Cat health articles. Browse our health collection for common and uncommon cat health issues.
It’s hard to imagine a cat with an eating disorder, but they are more common than we realise. Changes in eating habit can often be an early sign that the cat is not well and should see a veterinarian.
Cats evolved from desert-dwelling animals but can still be at risk of overheating as the warmer months hit. Unlike people who sweat to cool down, cats only have sweat pads on their feet and nose. If the cat is unable to cool down sufficiently, he or she is at risk of heatstroke (hyperthermia) which can be deadly.
It’s hard to give an exact temperature as the answer will vary from cat to cat. What we can do is be prepared and take steps to ensure our cats remain cool as the mercury rises so that we can avoid cats overheating and developing heatstroke.
Visiting the veterinarian is a stressful event for both cat and carer but it doesn’t have to be. One study conducted by Bayer and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) found that 52% of cat owners in the United States had not taken their cat to the veterinarian in the past year, 38% of cat owners get stressed at the thought of a veterinary visit and 58% of owners believe their cat hates visiting the veterinarian.
Cats who do not receive regular (annual or bi-annual) wellness checks are at increased risk of common age-related diseases such as cancer, chronic kidney disease and hyperthyroidism progressing unnoticed until the cat is in an advanced stage of the disease. Cats are hardwired to hide symptoms of pain or discomfort, which makes it difficult for pet owners to pick up changes in the early stages and it can also be hard to notice changes because we are with our cats every day. One veterinary oncologist said that she hadn’t noticed her cat had lost weight, until her mother in law commented on it.
Most cat lovers have experienced the scenario where the cat carrier comes out and all of a sudden, the cats are nowhere to be found. Cats quickly learn by experience, and for most cat households, the cat carrier is only used to transport a cat to the veterinarian, boarding cattery or groomer. Unfortunately, our cats don’t understand that these places are there to help care for them. Let’s face it, most of us don’t relish a visit to the doctor or dentist, cats especially.
Read moreCat Carrier Stress: Train A Cat To Like The Carrier
Most people expect a cat’s nose to be cool and wet, and this is true in most cases, but a dry nose on its own is not a sign of sickness. The cool, moist hairless portion of the nose is known as the planum, nose pad or nose leather, and is covered in bumps and ridges that are unique to each cat.
From time to time it will be necessary to administer medications to your cat’s eyes which have multiple purposes including. Eye medications are typically drops or ointments.
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.
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.