How to Care for Indoor Cats - Taking Care of the Health of Your Cat

1. Groom your cat occasionally. Indoor cats need their nails clipping more frequently, as they are not wearing them down going outside. Either have your vet tech or cat groomer cut them, or ask them to show you how to do it. Clip the tips once a month.
- Also brush your cat wherever it lets you. It may even roll around and let you brush its furry stomach if it's in a really affectionate mood! Brushing your cat is not usually necessary to keeping your cat's coat in good condition (cats usually groom themselves) but it is a good way to form a bond with your pet. This is also a chance for you to inspect your cat's coat and its body for potential health issues.
- Look for black dots or things moving in the cat's fur. Separate the fur and look at the exposed skin. If you do see things moving or lots of small black dots (flea feces), get it a flea and tick collar or spray or take the cat to the vet to get suggestions about treatment.
- Sometimes as cats get older they are no longer able to groom their coats completely. They loose flexibility, making it impossible for them to reach their entire coat. If this is the case with your cat, you may need to do more regular grooming to keep your cat's coat healthy.[8]

2. neuter your indoor cat. Unneutered animals are much more territorial and likely to mark their territory (your home!) with urine or feces. Also, they are more likely to attract strays to the house, which in turn can leave your cat feeling threatened or distressed by the sight of other cats in its yard.

3. Get your cat vaccinated. Even though the cat doesn't go out, you should still get it vaccinated. Some viral infections, such as feline distemper, are caused by hardy viruses that can be walked in on your shoes. Also, if your cat does slip out one dark night, because its immune system has never been exposed to outdoor bugs, there is a greater risk of it catching disease.
- Cats that don't hunt or go outdoors still require worming twice a year. This is because they are born with worms that they acquired from their mother, and the worm eggs dormant in the body tissues hatch out over the pet's lifetime.

4. Don't forget flea control. While the risk of acquiring fleas is lower with an indoor cat, if your pet does pick up a flea you are liable to have a population explosion. There are many excellent safe and effective flea products for use in the cat. Have a chat to your veterinarian to discover which is the best product to meet your needs and that of your cat.

5. Get your cat microchipped. This is a small microchip that is implanted under the skin of the scruff. When the chip is scanned it gives a unique number that is registered on a data base with your details. Should your cat escape, the chip provides a foolproof way of the rescue realizing it is owned and reuniting the pair of you.

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