...AND Save Your Health Care Dollars!
Prevention is the way to help your cat live longer and better while saving your health care dollars. Compare the cost of a rabies vaccine to the cost of post exposure prophylaxis for people exposed to a rabid cat.¹

Compare the cost of having your cat neutered to the cost of repeated visits to the hospital for fight wounds and abscesses. Think about the expense involved in keeping an outdoor cat healthy compared to the expenses involved in keeping an indoor cat well. Compare the expense of feeding less food with the expense of treating a diabetic cat. Compare the cost of a routine dental cleaning with the price of extraction of an abscessed tooth. Compare the cost of monthly prevention for fleas with a blood transfusion for flea anemia. Compare the cost of days in intensive care with the cost of a child proof latch. When you do the math, you will find that preventative care is the best way to save money on feline health care.

The following guidelines will help you keep your cat and your bank account healthy.

• Vaccinate your cat based on his lifestyle. There are many vaccines available, and all cats do not need all vaccines. Vaccines are a good way to prevent or lessen disease in your feline friend, thereby saving you valuable time, money, and worry.

• Neuter or spay your cat by six months of age. Animals that are not sterilized have a tendency to stray further from home, and are frequently the victims of major and expensive trauma. Un-neutered males are more likely to contract Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), which compromises their immune system and predisposes them to an assortment of chronic diseases.

• Don’t let your cat roam unsupervised outside. Outdoor cats have a much higher risk of illness or injury. While vaccinations will boost your cat’s immunity, no vaccine is 100% protective. In addition, outdoor cats are at a greater risk of contracting intestinal parasites and heartworms.

• Prevent and treat dental disorders. Brushing your cat’s teeth will fight daily plaque build-up and routine professional cleaning will keep your feline’s teeth and gums looking like new (not to mention banish bad kitty breath).

• Keep your cat’s weight under control. In cats, obesity has been associated with diabetes, urinary tract disease, constipation, cancer, hepatic lipodosis and degenerative joint disease.² Perhaps the biggest wakeup call was the Purina 448 study that proved that unlimited food was associated with a shortened life span.³ Your veterinarian can recommend a diet plan that will help get your kitty fit and trim.

• Control ticks and fleas. In recent years, many safe and effective preventive products have appeared on the market. Ask your veterinarian which one is best for your cat’s lifestyle. Preventing fleas and ticks not only make our companions more comfortable, but lessen their chances of contracting the diseases and intestinal parasites they transmit.

• Prevent access to harmful products. Household cleaners, fertilizers, and antifreeze should be locked away from children and the family feline. You should keep emergency numbers on hand in case of an accidental ingestion or exposure. (National Animal Poison Control: 1-800-548-2423)