Helping Your Cat Age Gracefully
Apple cider vinegar for cats is often thought of as a natural cure-all. In small, diluted doses, drinking apple cider vinegar (ACV) is safe for healthy felines. However, there are caveats to its safety and efficacy. A quarter of a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in water is safe for healthy cats to drink. Never exceed this dosage in a 24-hour period. ACV can help with constipation, urinary tract infections (UTIs), respiratory infections, and intestinal […]
Owning a cat with long hair means being surrounded by fur, seemingly constantly. This can be a nuisance as the fur shedded by long-haired cats clings to clothing and fabrics. Dander can also cause cat allergies. Reduce shedding in long-haired cats by brushing your cat regularly. This will proactively remove fur that would have fallen to the ground. Keep your cat’s skin from getting overly dry as this causes hair loss. Feed your cat a […]
All things must come to an end, including the lives of our beloved pets. A cat reaching the end of its life will display certain behaviors. Recognizing these obvious signs will help you to prepare for the inevitable. Dying cats become withdrawn and irritable, unprovoked aggression may become more common, the cat’s appetite will change, and it will spend more time hiding or become clingy. Heavy breathing, seizures, and an unkempt appearance are also more […]
Ringworm is a fungus that affects the superficial layers of a cat’s skin. The fungi that cause this fungal infection are called dermatophytes. Any feline can get ringworm, but senior and longhaired cat breeds are most at risk. Cats usually recover from ringworm on their own in 6 weeks or less. However, the ringworm recovery process can be expedited with a prescription topical ointment or shampoo. Anti-fungal oral medications may also be needed to clear […]
After a wound has been stitched, your cat may scratch the incision site because the shaved area starts to get itchy when the hair grows back. Your cat may scratch a neck wound as a natural response to reduce irritation. However, scratching can remove sutures or cause bleeding. Your vet will recommend that your cat wears an Elizabethan collar (e-collar) to stop your cat from scratching, biting, or licking its head and neck during the […]
Healthy cats spend many hours licking and biting at their fur to remove dirt and debris. So, if a cat’s coat is greasy and clumping up, something is wrong. Health concerns, either physical or emotional, will be behind the problem. An obese or arthritic cat will be physically incapable of grooming, leading to greasy and clumpy fur. Dental pain will also leave a cat unwilling to groom itself. Medical explanations include hyperthyroidism, diabetes, and skin […]