Hi Derek,

Thanks for your question.

This is a big question but we can break preventative healthcare down into a couple of separate categories.

The first one would be infectious disease and vaccinations are a key component of preventing a large number of very serious infectious diseases. Your vet will be able to advise you on which ones are most appropriate for your cat based on their lifestyle and the area where you live.

The next thing to consider is parasite control, and again, your vet will know the local risks. So it might just be fleas or a few other things and they’ll be able to recommend the best products and the best regimen for your cat.

Weight management is one of the most overlooked and most common problems that I see in the consult room as the number of overweight cats is huge. A cat who is overweight is at a much higher risk of developing some really serious health problems like arthritis, diabetes, skin disease, and fatty liver disease. Therefore, feeding the right amount of an appropriate diet and keeping a close eye on your cat’s weight is really important.

Dental health is another thing that’s often overlooked and bad teeth is probably the second most common problem that I see in the consult room. Brushing is the best way to prevent dental disease and you could consider special diets, dental chews, and things we can add to the water or put directly on the teeth that can also help. Cats can be a challenge when it comes to all of the potential health problems that can arise so really close monitoring and intervention in the early stages is very important for this when you first notice a change in your cat rather than leaving things unaddressed for too long. As always please consult for your vet and seek their advice for any health concerns you may have.

I hope this helps.

Dr. Alex Avery