More pet owners have been choosing natural care over feline veterinary medicine in recent years. Certain plant extracts have been shown to have a positive influence on some animal medical conditions. However, their true effectiveness is not scientifically proven and there are circumstances where it will be better for your cat's health to seek the advice of a vet.
What Care Can I Provide at Home?
For minor conditions, alternative medicine could be effective. For instance, if your cat has a minor injury, you can treat this with home remedies. However, it's important to remember that you will not be able to cure some conditions at home. For example, if you treat a cut at home, but it becomes infected, you'll need to take your cat to the vet for antibiotics.
With many conditions, there are things you can try at home to improve its condition. Some common ailments, such as vomiting, might simply be caused by something your cat ate. In this case, the ailment will disappear with a bland diet and lots of fluids. You can provide this at home and don't need a vet to prescribe anything. If the vomiting continues, however, it could be a sign of a more serious underlying condition. At this point, it would be a good idea to have your cat checked by a vet. Does Natural Pet Care Work?
There is no conclusive evidence that natural or homeopathic pet medications can cure medical conditions. They may have a positive influence on your cat's health, but often the concentration of the plant extracts is so small that the effect is not enough to cure your cat completely.
Natural pet care can be useful as a preventative measure. A healthy diet and lifestyle is crucial to your cat's well-being and there is evidence that natural supplements can be helpful. However, it should not be relied upon if your cat becomes sick, as it might require stronger types of medicine at that point. When Should I Take My Cat to the Vet?
The answer to this question is a matter of personal decision. You know your cat and his behavior, so you'll know when something is wrong. If you're concerned about his health, taking him to a veterinary clinic for an exam can help put your mind at ease and identify any underlying problems.
As a general rule, it is a good idea to take your cat to the vet when you can't deal with the problem at home. You can't treat things like infection, disease and genetic conditions without the right medications, and only a vet can prescribe these. How Do I Know Prescribed Medication Is Safe?
Any medication that is prescribed by a vet will have been thoroughly tested before being released on the market. There may be side effects associated with some medicines, but for the majority of pets, they're safe.
Natural remedies can be good for your cat, but if he has an underlying medical condition, then they are best used in conjunction with veterinary medications.