Kittens love to play. In fact, it’s part of their normal behavioral development. However, realize that there is a right way and a wrong way to go about it. Follow these “rules of play” to be sure that your approach is the correct one. When …
Routine grooming is essential for maintaining healthy hair and skin in cats. Be sure to allot some time each day to this task. Brushing Whether your cat has short or long hair, brushing the coat thoroughly on a daily basis will aid in its appearance …
Despite being one of the smallest of all breeds, this cat is agile, athletic and full of confidence, and loves to play. As a cross between the Munchkin and the LaPerm, this little cat has inherited two striking features: extremely short legs and a soft …
Both allergies and autoimmune diseases are characterized by an overactive immune system that can irritate or damage its host’s own tissues in response to an antigen invasion within the body. For example, atopic (allergic) dermatitis in dogs and cats results from an overactive immune response …
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 …
This longhair cat’s coat has bold color patches that give it extra glamour and requires thorough grooming. Up until the 1960s, bicolored Persians were of little interest to breeders, and they were considered suitable only as pets. Today, they are challenging the solid colors in …
This affectionate breed, which has an endearing nature, is a low-maintenance version of the longhaired Persian cat. The first Exotics were bred in the US in the 1960s, and by the 1980s there was a popular British version as well. These cats were created through …
This large, athletic breed resembles the wild bobcat found in North America, but it bonds well with its human family. This relatively new breed has a similar appearance to the bobcat, native to the mountains of North America’s Pacific coast. The resemblance is deliberate—the Pixiebob’s …
We associate the rhythmic chug of a cat’s purr with contentment—and in many cases it is a sign of a happy cat. However, cats may also purr when they’re anxious, giving birth, or injured. Kittens learn to purr at about one week old (before their …
Within the bodies of all mammals, a complex network of glands (the endocrine system) is responsible for the production and secretion of special proteins and lipids (fats) called hormones. In turn, these hormones serve to regulate many vital functions within the body, from growth and …