Cat (purebred)

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

SignsOpen-mouth breathing after exercise, staying still, sudden hind-leg paralysis with severe pain (blood clot). Often progresses without symptoms

PreventionMaine Coons, Ragdolls, etc.: cardiac ultrasound screening from a young age. Where genetic testing exists, test before breeding

Polycystic kidney disease

SignsExcessive thirst and urination, poor appetite, weight loss, vomiting. In Persian-type breeds, appears as kidney failure from adulthood

PreventionPersian types: genetic test and abdominal ultrasound. Caught early, a therapeutic diet and regular blood tests slow progression

Osteochondrodysplasia

SignsLinked to the Scottish Fold's folded ears. Thick limb joints, stiff gait, reluctance to jump

PreventionNo cure. Use non-slip floors and low steps; do not let the cat gain weight. If it seems in pain, ask about pain relief early

Brachycephalic airway and eye disease

SignsIn Persians and Exotics: noisy congested breathing, snoring, tear staining, eye discharge, dermatitis in the nasal fold

PreventionWipe around the eyes and the nasal fold daily. Do not keep the room warm. See the vet if breathing noise suddenly worsens

Urinary stones / idiopathic cystitis

SignsFrequent trips to the litter box, passing small amounts, bloody urine, urinating outside the box, licking the genitals

PreventionSeveral water stations. Add wet food. One litter box per cat plus one, kept clean. Urinary blockage in a male is an emergency

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP)

SignsCommon in young purebreds. Persistent fever, swollen belly, jaundice, total loss of appetite, neurological signs

PreventionOften arises in multi-cat breeder settings. Persistent fever or lethargy after adoption: see the vet right away for blood tests

Joint pain / dislocation

PreventionFor folded-ear Scottish Folds etc., reduce climbing to high places; install steps or ramps. Manage weight

First aidIf limping or angry when touched, rest in a carrier. Do not force the joint straight; see the vet the same day

Corneal scratch

PreventionBrachycephalic breeds have prominent eyes that scratch easily. Remove objects at eye height; in multi-cat homes keep claws short

First aidIf squinting or tearing heavily, fit an Elizabethan collar to stop rubbing. No over-the-counter eye drops; see the vet today

Falls / bruising

PreventionLarge breeds land hard. Choose a stable cat tree and fill gaps between furniture

First aidIf not moving or a leg is at an odd angle, keep level on a board or bath towel, wipe blood from the mouth or nose, and go to the vet now

Matted-coat dermatitis

PreventionBrush long-haired breeds daily. Tease out mats in the armpits, inner thighs and around the rear while small

First aidDo not cut with scissors (easy to cut the skin). If red and moist, have the vet clip it

Cat-scratch disease

RouteScratches and bites (Bartonella spread by fleas)

PreventionYear-round flea prevention. Wash wounds at once with soap and running water. See a doctor if lymph nodes swell

Pasteurellosis

RouteBites, scratches, mouth-to-mouth feeding, kissing

PreventionNo mouth-to-mouth feeding or face licking. If a wound turns red and swollen, see a doctor that day

Dermatophytosis (ringworm)

RouteContact (fungus). Persian types are often symptom-free carriers

PreventionSee the vet for round bald patches. Wash hands after handling. Wash bedding on hot

Toxoplasmosis

RouteOocysts in feces (infective 1+ days after passing)

PreventionClean the litter box daily. Pregnant women should avoid it or wear gloves. Do not feed raw meat

Food

• Complete and balanced cat food as the staple. Feed the right amount for age and weight, 2–3 times a day
• Large breeds grow for 3–4 years; ask your vet how long to feed kitten food
• Switch to a therapeutic diet if there is kidney or heart disease

Water

• Fresh water in several places. A circulating fountain also helps
• A sudden rise in daily water intake suggests kidney disease; see the vet

Toys & play

• Play with a wand toy for 10–15 minutes twice a day
• Put away string, ribbon and small toys to prevent swallowing
• Puzzle toys and food puzzles prevent boredom

Nest, bed & hideout

• Provide both a high perch and a box to hide in
• Breeds with weak joints: a low bed with steps

Bedding & litter

• One litter box per cat plus one; large boxes for large breeds
• Long-haired breeds: large-grain litter or a sifting system that does not cling to fur
• Scoop daily, wash fully once a month

Cage / housing material

Steel 3-tier cage. Free-roaming indoors is the norm; use for visitors or recovery

Size & space

About 90 W x 60 D x 150 H cm. Larger for large breeds

Layout

• Litter box on the bottom tier, bowls in the middle, bed on top
• Keep the height between tiers small to spare the joints
• Place water away from the food bowl

Placement notes

• Out of direct sunlight and air-conditioner drafts
• A quiet spot against a wall with a view of people coming and going

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• Indoors only. Do not let the cat outside
• Install a cat tree for vertical exercise
• Toy play twice a day for exercise and to prevent obesity

Temperature & humidity

Temperature20–28°C. Aim for 25°C or below for brachycephalic and long-haired breeds

Humidity40–60%. Dehumidify in the rainy season to prevent skin disease

Summer & winter

• Run the air conditioner all day in summer; do not turn it off when out
• In winter watch for dryness and prevent low-temperature burns from heaters

Nail trimming

Every 2–3 weeks. Stop 2 mm before the pink quick. If the cat resists, do one claw a day

Brushing, skin & coat care

Daily for long-haired breeds, 2–3 times a week for short-haired. Brush more during shedding season to prevent hairballs

Other care

Brachycephalic breeds: wipe the eyes and nasal fold daily. Brush teeth 3+ times a week. Wipe ears if dirty

Protection from predators

• Escape-proof netting on balconies and windows; lock screen doors
• In multi-cat homes, watch compatibility and provide hiding places
• Ask your vet about preventing mosquito-borne heartworm

Foreign-body ingestion

String, hair ties and plastic are easily swallowed. If vomiting or not eating, do not induce vomiting; go to the vet now. Never pull string hanging from the mouth or anus

Being stepped on

Cats come underfoot; check before you walk. If limping, crying or angry when touched after being stepped on, see the vet today

Getting pinched

Tails and paws get caught in doors; use door stoppers. If the tail hangs limp or the cat cannot urinate afterward, go to the vet now

Falls

Falls from windows and balconies are common. Lock screens and fit fall guards. Even if moving after a fall, internal injury is possible; see the vet today

Escape

Double door or gate at the entrance. Microchip and ID tag. If the cat escapes, search quietly at night within 50 m of the house and put used litter outside

Safe release procedure

1. Stop moving and push the bitten hand gently toward the cat
2. With the other hand, drop a towel or blanket over the cat's head
3. Pull free the moment the cat is distracted
4. Move it to another room and leave it alone for 30+ minutes to calm down

After the release

Rinse the wound under running water for 5+ minutes and disinfect. If swelling, heat or pain develops, see a doctor the same day

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Breed, age, medical history, genetic test and cardiac ultrasound results, what happened and since when, photos of vomit or urine

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Call the name and poke the body. No response means unconscious
• Watch the chest. Normal breathing is 20–30 per minute
• Feel the pulse on the inner thigh of a hind leg. Normal is 120–180 per minute

Stopping bleeding

• Press firmly with clean gauze for 5+ minutes
• For a bleeding paw, bandage over the gauze to apply pressure
• For a bleeding claw, press on cornstarch or styptic powder

Transport

• Line the carrier with a towel, darken it and keep warm
• If breathing is labored, carry in a sternal (crouched) position, not on its side