When it comes to addiction which is a compulsive and obsessive disease, our pets like cats are not spared. Cats also suffer from behavioral and substance addiction depending on how well their owner cared for them.

One of the common types of behavioral addiction that these furry animals suffer from is cat treat addiction.

This is an addiction type where the cats meow and whine at the spot where their food is stored. They put up these acts to get their owner to give them their food whenever they wish.

Usually, the major reason why some cats get to this phase is that they were spoiled by their owners. There is a likely chance that their owners always tried to pacify them with treats, which got them used to it in the process.

Hence, these cats are likely to disturb the house and disrupt everywhere until they are given their favorite treats. In the long run, they become addicted and they would do anything to get the owner at their beck and call.

In reality, cat treats were meant to reinforce positive behaviors in cats. This means that giving your cats treats once in a while to make them adopt good behaviors is not a bad idea. However, when it is done excessively it can make these cats spoilt in the process.

Another type of addiction that cats are likely to suffer from is drug addiction. If a cat is exposed to various drug substances that the house owner takes regularly, it might likely get addicted in the long run.

This is why homeowners are advised to be mindful of what their cats have access to when they are not available. When these pets find something that increases their euphoria and excitement, it is likely to keep coming back for it.

If you notice that your cat is addicted, you can take it to a vet doctor for assistance.

When it comes to having a pet, it is important to opt for one that comes with some benefits for your mental health. People with mental health issues can leverage the presence of their pets to get better over time.

One of the pets that you can consider getting when dealing with mental health problems, is a cat. Many researchers have pointed out the fact that having a cat can make you healthier and happier.

According to Australian research, cat owners were likely to have better psychological health than their counterparts without pets. They stated that they were happier, less nervous and they had a clear head to tackle the problems in their lives.

Another benefit that comes with getting a cat pet for your mental health is stress reduction. One of the best ways of relieving stress is having a cat close by when you are battling mental health issues.

According to another research, cat owners had a lower heart rate and blood pressure than those without pets. Out of all the tests conducted, cat owners fared better physiologically and psychologically.

With the presence that cats offer, they can make your worries look easy to surmount. A journalist once mentioned that you couldn’t see a sleeping cat and still feel tense.

If you are in mental health treatment, one of the companions you can rely on for support are cats. So, even when it looks like there’s no one around to care for you, having a cat around helps to fill the gap to an extent.

With a cat pet, you can fight off the feelings of loneliness because you have invested your time in providing care for them. The friendship that a cat offers is mostly unconditional.

Hence, having them around, in the long run, comes with loads of benefits for your mental health that would complement the treatment you are getting from a mental health therapist.

For cat owners, there are times when our cats fall ill and we do not have the slightest idea on what to do. You do not have to be a vet before you care for your sick cat. It is only in severe cases that you might have to reach out to your vet to help out.

If your vet gives you a list of instructions to follow when caring for your sick cat, it is important for you to follow each instruction circumspectly.

In caring for your sick cat, you need to make sure that your cat is in a warm, quiet and peaceful location. There should be ample light that will enable you to properly monitor her.

For your cat to recover properly, it is important to provide both water and food. It is normal for cats to lose their appetite when they are sick. So, you need to monitor their food and water intake for you to intervene when necessary.

If you have other pets in the house, it is important to separate them from your sick cat so that they do not get infected. You should make sure that water is always available. It would interest you to know that healthy cats do not take much water. The reason for this is because the food they eat contain much water.

So, if your cat stops eating, there is a crucial need for you to provide her with water to make up for the absence of food.

Also, cats will stop grooming themselves when they are sick, so you will have to do this for them. All you need do is brush or comb your cat once daily. If there are discharges from the mouth, nose and eyes, ensure you wipe them off with a warm wet cloth.

For medications, it is important to give them based on the prescription by the veterinarian. During this period, it is necessary to keep some chemicals away from your cat, some of them might be toxic to their health.  

If you just got a new cat or you had one before, it is important to always bear in mind that proper health hygiene would make your cat live long. Cats cannot talk so it might be difficult for them to show signs of ill-health. As a cat owner, you have to be very observant in case your cat is exhibiting symptoms of ill-health.

Cats rely on their owners to keep them in shape, so you have to play your part by ensuring this.

With these tips below, you are certain that your cat would be kept in good shape for years to come.

Get the right equipment: There are some basic equipment that cats need such as food and water plates and their litter tray. If your cat would be staying inside, then there are more things you need to provide to keep it comfortable.

It is also necessary you get them toys they will be playing with. You would not want them to mess around with important household items.

Make them exercise: It is important that you encourage your cats to exercise. You need to take them outside for this purpose because there is barely little you can do indoor, except you want to disrupt the arrangement of things in your house.

While your cat is exercising outside, it is imperative to always keep an eye on the cat so that it does not injure itself.

Fashion an enabling environment: Cats that stay indoor will not get much exercise like their counterparts who are always outdoor. Hence, you need to make sure that they are bred in an environment that is similar to their natural habitat. These days, there are items that helps you achieve this purpose.

Formulated cat food:  You need to make sure that the food your cat takes is nutritious and quintessential to their health. You can contact your vet to make sure you are giving your cat the right diet.

All these measures and more are important to making sure your cat remains healthy