6 Common Cat Diseases and How to Prevent Them
📝 Summary
Cats hide illness, so know the six common problems: urinary disease (more water, less stress), respiratory infection (vet check), periodontal disease (brush teeth), parasites (regular deworming), ringworm (nutrition, dry environment), and ear mites (ear drops, routine cleaning).
1 Urinary, Respiratory, and Dental
Urinary disease is among the most common reasons cats see a vet (~1 in 10 visits). It includes idiopathic cystitis (~60%), bladder stones (~20%), urethral blockage, and infection (mostly in seniors 8+). Signs: straining, peeing outside the box, over-grooming the rear, blood in urine. Prevent with more wet food and water, less stress, weight control, an open litter box you scoop daily.
Respiratory infection: sneezing, runny eyes/nose, cough, fever. Mostly viral with no specific drug, but a vet check prevents complications.
Periodontal disease affects ~85% of cats over three. Plaque hardens into tartar and gum disease; don’t trust ‘kibble cleans teeth.’ Watch for eating difficulty, bad breath, changed chewing. Prevent by brushing from kittenhood and professional cleanings as needed.
2 Parasites, Ringworm, and Ear Mites
Internal parasites (roundworms, heartworm) and external ones (fleas, lice) cause vomiting, diarrhea, scratching, and hair loss; black specks that turn red in water mean fleas. Prevent with regular internal and external deworming—even indoor cats that catch flies are at risk; also keep the toilet lid closed.
Ringworm is a contagious fungal skin disease (face, limbs, tail) with round bald, itchy, scaly patches; it can spread to people. Prevent with good nutrition (extra B vitamins) and a dry, airy environment; it’s common in weak, undernourished cats.
Ear mites: head-shaking and hind-leg scratching reveal brown-black debris in the ear. Treat with cat ear drops on a cotton swab, cleaning often; prevent with ear cleaning every 1–2 weeks.
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