Health check for cats

A cat will live on average for between 12 and 16 years although many of our feline friends live much longer.   The oldest cat we’ve had in the sanctuary was Missy who was 24 when she fell asleep for the last time.   We have several ‘golden oldies’ with us right now, Tabitha is 19 and Tigerlily, her daughter is a year younger.

Making sure our cats are in good health is a priority, the way we keep them and a natural diet will help them to stay well.  Here’s our health checklist:

General appearance – Alert, lively, curious and active – most cats are also affectionate and playful.

Weight – Average for an adult female cat – 2.5 to 4.5 kg.   An adult male – 3.5 to 6.5kg.   A newborn kitten will weigh between 80 to 120 gm.   A lot depends on body structure and shape.   If you suspect your cat is overweight then he or she needs to diet and get more exercise.

Coat – should be glossy, smooth and clean.   The skin should be supple and not clumped or sticky.

Pulse – A cat’s pulse should be regular and strong with 110 to 140 beats per minute.

Temperature – In normal health it should be between 38 – 39 degrees C.

Eyes – The eyes of a healthy cat are brig ht without any signs of runny discharge.   The third eyelid should not be seen.

Teeth – Nice white teeth without any brown scale are what you would like to see.  If they are not like this a visit to the vet for a dental check up is needed.   Gums should be light pink.

Ears – Dry and clean, a light pink inside.

Toilet – The faeces should be formed but soft and urine should be clear, light yellow and without any particles.

If you have any health check queries you should ask your vet.   A yearly check up is a great idea, especially for older cats who can develop chronic health problems that are difficult to spot.