Cat | Kitten | Feline

If you are new to owning a cat, you may be surprised to find that health problems are a common thing. No matter what breed of cat you own, health problems are to be expected. Some may be hereditary, while others can easily be prevented.

Worms
No matter what breed of cat it may be, worms are a very common and recurring problem. Tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms are among the most common that infect cats. Cats who have problems gaining weight, problems with fleas, or if you find white specks in his stool, you should have your vet test him for worms. Although they can be treated with medicine, worms can prove to be fatal if they are left untreated.

Hairball
Hairballs are the most common health problem for cats. All cats groom themselves on a daily basis, normally swallowing the loose hair that comes from their coats. On occasion, this loose hair will gather into a ball and become lodged in the digestive tract instead of passing through in your cat’s stool. When your cat starts to cough and hack, he is normally coughing up a hairball. Although it can be rather disgusting in the end, most cats can dislodge hairballs without any problems.

In rare cases, a hairball can pass through to a cat’s intestine, creating a blockage. Blockages are very serious problems, and can be life threatening if they aren’t treated. If your cat becomes constipated, isn’t eating properly, or has a very dull coat, he could have a blockage. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should take him to the vet immediately. You can prevent hairballs and blockages by brushing your cat 2 - 3 times a week to remove loose hair. You can also feed him food that is designed to control hairballs as well.

Urinary tract infection
Urinary tract infection is also a common health problem with cats. Urinary tract infection is more common with male cats that haven’t been neutered, although females can suffer from this problem as well. When a cat suddenly stops going to his litter box, this problem is normally the cause. Another symptom is when the cat’s urine starts to smell really strong. If you suspect that your cat has a urinary tract infection, you should take him to the vet. Your vet can treat the problem with medicine, and make recommendations to help avoid this problem in the future.

Feline leukemia
In the past, feline leukemia was the biggest cause of death in cats. These days however, there are vaccines available that can treat the disease. To treat the disease, your cat will need to be given the shot before he or she is exposed. Even though death doesn’t happen immediately, cats that are exposed to feline leukemia normally don’t have a long life span. If you know your cat has feline leukemia, you should never allow other cats around him, as the virus is highly contagious.

To protect your cat, you should always make sure that you take him to the vet for his regular check ups. If you keep him up to date on his vaccinations, he should lead a healthy and productive life. Although some health problems can’t be avoided, most of them can. You can also keep your cat indoors as well, which will protect him from a majority of health problems. If your cat is an outdoor cat, regular visits to the vet will keep him healthy. As long as you take your cat to the vet and keep him healthy - he will be your companion for years to come.

Blog Community

Cats are superb feline creatures, which at the end of a day provide much needed succor to many a soul. Exhausted both mentally and physically, we seek the company due to its comforting presence. Anybody who owns these pets knows that they are cuddly and require little attention while giving their best in the form of its charming behavior. It is now a well known fact that pets have a therapeutic effect on the patients who otherwise take a lot of time to heal. Cats have been providing company to their masters even in ancient Egypt, a fact that has been proven by the retrieval of cat mummies in the pyramids. So, since eternity the creature has been abiding by its masters and even now it continues to do the same. Cat insurance is a surefire way to care for your pet in a much better manner since the need for medical care can arise anytime.
Caring for your pets becomes quite easy with cat insurance policy. It is your pet who suggests the name of an insurance agent who handles your case in an efficient manner. Internet and the yellow pages directory are the reliable sources of information as far as retrieving the information about the pets is concerned. The database present in the pages assists you in carrying out a background search which further helps you in choosing the right firm. Cat insurance policy is a guaranteed way to meet the expenses related to your pet including medical emergencies. In case of injuries as well, the policy is of immense help as it helps in exclusive medical care and upkeep of the animal. For those pet lovers who wish to go for that extra mile, care and comfort is assured with the help of this package.
A cat insurance policy is a perfect solution for all your veterinary expenses. References in this case can be sought from other pet owners, who already have got their pets insured. A variety of plans are offered by the insurance companies with whose help one can manage the medical cost quite effectively. The medical costs cover injuries or any other illness and even the fees of the veterinary doctor, lab fees, surgeries and other hospitalization expenses. Accident coverage also comes under the purview of the insurance policy which helps one in many unplanned or sudden situations. Pet loss is managed quite well by the insurance policy and the cost of advertisements is also included in this. Under the cat insurance plans, one is entitled to receive an amount which covers the damages done by the creature in accidental circumstances.
The age of a cat is of significance while applying for the cat insurance policy. Ageing brings its own set of problems for the pet owner and as the years advance, many terminal illnesses are noticed. Due to the hardening of the digestive organs the cat is unable to digest properly, which in turn, weakens the creature further. With the result, the immune system of cat suffers and it becomes host to other problems on an increasing basis. But with the help of a proper policy, a pet owner is able to cover each expense in a fairly proper way. Go for a plan which suits the unique conditions of your pet and once that has been done, you only need to pay an affordable premium. A proper pet insurance policy ensures that all the worries of a perfect care are provided under any circumstance irrespective of your financial condition.

Americas Athletes Blogging

Myths about proper diets for our cats seem always to be with us. Some of these myths may have a grain of truth, but this truth is often greatly exaggerated or misapplied. Other myths are nurtured by misinformation and mistrust.

A current myth that could be threatening to our cats’ health involves raw meat diets for dogs and cats. The proponents of this belief question the wholesomeness and nutritional value of commercial cat foods. But, in fact, there is no scientific substantiation for raw meat diets.

The truth is that good quality cat foods are backed by years of feline and canine nutrition studies. They are the result of scientific studies by researchers in veterinary colleges and animal nutritionists at reputable cat food manufacturers. Ralston Purina Company, for example, began its cat nutrition studies over 70 years ago. This work continues as researchers launch new studies to learn even more about the relationship of diet to our cats’ health.

In our own diets, meat is combined with vegetables, fruits, breads and other foods to give us the balanced nutrition we need. If we were to eat one particular food consistently, chances are we would become malnourished or develop health problems. No single food or food group can provide all the nutrients we need in proper proportions. Manufacturers of good quality cat foods have incorporated all the nutrients a dog or cat needs during a particular life stage into nutritionally complete and balanced diets.

Although meat is a source of protein, it has very low levels of calcium, a mineral our cats require for proper bone and tooth development. Calcium also plays an important role in blood clotting, muscle contraction and transmission of nerve impulses.

It’s important to remember that nutrients do not work alone, and calcium is no exception. Mineral nutrients are interrelated. Calcium and phosphorus have a scientifically established relationship in the formation of bones and teeth, provided a proper balance is maintained. This balance is usually not present in meat. If large quantities of raw meat are fed over time, skeletal problems may develop.

We tend to think of liver as being a “healthy” meat. Served with other foods, it is a beneficial part of many human diets. Liver has a high level of vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin that is stored by the body. When liver is fed to cats in large quantities over a period of time, vitamin A toxicity can result. This can lead to improper bone development, lameness and bone decalcification.

Raw meat carries the threat of bacteria and parasites. Salmonella is a bacterial organism that can cause a variety of disease in humans and animals. The risk of salmonellosis is always present when cats are fed raw meat diets. Certain species of tapeworm can be found in raw meat and passed on to a cat who ingests the meat. High quality commercial cat foods are carefully processed to protect against salmonella or internal parasite infection.

It’s true that cats and dogs consume a certain amount of muscle meat when they eat wild animals for survival. However, they also consume the bones, intestinal contents and internal organs which come closer to providing a complete and balanced diet.

Attempting to supplement a raw meat diet with vitamins and minerals is risky for your cat’s health. Certain vitamins and minerals react with one another. Unless they are present in the proper amounts a cat may suffer malnutrition.

When a myth involving cat nutrition is suddenly exploited, we should ask ourselves: “What scientific research supports this statement?” “Have veterinary colleges done research to validate it?” “Do respected researchers in the fields of canine and feline nutrition support it?” “They said” or “I heard that” do not provide the substantiation we need when confronted with myths involving the nutrition and well-being of our special companions.

Americas Blog Community

If you have a kitten or cat and have been questioning whether or not you should vaccinate it, the short answer is yes.

Vaccinations are important to your pet’s health and not taking this action could result in several complications for the duration of the animal’s life and shorten it tremendously.

Below you will find some extremely helpful information that will allow you to take the next steps in keeping your pet healthy.

Why Should You Do It?

Well, like we discussed above the most important reason is for its health. Both cats and kittens can contract various diseases that are not only uncomfortable for them, but could also be fatal.

Beyond that, having a pet can be extremely expensive and if you don’t care for it upfront then more expenses will soon follow that could hurt your finances.

Even though they are just pets to us, felines can’t just get up and go to the veterinarian when they don’t feel well. We understand this is common sense, but it’s important to embed this in everyone’s mind the next time your cat seems to be having problems with its health.

Getting vaccinations will also keep you from taking it to the vet’s every week.

Is There One Vaccination For Every Cat?

This is a great question and the answer is both yes and no. Yes, there are vaccinations that cats should all take at some point within their lifetime, but there are different shots and methods for every age.

When kittens are around six to eight weeks old, they are required to take the FVRCP vaccinations. FVRCP stands for Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus and Panleukopenia.

The first (FVR) is a respiratory infection that is contagious in cats. It is a serious issue where kittens and older cats may need special treatment to recover.

The second (C) deals with an upper respiratory issue and can be contracted as easily as sharing or using the same dishes for food and milk.

The last (P) is extremely deadly and if they contract this disease (feline distemper) they will have to be put in ICU.

Feline versions of AIDS, Leukemia, and Infectious Peritonitis are also issues that need to be addressed with vaccinations along with rabies. The pain, agony and discomfort cats will go through if they end up having any of these diseases you will know from the vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea and many other symptoms that occur.

The Important Facts

The point is that if you were or someone you know was extremely sick, the first thing to do would be taking a trip to your family physician. In this case, it’s a ride to the vet, but instead of waiting until something doesn’t seem right with your cat, take care of it now.

This is rare, if your cat is not vaccinated its chances of getting sick from one of the diseases listed above is much greater then developing a cancer due to vaccinations.

The risk of tumors developing because of vaccines has prompted most veterinarians to vaccinate in the hip area rather then in the scruff of the neck.

Routine visits should always be kept in regards to its health and even though it can’t say thank you, it will show it in other ways.

Blog America

I’ve already tried to use fishy-smelling canned food so they will come to eat and I can pet them. But, when I try to pick them up, they run or scratch me. I need to speed this up. They’re about 12 weeks old and I need to give them away before THEY start having kittens themselves. No one will take a wild kitten.

Americas Blog Community

They say we are what we eat. This applies to your pet as much as it applies to yourself. A good diet means less health problems, less trips to the vet and lower veterinary bills. But how much thought have you given to what your cat should be eating to maintain optimum health? Ask yourself the following questions.

1) How many times a day do you feed your cat?

Since cats cannot be exercised like dogs can, the only way you can influence your cats weight is by controlling the amount and type of food he or she eats. If the cat is being fed individual meals several times daily, there is often a tendency by the owner to offer the daily supply of food on several occasions rather than divide up the daily feed into several meals. This can also occur with cats fed dry food ad lib. Cats usually regulate their food intake, but continual exposure to large quantities of food may lead to over-eating and subsequent obesity if too many calories are consumed. In short, both several individual meals a day and ad lib feeding are fine, it is the total amount offered per 24 hour period which is the important figure.

Kittens should be fed small meals at regular intervals due to their tiny stomachs. Four or five meals are recommended at eight weeks of age, decreasing to two at six months of age.

2) Is your cats diet manufactured specifically for cats or do you give human food?

Some cat owners like to spoil their cat by feeding them human food as the bulk of their diet. Others have tried feeding their cat regular catfood, but find their fussy cat will not touch it, and prefers to wait for the inevitable human food offering, which soon becomes the staple diet.

Is it really unhealthy to feed cats human food though? Of course it depends what food. Remember that cats are carnivores, and require a high proportion of meat in their diet. They simply cannot adapt to a low protein diet, and will lose bodyweight if deprived of it. In fact, as a species they are relatively unique… a deficiency of the amino acid, arginine, in a single meal can lead to symptoms of lethargy, hypersalivation and vocalisation. Arginine is required by the cat to produce urea, a waste product resulting from the breakdown of protein.

Another essential nutrient for the cat is the amino acid, taurine, which the cat cannot manufacture sufficiently by itself to meet its needs. The cat’s diet must therefore contain taurine in sufficient quantities. If a deficiency develops there is a high risk of serious and irreversible damage to major organs such as the heart and the eye. Taurine is found almost entirely in meat, confirming the fact that the cat is a compulsory carnivore.

Another disease of nutritional origin is that caused by cats eating raw liver regularly, who can suffer from a condition called hypervitaminosis A. Cats suffering from this can present with signs of lethargy, unthriftiness, a stiff neck and other skeletal problems. To play it safe, do not feed your cat liver more than once a week.

Reputable cat foods are formulated after extensive trials by pet food companies to provide the mixture of protein, carbohydrate and fat that suits feline physiology best. It is easier, cheaper and possibly more healthy for your cat to be fed a reputable cat food diet, with occasional treats if desired (tuna, liver etc).

3) Which is better out of dry cat food or wet cat food?

Most vets recommend complete dry biscuit based cat food. This is because studies have shown that cats on dry food diets are less likely to suffer from dental disease than those on wet food from a tin or pouch. The physical motion of biting these biscuits helps prevent tartar from adhering to the surface of the tooth. However, even cats with no teeth can eat biscuit based food without a problem, as they just scoop up the biscuits with their tongue and swallow them whole. Another advantage of dry food is that it does not spoil as quickly which is useful for cats that are fed ad lib.

There are occasionally reasons why a wet food is preferable, as a method to increase the water consumption in a cat with a urinary problem such as cystitis.

4) Which is the best cat food to choose?

There are so many different brands of cat food on the market, the best one is basically a matter of opinion. Certainly palatability is a factor, there is no point in purchasing a particular food if your cat cannot stand it, although this is occasionally a necessity in cats requiring prescription diets. Rather than recommending you a specific brand, we suggest that you choose one which adheres to the criteria below.

Cat foods labeled as complete and balanced must meet standards established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), either by meeting a nutrient profile or by passing a feeding trial. There are now two separate nutrient profiles for cats - one for growth (kittens) and one for maintenance (adults). Maximum levels of intake of some nutrients have been established for the first time because of the concern that overnutrition, rather than undernutrition, is a bigger problem with many pet foods today. The standards include recommendations on protein, fat, fat soluble vitamins, water soluble vitamins, and mineral content of foods. If you are prepared to get technical, you should choose a food that comes closest to AAFCO recommendations.

In summary, consider the following points:

Choose a food that suits your cats age. Most big pet food companies will have different foods for kittens vs adults. Cats with medical conditions may be recommended special prescription diets.

Choose a food that come closest to AAFCO recommendations.

The ingredients contains the truth about a particular food. Everything else is there only for marketing purposes.

There are no legal and scientific definitions for the terms “premium,” “super premium,” “quality,” or “natural.”

Use dry matter numbers to evaluate and compare foods.

The source of ingredients (e.g. animal vs vegetable) does not matter, except in the case of food allergies.

Avoid supplementation. All commercial cat foods have more than enough protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals. Feeding your cat a good food incorrectly can lead to significant problems.

5) My cat is overweight, but no matter how hard I try I cannot get him to lose weight. What can I do?

Your cat is almost certainly being fed too much. Below some common mistakes are listed. Have a good look at these and make sure none of them could apply to your cat.

Not following the guidelines on the packet when measuring a portion. Most cat foods will have a table on the packaging suggesting daily portions for cats of different weights. The weight of food suggested is per 24 hrs, not per portion! Use your kitchen weighing scales to measure out the portion until you are sure of the correct amount.

Using a complete dry diet as a replacement for regular biscuits, and mixing it with wet cat food. If it says complete, you should not mix it with anything or you will overfeed.

Offering inappropriate food that is high in fat, or cream/full fat milk to drink.

Several members of the household feeding the cat at different times, whenever the cat is meows for food.

Giving the cat regular treats in addition to its main meal.

The cat is getting fed by neighbors, who think they are being kind by feeding it and enjoy the attention it gives them.

The cat is scavenging food from outside sources, such as other peoples bins.

The cat is part of a multi-cat household and is stealing food from the other cat(s), or even the dog.
Keep an open mind. If there is a possibility that any of the above scenarios might be the case with your cat, investigate it. If you are still at a loss, consider starting a prescription diet (see below).

6) I have heard you can get special light diets, or prescription diets for fat cats. Do they really work?

Yes they do, if used properly. These types of cat food are available in complete wet (tinned or pouches) form or dry (biscuit) form, and are growing in popularity amongst conscientious pet owners. They are low in calories and high in fibre, and often contain high levels of L-carnitine. L-carnitine has been used to help with fat metabolism in other species and recent scientific work indicates that it helps reduce weight in overweight dogs and cats. The real benefit of these low calorie diets though is that because of its low calories, cats can still eat reasonable sized portions and therefore feel full. This means they are more content and less likely to beg and look for extra food.
These diets are perfectly healthy for normal sized cats to eat too, so if you have a multi cat household and it is unfeasible to separate the cats during feeding time, you can safely feed all of the cats the prescription diet together.

7) Where can I buy this low calorie food from?

Many of the big pet food companies are waking up to the problem of pet obesity, and adding light versions to their range. However, they are unlikely to be as effective as the traditional prescription diets that are on the market.

They are known as prescription diets, because they are a specialist food normally prescribed by a veterinarian. However, you do not need a prescription to buy the food as it is a general sales list product. These foods are rarely available in supermarkets as many supermarkets are keen to sell their own brand, or have deals with the big pet food manufacturers. Many owners but their prescription diet from their veterinary clinic for convenience, whilst others prefer to shop around to get the best price. Many online pharmacies and pet stores are now offering these prescription foods, but whilst they may appear cheaper online, watch out for delivery charges added on top.

Americas Athletes Blogs

Here is “Gordon” as a kitten and later as an adult (today) at the end of the video (15 months old). He was birthed by his mother in the rafters of a barn, and fell down from the nest, then he was taken in by us. Although his condition may be due to the fall, it has the symptoms of Feline Cerebellar Hypoplasia. It’s almost like his hind motor skills are separate from his front. As a kitten he would frequently flip over forward (seen once in the video).

We now nickname him “Dink” because on hard floors his deliberate footsteps are “dink, dink…” As an adult he is able to function fine, not all cats with this condition are so lucky. The only thing special about his care is blocking him from stairs to another level of the house with a baby gate. The more he is able to concentrate on his standing/walking/running, the better he is able to do. When his attention is diverted, that’s when he tends to fall over.

This cat is very people friendly brings us a lot of love. The black cat in the video is blind, and it’s the same story with him. Please give imperfect animals a chance!

Americas Athletes Blog Community

Cats are one of the most popular pets in North America. They are loving pets, capable of providing you years of companionship. Like other pets, cats can sometimes get sick. There are several different types of ailments that cats can get, one of which is feline diabetes. Feline diabetes is a serious disease, although it can be treated by a veterinarian.

Diabetes is more common with humans than with cats or other animals. The cause of diabetes is actually quite simple. Sugar, or glucose, is found in the blood. The level of blood sugar in the body or the animal is kept under control by hormone insulin, which the pancreas produces. When the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, diabetes is to blame.

The symptoms of feline diabetes will vary. The most common symptoms include an increase in urine and an increase in thirst. Other symptoms of feline diabetes include a loss of appetite, weight loss, and a poor coat. An increase in thirst is easy to detect, as you can easily notice the water dish empty throughout the day.

If you don’t get your cat treated for feline diabetes immediately, the cat will eventually become inactive, vomit on a regular basis, and eventually fall into a coma. On the other hand, if you get the diabetes treated in time, the cat will more than likely lead a normal and healthy life. Keep in mind that treatment doesn’t happen overnight - it takes time and dedication.

Cats that have feline diabetes will need to be given food at the same time every day. They should be prevented from going outside as well. If your cat has diabetes, you’ll need to give him insulin shots once or twice or a day. Once your veterinarian checks your cat, he will tell you how many shots and how much insulin you need to give your cat.

Before you give your cat his insulin shot, you should always make sure that he has some food first. If he hasn’t eaten and you give him a shot anyway, he could end up with a hypoglycemic shock. This can also occur from too much insulin as well. A hypo can be really dangerous, and should be avoided at all costs. If your cat gets a hypoglycemic shock and you aren’t around, he may end up dying.

If you have to give insulin shots to your cat due to feline diabetes, you should always keep a watchful eye on him after you have administered the shot. After your cat has been on insulin for a period of time, your vet may reduce the amount of insulin. Even though he may have to stay on insulin the rest of his life, he will lead an otherwise healthy life.

Americas Athletes Blog Community

My kitty with his brothers and cousins dancing. He’s the little dopey one on the very far right. lol!

This was at my breeder Malric British Shorthairs. The Kittens are all not from one mother as some people seem to think.
http://www.malric-britishshorthairs.co.uk/
The song is from the milkshake drink Crusha ad. Link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR7RYKPJBdo

Blog Community

I have two female cats; they are both spayed. Every once in awhile it seems like every cat in the neighborhood comes to visit them. One of our cats, Kitty, also gets in the habit of peeing on things inside the house during this time. She doesn’t do anything else that makes it seem like she’s in heat. Even though they’re spayed, might one of them be attracting other cats? Is Kitty marking her territory? Any suggestions? I can deal with the cat visits but not the peeing.

Blog America