Indoor plants have seen a huge resurgence in popularity over the past few years, and it is easy to understand why. They are great for apartments with no gardens and add interest to the home. But, not all plants are safe around cats, and some can even be deadly.
Also known as pillow foot, feline plasma cell pododermatitis (FPP) is a rare autoimmune disorder characterised by inflammation of the paw due to infiltration of plasma cells (a type of white blood cell known as a plasmacyte that secretes antibodies in response to infection).
String of pearls (Curio rowleyanus, previously Senecio rowleyanus) is toxic to cats. The toxic principles are irritant sap and pyrrolizidine alkaloids which inhibit cell division primarily in the liver which can ultimately lead to liver failure if large quantities are consumed.
Lysol products which contain benzalkonium chloride are toxic to cats. Exposure causes corrosion and irritation to the skin and mucosa.
Poisoning typically occurs when the cat comes into contact with recently disinfected surfaces, the cat ingests the product during grooming or if they lick a surface with disinfectant residue. Exposure to concentrated or incorrectly diluted solutions can induce a more severe clinical response.
Lysol is a popular disinfectant (chemical agents designed to inactivate or destroy microorganisms on inert surfaces). The active ingredient in many Lysol products is benzalkonium chloride (BAC), a wide-spectrum cationic detergent and a quaternary ammonium compound (QAC). Benzalkonium is present in many household products including cleaners, mould removers and disinfectants.
Cats can and will get into human food if given the opportunity which can have serious consequences if they eat the wrong food. Raw chicken left out to defrost is an appealing snack to most cats while humans naturally baulk at the idea.
The cat’s paws are made up of the soft paw pads which act as a cushion for the load-bearing front and hind limbs, the toes (or digits) and claws which are made of a hard protein called keratin with the quick located inside the claw, that is made up of nerves and blood vessels.
Cats are quadrupeds and digitigrade which means they have four feet and walk on their toes without the heel touching the ground. When walking, they directly register by placing the rear foot directly in the spot the forefoot was.
Origin: China Energy: Medium to high Temperament: Intelligent, lively, easygoing Weight: Males 5 kg (11 lbs), females 4-5 kg (8.8 – 11 lbs) Colours: Brown Eyes: Yellow to green Coat: Short Grooming: Weekly Other names: Chinese Li Hua Mao or China Li Hua About The Dragon Li is a new breed to the cat fancy … Read more
Most cats can eat a small amount of cheddar of Swiss cheese as an occasional treat. All treats should make up no more than 10% of a cat’s diet to avoid introducing excess calories and nutrition defects. Feed no more than a cube the size of a grape to avoid adding excess calories to the cat’s diet.
Always start with a small amount and watch how the cat responds. If he or she shows symptoms of bloating, flatulence or diarrhea, discontinue.
We recommend speaking to a veterinarian who is familiar with your cat’s medical history before introducing any new types of food to a cat’s diet as in some cases, certain foods can have an impact on a cat’s underlying health conditions or interact with medications.
Also known as cytopathology, cytology is a cost-effective and common diagnostic procedure in which the veterinarian or a specialised laboratory examines the structure and function of cells under a microscope. Cells are the smallest living entity and are found in all living organisms. They are made up of the cell membrane, cytoplasm and the nucleus, which contains the DNA. Animals and plants are made up of trillions of different types of cells which have diverse tasks, bacteria, some fungi and protozoa are single-celled organisms.
Covered litter trays have had a huge surge in popularity over the past two decades. These litter trays have a top and a bottom, with a hole or a flap in the entrance or in the top.
Odour control
The closed-in design greatly reduces litter tray odours spreading throughout the home.
Less litter scatter
Some cats like to try to dig their way to China in the litter tray, the enclosed litter tray prevents cat litter from being flicked out of the tray.
We don’t have to look at their waste
Let’s face it, nobody wants to look at clumps of feces and urine in the litter tray between scoops.
Prevents dogs from accessing the litter
Some dogs will eat urine if they have easy access to the litter tray, not only is this revolting, but it can potentially spread disease.
Provides privacy
Some cats prefer the privacy that a covered litter tray offers.
