Tag Archive | Cats Health

Adopt Vs Shop: The Need-to-Knows of Getting A Cat — Katzenworld

The post Adopt Vs Shop: The Need-to-Knows of Getting A Cat appeared first on Katzenworld – Welcome to the world of cats!. After debating the pros and cons of getting a furry friend to welcome into your home, you must then decide whether to adopt or shop. This decision is never an easy one to…
Adopt Vs Shop: The Need-to-Knows of Getting A Cat — Katzenworld

Vet Says Cats Adept at Hiding Illness from Owners — Katzenworld

Nov6

Vet Says Cats Adept at Hiding Illness from Owners A leading London-based feline vet is recommending that cat owners generally need to watch their cat’s behaviour more closely – to spot subtle signs of illness before it becomes serious. Dr. Jeremy Campbell, a Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Advanced Practitioner in Feline Medicine and owner of The…

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Walking the cat

Feb13

Walking the cat – Harness a Curious Cat for a Lively Stroll

Cats live longer these days, due to improved food, regular veterinary care and indoor living, but there’s another aspect of health to consider. To thrive, cats need mental and physical stimulation, which outdoor adventures naturally deliver.

Leash walking’s a great way for cats to get fresh air, exercise and explore, says Utica, New York, Veterinarian Debra M. Eldredge, author of Cat Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook. Kitty’s senses are activated in such expanded horizons. For trips outside the yard, Eldredge advises, “Choose your places and times; you don’t want to mingle with joggers and skateboarders.”
Cats have definite preferences. “Jagger walks around the block with my husband, Rob,” says Anna Easteden, an actress in Los Angeles. Jagger has no problems with dogs he meets, but not all cats are so tolerant. “Star walks only in the yard, companioned by Fuzzy and Boots.” All four are microchipped in case of an escape. Carrie Aulenbacher, of Erie, Pennsylvania, author of The Early Bird Café, first got her cat Daisy used to a harness indoors before venturing outside. “Now he runs to the door and meows to go out,” she says. Daisy’s been hiking for 10 years.

Good to Know Tips

The Best Friends Animal Society, in Kanab, Utah, averages 625 cats in residence and Society Manager Michelle Warfle supports an enriched environment. “We teach as many cats as possible to leash walk,” she says. Her tips include: Don’t progress too quickly, keep walks fun and use a harness, not the collar. Warfle’s own cat, Earl, hikes about two miles before tiring. A backpack-like pet carrier lets a feline take a break.

Adapt the walk’s length or location to a pet’s age and physical limitations, such as arthritis. “Jabez always loved to walk on Ventura’s wet sandy beaches,” says Californian Kac Young, a naturopath with a Ph.D. in natural health. “His second choice was a trip to Home Depot to ride in the cart.” Now 18, Jabez doesn’t travel as often. Routinely check kitty’s neck, tail, stomach and inner thighs to pick off fleas and ticks after an outing before they become a bigger problem. (For an infestation of fleas, comb the cat with natural dishwashing detergent and water to drown them and rinse kitty afterward.) Pet-grade diatomaceous earth is safe to rub into her fur and bedding.

Consider yard plants like mint, lemongrass, sage and lavender to repel bugs. Multiple studies suggest catnip, which kitty can roll in, may be an even more effective mosquito repellant than the toxic DEET (mosquitoes spread heartworm). Cat companions agree that when kitty explores a blade of grass or pounces on a blowing leaf, it presents a delightful opportunity to be in the moment. A change of pace benefits those on both ends of the leash.

Cat Walk Savvy

• Cats need to get used to an idea before embracing it. Proceed slowly.

• A collar is for ID tags, not walking—a cat can wiggle out of a collar. A harness, properly fitted at the pet supply store, is best. Designate a comfortable, padded, wider harness solely for walking, not to restrain the cat in the car (a crate is safer).

• Let a cat see and smell the harness before putting it on. Small treats help. Don’t let the cat bat it like a toy. Put the harness on for short spans each day until he’s used to it—cats tend to fall over, “paralyzed”, when it’s first introduced.

• After the harness has been worn comfortably, add the leash and let him drag it around in an enclosed outdoor space. Never use a flexi-lead/retractable leash. A six-foot bungee (stretchy) or woven leash allows space to explore without getting tangled in a bush or beyond reach.

• Leash walk around the house without pulling, yanking or dragging—just do some pet-paced walking.

• Don’t force the next step, because the outdoors can be a big, scary place; most cats need to observe first before exploring.

• Use lots of praise and treats.

Wet vs. Dry Cat Food: Which Is Best?

Nov19

When you bring home a kitty it can be difficult to choose between wet vs. dry cat food. Both are ultimately excellent sources of nutrition if you serve her an appropriate balance, and some pet parents decide to blend the two. Of course, each type of food presents its own advantages and disadvantages. Here’s what you need to know so you can decide what’s best for her.

Wet Food: The Upside

Wet cat food comes in canned, sometimes pre-measured portions that cats love. Cats diagnosed with certain medical conditions may also benefit from wet food. The higher moisture content in most canned products gives cats with urinary and kidney issues more water, according to PetMD, helping to flush urinary crystals more easily and reduce the risk of crystal formation as a result, as well as combating dehydration with kidney issues. Wet cat food may be a good way to help your cat stay hydrated if she has other health problems.

Wet Food: The Downside

There are disadvantages to the canned variety, though. Wet food generally costs more for its volume, so pet parents on a strict budget may prefer dry food to canned for supply reasons. Open cans need appropriately sized lids when storing them to keep them fresh and prevent odor from permeating the rest of the refrigerator (they should still be refrigerated to keep them from spoiling). Some cats dislike cold food, though, so you may need to put her canned food on a microwave-safe plate and warm it 3-5 seconds before serving. If your cat isn’t particularly hungry, she may leave wet food scraps in her bowl or on her plate, which should be tossed after being out more than four hours.

Also, if you have a long-haired or light-colored cat, you might be averse to feeding wet cat food because it can get on her whiskers and nose. But cats are meticulous groomers and will typically clean their own faces, and over time your cat should learn to be less messy of an eater. If you happen to have a cat that is a little lazier and doesn’t clean herself as regularly, you might look into serving her food on a flat plate and purchasing some cat-safe wet wipes to help her clean her face.

Dry Food: The Upside

Dry cat food is available in conveniently sized bags, keeping well up to the “best by date” on the bag as long as you reseal or clip it tightly after opening. It’s less expensive than wet too, and because it stores for longer periods of time, can be gentler on your budget.

Some cats are perfectly content with dry food left as free-choice feeding, which is where you leave a bowl of food out for your cat to nibble on throughout the day. Other cats gorge on food and must be fed only portion-controlled meals. Luckily, you can easily use a standard measuring cup to control each serving for overweight or gluttonous felines.

Dry cat foods such as Ideal Balance® offer an excellent mix of products your cat needs just as much as you do in your own meals.

Dry Food: The Downside

For cats with health conditions, dry food may not be as beneficial as canned partially because it lacks the water content that makes it easier to digest. This is where a consultation with your cat’s veterinarian is essential, helping you choose the best food for her needs. Keep in mind older cats may have a harder time eating dry food than wet, especially if gum or dental issues have set in. Canned cat food’s soft consistency may be easier for older kitties to eat than the crunchy kibble they ate at a younger age.

Blended or Mixed Feeding

Blended or mixed feeding routines can offer the best of both worlds. With a blended feeding routine, you may feed your cat dry food in the morning, and wet in the evening. This way, she can graze on the dry food throughout the day if she chooses, and you can dispose of any dried out wet food before going to bed. There is also the option of mixing your cat’s dry food with wet cat food, which can also help her get additional moisture with her meal. Keep in mind, though, that it is still important to maintain proper portion control to ensure your cat is getting the proper amount of nutrients to maintain a healthy weight.

No matter which type of cat food you choose, the debate between wet vs. dry cat food isn’t one that’s easily answered. Each cat is unique with her own tastes and preferences. Consult with your cat’s vet if you have any questions about choosing wet vs. dry cat food, and let your little friend’s tastes guide you to the flavors she prefers. Jeanne Grunert

Two Red Cats 1 – Inside the box — Katzenworld

Nov11

Hi, cats people! We are here to tell the tale of two little lucky cats. Ok, we are not here to simple “tell”, but more to “show”, since this story will be a webcomic! It will be a series of comic strips that will follow the path of two cats (two ginger felines, of course), […]

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Angel: Leopards? A collar for a princess! — Katzenworld

Sep17

Have you ever been outside walking your pet in the dark of the night and it’s so dark that you can’t even see what your pet is doing or where they are? Well, I have brought you a new product I would like to share with you that will make your life with your pet […]

via Angel: Leopards? A collar for a princess! — Katzenworld

The Cat’s Health – Who Else Wants To Discover The Secrets To Having A Perfectly Well Behaved, Healthy, Happy Cat That Makes You The Envy Of All Your Friends?

Nov1

The health of domestic cats is a well studied area in veterinary medicine. Topics include infection and genetic diseases, diet, nutrition and non-therapeutic surgical procedures such as neutering and declawing.

An infectious disease is caused by the presence of organisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites either animalian or protozoan. Most of these diseases can spread from cat to cat via airborne pathogens or through direct or indirect contact, while others require a vector such as a tick or mosquito. Certain infectious diseases are a concern from a public health standpoint because they are zoonoses (transmittable to humans). Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a genetic relative of HIV.

Viral diseases in cats can be serious, especially in catteries and kennels. Timely vaccination can reduce the risk and severity of an infection. The most commonly recommended viruses to vaccinate cats against are: Feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR) is an upper respiratory infection of cats caused by feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1). Feline calicivirus (FCV), the other common viral cause of respiratory infection in cats. Feline panleukopenia (FPV) more commonly known as feline distemper. Rabies, a fatal disease transmitted by the bite of an infected mammal. In the United States, cats make up 4.6% of reported cases of rabies infected animals. Other viruses cats may be exposed to include: Chlamydophila felis, Feline leukemia virus (FeLV), a retrovirus not a cancer. Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), a lentivirus, and also not a cancer. Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), a fatal, incurable disease caused by Feline Infectious Peritonitis Virus (FIPV), which is a mutation of Feline Enteric Coronavirus (FECV/FeCoV) and (H5N1).

Genetic diseases: Domestic cats are affected by over 250 naturally occurring hereditary disorders, many of which are similar to those in humans, such as diabetes, hemophilia and Tay–Sachs disease. For example, Abyssinian cat’s pedigree contains a genetic mutation that causes retinitis pigmentosa, which also affects humans. Cat skin disorders are among the most common health problems in cats. Skin disorders in cats have many causes, and many of the common skin disorders that afflict people have a counterpart in cats. The condition of a cat’s skin and coat can also be an important indicator of its general health. Skin disorders of cats vary from acute, self-limiting problems to chronic or long-lasting problems requiring life-time treatment.

However, don’t let your pet go another day without getting the essential vitamins and nutrients they need to maintain their health and well-being. When you add Pet Bounce Multivitamin to their diet right now, you’ll be adding a supplement fortified with the ingredients they need plus Resveratrol for that added boost. Pet Bounce is a complete multivitamin formulated especially for your cat and dog. Whether they’re big or small, canine or feline, they will benefit from this advanced formula created specifically to support their health and well-being. In addition to its substantial amount of nutrients, Pet Bounce is also fortified with Resveratrol, a powerful anti-oxidant chosen for its ability to improve the health of your pet and increase their vitality. All this is contained in a chewable wafer in a flavor your pet will love.

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Cats can live longer than many people think… 18 to 20 years is common.

Here’s how to keep your cat purring into advanced old age.

Steps:
1. Take your cat to the veterinarian at least once a year for a complete physical exam, and follow your veterinarian’s advice regarding preventive health-care measures. Preventing disease and maintaining optimum health are the first steps toward a long, healthy life.

2. Spay or neuter your cat as soon as possible. Having kittens, especially repeated litters, is stressful and will contribute to premature aging.

3. Keep your cat inside at all times to reduce the risk of accidents, injuries from fights or disease. (Some research suggests inside cats live twice as long as outdoor cats!)

4. Feed your cat high-quality food designed to meet the specific nutritional requirements during all stages of his life.

5. Prevent obesity at all costs by controlling your cat’s diet and engaging him in play activities.

6. Talk to your veterinarian about adding vitamin and mineral supplements, antioxidants and extra fiber to your cat’s diet.

7. Have your cat’s teeth cleaned professionally. Good dental health will add years to his life.

8. Groom your cat daily, checking for abnormalities, and seek medical help promptly when you discover anything suspicious

9. Make sure no harmful chemicals such as pesticides or household cleaners find their way onto your cat’s fur, since cats groom themselves with their tongues constantly. Even small amounts of harmful chemicals on their bodies can have adverse effects if consumed over many years.

10. Protect your cat from environmental dangers such as household cleaners and secondhand smoke.

11. Help your cat avoid the stress of harassment from other animals by providing a quiet place for undisturbed catnaps.

12. Provide your older cat with a heat source such as a heating pad set on low, since cats more than 12 years old require extra heat. You’ll notice a difference in his attitude and activity level.

13. Give your cat daily full-body massages and lots of love. Despite their aloof demeanor, cats thrive on affection.

14. Protect your cat from dangerous plants such as cactus and poinsettia.

Here’s a quick way to treat your cat…Instead of a heating pad, fold up your down comforter on the end of the bed. Your aging cat will sink into its own warm cocoon for all its naps. Remeber cats are like people… when they feel loved and happy their health is affected. So be sure to give your cat as much attention as you can.

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Cat’s Health – Improve Your Pet’s Health

Oct24

The health of domestic cats is a well studied area in veterinary medicine. Topics include infection and genetic diseases, diet, nutrition and non-therapeutic surgical procedures such as neutering and declawing.

However, don’t let your pet go another day without getting the essential vitamins and nutrients they need to maintain their health and well-being. When you add Pet Bounce Multivitamin to their diet right now, you’ll be adding a supplement fortified with the ingredients they need plus Resveratrol for that added boost. Pet Bounce is a complete multivitamin formulated especially for your cat and dog. Whether they’re big or small, canine or feline, they will benefit from this advanced formula created specifically to support their health and well-being. In addition to its substantial amount of nutrients, Pet Bounce is also fortified with Resveratrol, a powerful anti-oxidant chosen for its ability to improve the health of your pet and increase their vitality. All this is contained in a chewable wafer in a flavor your pet will love.

____________________________________________________

Cats can live longer than many people think… 18 to 20 years is common.

Here’s how to keep your cat purring into advanced old age.

Steps:
1. Take your cat to the veterinarian at least once a year for a complete physical exam, and follow your veterinarian’s advice regarding preventive health-care measures. Preventing disease and maintaining optimum health are the first steps toward a long, healthy life.