Cat Care is your go-to resource for keeping your cat healthy, comfortable, and content. From grooming and nutrition to health, training, and travel, you’ll find practical tips to help with everyday care. Whether you’re raising a kitten or supporting a senior, this section covers the essentials to help your cat thrive.
Miliary dermatitisrefers to a specific way in which feline skin responds to inflammation and/or irritation. Such a skin reaction is characterized by the formation of tiny, seedlike crusts that frequent the head, neck, and tail regions of the body. In extensive cases, the entire body might be involved. Furthermore, the miliary reaction is quite itchy, … Read more
Once your pet is 7 years old, another dietary change becomes necessary. As people and animals age, many organ systems begin to show the effects of wear and tear. The kidneys especially begin to lose the ability to handle waste materials that must be removed from the bloodstream and excreted in the urine. Even older … Read more
Folliculitis refers to an inflammatory skin condition in cats affecting the hair follicles. It causes small red bumps on the skin that may be itchy, painful, or seeping. Multiple factors can trigger feline folliculitis ranging from infections to allergies. Treating the underlying cause and following proper skin care helps clear up folliculitis flare-ups. This article … Read more
Metabolic bone diseases are characterized by a thinning and loss of bony mass, predisposing the bone to fractures and growth deformities. The most common metabolic bone disease seen in dogs and cats is hyperparathyroidism. This condition is characterized by a calcium deficiency within the body that leads to abnormal bone growth and bone resorption as … Read more
If you are planning to transport your pet by plane, consult a veterinarian before your trip to determine whether your pet has any medical conditions that may prohibit such travel. For example, should significant temperature and/or pressure fluctuations occur during flight, they could be harmful to a pet suffering from an underlying heart condition. Since … Read more
One common misconception about spaying a cat is the belief that a female needs to go through at least one heat cycle or have at least one litter before the deed is performed. Many feel that this is necessary for the proper emotional development of their pet, but in fact, it isn’t. On the contrary, … Read more
For most cats, childhood lasts for about 1 year. During this time, kittens requires higher levels of minerals such as calcium and phosphorus, protein, vitamins, and energy (calories) than they will as an adult. Therefore, foods fed to young, growing pets should contain these higher levels in balance with each other and with all other … Read more
If you choose to allow your new pet to have the run of the house, be sure to take proper steps to pet proof your home. For instance, keep all electrical cords well out of reach. This might mean banishing your playful pet from certain areas of the house, but it is a minor inconvenience … Read more
The decision as to whether to have a cat declawed is certainly a controversial one, yet it is one that needs to be made based on individual circumstances. For indoor cats that refuse to stick to their scratching post, declawing is certainly a better solution than drug therapy or worse yet, eviction from the home. … Read more
When kittens are born, their immune systems are not fully developed and they are at risk of infections. They do, however, receive help from their mother’s milk, specifically the first milk she produces after the kittens are born. This thick yellowy milk (colostrum) is made for only about 72 hours after birth and is rich … Read more