There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face. - Bern Williams
Feline Veterinary Care for Cat Lovers
While cat lovers admire their pets for their intelligence and independent nature, cats do not take care of themselves. The proper care of a cat is as important as with any other pet and the relationship you have with your new feline friend is a commitment built on trust.
Caring for your cat’s health begins the first day, with your veterinary wellness appointment. First, prevent diseases through the proper vaccines and parasite preventives and treatment. Your annual wellness check-up is designed to identify any developing problems before they become serious or life threatening; this visit should be increased to twice annually as your cat enters the senior years, around 8 years of age. Veterinary care, nutritional guidance, and behavioral counseling are all components of wellness care and will help you and your pet maintain a long and happy relationship.
Cats may be independent but, to make a good pet, they need socialization. The best time to socialize your kitten is during the first 6 months of life, through human exposure, gentle handling, and appropriate play. To keep your cat happy, veterinary behavior specialists suggest owners play with their cats for at least 5 minutes every day. Read the great article, Make Time for Play and Prevent Behavior Problems in Cats for tips about training and understanding your cat’s behavior. WebMD Healthy Pet offers these great tips for Bonding with Your New Kitten.
Finding a cat or kitten to adopt is a simple matter, and we are happy to direct you to available pets waiting for adoption. Millions of cats and kittens are euthanized every year in shelters in this country for lack of a loving home. Spaying or neutering your feline friend is a great step in preventing the unwanted pet population from further expansion. For an in-depth discussion about the topic of spay and neuter, visit the Y2SPAY website.
One local organization we recommend, Stray Cat Adoptions of Texas (SCAT), makes it their business to pair cats with appropriate owners. Contact them for an appointment or to discuss available pets:
Stray Cat Adoptions of Texas
P.O. Box 700571
San Antonio, Texas 78270<
Phone: 210-363-8010
Attention: Denise Duchaine
We also recommend the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) website for a variety of health care articles and resources for cat owners.
The professionals at Ten West Bird and Animal Hospital are here to support and guide you in maintaining the health, happiness, and longevity of your pet and to strengthen the relationship between you. If you have adopted a kitten, or are considering a young pet, visit our Puppies and Kittens page for more guidance.