Anybody who shares their home with a cat who uses a litter tray or who has experienced a cat spraying knows that cat urine has a unique and pungent odour compared to that of our canine companions.

Urine is produced by the kidneys which filter waste products out of the blood, which pass through the ureters and into the bladder, which is then expelled during urination. Urinary waste products include urea (a waste product of protein metabolism), creatinine, uric acid, sodium and other electrolytes.

Read moreWhy Does Cat Urine Smell So Bad?

Nasal congestion is a manifestation of nasal inflammation (medically termed rhinitis) which leads to excess mucus. The type of discharge will vary depending on the underlying cause but may be watery, mucoid (thick), purulent or bloody. Discharge can lead to congestion in which the nose becomes partially or fully blocked. This affects the cat’s ability to smell, which can impact the cat’s appetite.

Read moreHow to Treat Nasal Congestion in Cats

Cat litter has an amazing ability to find its way from one end of the house to the other and can be a constant source of frustration for pet owners.

The two issues at play 1) cats like to cover up their waste by flicking clean over the top and many over-zealous cats flick it right out of the litter tray and 2) some litter can stick to the bottom of the paws which is then walked through the house.

Read more7 Ways To Stop Cat Litter Scatter and Tracking

What are bonded cats?

Bonded cats are a pair of cats who have formed a close relationship with one another. Some bonded cats are littermates, or parent and sibling, but many are unrelated. Most bonded cats have been introduced to each other from a young age and have grown up together in the same household.

Read moreBonded Cats: How To Tell If Cats Are Bonded

About

The larynx (better known as the voice box in humans) is a cylindrical group of muscles, cartilage and soft tissue which contains the vocal cords and is located in the upper opening of the trachea. Laryngitis is a common disease in cats which occurs when the larynx becomes inflamed due to irritation or infection. It can be acute (sudden onset) or chronic (long-standing).

One study found a mean age was seven years, with a range of 9 months to 18 years. There was a higher incidence in Burmese cats.

Read moreLaryngitis in Cats

Low shed cat breeds at a glance

1. Sphynx
2. Donskoy
3. Cornish Rex
4. Devon Rex
5. Lykoi
6. Bengal
7. LaPerm
8. Selkirk Rex
9. Siamese

Read more9 Low Shed Cat Breeds

What is a cat-friendly home?

A cat-friendly home is a home which meets the physical, behavioural and emotional needs of the cat. It is not enough to adopt a cat and provide fresh food and water, they have emotional and physical needs too. We take a look at what is involved in providing a cat-friendly home.

Read moreCat-Friendly Homes

Kittens come in a rainbow of colours and it can sometimes be confusing when a kitten is born to two parents who didn’t have the same coat colour, for example, two solid cats produce a pointed kitten or two black cats produce a grey kitten or two shorthaired cats produce a longhaired kitten.

It is not uncommon for a litter to contain kittens who are all different colours. This variation in colours and patterns comes down to several genes which determine how each kitten will look.

Read moreWhy Do Cats Have Different Coloured Kittens?

Reasons to neuter a cat at a glance 

1. Prevents unwanted pregnancies
2. Reduction or elimination of certain cancers
3. Less risk of infectious disease
4. Reduces roaming
5. Less territorial fighting
6. Reduces spraying behaviour

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An entire male cat is known as a tomcat and unless the cat is a purebred who has been purchased specifically to breed with, he should be neutered (desexed) by the time he is six months old to prevent unwanted behaviours, unwanted litters and reduce the risk of disease and trauma.

Read more6 Reasons to Neuter a Cat