Cat Health Awareness – Feline Fine in May and June
Got a nervous cat? Grab a Complimentary Calming Pack prior to your visit.
May and June focus is on cat health and dentistry
Did you know ‘70% of cats have dental disease by 2 years of age’ May & June OFFER:
Free Urinalysis with Health Check or Vaccine
Complimentary T/D Hills Diet with every Dental
Complimentary Dose of Flea and Tick Prevention with Vaccine
Complimentary Calming Pack
Book online or call your local Sydney Animal Hospital now;
Valid 1st May until 30th June. T&C’s apply.
Is your cat Feline Fine?
Cats are masters at hiding illness, so it is recommended that you visit your vet at least once a year to give your cat the all clear. By supporting this campaign, together we can improve the health of cats in our local community.
Did you know that many cats are not receiving the care they deserve? Australia has a pet cat population of 4.9 million, 30% of households own a cat. With the impacts of the pandemic in recent years, one in five pet owners haven’t visited the vet in the last two years! Source: Animal Medicines Australia Pets and the Pandemic Report 2021 report.
Every year, more and more people have cats as pets, but cats continue to receive fewer annual veterinary health checks compared to dogs. What’s more, cats are living longer than they did 20 years ago. That’s why putting off veterinary visits can place your cat’s health at risk.
Why a Urine Test is So Important for Your Cat
When it comes to keeping your cat healthy, some of the most important signs of illness can be hidden — and a simple urine test (urinalysis) can reveal problems long before they become serious.
Routine urine testing helps us catch issues that you can’t see at home.
What a Urine Test Can Detect:
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Kidney disease – one of the most common and serious conditions in older cats
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Diabetes – often picked up by sugar or ketones in the urine
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Urinary tract infections – common and painful, especially in stressed or senior cats
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Bladder stones or crystals – which can cause blockages and life-threatening emergencies
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Liver disease – changes in urine colour or consistency can provide early clues
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Dehydration or overhydration – which can be linked to a range of underlying health conditions
Why It Matters:
Cats are naturally very good at hiding pain and illness. By the time they show obvious symptoms, diseases like kidney failure or urinary tract infections can be quite advanced.
A urine test allows your vet to:
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Detect problems early when treatment is simpler and more affordable
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Prevent more serious health emergencies
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Tailor your cat’s care plan based on real evidence, not just symptoms
Give Your Cat the Best Chance for a Long, Healthy Life
A quick urine test could be the difference between early treatment and serious illness.
If you have any concerns about your cat — or it’s been a while since their last full health check — contact our team today.
Your cat deserves the best care — and it starts with prevention.
CAT DENTAL
Cats can’t brush their teeth, but just like people, they are at risk for dental problems that can cause pain and serious health issues. Your cat is counting on you for dental care to stay healthy and happy.
PLAQUE AND TARTAR
Saliva, bacteria and food particles combine to form plaque every day. Plaque is the film you feel on your teeth in the morning when you wake up. Within 24 hours the plaque may begin to turn into tartar, a hard yellowish deposit on the teeth. Plaque also causes gingivitis – inflammation of the gums – that is the first stage of periodontal disease.
A PROBLEM AT ALL AGES
70% of cats have periodontal disease by the age of two, but other types of gum disease can occur even earlier. The major cause of gum disease is accumulation of plaque, which contains a high number of bacteria. These bacteria can spread to the lungs, liver, kidney and heart, causing infection there. Periodontal disease is painful, even if your cat may not show it.
Tell-Tale Signs
Your vet will be able to spot any problems during your cat’s check-up, but until then, here are some things to look out for:
A Good Brush
There are 3 parts to taking care of your cat’s teeth:
Although not easy, this is the best method for keeping your cat’s teeth as healthy as possible. It is best to start them getting used to the process from a young age.
Daily is ideal, but as often as you can is better than not at all. A special toothpaste must be used as human toothpaste contains fluoride which is toxic to our pets. Ask your vet or vet nurse what he or she would recommend and get them to show you what to do.
Special Food
In addition to tooth brushing or instead of, you can use a special food. Hill’s Prescription Diet t/d is created with a unique structure and size that helps reduce plaque, tartar and gingivitis. Regular dry food does not remove plaque. This is the simplest way of making sure your cat gets some form of ‘brushing’ each day.
Regular Check Ups
Having at least once, but ideally twice, yearly check ups with your vet is the best way to be sure of your cat’s dental health. Your vet will grade their teeth and depending on that, they may advise a dental procedure. Low grades just require a nice scale a polish, much like we have at our dentists. Some conditions and higher dental grades, however, require more complex dental procedures involving extractions. During cat dental months Sydney Animal Hospitals are offering free dental checks with our veterinary nurses.
Cats General Health
As well as seeing your vet regularly for their dental health, they will also have a full physical examination to ensure they are in good general physical health. Cat’s are very good at hiding illnesses and can often hide away in your home or outside when they aren’t feeling themselves. They receive much fewer veterinary checks than dogs due to this. However, they do show some subtle signs which we would like you to be aware of so that you can take the best care of your cat possible. If you see any of the following signs please contact your nearest Sydney Animal Hospital for advice:
If you see any of these subtle signs of illness in your cat, it’s time to visit your veterinarian:
Some general tips for keeping your cat happy and healthy at home
Ensure you have enough litter trays for each cat. We suggest if you have 2 cats your need 3 litter trays. Make sure they are away from where they eat and in a nice quiet place. Some cats who go outside might prefer a little bit of soil added in to their litter tray to make it more “natural”.
Cats can be quite sensitive to the type of dish that they feed from. Shallow dishes are best as deep bowls affect the sensation on their whiskers and you will often find that they eat food in the middle and leave the food around the edge. Plastic bowls although cheap and easy, can get easily scratched and harbour bacteria and lead to what we call “feline acne” on their chin. Ceramic and stainless steel dishes are the best to avoid bacteria and are also easy to clean.
Environmental enrichment is very important, especially for indoor cats. Scratching posts with different levels help keep their claws healthy and protect your furniture as well as giving cats high areas to lie and rest on which they often prefer. Toys and play time are a good way to keep them happy as well as healthy with the exercise.
For more information or to book your free dental check with a vet nurse Book online or call your local Sydney Animal Hospital now on;
7 Sydney Animal Hospital Locations Across Sydney
Sydney Animal Hospitals have 7 locations across Sydney for your convenience
Newtown
Open 7 Days
Inner West
Open 7 Days
Norwest
Open 7 Days
Kellyville
Open 7 Days
Baulkham Hills
Open 7 Days
Newport
Open 7 Days
Avalon
Open 6 Days
7 Sydney Animal Hospital Locations Across Sydney
Sydney Animal Hospitals have 7 locations across Sydney for your convenience
