There are several reasons a cat may appear at your doorstep. It is lost, it is a stray, or it is a local cat who is exploring the neighbourhood. There are clues to evaluate if the cat has a home or is living on the streets. This can help to determine what to do next.
The Colourpoint Shorthair is a man-made breed which was created by crossing Siamese cats with domestic shorthairs with a goal to create a Siamese type in new colours. Traditionally, the Siamese occurred in four colours, seal, chocolate, lilac and blue. The Colourpoint Shorthair extended those colours, to include reds, creams, torties in pointed and lynx (tabby) point.
Most cat councils recognise the Colourpoint Shorthair as a Siamese, however, the Cat Fanciers Association and the World Cat Federation recognise them as a standalone breed.
Entropion (en-TROH-pee-on) is an inward rolling of the eyelid which causes irritation and discomfort as the eyelashes and facial hair rub against the delicate cornea. Most cases involve the lower eyelid and can affect one (unilateral) or both (bilateral) eyes.
Daffodils and jonquils are a common spring-flowering bulb with orange, yellow, or cream trumpet-shaped flowers which are popular in ornamental gardens, public parks and as a cut flower. Narcissus spp., is native to southern Europe and Northern Africa but are now widespread throughout the globe.
A tomcat is a sexually mature entire (un-neutered) male cat. The name tomcat is derived from an eighteenth-century work of fiction titled The Life and Adventures of a Cat authored by Willoughby Mynors. The main character was Tom the Cat, a promiscuous male cat. Prior to the publication of The Life and Adventures of a Cat, males were known as rams, boars or gibs.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.