Common Feline Health Issues

For people who have never owned a cat and are considering adopting one, there are some health issues that may not be known. While most cats are perfectly healthy and livelong lives, they do have some issues that may not be life threatening, but they may need to be considered. The following are some of the most common feline health issues:

· Hairballs - Hairballs are the most common of all of the feline health issues and with the exception of the hairless cats; most have an issue with them at one time or another. One reason many people want to have a cat is because they are very clean. They stay this way with constant grooming and because their tongues are rough, a great deal of hair is stuck to it and is swallowed by the cat. Too much hair and it does not pass through the same channels as food does. In rare cases, the hairball cannot be coughed up and instead gets caught in the intestines and must be operated on. If you brush your cat regularly then there is less hair for them to swallow and you can prevent the worst from happening.

· Worms - Cats, like dogs, can get worms such as roundworm, tapeworm and hookworms. There are some signs of this malady that can make getting them help much easier. If your cat is eating normally and yet not gaining any weight, they may have worms. Another sign is white spots in their feces and a bad flea problem. While worms can be dangerous, knowing the warning signs and regular vet check ups can keep your cat from being infested.

· Urinary Tract Infection - Finally, a common health issue for cats is the urinary tract infection. The males of the species that have not been neutered are the cats that suffer the most from this but it can be found in all cats. This is only one reason why it is important to have your male cats fixed when they are old enough. When you notice that your cat's urine has a much stronger smell than before, this can be a sign and you should take your cat to be looked at.

Many of the health issues that cats are known for are easy to diagnose and take care of if you know the warning signs. Pay attention to your cat's diet and to their stool and urine to find out if there are any serious problems with them. Visit your veterinarian on a regular basis too to keep your cat healthy and happy.

Lisa Mason is a freelance writer with a specialty in Internet content and SEO articles and the author of How to Earn a Living Writing for the Internet. She has written thousands of articles, hundreds of ebooks and thousands of website pages and related content in more than 10 years as a professional writer.

Author of "100 Days to Better Article Writing" as well as other books, guides and articles on writing and writing online.