12 Days of Gift Ideas: Day 8

For Cats: Health!

What better gift to give your cat than that of good health? Obviously, you can't give such a thing, per se, but you can give kitty supplements and products to keep her healthy and happy! Let's take a look at a few:

A lot of cats get stressed out during the holidays, and a number of companies make products to calm and soothe them. One of the best known of these is the Comfort Zone with Feliway diffuser. Just plug it in, and it diffuses feline pheromones that calm your frazzled feline. If you're on the go, it's also available in a spray form and wipes. Other kitty calmatives come in granules or drops to add to your cat's food. There's even music designed just for your cats, and a speaker that will filter out any stressful frequencies to play only those parts of any CD that are pleasant for your cat to hear. Click here to shop all of our cat calming and soothing products.

Digestive upsets are a fact of life if you have cats, but there are ways to help cats vomit less frequently. From hairball remedies and wormers to elevated feeding dishes and probiotics, if something upsets a cat's digestive tract, there's probably a remedy for it. We even carry books on what to feed your cat to keep him healthy. The solution may be as easy as providing some fresh grass for kitty to snack on, or it may require a supplement or dietary aid. Click here to shop all our feline digestive support and hairball remedy products.

Diabetes is a disease growing in leaps and bounds in cats, as more of them become overweight from following out example of eating lots of treats and not getting enough exercise. In addition to helping your cat lose weight, you can control diabetes and other glandular disorders with natural supplements that use botanical extracts to help the body heal itself. Click here to shop all our endocrine system and diabetes support products for cats.

Although fleas are less of a problem when the weather's cold, they never entirely go away. Keep your cat flea- and tick-free all year 'round so the little bloodsuckers never gain a foothold in your home! Some products are applied to the back of the neck, while others can be given internally. And there's always the good old-fashioned flea combs that can be used to rid your kitty's coat of fleas without any chemicals or even botanical ingredients. All it takes is a little time and effort, for which your cat will be eternally grateful. Well, maybe not eternally, but at least for a little while! Click here to shop all our cat flea and tick control products.

A good reference book on your cat's health is not only handy to have, it can be a lifesaver! Such references will tell you everything about food, grooming, and litter box maintenance to behavioral issues and how to keep your cat happy and healthy. You'll even find tips on training your cat -- yes, cats can be trained! Most are written by, or in conjunction with, veterinarians. Click here to shop all our cat health reference books.

With a body temperature slightly higher than ours, cats easily get chilled. That's why they seek out warm, sunny places to nap. So it only makes sense that part of keeping a cat healthy is keeping their environment at a comfortable temperature. We carry many products for warming or cooling cats, from heated beds to air conditioning/heating units for cat houses and catteries. You'll be able to hear the purring all over the house when your cat gets her new heated bed! Click here to shop all our cat warming and cooling products.

Just as with people, proper hydration is important to a cat's health. Cats know this and seek out fresh, clean water throughout the day. But if their water bowl is dirty and half-empty, they'll often forgo taking a drink when they need one. Encourage them to drink plenty with a clean, filled water station! We have everything from simple gravity systems selling for under $10 to automated systems in reputable brands like Petmate, Drinkwell, and Healthy Pet. Many cats like to drink water from a flowing stream (such as your faucet...does yours do this?), and several of these products have features to give them that. Filters also available. Click here to shop all our cat hydration supplies.

If your cat's getting on in age, you may find that she doesn't jump up onto things like she used to, or is perhaps walking with a bit of a limp. Just like us, older cats get a bit arthritic and need extra help to soothe their aching joints! From supplements flavored so kitty will like them, to heated orthopedic mattresses, stairs, and raised bowls, we have all the products you need to help your cat adapt. Prices range from $2.95 to $64.95. Click here to shop all our feline joint health care products.

Good dental health is not only important for your cat's breath, but can help avert more serious health issues like kidney disease and major organ failure. If you start early, you can teach your cat to accept having his teeth brushed daily...some even like it, especially with the toothpastes flavored just for cats! But if you've waited too late and don't want to risk bodily harm, there are oral care products that can be given as treats or added to your cat's water, sprayed onto the teeth, or even given in toys that cats naturally enjoy chewing on. Whichever method of cleaning your cat's teeth you choose, it's better than doing nothing at all. Click here to shop all our feline oral care products.

Some cats are prone to upper respiratory infections (URIs) that become chronic and just keep coming back. But symptoms of a cold can also indicate the first stage of the wet form of Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), an always-fatal, three-stage disease caused by a normally mild virus that mutates in certain cats. Until a cause and a cure are found, it's better to make sure your cat's respiratory system stays healthy and nip any breathing problems in the bud! Whether in the lungs, sinuses, or nasal passages, there are supplements to help your cat overcome breathing ailments. Click here to shop all our cat respiratory care products.

Cats can be like toddlers at times, and it's tough to always keep an eye on them. But keeping them safe is part of being a responsible cat parent. From water safety to outdoor enclosures to protect against predators, wildlife, and environmental toxins, we carry an array of safety devices for your cat. Click here to shop all our cat safety products.

Your cat's skin can be sensitive, and many other health problems become apparent in the cat's coat. And sometimes your cat just needs a little help to stay looking and smelling his best. To help you keep skin and coat healthy, we have an array of supplements, cleansers, conditioners, and topical treatments that supply essential nutrients to the skin and coat, helping it heal from injuries and stay supple and shiny. Click here to shop all our cat skin, coat and paw care products.

Male cats are particularly prone to urinary tract infections (UTIs). But any cat can suffer from them, including elderly cats or those who haven't had access to a clean litter box and have held it in too long. Fortunately, in addition to encouraging water drinking, a variety of supplements on the market can help keep your cat's urinary tract healthy. Some even come in the form of treats! Click here to shop all our cat urinary tract health products.

If your cat's recuperating from illness or surgery, sometimes a little extra nutrition can be helpful. Our Vitamins & Supplements section has all types of nutritional add-ons to give your cat a little extra when it's needed. From pastes and gels to tablets, drinks like CatSure, and powders to sprinkle on their food, you're sure to find something your kitty will lap up to get those extra calories, vitamins and minerals needed to get back in the pink!

Sometimes cats have the opposite problem of needing more nutrition, and need to drop a little excess weight. If yours has been packing on the pounds, our Weight Control section has all the tools you need to get kitty slimmed down, including exercise products, weight control supplements and treat-dispensing toys like this Funkitty Egg-Cersizer that will help kitties satisfy their hunting instinct to get their food. Nothing like working for it a little to make a meal more satisfying!

Now, in all of that, surely you've found something that would please your cat this holiday season! At least kitty will feel healthier, and isn't that a great gift?