Want to provide cat owners with tips to ensure that their fantastic felines remain happy and healthy?We turned to two of the city’s top feline specialists for their advance regarding keeping your feline friend healthy and happy.

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Arnold Plotnick, veterinarian and founder of Manhattan Cat Specialists, offers these wise words for cat owners:

1.Conduct regular at-home exams to ensure that your cat is healthy. Check eyes, ears and nose for signs of discharge. Your cat’s gums should be pale and pink. Teeth should be white and tartar free.

2.Offer healthy treats for teeth, hairballs, heartworm prevention and upper respiratory infection prevention (lysine tablets).

3.Because city cats are generally inside, spend time engaging cats in physical activity.

Manhattan Cat Specialists is a full-service center offering boarding, grooming, an online pet supply store, microchipping and adoption.

Skip Sullivan, veterinarian at The Cat Practice, advises city cat owners of the following:

1. It is not uncommon for owners to erroneously believe indoor cats do not require routine check-ups. Remember, cats are good at hiding their ailments.

2.The most common health concerns for city-dwelling cats are respiratory illnesses that can develop due to exposure to carcinogens such as smoke. Obesity is also a great concern. Control cats weight with a limited, healthy diet.

3.Provide vertical refuge, such as cat trees, as well as scratching posts. If your cat does not initially take to a scratching post, keep trying. Substitute posts with different materials or try different locations. You, your cat and your furniture will be glad you stayed on this until you found a solution that works for everybody.

The Cat Practice boasts more than 30 years caring for felines in a pleasant, dog-free environment.

 

Receiving rave reviews from feline fans for their state-of-the-art facility and kind, caring staff, New York City Cat Hospital, specializes in the care of purring pets. In addition to veterinary services, it offers boarding and adoption.

To live up to its motto: “Eat healthy, be healthy, buy healthy,” this Westside pet supply mecca offers an array of products to keep your felines (and your other furry friends) happy and healthy. They specialize in high-quality organic pet food which is sure to keep your pet purring for more.

Although Whiskers is not staffed by veterinarians, this holistic, whiskered wellness center is a great option for pet owners who want to avoid life-long prescriptions for allergies, joint pain, etc. Whiskers is also a great option for uber-natural and safe treats, kitty litter and pet skin care.