Taking a pet to the veterinarian can be a stressful time for the pet as well as the pet owner. There are ways we can make the trip easier for our pet, ourselves, other pets and their owners and the veterinary staff.
Best Cat Breeds For First Time Cat Owners
Best cat breeds for first-time cat owners at a glance
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Cat breeds come in all shapes, sizes and personality, and pet owners must choose carefully before bringing a new pet into the home. This article looks at cat breeds which are suitable for novice or first-time owners. The criteria I have based these breeds on include overall health, a friendly personality but not too needy and ease of care.
Included is a star rating for independence, with * meaning they are less independent and **** meaning they are more independent.
Struvite Stones in Cats: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
What are struvite stones?
Struvite stones are rock-hard minerals (uroliths) which form in the urinary bladder and are composed of magnesium, ammonium and phosphate. Struvite and calcium oxalate are the most common type of stones in cats. Less common stones include ammonium biurate, cystine and uric acid.
Read moreStruvite Stones in Cats: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Male Calico and Tortie Cats: How Does This Happen?
How are some male cats calico or tortie?
Calico and tortie cats are almost always female, which we have covered in our article on calico cats. To recap, cats have 19 chromosome pairs, 18 autosomes and the sex chromosome pair of XX or XY. The chromosomes are located within the nucleus of every cell. Each chromosome is made up of matching pairs, which provides information from the mother and the father. Genes are located on the chromosomes and are tiny segments of DNA which act as a code that specifies the production of a protein, which do most of the work within the cells and are essential for the function and regulation of the body’s organs and tissues.
Calico and Tortie Cats – What is the Difference?
What are calico and tortie cats?
Calico and tortie (tortoiseshell) are both common coat colours/patterns which appear almost exclusively in female cats. The terms calico and tortie are often used interchangeably, and it is easy to see why. Both patterns refer to a multi-coloured cat which may consist of black and orange, brown and orange, grey and cream with or without white.
How to Properly Dispose of Cat Litter
Cleaning litter trays is one of the less enjoyable aspects of sharing a home with a cat, but a necessary one. Dirty litter trays not only smell unpleasant to us but our cats as well. Proper litter tray husbandry is vital, dirty litter trays can lead to inappropriate elimination.
Why Do Some Cats Have A Tattoo in Their Ear?
A black or green tattoo on the inner portion of a cat’s ear is to show that the cat has been desexed (spayed or neutered). The veterinarian adds the tattoo during spay/neuter surgery. Do all veterinarians and rescue centres tattoo cat ears? Not all cats who have been desexed will have a tattoo, only one … Read more Why Do Some Cats Have A Tattoo in Their Ear?
Does A Cat’s Eyesight Decline With Age?
As I work in human eyecare and we are fast approaching the year 2020, there is an increasing focus (pardon the pun) on 20/20 vision along with bad jokes. But what exactly is 20/20 vision and do cats experience a decline in vision the way humans do? Visual acuity refers to the clarity of vision, … Read more Does A Cat’s Eyesight Decline With Age?
Types of Tabby Patterns & Colours in Cats
At a glance What is a tabby cat? Tabby is a coat pattern and not a breed, it consists of four patterns, mackerel, spotted, classic and ticked. The background hair consists of light and dark bands, intermingled with dark lines, spots or swirls layered on top. What colour is a tabby cat? Tabby occurs in … Read more Types of Tabby Patterns & Colours in Cats
Christmas Food Guidelines For Cats (Safe & Toxic List)
For many, part of the enjoyment of Christmas is time spent with family and friends over Christmas lunch or dinner. As pet owners, we want to include our cats in the festivities, but not all food is safe for cats to eat. We take a look at common Christmas foods which are safe or dangerous for cats.
When it comes to food, moderation is the key. Treats should make up no more than 10% of a cat’s diet as they are not complete and balanced and many contain empty calories.
Read moreChristmas Food Guidelines For Cats (Safe & Toxic List)