January 2020 2nd January – Happy Mew Years Day 2nd January – National Pet Safety Travel Day (US) 14th January – National Dress Up Your Cat Day (US) 22nd January – Answer Your Cat’s Question Day 24th January – Change a Pet’s Life Day Glaucoma Awareness Month Thyroid Awareness Month (US) February 2020 4th February – … Read more Cat-Awareness and Health Days – January to December 2020
A cat’s tail can tell us a lot about how the cat is feeling and is a valuable communication tool not only between cats but also to communicate emotions to humans.
Paying attention to the cat’s tail is just one part of a larger picture. The position of the body, eyes and whiskers, as well as vocalisations (meowing, hissing, purring, chirping), are also important clues as to how the cat is feeling.
Read moreCat Tail Language – What Your Cat’s Tail Is Telling You
American Breeds of Cat – At a Glance
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Read moreAmerican Breeds of Cat – 21 Cat Breeds From America
Bananas are non-toxic to cats and safe for a cat to eat in moderation. [1]
Bananas are rich in vitamin B6, manganese, vitamin C, potassium and dietary fibre. However, because cats have evolved to consume a meat diet, they are not able to digest plant material as effectively as omnivores and herbivores.
Snacks should make up no more than 10% of a cat’s diet. Cats are obligate carnivores which means they need to consume meat to survive as they are unable to manufacture some vitamins, amino acids and fatty acids and must obtain them in their pre-formed state from the meat and organs they consume. Some cats do enjoy the additional non-meat treats including fruit, vegetables, eggs, cheese and yoghurt.
Sometimes an image gives me an idea, and the photo below inspired this article. The photo below is a cat who vomited after anesthesia and surgery and illustrates why veterinarians ask pet owners to withhold food for several hours before a scheduled surgery. While possibly confronting to some, I wanted to show the consequences of eating in the hours leading up to scheduled surgery.
At a glanceAbout: An ocular foreign body can be present on the cornea, protrude through the cornea or penetrate the eye. Common foreign objects include grass seeds, thorns and splinters. Symptoms:
Treatment: Flushing the object from the surface of the cornea, forceps or in some cases, surgery. |
At a glanceAbout: Several diseases can lead to changes which pet owners may put down to bad behaviour, this highlights the importance of a thorough medical evaluation for any cat displaying undesirable behaviour to determine if there is a medical cause. What kind of behaviours can be caused by disease?
Causes:
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Read moreMedical Problems Which Can Masquerade As Bad Behaviour In Cats
Thanksgiving dangers to cats at a glance
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Bottle feeding is necessary for kittens under five weeks who are orphaned, have been rejected by their mother, the mother has a medical condition which makes her unable to nurse, or if the litter is large. It is both rewarding and challenging to bottle feed a kitten and requires knowledge to do it safely.
Making the decision to hand-raise a kitten takes time and commitment. Neonates will need to be fed, cleaned and helped to go to the toilet every 2-3 hours, around the clock until the kitten is old enough to start solid food.
At a glance
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Treats for most cats are not necessary, and with obesity at endemic rates, the addition of treats can add additional calories that a cat doesn’t need. So, why feed treats?
Read moreCat Friendly Treats – People Food That Is Safe For Cats