Cats Articles

Enjoy our library of articles on cat behavior and cat health.

• Zoonotic Disease Info

  Zoonoses or zoonotic diseases are those that can potentionaly affect both people and other animals. Here we will talk about just a few of the things you can and can't catch from your pet.

• Zoonotic Disease - things you can catch from your pet - or not

  What diseases can you catch from your pet-information about zoonotic diseases.

• Zoonotic Disease - Rose Grower’s Disease

  Rose grower's disease is caused by sporothrix schenckii, I think. If that is the case, there is some controversy over the value of culturing this organism.

• Zoonotic Disease - Rabies

  Rabies information including zoonotic info and vaccination details

• Zoonotic - Ringworm

  How to treat ringworms in cats and dogs and clean up around the house.

• Your Turn - My Veterinarian

  Personal experiences about dealing with a veterinarian - from a VetInfo reader.

• Your Cat: An Owner’s Manual

  Your cat is a unique and complex animal. She has a variety of physical needs. She also has a psychological and emotional life that bears consideration throughout the life span.

• Worm Medicine for Cats

  Depending on the type of worm, cats may require different types of medicine to treat each parasite. It is important to correctly identify the worm and administer...

• Will Scratching Posts Stop Cats from Scratching Furniture?

  One of the most common problems for cat owners is how to stop cats from scratching furniture. Scratching is a natural and necessary behavior that keeps your cat’s claws healthy and his muscles toned and strong.

• Why Your Cat Chews on Wires

  Cats tend to chew on wires and cords primarily out of boredom. Chewing on wires and cords is quite serious and can result in minor shock or death.

• Why You Shouldn’t Vaccinate a Sick Kitten

  The owner of a sick kitten should consult a veterinarian and wait until the kitten has fully recovered before objecting the feline to any vaccinations. Although the purpose of vaccinations is to prevent illnesses, receiving vaccinations in an already weakened state can actually cause health problems.

• Why Kitten Fur Loss Needs Veterinary Attention

  There are many causes of kitten fur loss. Fur loss can be caused by food allergies, fleas or parasites.

• Why Is Your New Kitten Hiding?

  While the introduction of a new kitten into your home may seem like an exciting adventure, it is important to remember that it's an extremely traumatic experience for kittens.

• Why Is Your Kitten Vomiting?

  Kitten vomiting can be a symptom of the ingestion of some disagreeable food or point to infections. Kittens often have episodes of vomiting but, if the vomiting is chronic, you need to consult the vet. Kittens have a lower immunity and they are more exposed to several viruses which can cause vomiting.

• Why Is Your Kitten Sneezing?

  Kitten sneezing may be caused by different infections, foreign objects or environmental factors. Kittens with flat noses are more likely to sneeze, due to the tight nose passages.

• Why Is Your Kitten Eating Litter?

  A kitten eating litter is possibly sign of a serious medical condition. Although curious kittens may eat litter, excessive and persistent litter eating should be a concern for pet owners.

• Why Is Your Cat Vomiting Hairballs?

  Cat vomiting may be caused by a number of factors and most commonly by hairballs. Hairballs are formed in a cat’s stomach, as the cat ingests hair while grooming.

• Why Is Your Cat Vomiting Blood?

  Cat vomiting could be attributed to dietary indiscretion, hairballs and several gastrointestinal ailments such as stomach ulcers or internal tumors. Vomit that's bloody in nature should be diagnosed promptly to rule out life threatening conditions.

• Why Is Your Cat Urinating Excessively?

  It can be very annoying for you to see your cat urinating outside of his litter box. But what if your cat also urinates excessively? If your cat has always been clean and never displayed this kind of behavior before, then there is a strong possibility that he is having a urinary tract infection, which is commonly known as feline lower urinary tract disorder (FLUTD).

• Why Is Your Cat Throwing Up?

  If your cat is throwing up, this may be a sign of an upset stomach or a more severe medical condition. Cats often vomit after eating something different than usual cat food; however, if the vomiting lasts more than 48 hours, you need to detect other possible symptoms that may indicate something more severe.

• Why Is Your Cat Throwing Up?

  A cat throwing up may signal that he has eaten something disagreeable to his digestive system, or may be a symptom of a more serious illness. It's important to monitor your pet if he's throwing up, so as to be able to determine if the cause is severe or if he simply needs to get rid of a hairball.

• Why Is Your Cat Throwing Up Yellow Liquid?

  A cat throwing up yellow liquid needn't cause alarm. The yellow liquid is usually just bile, stomach acids.

• Why Is Your Cat Spraying After Neutering?

  Cat spraying is a common problem and in most cases may be stopped by neutering the cat. Typically, over 90% of cats stop spraying within 6 months after the neutering procedure. However, even neutered cats may spray; typically this is due to a medical condition or stress.

• Why Is Your Cat Sneezing Blood?

  Watching your cat sneezing blood can be quite unnerving. However, there are a variety of causes for this, most of which are not serious, though it does require a trip to the veterinarian.

• Why Is Your Cat Sleeping More Than Usual?

  Cats typically spend a lot of time napping or sleeping. On average cats sleep between 13 and 14 hours per day and kittens may sleep up to 18 hours per day, while newborn kittens may sleep almost all the time.

• Why Is Your Cat Scratching Itself?

  When your cat is scratching itself this may indicate a number of problems ranging from parasites and inhalant allergies to psychological problems such as stress. Detecting the problem is essential, as the cat scratching itself can be destructive and the cat may cause wounds that may develop secondary infections.

• Why Is Your Cat Scratching Furniture?

  A cat scratching furniture may be a sign that your pet needs other outlets for maintaining their claws, relieving stress and stretching out. Rather than punishing your cat for scratching furniture, offer alternative areas for scratching, such as scratching posts, pads and cat trees.

• Why Is Your Cat Panting Excessively?

  Panting is not a "normal" thing for cats to do, such as it commonly is for dogs. It can be more common in certain breeds of cat, however if you notice your cat panting, you should try to figure out why in case something is seriously wrong.

• Why Is Your Cat Meowing Nonstop?

  While most cats are typically quiet, there may be times when your pet may be annoying and very vocal. Cat meowing is a normal behavior, but can turn into a problem, and may also be a signal that your cat is scared or ill. If your cat suddenly starts meowing nonstop, you should find the cause of this behavior.

• Why Is Your Cat Losing Hair or Fur?

  If you notice your cat losing hair you should find the cause of this condition. In some cases, the hair loss is a natural process, while other cases can signal a disease...

• Why Is Your Cat Drooling?

  When it comes to drooling, there are many factors that could be behind it. This can range from the mild to the serious, so it is good to know the possible causes and their symptoms.

• Why Is Your Cat Coughing?

  Cat coughing may signal a simple throat irritation but may also be caused by a severe condition such as cancer or lung problems. Cats may cough occasionally, as this is a normal phenomenon, however, if the cough is chronic and productive or the cat coughs up blood, these are signs that the cat may be suffering from a health problem.

• Why Is My Cat Not Eating?

  For a cat, not eating can indicate any number of feline illnesses. From cat upset stomach to poor nutrition, pet owners should identify a possible cause as to why their cat may have stopped eating.

• Why Human Medicine Will Poison Your Cat

  Many medications useful to humans are essentially cat poison. In 2007, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center received 89,000 calls about cats who had ingested human medications.

• Why Hairless Kittens Need More Grooming—Not Less

  Hairless kittens are great pets for people that don't like shedding. Cat breeds with no hair include the Sphinx cat, the Peterbald cat or the Kohana cat.

• Why Feline Leukemia Vaccines Should be Taken Often

  Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) is one of the most dangerous contagious diseases threatening cats. It is spread by contact with a cat's bodily fluids, and is passed on by cats to their offspring.

• Why Does Your Cat Spray?

  Cat spraying is a natural behavior, specific to tom cats, but it may occur in females also. This behavior may be very unpleasant if your cat sprays in the house, so you'll want to consider a few options to get rid of the behavior.

• Why Does Your Cat Sneeze So Much?

  The cat sneeze is an involuntary reaction to allergens or may also indicate a respiratory infection or dental problems. If your cat sneezes excessively, you should see what other symptoms he displays to determine if the sneezing indicates a severe medical condition.

• Why Does Your Cat Shake? 8 Causes of Feline Shivering

  A cat shake may be a symptom of a medical condition or hypothermia which may have severe consequences, so shaking shouldn’t be ignored. It’s helpful to know why your cat is shaking, so that you act in a timely manner in your pet’s advantage.

• Why Does Your Cat Shake?

  If you've been noticing your cat shake, periodically or steadily, one of several underlying conditions might be to blame. Generally, a cat will shake or vibrate as his muscles react to a good stretch.

• Why Do Cats Shed?

  Cats shed because it's natural and is linked to temperature control. In the warmer months, cats tend to shed some of their fur.

• Why Do Cats Like Catnip?

  Cats like a lot of things: naps, eating, playing and laying in a warm spot. But one of the things cats like the most is catnip; they go crazy over it.

• Why Do Cats Have Whiskers?

  "Why do cats have whiskers?" is a common question for new cat owners. A cat's whiskers help him do several things, including find his way around or measure openings that may be too small for your pet to fit through.

• Why Chocolate is Toxic for Your Cat

  Giving your cat chocolate will cause an allergic reaction at the very least, because chocolate is a toxic food for them.

• Why Chemotherapy for an Older Cat Is Less Effective

  It's difficult to watch your suffer from cancer, and even harder to choose a course of therapy, like cat chemotherapy or radiation, to try to improve the situation. However, for older cats, many veterinarians recommend against treatments like chemotherapy, as they can be less effective.

• Why Cat Flea Shampoo Products May Be Unnecessary

  Many products for cats and kittens are sold to help combat these little insects, such as cat flea shampoo, but these items may not be necessary to help your cat find relief.

• Why Cat Flea Powder Has Fallen Into Disuse

  Using cat flea power has fallen into disuse because it cannot completely eradicate fleas by itself, it may be toxic to your cat's health and new non-toxic products are proving safer and more effective. Essentially, traditional cat flea powders containing pesticides cannot kill all fleas present during an active infestation, thereby providing only temporary relief until new fleas begin to hatch and reproduce.

• Why a Cat Lump Should Be Tested for Cancer

  A cat lump can be distressing to find. There could be a number of causes behind the lump but it's impossible to rule out anything until the lump has been tested for cancer.

• Why a Cat Climbing Tree Is More Than a Luxury

  A cat climbing tree offers a wide range of activities for your cat. First, it provides an intriguing spot for cat play, especially since most cats love to climb. Second, it keeps cats and kittens away from furnishings you do not want ruined.

• When to Wean Kittens

  When one is going to wean kittens this means the young felines will begin to ingest nutrients from food sources other than the mother’s milk or kitten formula fed from a bottle. Weaning is an important step in a kitten’s social and emotional development.

• When to Switch to Adult Cat Food

  Kitten owners may be curious as to when they should begin making the switch to adult cat food. They’ve seen different ages listed online or heard various reports from their cat-owning friends.

• When To Spay or Neuter Your Cat

  Spaying and neutering is the procedure that will stop cats from reproducing. If you have a cat and would like to spay or neuter her/him, you should find out about the best time to do this.

• When to Neuter a Cat

  When to neuter a cat is a decision that has two important consequences: It helps preserve your cat’s good health and also prevents unwanted litters of kittens from being born.

• When to Get Vet Help

  When a pet seems sick or is acting unusual, it is sometimes hard to know when to get vet help.

• When Is Cat Tooth Extraction Necessary?

  Cat tooth disease can often lead to severe health problems if not checked and treated promptly. Pet owners should schedule a vet check if their pets...

• When Does Cat Diarrhea Require Veterinary Care?

  Cat diarrhea may occur because of minor causes, but can also be a symptom of a more serious condition. Diarrhea is not a disease; it is a symptom of an underlying problem or illness.

• When Do Vets Consider a Cat Overweight?

  A cat is overweight if he has more than 20% of his body mass index made up of fat. However, this is an abstract idea and finding the exact body mass index can be challenging.

• When Do Cats Shed the Most?

  Most breeds of cats shed year-round, although there are certain times when they shed more than others.

• When Cats Appear to Act Crazy

  It's true that cats are normally very dignified creatures, but cats and crazy behavior is not all that uncommon. Crazy cat behavior can be a sign of illness or just a need to play or express his natural instincts.

• When and How to Administer a Cat Enema

  No one loves administering a cat enema, but responsible pet owners should be willing to learn how in case of cat constipation. Kitten constipation is usually the result of a poor diet, but older cats are frequently incapable of effectively clearing the colon.

• Wheat Cat Litter: A Natural and Biodegradeable Alternative

  Wheat cat litter is one of the newer types of litter designed to provide odor control and make box cleaning quicker and easier for owners.

• What’s the best way to clean urine from the floor or furniture?

  The best way to clean your furniture and floor is to use Pine Sol. Also another trick is if you can pull your carpet back and slide a sheet of newspaper under the stain, the smell goes away.

• What You Should Know about Sick Cat Symptoms

  Sick cat symptoms should be carefully monitored because while some may seem minor, they could be indications of more serious illness. Below is a guide with helpful information on symptoms of common illnesses and how you can tell if your cat's symptoms are serious enough to warrant a trip to the vet.

• What You Should Know about Litter Aversion

  Litter aversion is one of the most common causes of house-soiling, a major complaint amongst cat owners. If your cat is experiencing litter aversion, read the information below which describes the reasons why litter aversion occurs, how you can tell if your cat is suffering from litter aversion, and what you can do to solve the problem.

• What to Look for in Cat Litter Pans

  Cat litter pans come in different styles and sizes. Some have several added features, while others are pretty plain.

• What to Look for in Cat Kennels

  Cat kennels can be used when you are away for a long time and you can't take your pet along. When choosing a cat kennel you should make sure that the facility is clean and accredited, having a professional and caring staff.

• What to Look for in Canned Cat Food

  Canned cat food is a healthy alternative for those who want to avoid the hassle of raw food. A high quality canned food can help your cat avoid several medical issues from mild to serious.

• What to Look for in a Cat Food Analysis

  Cat food analysis may seem like a confusing and somewhat daunting idea to a cat owner. To get the most information out of the labels on your cat’s food, let’s look at what goes into a cat's diet and a cat food analysis.

• What to Look for in a Cat Flea Medicine

  Choosing the right cat flea medicine can be a challenge with all the options available to pet owners. Flea powders, topical flea drops and oral medications can be bought over-the-counter or prescribed by your veterinarian, but one of the most important factors in pet flea treatment is to choose a medicine that is specifically made for your animal; your cat should never use flea medicine meant for dogs.

• What to Look for and Avoid in Pet Wormer Products

  A pet wormer product is beneficial to help a pet stay healthy and parasite-free. Knowing what to look for and avoid in a pet wormer product can help one be a more responsible pet owner.

• What to Expect During the Cat Gestation Period

  The cat gestation period lasts 9 weeks on average, or about 63 days. A normal pregnancy is between 57 and 69 days.

• What to Expect during Kitten Birth

  Owners of pregnant cats must know what to expect during kitten birth, to ensure that the cat and her offspring remain safe and healthy during the procedure.

• What to Do If Your Sick Cat Won’t Eat

  A sick cat may be lacking appetite and will refuse to eat. This may lead to more severe problems such as anemia or hepatic lipidosis. There are a few ways to make your pet eat and avoid other health problems.

• What to Do If Your Kitty Eats Cat Litter Crystals

  Cat litter crystals can be dangerous to your cat's health if ingested, especially if you use a clumping clay litter that contains sodium bentonite. Normal cat behavior includes eating litter from time to time, so you might want to consider using a safe cat litter made with such ingredients as pine, paper, corn or wheat.

• What to Do If Your Cat Is Sick

  When a cat is sick, there are many steps you can take besides running to the vet. First of all, it's important to assess whether or not it's a life threatening emergency.

• What to Do If Your Cat Has Fleas

  Veterinarians are often asked one common question, “What do I do if my cat has fleas?” Controlling a flea infestation is a difficult task and involves controlling the flea population on your cat and in your cat’s environment.

• What to Do If Your Cat Has Diarrhea

  Diarrhea may occur due to food intolerance or is a symptom that may signal different problems. If your cat has diarrhea you should monitor your cat and try to identify the problem so that you can establish if you need veterinary help or you can solve the problem at home.

• What to Do If You’re Allergic to Cats but Want One

  Although some cat owners are actually allergic to cats, they still want feline companionship in their homes. Fortunately, it's easier than ever before to be a cat owner with a cat allergy.

• What Plants are Poisonous to Cats?

  The average home and yard is filled with dozens of plants poisonous to cats. The potential culprits are sometimes surprising to cat owners, as they are very common plants that are not normally thought of as being toxic.

• What Makes Indoor Cat Food Different?

  Most cat food brands offer an indoor cat food formula that they claim will make your cat healthier and leaner. Their theories are based on the animal's indoor environment, somewhat limited as it is, compared to outdoor cats who exercise more frequently and in many cases, chase their meal.

• What Makes a Cat Overweight? 11 Factors

  There are 11 factors that can make a cat overweight. Sometimes the factors overlap and interact with each other in complex ways. It’s rare that one factor alone causes the problem.

• What Is the Typical Cost to Declaw a Cat?

  The cost to declaw a cat depends on your location. Many veterinarians feel declawing is an inhumane treatment and refuse to do it.

• What Is the Difference Between Cat Food Allergies and Intolerances?

  There is quite a bit of confusion about cat food allergies and cat food intolerances. These two medical problems are not synonymous and should not be confused with each other.

• What Is the Best Pet Heartworm Medicine?

  With many pet heartworm medications on the market, it's hard to know which medicine is best. The medications range in prices, offer different dosing instructions...

• What Is the Best Natural Wormer for Cats?

  The best wormer for cats will always depend on the individual cat. Natural wormers are becoming more popular as they are thought to be better for the animal.

• What Is the Best Natural Flea Killer for Cats?

  Natural flea killers are an increasingly popular option for owners who are looking for pet-friendly, environmentally safe methods of eliminating fleas from their cats. Fleas are widespread parasites that live off the blood of cats, people, dogs and other animals.

• What Is the Best Home Remedy for Cat Ear Mites?

  Cat ear mites are parasites that survive around the pet's ears and multiply. Since ear mites are contagious and easily transmitted to other pets living within close proximity to infected pets, ear mite infections are common.

• What Is the Best Flea Treatment for Cats?

  There are many different types of flea treatment for cats, some more effective than others. The exact treatment that will work best for you and your pet depends upon a number of factors, including your pet's overall health, the severity of his flea problem, and your willingness to complete the treatment and budget.

• What Is the Best Feline Immune Support Supplement for Cats?

  Feline immune support is crucial to pet's well being as the immune system works as a natural defense to ward off infections, fight bacteria and protect the cat against harmful viruses. Kittens in particular have low immune system functioning and are susceptible to life-threatening diseases.

• What Is the Best Coat Supplement for Cats?

  Supplements for cats are additional sources of nutrition administered to increase the pet's quality of life. Although routine grooming benefits pets of all ages and breeds, supplements enhance the cat's skin and coat and help them maintain optimal health.

• What Is the Best Cat Upset Stomach Remedy?

  An upset stomach in a cat can be a very stressful situation for pet owners that feel helpless as they might not know what to do to help their cat feel better. Cat owners need not fret because there are some great cures one can try at home to ease a cat's tummy troubles.

• What Is the Best Cat Dry Skin Remedy

  Because it can be caused by underlying illnesses and be uncomfortable for you pet, it's important to know how to care for cat dry skin.

• What Is the Best Cat Constipation Remedy?

  Cat constipation remedy should contain a balanced diet and some laxatives. Cat constipation occurs in sedentary cats, due to lack of activity and may also...

• What Is the Best Cat Asthma Remedy?

  If your cat suffers from asthma, it’s important for you to choose the best cat asthma remedy that’s suited to your pet’s unique needs. Cats develop asthma when they inhale allergens that are known to cause asthma attacks in humans.

• What Is the Average Cost of a Spay and Neuter Clinic?

  Neutering a pet can have multifold benefits and should be performed so that the growing number of pets without owners is controlled. If you are considering neutering or spaying for your cat or dog, you should get informed on the average cost of spay and neuter clinic.

• What is the Average Cat Lifespan?

  Cat lifespan varies from breed to breed; however, the average lifespan of a free-roaming cat is less than 3 years, whereas the lifespan of an indoor cat averages 15 to 18 years. Spayed and neutered cats live longer because they do not develop ovarian or testicular cancers.

• What Is Normal Neutered Male Cat Behavior?

  A mature male cat that is not neutered will be on the lookout for females in heat. This will greatly affect his behavior and he is likely to get lost or to contract different viruses and diseases due to frequent cat fights.

• What Is Low Residue Cat Food?

  Low residue cat food can help with problems of feline constipation in several ways. The fiber in the food serves several purposes.

• What Is Feline AIDS?

  Feline AIDS affects nearly three percent of all healthy cats in the United States. Understand how the feline immunodeficiency virus is transmitted.

• What Is Cystitis?

  What is cystitis? A lot of pet owners don’t know that cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder and may occur in cats of any age.

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