Health Insurance For Cats And Common Illnesses?

Do you use health insurance for your cats?
If you do- which one do you use/recommend? (Or I mean pet insurance)

What are some illnesses that are common in cats that we should watch out for and what prevention methods are the best?

My current cat is 2 years old.
She's always been a butt scooter and sometimes get constipated (as in her poops get kind of pellet like), but I feed her pumpkin on occasion for that, but otherwise her stools are very healthy.
I also like to put water into her dry food (I don't know if this is necessary but she seems to not drink a lot of water otherwise) and make sure she's peeing 2-3 times a day.
I try to give her at least 30 minutes of play, probably more since other people in the house also play with her. She gets a ton of attention since there's always someone home . She gets a yearly vet check. Try to brush her frequently.
I feed her a mix of American Journey grain free chicken/turkey and Kitten chow. I'm not sure if kitten chow is really the best quality, but she just doesn't really like American Journey dry food by itself. Wet food just never meshed well with her stomach, so I don't give her that.

Is there anything I should adjust/add in to this usual care to make sure she stays healthy?

I guess this is kind of a 3-in-1 comprehensive health question, but any advice would be appreciated!

Hi! I can't speak to the insurance (we just had a hefty bill at the vets, and it might have helped, I don't know).

The butt scooting isn't normal. Have you had her in to the vet lately, and/or asked them specifically about this?

Have you tried Fancy Feast canned, or some other brands that have canned or pouch foods such as Merrick Backcountry, Natural Balance or Blue Wilderness? It could help with her constipation from the increased moisture in it, as opposed to adding water to dry food, which is carb heavy.

Can you play with her more, and also take her for walks? The increased exercise would help her digestive system to function more normally and would also provide mental and emotional stimulation.

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Hello, thanks for the recommendations! I took her to a vet for butt scooting a while ago. She didn't have worms or any bugs. They expelled her anal glands, but as soon as she came home she was still doing it so it makes me wonder if that was really the issue. I guess I ended up thinking it was just normal for her, but I'll definitely have it checked again.

I tried leash training my cat when she was younger. I really wanted it to work for her, but it just wasn't for her.

She likes to race me in the house, chase balls that I throw across the house, and will leap in the air many times for those fishing pole toys. Our play sessions are pretty high intensity and varied. The pumpkin resolves her occasional constipation.

But I think it would be a great idea to add more vertical space and to try out some of the pouched foods. She has one cabinet in the kitchen she likes perching on top of, and another high perch in another room, but maybe putting shelves would be cool, too.

I always even consider getting another cat for her to play with, but considering her temperament I'm not sure how she'd be.

Again, thanks for the recommendations. Gave me lots to think about.

catalinacat said:

She likes to race me in the house, chase balls that I throw across the house, and will leap in the air many times for those fishing pole toys.

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What a fun cat!!

You're right, here too we've not gotten a second cat because our boy is so territorial. I'm not saying it can't be done but it could be challenging, and a second cat definitely changes the dynamics of things.

I'm sorry I couldn't help with the insurance part but, ... you're very welcome

Oh, by the way, I just happened to think of this about that butt scooting.. Other than possible ongoing anal gland issues (maybe they didn't do a good job?) does she have bits sticking to her rear end?

I have a cat that sometimes butt scoots across the carpet. She has done it since she was a kitten. This particular cat has been on an exclusively wet food diet since kittenhood, she has always had normal poop, has never had any constipation, parasite, or anal gland issues, and always has a clean butt... she just sometimes scoots (she doesn't leave a messy trail or anything). I wonder if she just enjoys the sensation of it. She has some other personality quirks too (and is also one of the smartest cats we have ever had).

I do think for butt scooters it's important to have the vet check it out, but it's possible that some cats just do it for fun?

If you search pet insurance up at the top under The Cat Site you will find some recent posts about it. If you are considering it, start looking around. Your cat is already 2 and there will probably be either exclusions or waiting periods for anything that is pre existing.

Furballsmom said:

Oh, by the way, I just happened to think of this about that butt scooting.. Other than possible ongoing anal gland issues (maybe they didn't do a good job?) does she have bits sticking to her rear end?

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Her butt is always clean and she's not leaving anything on the carpet. But she does this anyways :/

Goodness, cat!