intolerance when picked up; weight loss; difficulty breathing; sneezing; unusual meowing; behavioral changes; dirty fur; swelling of the breasts and/or belly; excessive or uneven hair loss; lethargy; increased urination; seeking cold air; difficulty coordinating; excessive purring; allergic dermatitis.

If you have any concerns about your cat’s health, don’t hesitate to contact your trusted veterinarian. Many ailments and conditions can be resolved quickly, but only with prompt professional intervention: don’t wait!

What Does It Mean If a Cat Has a Dry Nose?

A cat’s nose (the rhinarium) should normally be well hydrated and free of wounds or cracks.

If your cat’s nose appears dry, the causes may vary—from fever to dermatological conditions.

In any case, a veterinary consultation is recommended as soon as possible to determine the underlying cause.

If you want to return the affection your feline companion shows you every day, focus on prevention and proper care. Naxos Products developed with feline nutritional needs in mind—such as those from the Naxos line—can support your cat’s wellbeing.

Continue reading our blog for more useful advice on caring for your beloved pets. 🐾