Cat health and welfare

Make sure your cat is protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease

Facts

• Cats feel pain and have similar pain thresholds to people.
   
• Individual cats show that they are in pain or suffering in different ways.
   
• A change in the way a cat normally behaves, or in his/her daily activity pattern, can be an early sign he/she is ill or in pain. Read more about cats' behaviour.
   
• Cats are vulnerable to a range of serious infectious diseases and other illnesses.
   
• Road traffic accidents are the most common cause of injury and early death of cats.
   
• Cats that are insecure or stressed may become unwell as a result.
   
• Un-neutered female cats can produce up to 18 kittens a year and are more likely to suffer uterus infections and cancers later in life.
   
• Un-neutered male cats are more likely to fight and to be lost or run over whilst roaming.
   
• Fighting increases the risk of injury and can spread diseases.
   
• Some breeds of cat have been selected for exaggerated physical features which can cause them to suffer and reduce their quality of life.
   
• Certain breeds are particularly prone to inherited disorders and diseases.
   
• A cat which can be easily identified (e.g. via a microchip) is more likely to be reunited with his/her owner and to receive prompt veterinary care if injured.

Things you should do

• Check your cat for signs of injury or illness every day, and make sure this is done by someone else if you are away.
   
• Consult a vet promptly if you suspect that your cat is in pain, ill or injured.
   
• Ask your vet for advice about things you can do to protect your cat’s health, such as vaccination, treatments to control parasites (e.g. fleas and worms) and neutering.
   
• Get your cat neutered, unless he/she is intended for breeding and provisions have been made to care for both parents and offspring. Before allowing cats to breed, seek the advice of a vet to ensure they are suitable for breeding in terms of their health and personalities.
   
• Before deciding to buy/acquire a cat, make sure you find out what health and behaviour problems he/she has, or may be prone to, for instance as a result of his/her breed, how he/she has been bred and how he/she has been cared for. Always check with a vet if you are unsure about anything.
   
• Try to minimise stress in your cat’s daily life, by so doing you will decrease his/her risk of certain illnesses.
   
• Take your cat for a routine health check at your vets at least once each year.
   
• Only use medicines that have been prescribed for your individual cat. Human and dog medicines can be very dangerous to cats.
   
• Ensure your cat’s coat is kept in good condition by grooming him/her regularly. If you are unsure how to groom your cat properly seek advice from a pet care specialist. If your cat changes his/her grooming habits, you should seek advice from a vet as your cat may be ill.
   
• Make sure your cat can be identified, ideally via a microchip (ask your vet for advice), so he/she can be treated quickly if injured or returned to you if lost.
   
• Consider taking out pet insurance to ensure your cat is covered if he/she needs veterinary treatment.