What is the average lifespan for a domestic house cat? What factors influence it, and what can you expect?

The Broad Answer

First, let's start with the broadest answer.

The average lifespan for a domesticated house cat is 13-17 years.

If you adopt a newborn kitten around the same time you have a human child, they'll grow up together, and the cat will likely pass away sometime in their teenage years. This might be early and will probably be one of their earliest experiences with a significant loss, or it might be later when they're getting ready to move out of the house and onto college or a career.

While 13-17 years is a fairly broad range, it also doesn't tell the whole story.

What's the Longest a Cat Can Live?

With immaculate genetics, consistent vet care, and a little luck, a cat can live quite a bit longer than what the average implies.

The oldest cat on record, and current holder of the world record, was a cat named Crème Puff. Crème Puff was born in 1967 and died in 2005, making her 38 years old when she died. That's over twice the average! What helped Crème Puff live so long? Likely a combination of care, activity, and genetics.

Crème Puff is an outlier, of course; her exceptional lifespan is something to be envied and enjoyed, and not something to base your own expectations on. Most cats won't make it nearly that long; a cat living to be 20 is already exceptional in a lot of cases.

Is There a Difference Between Indoor and Outdoor Cats?

This is a big one. You may have heard that cats should be kept indoors for a bunch of different reasons, and one of the big ones is that indoor cats just plain live longer.

That's true.

Outdoor cats, left unsupervised, live half as long: 7-9 years.

Now, that's for feral cats that are born, raised, and left to their own devices to scrounge for whatever food they can catch, suffer whatever illnesses they develop, heal (or don't) from injuries they receive, and generally have no one to care for them.

Unfortunately, even cared-for outdoor cats can have shorter lifespans for a bunch of different reasons.

• Catching diseases and parasites from the outdoors, even when a vet treats them, puts stress on the body, can damage organs, and can lead to other problems down the line.
• Spending time outdoors can lead to conflicts with other animals, including other cats, dogs, coyotes, other predators, and native wildlife, all of which can lead to injuries.
• Cats outdoors don't have the kind of supervision over their behavior or diets they have indoors, and they can eat something that has been poisoned or is toxic to them.
• In areas where summers are extremely hot and winters extremely cold, the weather can be a significant factor as well.
• Cars are an omnipresent danger, and thousands of cats are killed by vehicles every year.
• In rare and unfortunate cases, cat-hating people in your community might abuse or kill your fur baby.

Even a cat that stays away from roads, gets lucky with other animals, and doesn't eat anything toxic can still be exposed to allergens, pollution, and parasites, all of which cause problems that don't just hurt in the now; they shorten the future as well.

Outdoor cats that are cared for but are still left to their own devices – such as cats that have shelter in a barn or garage but aren't let inside or cats that can come and go as they please but still spend some nights outdoors – will naturally live somewhere in between the two averages.

Do Different Breeds of Cat Live Different Lengths of Time?

Since genetics play a pretty big role in aging, the answer here is also yes. Some cats live longer than average, and some live shorter amounts of time; these "breed averages" can still vary, but you can expect to adjust your planning either upwards or downwards depending on the cat you're adopting.

Breed Average Lifespans:

• Abyssinian: 9-15 years
• Devon Rex: 9-15 years
• Javanese: 10-15 years
• LaPerm: 10-15 years
• Cornish Rex: 11-15 years
• Siberian: 11-15 years
• Bengal: 12-16 years
• Birman: 12-16 years
• Maine Coon: 12-15 years
• Munchkin: 12-14 years
• Ragdoll: 12-17 years
• Sphynx: 13-15 years
• Norwegian Forest Cat: 14-16 years
• American Shorthair: 15-20 years
• Siamese: 15-20 years
• Burmese: 16-18 years
• Balinese: 18-22 years

Additionally, most of the time, a purebred cat is going to have a shorter lifespan than a "mutt" cat, as more diverse genetics tend to lead to more resiliency against various ailments. Some breeds are susceptible to things like kidney problems and other issues over time, and larger breeds are often (though not always) shorter-lived because of those inherent traits.

Again, breed is only one factor in the lifespan of a cat, and while it can be an important one, it's far from the only factor in play.

Do Different Colors of Cat Live Different Lengths of Time?

While you might scoff and say "no" to this out of hand, if you think about it, is there something to it? Do orange cats pass quicker when they don't have control of the brain cell? Do black cats suffer from bad luck?

Honestly, the biggest reason I bring this up is simply because I've seen many people ask about tabbies. Tabby cats have the same lifespan as their breed because tabby is just a coloration and pattern, not a breed.

In general, no, different colors of cat don't live different lengths of time. The color of the coat, in some cases, can indicate a particular genetic ancestry, though – such as seal point or color point being more typical of purebred cats – but for the most part, it's all the same cat underneath.

One potential exception to this is black cats if they're outdoor cats, and only because there are terrible people who are superstitious about them and do terrible things to them. Even if you have an outdoor cat, if they're a black cat, bring them in around Halloween please.

What Factors Affect the Lifespan of a Cat?

If you're worried about how long your fur baby will be with you, and you want to do everything you can to make sure they live a long and happy life with you, what factors should you consider? It's pretty much all that you would expect.

Maintaining a Healthy Diet. A proper diet is probably one of the most important things you can do to keep your cat going for as long as possible. A good diet means three things.

• A diet that is low on unnecessary fillers you commonly find in cheaper foods.
• A diet that is focused on the nutrients and vitamins a cat needs – primarily meat.
• A diet that adapts to changing health and keeps things like allergies and hormones in consideration.

You can't pick a food and stick with it indefinitely. Kittens need different nutrients in different amounts than adult or senior cats. Cats with thyroid or kidney issues need special diets. There are all sorts of different ways you may need to adjust your cat's diet over time to make sure they get what they need without the things they don't.

Maintaining a Healthy Weight. Cats have a range of weights they should be in depending on their age, breed, and size. If your cat is underweight, they may be ill and not eating, and they should be seen by a vet right away. If they're overweight, they can develop issues like diabetes, organ damage, and other problems that, even once you address them and bring your cat back to a healthy weight, will tend to linger.

Keeping to a Healthy Activity Level. The healthiest and longest-lived cats tend to be cats that have plenty of stimulation and enriching activities in their homes. They run, they jump, they play. You want to help engage their hunting instincts in a safe and controlled way. The exercise keeps them healthy, the stimulation keeps them from developing anxiety or other cognitive issues, and it all helps you bond more closely with your feline friend.

Keeping Away from Sources of Danger. Partly, this comes back to keeping your cats inside, where they aren't going to run into predators, vehicles, or other issues. Inside, though, it also means keeping certain areas (like attics or crawl spaces) closed off, keeping dangerous houseplants out of their reach or out of the house entirely, keeping toxic chemicals and dangerous foods locked up, and so on. The fewer threats to life and limb that you have lying around, the better the environment will be for your fur baby.

Getting Swift Veterinary Care When Necessary. Sooner or later, something will happen to your cat. Maybe they get sick, maybe they catch something, maybe they pick up parasites from a mouse that gets into the house, who knows. They might also develop tumors or other mysterious lumps just from genetics, age, or stray cosmic rays. Knowing when to bring your fur baby to the vet and have them looked after is critical for their long-term health.

I'm not saying you need to rush them to the emergency vet at the first sign of anything going wrong. That would be expensive and unnecessary. Instead, just make sure you keep an eye on them, notice changes outside of the norm, and address them as necessary.

Minimizing Unnecessary Sources of Stress. Stress and anxiety can do serious long-term damage in ways you never notice. Stress builds up the stress hormone cortisol, which causes further damage and stress to the bodily systems of anything – person or animal – who experiences it. Keeping stress down is critical for long-term health.

What Are the Signs of Aging in Cats?

How do cats progress as they get older? Other than getting larger, more active, and then less active, and eventually slowing down, there are a lot of little things that happen as your fur baby ages.

• Their immune systems get weaker, and they can become more susceptible to diseases.
• Their skin can grow thinner and more fragile, and they can develop rashes or infections more easily.
• They may lose the attention or focus to groom themselves and may not groom themselves well, thoroughly, or consistently.
• They may start to develop issues with controlling their bladder or bowels and might miss the litter box.
• They can lose their sense of hearing and their eyesight, partially or totally.
• They can develop dental disease, may need to have teeth pulled, and may need to switch to a softer diet because they have trouble chewing.
• They can develop feline arthritis and other joint issues, which reduces their mobility and makes it harder for them to jump around, move, or be active.
• They may develop kidney issues that need to be monitored over time.
• They can develop tumors, cancers, and other issues that can require surgery or advanced treatment to address.

Older cats tend to be slower, more lethargic, and more content to just spend time with you, sleeping near you or with you, and just enjoying cozy, warm spots. The rambunctious days of their youth are behind them, and trust me; they appreciate every moment of their life with you.

It's always a heartbreaking event to have to put down a beloved feline friend, but sooner or later – unless they pass happily in their sleep – they will probably need the intervention. When quality of life is no longer possible, it's better to let them have a comfortable way out than to drag them along in pain for your own comfort.

Fortunately, there are many resources available to help you through the loss of a beloved pet. Groups like Lap of Love, the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement, and even the country's mental health services can all help you out.

Just remember; they may be just a part of your life, but you are there for the whole of their life, and that's worth something.

Now that we're at the end of this article, I'd love to hear from you, the readers! How old is your feline friend? Do you have any favorite stories about them? Be sure to share them in the comments section down below! I absolutely love hearing about all your fur babies.

The Toes

Each cat is different, unique, and beautiful, but most of them have pretty much the same feet. Most cats have five toes on their front paws and four on the back. Imagine your own feet without the little toe and your hands with smaller, almost vestigial thumbs, and you're on the right track.

Why do cats only have four toes on their back feet? There's no real reason for it; that's just how evolution worked out. It hasn't been evolutionarily advantageous to have more or fewer toes on the front or hind legs – sort of – so cats haven't evolved to have more or fewer toes.

There's one exception to this, which is polydactyly. Polydactyly is a genetic condition where a cat is born with extra toes. Sometimes it's one extra toe per foot, and sometimes it's more. The world record goes to Jake and Paws, two different cats (one Canadian and one American) who had 28 toes total. Usually, polydactyly only affects the front paws, so a cat will have four toes on the back feet and a whole lot more on the front.

Interestingly, polydactyl cats aren't necessarily evolutionarily advantaged. But, humans chose to attribute them with good luck, and they often were brought aboard ships as mousers and for good luck. In Europe, though, they were often hunted as witch familiars, those poor babies. Fortunately, we're beyond that these days and recognize it for what it is: a genetic mutation and nothing more.

In cats with a normal number of toes, the fifth "thumb" toe on the front leg is called a dew claw or dew toe. They're sort of like thumbs in that they're more flexible and usable as tools compared to their normal toes. When you see a kitty stretch out their toes and splay their claws, you can see how much range of motion they have.

Speaking of splaying out their toes, in between those toes is where the sweat glands live. Cats, like dogs, don't have sweat glands all over their bodies the way we do because sweat can't really evaporate when it's covered by fur. Cats can pant when they're overheated, but they will generally try to find a cool, shady place to rest instead. The sweat that comes out of their paws helps cool them as well by evaporating and cooling the blood vessels in their little toe beans.

The Claws

Cat claws are often viewed similarly to our fingernails, but they're a little different.

Our fingernails aren't connected to our bodies very well, which is why they can be torn off through accidents and why they grow in a straight line from the cuticle. Cat claws are made of the same kind of material, keratin (which is the same material that composes fur and our hair and nails too), but they actually grow directly out of the toe bones of the cat's toes.

Another difference is that a cat's claw is more of a tube than a flat line. For us, if a nail is trimmed too far back, it exposes the sensitive skin in the nail bed, but that's just about it. For a cat, there's a nerve and blood vessel in the middle of the claw called the "quick"; trimming too much of the claw can cut this, which is painful and will bleed. That's part of why you need to keep them calm when trimming their nails.

This is also why declawing is an inhumane practice and should be abandoned. It's bad enough if you imagine that you had to have your nails pulled off and the nailbed cauterized to prevent them from growing back. For cats, the only way to stop the nail from growing back is to cut off the bone it grows from, which is the equivalent of cutting off your fingertips at the last knuckle. It's a terrible thing to do!

Claws also grow from the inside out. They're layered like an onion, and the outer layers can be chipped or broken off. If a cat scratches a harder surface to sharpen their claws and mark their territory, they may even leave these shards behind. This is also why it's important not to cut too deep when you trim a cat's nails; they don't just grow outwards from the back, they grow outwards from the center, so they can remain sensitive for a lot longer than if we trim our own nails too much.

The Toe Beans

Those toe beans we love so much are technically called paw pads. Cats have three "sets" of paw pads or beans. One set is small and separate for each toe, and are called the digital pads. No, not because they're electronic or computerized; because they're part of the "digit" of the paw.

The second pad is the large one in the center of their paws. These are called the metacarpal pads, because they're positioned under the metacarpal bones in the paw. (They're also called the metatarsal pads for the back paws, since rear/lower digits are technically the tarsals rather than the carpals.)

Finally, they have a third pad, further back and up across from where the dew toe and dew claw are. This is the carpal pad, and they only exist on the front paws.

What are the toe beans? Well, they aren't beans, that's for sure.

Paw pads are cushions that provide a soft surface for a cat to walk on and land from their jumps. They're made large of adipose tissue – which is stored fat – and collagen to bind it together. That's not all they are, though. The outer surface of the paw pads is a tougher skin that can withstand impacts and minor abrasions, though it can still be punctured if your cat steps on a thorn or a bit of broken glass or something of the sort. Inside each toe bean is a bundle of nerves, blood vessels to keep it all supplied with nutrients and healthy, and scent glands.

Scent glands are an important part of cat anatomy and behavior. They're sacs filled with a pheromone, something other cats can smell, and unique to the cat. They have these scent glands in their faces (which is why they rub their faces on everything), under their tails (to leave a scent behind when they do their business), and in their paws, which leave their scent when they knead and when they scratch. Pheromones are pretty complicated and fascinating, so I encourage further reading if biology interests you.

The Walk

A fun thing about how cats walk is what parts of their foot anatomy touch the ground.

In humans, when we walk, our heels, the balls of our feet, and our toes all touch the ground. This is called plantigrade walking. It's good for balance and stability and facilitates both a smoother walk and more flexibility in how we position ourselves. Other human-like animals that can walk upright also have similar kinds of walking. The Asian black bear, for example, can also walk plantigrade if it wants to.

Cats, dogs, and other animals with a similar skeleton and structure walk slightly differently. In these animals, the "heel" is actually raised; it's the part that sticks a bit backward and is an inch or so off the ground. Cats walk with the balls of their feet in the position where our heels would be and support themselves on the balls and toes. Since they're primarily supported by their digits, this is called digitigrade walking.

There's a third kind of walking, in a way that is essentially tiptoe to us. These animals grow a bunch of support structures around their toes to form a relatively flat, broad surface to support their legs. Can you guess what kinds of animals walk in this style? Horses and elephants are a couple of examples.

The different structure of the foot, the array of muscles that support it, the resilience of the toe beans themselves; all of this combines with the fact that cats are small and light, and is what allows them to be so light on their feet, so agile, able to spring into motion, climb, jump, fall, and land without issue.

Care and Grooming

Cats are reputed to be able to keep themselves pretty clean, but it's still a good idea to groom your fur baby from time to time, to look for issues they can't deal with on their own, and to make sure they're healthy overall. Some cats, when they're sick or anxious, will over-groom or under-groom, and that can be a sign that you should bring them to the vet for a checkup.

So, when you clean and groom your kitty, what should you do?

Clean their paws with a damp, soft cloth. There probably won't be much visible dirt, but you can wipe away grim, pathogens, and oils, allowing your fur baby a clean start. You don't want to use harsh chemicals or cleaners, though; only use water or at most a mild soap, which you rinse away after. Remember, cats groom themselves with their tongues, so any residue you leave on their paws will likely be ingested.

Check for damage. Cuts, scrapes, swelling, oozing, bad smells, redness, rashes, and other issues can accumulate. If your cat is swiping at a stinging or biting insect, steps on a thorn, gets a sliver in their paw, or otherwise cuts or damages their poor toe beans, it can easily end up infected, and you need to have it looked at if it doesn't heal in short order. If your fur baby is limping, it can be a sign of an injury, so check that foot as well.

Checking the toe beans for signs of dry or cracked skin is also important. You usually don't need anything like a paw balm (those are better for dogs) but if they have damaged paw pads, you may need to help out.

Trim the nails. You don't need to trim a cat's nails constantly – you only need to do it once or twice a month – but it can help keep shorter nails from catching on carpets, furniture, or anything else they're climbing on. It also means when they're playing with you and each other, or when they're kneading you, they won't be as prickly or at risk of accidentally scratching you.

Check between the toes. Sometimes, dirt and debris can get stuck between your fur baby's toes and cause them issues. Usually they can pick and lick this clean, but sometimes it's stubborn, and they may need assistance.

Do you need to trim their toe fur? This varies. Most short and even medium-coat cats don't need their fur to be trimmed unless there's an infection, injury, or other reason to get it out of the way. Longer-coat cats like Maine Coons might benefit from the occasional trim, but it's usually a rarity. They'll be fine unless that stray fur is causing problems, such as overheating.

What if your fur baby doesn't like you touching their feet? Unfortunately, this is common with cats, especially those who were strays before they were adopted. You can train them to be better about it, but it will take some time and plenty of treats. Don't try to force them or restrain them; that will just traumatize them and make it harder in the future.

Do you have any other questions? If so, feel free to ask! We've only covered the tip of the cat here – since their paws are just the tips of their legs, after all – but I love talking and answering questions as much as I can. Let me know if you have questions or if I didn't explain something well enough, and I'll get right back to you!

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For me, one of the best things about our little furry feline friends is their sleek, fluffy fur coats. Whether they're a coarse, wiry domestic shorthair or a majestic, fluffy long-hair with a grooming to-do list a mile long, that fur is iconic.

It's understandably distressing if your fur baby is, well, having trouble being a fur baby.

Bald patches in any animal are generally not a great sign, though they can have a lot of different causes, some worse than others.

Are Cat Bald Patches Dangerous?

Before digging into specific causes and their treatments, you probably want to know right off the bad how worried you should be. If your fur baby has a bald patch, should you rush them to the emergency vet, should you insist on an appointment as soon as possible, or should you just keep an eye on it until your next scheduled appointment?

The answer is right around the middle, but it does depend on the cause of the issue.

In general, you're going to want to call your vet and explain the situation. You don't need to rush them to the vet unless there are other signs of problems of a more serious variety, which I'll go through as we get to them. Usually, though, a bald patch is a sign of something you can adjust or treat at home, and you only need a vet to look at it to verify that it's not something worse. An urgent but not emergency appointment – sometime in the next week or so – is probably all you need.

That said, if left untreated, bald patches can turn into skin lesions and sores, and those can be the source of infections or other dangers, and that's much more urgent. You need to have your vet take a look at your furry friend, regardless of whether or not you think it's immediately dangerous, just in case there's an underlying issue.

What Causes Cat Bald Patches?

There are a variety of different problems that can cause bald patches, so let's go through them and evaluate their symptoms, prognosis, and treatment options.

Parasites

The first and one of the most common reasons why a cat can end up with bald patches is because of some kind of parasite. Most of the time, this is fleas, but it can also be caused by mites and other external parasites.

Fleas and mites don't actually cause bald patches; instead, it's an allergic reaction, a kind of topical dermatitis caused by flea bites or mite bites. The allergic reaction, the inflammation, and your fur baby grooming the area and trying to alleviate it all lead to hair loss in the area.

In extreme cases, mange – which is a mite infection – can also lead to hair loss. Mange is characteristic in appearance and tends to come with crustiness and other skin problems as well, so it's a lot more noticeable than just hair loss and bald patches, though.

Bald patches caused by fleas and other parasites are generally not a huge cause for concern beyond the obvious: you have fleas or mites that you need to address. Cat flea treatments are medications that prevent fleas from reproducing and work great for months at a time. You'll generally need to give your cat an anti-parasitic treatment.

If your fur baby is constantly licking at the bald patches, it means they're either itchy or painful, and they're trying to soothe it. In these cases, it won't heal well without help, so your vet may give them an antihistamine or a steroid shot, which can reduce the inflammation and irritation, allowing the area to heal and the fur to regrow.

The only way this is dangerous is if you don't treat the parasites or if the skin irritation is so advanced that it's leaving open sores that get infected. Otherwise, it's irritating and painful for your fur baby but not life-threatening.

Skin Infections

Along the same lines as parasites are various sorts of skin infections. The most common to affect cats is ringworm. Despite its name, ringworm isn't actually a worm. It's actually a kind of fungal infection, usually presenting itself as a round lesion on the skin. It's irritating, dry, itchy, painful, and prone to cracking and spreading, all of which means your cat will try to soothe it with grooming. Skin irritation and fungal infections combined with grooming can result in rapid, localized hair loss and spread.

Ringworm is a little more dangerous for two reasons. The first is that it needs a lab test to appropriately diagnose, and in that time, it can spread, especially to other animals. More than that, though, it can even spread to humans. You'll need to be careful when handling your fur baby, keep anything they come into contact with washed or cleaned and make sure to treat it aggressively to keep it from spreading to you or other cats in the house.

There are other skin infections besides ringworm that can crop up, but they tend to be a bit less common. All of them generally need a vet to look at them, a lab test to diagnose them, and a treatment to take care of them. Which ones, specifically, depend on the cause of the infection.

Other Allergies

Allergies come in more than just reactions to parasites like fleas. Just like we people can be allergic to all kinds of things, so can our kitties. I've heard of everything from pollen allergies to dust allergies to protein allergies in cats! Some of them are a lot harder to handle than others, but some just require periodic allergic shots or pills.

When your fur baby has bald patches, it can be an allergic reaction, and that reaction can be to either something they came into contact with or something they ate.

• Long-term, low-level reactions to something in their food can cause chronic inflammation, which, building up over time, can manifest as skin irritation and bald patches or general hair thinning and hair loss.
• Rubbing up against something they're allergic to, like a plant with an irritating sap along the lines of poison ivy or poison oak or a plant with pollen they're allergic to, can lead to the same sort of topical irritation and allergic reaction as above. It's less likely to result in bald patches right away, but if your fur baby over-grooms the area, it can lead to a loss of fur.
• Some insect stings and bites can cause the same kinds of irritations. Many insects can't make it through a fur coat, but some can; a wasp sting or bee sting, in particular, can lead to a longer-lasting irritation that they groom until the skin is bald.

If you want to learn more about cat allergies, VCA has a great resource here. It can get you started in knowing what to look for and when there may be an emergency involved.

Usually, allergies like this aren't going to be a huge health emergency. It's only if your cat starts having trouble breathing or other issues that you need to rush them to the vet. Chronic, long-term allergies to food are more likely to just cause low-level unpleasantness on an ongoing basis. It sucks, but it's not immediately life-threatening.

How do you solve this problem? It depends on the allergy. You may need to identify an environmental allergen and remove it, give them allergy shots to combat it, or change foods or grooming supplies to remove an allergy-inducing ingredient from their lives. It all depends on what caused it.

Stress and Anxiety

Have you ever met someone who has anxiety? There's a good chance that they have some kind of nervous tic. Some people tap their feet or hands constantly. Some fidget or pace. Some even pick at their hair.

Well, cats can react the same way. When they're anxious and stressed, they need to alleviate it somehow, but they have very few options available to them. After all, they don't have hands! Now, think about what a mama cat does to soothe her kittens when they're young and scared; she grooms them. Comfort licks can soothe and relieve anxiety and stress in kittens, and older cats maintain that habit.

What this means is that cats under stress or suffering from anxiety are likely to spend more time grooming themselves than they otherwise would. Often, they'll end up focusing on the same few spots, like their flanks, which end up with bald spots because of the over-grooming. Of course, this leads to more stress and more grooming and becomes an ongoing problem.

There are a few ways to address this. The first is to figure out why they're stressed or anxious and alleviate the issue. There are a lot of possible causes for cat anxiety, ranging from rearranging the house or moving food/litter/bedding from where they're used to, to illness, pain, or injury, to separation anxiety. Figuring out the cause allows you to alleviate it.

You may also need to use an anti-anxiety medication. These medications can include things like gabapentin, fluoxetine, alprazolam, and even CBD. Make sure you talk to your vet before administering any kind of medication, of course.

Thyroid Problems

One of the more common problems domestic cats develop over time is thyroid issues. The thyroid is an important part of the hormonal system, and any imbalance in hormones can cause all kinds of problems. A thyroid issue can lead to a bunch of different issues with your kitty's fur coat, including a loss of luster, greasy fur, matted fur, and a lack of grooming. Hair loss, of course, is also common.

Thyroid issues also cause other symptoms, including increased thirst, changes in weight, hunger or loss of appetite, and lethargy or hyperactivity. If it sounds like that's basically every possible extreme, it's because an over-active and an under-active thyroid are both problems in opposite ways.

While thyroid issues are dangerous, they are also common enough that we know very well how to treat them. You may need to give your cat pills for the rest of their life, or you may give them a kind of radiation treatment that kills the thyroid to prevent it from flooding their system with hormones, or there may be other treatments.

It's also possible that a tumor or cancer of the thyroid or another hormone-producing organ is causing the problem as well. These need to be treated on a case-by-case basis, obviously.

Other Issues

There are a few other reasons why your fur baby might be getting bald spots.

One of the more common with outdoor cats is an injury, particularly an injury when fighting with another cat or another animal. These other critters aren't exactly washing their hands, and even a minor scrape from a claw can lead to an infected wound. Of course, if an infected wound has caused a bald patch, it should be pretty obvious what it is and that it requires some fast treatment.

There are also various sorts of cancers that can cause hair loss. Leukemia is a common one; either the cancer causes hair loss or the treatment does. In these cases, though, the bald patches are probably the least of your worries.

Some cats also have a genetic cognitive condition where they over-groom, as a sort of feline obsessive-compulsive disorder. This can be mitigated with regular shots, but it's something you need to keep an eye on for their whole lives and can get worse as they get older.

Regardless of the core issue, a few things are generally true:

• Hair loss and bald patches in a cat are signs of something underlying wrong, whether it's a health issue, a hormone issue, an injury, or an allergy.
• Hair will grow back once the underlying issue is handled, as long as it doesn't cause scarring on the skin that prevents fur from growing.
• You will almost always need a vet to examine and determine the cause of the issue, though it's usually not an emergency situation.

Have you had a cat that struggles with hair loss? Let me know about it and what you did!

If you’re here because you’ve been given a firm or suspected FIP diagnosis, this post will give you a full understanding of what’s currently known about this terrible disease and what options you have for treatment.

Yes, I said treatment.

If your vet told you there is no treatment, they meant there is no FDA approved treatment, and we’ll get to that in a bit.

While this post will focus on educating you about the disease, I’m working on a post about my personal journey with my little Luca so you can read our first-hand experience.

If you’re a regular reader and here to learn, please share this knowledge with other cat parents so they can be familiar with this terrible disease. If you're reading this after receiving a diagnosis, know that there is a community standing by to support you.

Okay, let’s dig in.

What is FIP?

At its core, Feline Infectious Peritonitis or FIP is a disease caused by the mutation of the common, highly contagious feline enteric coronavirus (FECV). Before we dig into FIP, it’s helpful to understand how the virus that can cause this disease is transmitted.

Feline Enteric Coronavirus

FECV is an omnipresent virus that lives in the digestive tract of an infected cat and is shed through their feces. The virus is commonly passed to other cats through shared litter boxes and communal grooming.

Some cats with FECV will manage to clear the infection but are still at risk of becoming reinfected, while others will continue to carry the virus indefinitely and will continue to shed FECV in their stool.

Once infected, FECV usually presents as mild diarrhea, but an infected feline may also have vomiting or show signs of a respiratory infection. The good news is, most FECV infected cats will overcome their symptoms without any veterinary intervention.

It’s estimated that up to 90% of multi-cat households have been exposed to FECV.

You might be asking yourself, if there are so many FECV infections, and FIP comes from these infections, why have I never heard of it? The fact is most cats infected with FECV will never go on to develop the life-threatening disease known as FIP.

“In approximately 10 percent of cats infected with FeCV, one or more mutations of the virus can alter its biological behavior, resulting in white blood cells becoming infected with virus and spreading it throughout the cat’s body. When this occurs, the virus is referred to as the FIPV.” – Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine

In the illustration below, you can see that while many cats can be infected with FECV, only a portion of those will go on to have the virus mutate into FIPV, and even then, only a portion of those cats will develop FIP. Cats and kittens that remain carriers of FECV will go on to infect other cats.

If the cat is unable to clear the FIP virus (FIPV), it begins to infect their white blood cells leading to the disease known as FIP. Left untreated there is no chance of recovery.

History of FIP

While FIP may not be commonly known, that doesn’t mean it’s new. Jean Holzworth, DVM was one of the first to document the disease in 1963.

Even with decades of research, FIP remained an incurable disease. Diagnosis was a death sentence.

And while there is still an enormous number of questions left to answer, much of what we do know about FIP is thanks to the dedication of Dr. Niels Peterson and his life-long affinity to understand the disease.

Among other advances, Dr. Pedersen was the first to use an existing antiviral medication to successfully treat cats with FIP. His findings, published in 2018, gave hope to those with FIP infected cats.

Dr. Pedersen continues his research today along with his colleagues at UC Davis and researchers at other universities are taking up their own investigations.

There are currently two FIP clinical trials available to join.

For a complete history on FIP (1963 – 2022), check out this comprehensive review put together by UC Davis.

What are the Symptoms of FIP?

Here’s the most frustrating part of this disease, the symptoms can overlap with a bunch of other conditions, so it’s difficult to identify.

There are two main types of FIP wet (effusive) and dry (non-effusive), each with some more hallmark symptoms. There is also what can be considered a third form of FIP, which is a combination of the two. It’s also worth noting that one type can morph into the other.

Common Symptoms Of Both Wet and Dry FIP

While there are some symptoms that are more common to the specific type of FIP, there are five common symptoms that are seen across both.

These symptoms include:

• Lethargy
• Decreased appetite
• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Weight Loss
• Fever
• Unkempt coat

Wet FIP

If you search the web for “wet FIP” you’re going to find cats and kittens with enormous bellies full of fluid. It’s quite dramatic, but wet FIP won’t always show up in such an obvious fashion.

Fluid accumulates over time and collects in the abdomen or chest. Fluid in the chest is unlikely to be visible to the naked eye.

Common symptoms of wet FIP include:

• Anemia
• Jaundice
• Ascites - An enlarged abdomen filled with fluid
• Difficulty breathing
• Hyperglobulinemia and hypoalbuminemia

Dry FIP

As the name implies, dry FIP doesn’t have the excess fluid surrounding the organs. The symptoms can often be vague and tend to progress less rapidly than wet FIP.

Symptoms of dry FIP include:

• Anemia
• Diarrhea
• Granulomas in organs
• Hyperglobulinemia and hypoalbuminemia
• Neurological issues including, the inability or reluctance to jump, lameness, balance issues, poor litter box use, and seizures
• Eye issues including, uveitis, changes to the color of the iris, cloudiness, and/or blood in the eye

FIP Risk Factors

Since FIP mutates from the feline enteric coronavirus, multi-cat households, shelters, and catteries are all breeding grounds for FECV to spread. You can interpret this to mean your cat has likely already been exposed to FECV but is unlikely to develop FIP.

Several studies have shown multiple risk factors for developing FIP.

Age

A study in Australia that was published in 2012 found that of the 382 cases of confirmed FIP, 80% occurred in cats under the age of 2 years, and 50% of the cases were in kittens under the age of 7 months.

A 2014 study showed kittens older than 6 months showed an increased resistance to FIP. This is good news for if you have an adult cat.

All of this is to say, if you bring a new kitten into your home, it’s an important time to monitor their growth and development. While FIP can occur at any age, kittens are particularly susceptible.

Breed

Several studies have shown that pure bred cats are more susceptible to FIP. And certain breeds have a higher incidence than others.

“Abyssinians, Bengals, Birmans, Himalayans, Ragdolls and Rexes had a significantly higher risk” – Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery

If you decide to purchase one of these kittens, use a reputable breeder, and ask if they’ve had any cases of FIP in their kittens. If they say their queen has produced kittens that later went on to develop FIP, err on the side of caution and seek another breeder.

Sex

The same study found that there was no significant difference in the number of female versus male cats with FIP, but of these cats a significant number had not been neutered/spade.

This finding isn’t surprising given FIP is most commonly found in young kittens and it’s common practice to spay/neuter around 6 months of age.

Genetics

There is some belief that there may also be a genetic component that may make a kitty more susceptible to developing FIP.

“It is still unknown which exact genes harbor the mutation(s) leading to FIPV development.” - Diagnosis of Feline Infectious Peritonitis: A Review of the Current Literature

How is FIP Diagnosed?

Sadly, in most cases there is no one test that can definitively say your cat has FIP, but there are some tests that point to the disease.

Physical Examination & History

Armed with the symptoms you’ve been seeing at home, head to your vet for a physical exam. Your vet will perform an overall check looking for things such as enlarged lymph nodes, swelling in the belly, fever, neurological issues, eye changes, etc.

Tests

Your vet will likely want to start with some basic bloodwork to check for abnormal values including, but not limited to high serum proteins and anemia.

They can also use a blood sample to rule out FeLV, FIV, and toxoplasmosis, which can have symptom overlap with FIP.

Your vet may also want to perform an ultrasound to check for fluid in the belly or chest. This is a hallmark symptom of wet FIP. If fluid is found your vet will recommend aspiration to take a small sample of the fluid.

NOTE: If your cat has fluid in the belly, DO NOT let your vet fully drain the fluid if you’re considering treatment. If there is too much pressure, ask your vet to remove no more 25% of the fluid. Fluid in the chest should be completely drained.

Diagnosis is often a case of elimination and looking at your kitty’s symptoms and lab values as a whole. Your doctor may not be comfortable giving you a definitive diagnosis of FIP and depending on their experience, they may have trouble recognizing the disease.

What are the Treatment Options for FIP?

As of the end of 2023, there is still no FDA approved treatment option for FIP in cats, so vets will typically offer palliative care options or euthanasia.

There is a light in all this darkness thanks to Dr. Pedersen’s research, but let’s start with how your vet can help.

Palliative Care

In the event you’re not familiar with the term, palliative care is treatment that’s used to help alleviate symptoms of a disease, and it’s used most often in cases where a disease has no cure. The goal is to make the patient as comfortable as possible in the time they have left.

The only tools your vet has in their arsenal are anti-inflammatory medications and immunosuppressants. In combination these drugs may help to prolong your kitty’s life.

If your cat has wet FIP, your vet can also drain the fluid to allow your kitty to be more comfortable, however with the underlying disease remaining, the fluid will return.

In cases where a cat has severe anemia, a blood transfusion may be recommended.

While the above medications and procedures can help alleviate symptoms and may give your kitty a boost making them appear to be on the mend, the sad fact is the meds are doing nothing to address the underlying disease.

Palliative treatments will not save your kitty.

Anti-viral Treatment

A study conducted by Dr. Pedersen and colleagues at UC Davis (published in 2018) showed there was hope in GS-441524:

“In an experimental FIPV infection of cats, GS-441524 treatment caused a rapid reversal of disease signs and return to normality with as little as two weeks of treatment in 10/10 cats and with no apparent toxicity.”

With such promising results from the 2018 study, additional research was performed using GS-441524 and similar molecules to treat FIP in cats.

One such study published in 2021 showed a cure rate of 90% when using GS-441524 to treat FIP. Amazing right?!

Sadly, unless you live in the UK or Australia, your vet will not have access to this life-saving drug. GS-441524 metabolizes to Remdesivir (GS-5734) in the body.

Does the name Remdesivir sound familiar? It’s the drug that is provisionally approved to treat COVID-19 infections in humans.

Here’s the problem, the owner of the medicines, Gilead Sciences, doesn't seem to be onboard with allowing GS-441524 for veterinary use… at least not in the US.

“The fear was that performing the studies to secure FDA approval for GS-441524 in cats might hamper efforts to approve GS-5734 (now remdesivir) in humans because if studies using GS-441524 to treat cats had any adverse effects or undesirable results, this could influence the analysis of remdesivir for human use.” – American Animal Hospital Association

So how do we get access to this life-saving drug?

A group of volunteers looking to help save lives by connecting devastated pet parents with the medication they so desperately need.

How Do I Get Started with FIP Treatment?

First and foremost, always discuss any options with your vet. To get started with GS treatment, visit the FIP Warriors^® website or facebook group. There are volunteers working around the clock to connect you with the resources you’ll need to treat your kitty.

I spoke with Robin Kintz, the founder of FIP Warriors^®, and here's a message of hope she shared for all cat parents with newly diagnosed FIP cats and kittens:

“FIP is no longer a death sentence! With proper guidance and supportive veterinary care, 90% of FIP kitties can now be cured!” - Robin Kintz

You’ll get an estimate up front on what the cost will be for treatment, and you can buy the medication as you go, allowing you to spread the cost out over the course of treatment.

The FIP Warriors^® will connect you with a pet parent in your area that is treating their own kitty that will supply started meds and supplies.

Full disclosure, other than the wonderful and caring life-saving work FIP Warriors^® did for my Luca, I have no business relationship with or financial incentive to recommend this group.

What Can I Expect During GS Treatment for FIP?

There are two distinct phases of FIP treatment, on average each lasting 84 days. You’ll be assigned an FIP Warriors^® administrator that will guide you through the process from start to finish.

Your administrator will be a wealth of information having treated many FIP cats of their own and supported hundreds of pet parents through the years.

FIP Treatment Phases

The first 84 days of treatment is when you administer the GS medication. Many pet parents will start with an injectable medication and will continue with injections for all 84 days.

The dosage and brand are determined by the type of FIP, and the dose will increase as your kitty gains weight.

Injections are typically recommended to start because they are better absorbed through the subcutaneous injection rather than relying on the digestive tract, which may be compromised by the disease.

Some pet parents will be given the option to switch to pills further into treatment. Treatment with pills is more expensive, but typically much easier to administer.

Labs are typically recommended every 4 weeks during treatment to track progress.

Depending on the severity of the disease and how your kitty is responding to treatment, you may need to extend treatment past the minimum 84 days.

What you need to know for treating your cat at home.

A pet parent with a geriatric cat may have more experience and be better prepared for the requirements of at home treatment. This includes weighing your kitty, taking their temperature, giving them pills and injections, and in some cases subcutaneous fluids.

Every kitty is different and additional medications may be needed to support their recovery. It’s important to have a vet that will provide supportive care should you decide to begin treatment. While they won’t be able to advise you on the GS medication, they can provide supportive care for other symptoms your kitty is experiencing.

The GS medication itself is viscous, think pushing honey vs water through a syringe. It’s also very acidic, making it quite painful for many kitties to receive and if the medication leaks onto their skin it can result in sores.

While many parents do treatment alone, it tends to be much easier when you have an extra set of hands, one person to hold your kitty, one person to inject.

Treatment can be emotionally draining and there will be good days and bad. What helps parents continue with the process is the improvement they see in their kitty and the support they receive from other parents in the same situation.

If you’re familiar with the Kitten Lady, Hannah Shaw, she treated her cat Coco for FIP, and Coco is now cured! Check out this video where she talks about her experience:

FIP Observation Phase

This milestone begins when you’ve been given the green light to stop administering the GS medication.

During this period, you’ll watch your kitty to ensure none of their original symptoms return. You’ll monitor their weight, their activity level, their appetite, etc.

You’ll also have bloodwork checkpoints during the observation period.

If your kitty backslides and begins to show symptoms, you’ll begin treating with the GS medication again, oftentimes at a higher dosage. If the observation period is uneventful, your kitty will be considered cured.

Coping with an FIP Diagnosis

You may have left your vet’s office being told your kitty has a terminal illness and euthanasia is your only option. Or perhaps your vet puts their veterinary license at risk by telling you about a treatment plan that you’ll have to pursue on your own. Either way, you’re leaving their office gutted and scared for your fur baby. I get it.

Maybe you are like me, waiting for additional labs to come back desperately hoping there is some other cause of your cat’s symptoms, but still diving into FIP research to understand what the diagnosis might really mean.

One thing I can confidently tell you is the FIP Warriors^® are a community that will support you whether you decide to try treatment or not. They will answer all of your questions, encourage you when you are down, and will share their vast experience to help you through the process.

Veterinary Treatment for FIP Has Arrived in the US

Did you hear that? Celebratory cries are heard throughout the US as we finally have a treatment for FIP available through your vet! Beginning in June 2024 your vet will now be able to prescribe GS medication if your cat is diagnosed with FIP. It's worth noting this drug is still not yet approved by the FDA, but as of the writing of this update they have no plans to seek enforcement and a formal review is underway.

The vet prescribed GS therapy is only available in an oral tablet. This is a much easier option for pet parents to administer, and is equal efficacy-wise to the injection options. With that said, pills do have a limitation. The gut has be be functioning well to absorb the medication. For kitties with gastrointestinal involvement pills tend to pass through quickly preventing full absorption of the live saving medication. For a kitty that has a late diagnosis or problems absorbing the pill, injections might be the only solution to get enough medication into your kitty's system - at least in the short-term. Please talk to your vet if you have concerns about absorption and consider reaching out to the FIP Warriors^® for advice on your kitty's specific situation.

FIP Frequently Asked Questions

Is FIP Contagious?

No, FIP is not contagious. There is often confusion around this topic because the virus (FECV) that has the potential to mutate into the FIP virus is highly contagious.

Do I need to separate my other cats from my FIP cat?

No. Odds are your other kitties have already been infected with FECV, but that does not mean they will go on to develop FIP.

Is GS Treatment Expensive?

Yes, it is. On a positive note, many cat parents create fundraisers to help with the cost, and in a community facing the same fight, small donations add up to make a significant difference.

How do I get the medication to treat my cat with FIP?

Contact FIP Warriors^® at https://fipwarriors.com/ or on their facebook page to connect with volunteers that will connect you with the resources you’ll need for treatment.

Why do some websites say they can provide medication cheaper?

Sadly, there are people in this world that are looking to take advantage of others. These people often try to pass off fake medications or use medications from sellers that are not reputable. Ensuring your kitty gets enough medication is imperative to their success. The FIP Warriors^® do batch testing to ensure the brands they use are of the highest quality available. Do not trust anyone that guarantees a cure. While GS treatment has a high success rate, it does not cure every cat.

Where can I learn more about FIP?

sockFIP.org is a non-profit organization that consolidates a wealth of research information related to FIP. You can learn more about research that is taking place globally to better understand this horrible disease.

Have you ever had a cat or kitten diagnosed with FIP? If so, what type, wet/dry? What treatment method(s) if any did you try? Share the story of your warrior in the comments below. While we love stories with happy outcomes, we also know that’s not the ending to every story. Don’t let that stop you from honoring your warrior.

One kind of injury they generally find a lot harder to hide is an injury to their tail. That's because cats use their tails constantly to express all kinds of body language; if their tail isn't working properly or hurts when they move it, they won't act quite right, and it'll be pretty obvious.

Cats can injure their tails in a bunch of different ways, and those injuries can be visible – or not – in different forms. So today we’re going to talk about some of the different types of injuries, what symptoms to look for, and when it’s time to see your vet.

Let’s dig in.

Types of Injuries to Cat Tails

The average cat's tail is seemingly always in the way. It's underneath you when you walk, so you risk stepping on it, it's swishing back and forth beneath a rocking chair, it's snatched out of danger at the last second, seemingly before the feline even knows it's in danger.

Yet they aren't always so lucky; these tails can get caught in all kinds of pinches and crunches and other situations that, to put it lightly, aren't pleasant for anyone involved. Some injuries aren't as obvious as a break, though, so let's talk about what can go wrong.

Bite wounds

These are pretty common in cats, particularly outdoor cats. These cats are likely to get into scraps with various critters out and about. Predators going after your cat are going to chase and nip at them, and sometimes, they'll catch a stray tail before that tail can be pulled from danger.

Unfortunately, while bite wounds can be small and not look too bad, animals – especially wild animals – don't generally brush their teeth. That means those bites are pretty dangerous and can easily get infected.

"To minimize the risk of infection, it's best to have a cat with a significant bite wound treated by a veterinarian. DiGiacomo explains that vets will often sedate a cat with a serious wound in order to "flush" the area completely. The cat will then likely be prescribed antibiotics and possibly pain medication. Depending on the situation, [the vet] adds that pet owners may have to clean the tail at home to prevent infection. Outdoor cats should be kept indoors while healing, to prevent fly larvae from growing in wounds." - PetMD.

Burns

In their joys of exploring and let’s be honest inspecting places they shouldn’t be, your cat may accidentally burn their tail.

Whether it’s on a hot stove while you’re cooking or with the swipe of a tail over a lit candle. Burns can do serious damage, and if you’ve ever burned yourself, you know how painful they can be.

Abrasions

A second common cause of tail injury is abrasion, or a common scrape, cut, or other injury. Cats that go out wandering outside having their own little adventures are bound to run into things they shouldn't.

Thorn bushes, sharp bits of metal from a fence, and bee stings; there are all sorts of different reasons why a cut, scrape, or another small injury can crop up.

These are, obviously, a lot less dangerous than something like an animal bite or a broken tail. We all get cuts and scrapes and bumps all the time, and they're generally going to heal without issue. Just keep an eye on it, and your fur baby will likely be just fine.

It’s important to bear in mind that any break of the skin can lead to infection.

Broken Bones and Dislocations

The third category is a mixture of breaks, fractures, and dislocations. Cat tails are an extension of the spine, just more flexible; it's a series of small bones connecting and protecting things like nerves and blood vessels, surrounded by the muscles that let it move. While they're relatively resilient, they are still bones, and they can break.

Cats who get their tails run over by a vehicle, pulled on by a young child, stuck in a door that gets closed on them, or even stepped on can end up with damage to their tails that falls into this category.

Tail bones can be broken, dislocated, or crushed, and that damage makes it very painful to move the tail or have it moved.

Minor tail breaks and fractures can sometimes heal on their own, but other times they're serious enough to warrant amputation.

The problem is that cat tails are sensitive to injury, and if they don't heal right, it can cause more problems than not having a tail at all. In rare cases, a tail cast (think bandage wrap and not hard cast) can be used, but most of the time, it's on to surgery.

With any type of serious injury to the tail there may also be nerve damage. This nerve damage can be minimal with the potential for full recovery to permanent.

These are the main injuries that cats can get to their tails. There are a few others, like a degloving injury, but they tend to be a lot more obvious, and you don't need my tips on recognizing them.

How to Spot a Tail Injury

So, what should you look for if your suspect your furry feline friend has an injured tail? How can you recognize it? If they're acting strange, how can you tell if the tail is the culprit?

Look for signs of a break.

A broken tail is generally pretty obvious. It will droop, sag, or have a strange bend or kink in it. This is for severe breaks, the kind where the bones are completely broken, shattered, or separated.

Your fur baby probably won't want to be touched, they may not eat, will likely be reluctant to play, and they'll probably even try not to move much because it hurts to do anything. Your fur baby may also start hiding.

Other possible symptoms, particularly of less visible breaks, can include:

• Reluctance or inability to wag, swish, or move the tail around.
• Inability to move their back legs at all. The tail has a lot of important nerves in it, and depending on where the break is, the damage can trickle "up" to the hind legs.
• Loss of bladder/bowel control. Those same nerves in the tail are used to control the bladder and, to an extent, bowel function. If your fur baby can't hold it in, this may be a culprit.

If the tail doesn't seem to be broken, it can still be fractured or injured in other ways.

"If your cat can't urinate on its own, you can express it by hand three to four times a day. This involves gently squeezing the bladder to push urine out—your veterinarian can demonstrate how to safely do this and may also prescribe medication to help. Some cats also need stool softeners and enemas." – Daily Paws.

Look for signs of other injuries.

Signs of injury in a cat's tail that aren't as obvious as a break include:

Bald patches where hair (or skin) has been rubbed off, torn off, cut off, or otherwise removed. Note that a rare issue in some cats, called feline hyperesthesia syndrome, results in cats picking at their own skin because it bothers them, and this often happens on the tail and base of the spine. There are treatments, but you'll need to talk to your vet.

Swelling. If an area of the tail is swollen, it might be anything from an infected cut or insect bite to a fracture in the area. The affected area may also be hot to the touch.

Blood. Obviously, anything that cuts deep enough can bleed, so if your fur baby is leaving blood spots where they sit, do a full body check including their tail.

There are also the usual signs and symptoms of pain, like lethargy, a lack of appetite, a desire to not move or to hide away, and so on. Cats react differently; some will hide, some will be angry or defensive, and some might even come to you for comfort.

How to Treat a Cat's Injured Tail

For minor injuries like cuts and scrapes, you may be able to do some treatment at home, then asses if a vet visit is needed.

Simple first aid for an injured tail is pretty much the same as it would be for any minor injury.

• Clean the area with warm water and soap. You don't need any of those fancy disinfectants! No alcohol, no hydrogen peroxide, no iodine. Most of these don't actually do any better than plain old soap and water for keeping a wound disinfected, and because they can dry out an area, they can actually lead to worse infections.
• Appy a cool cloth. In the event of a burn, running your kitty’s tail under cool water or wrapping it with a damp cloth can help soothe a minor burn. Major burns must be treated by a professional, not only to enable healing, but to treat their pain.
• Use a simple bandage to keep the area protected. There are special bandages for cat tails you can get, or you can use self-adhesive wraps. Don't use tape or a sticky bandage, as it will just get tangled up in their fur.
• Use an e-collar. The "cone of shame" is obstructive and harsh, but a softer e-collar can help prevent your fur baby from gnawing away at a bandage and aggravating an injury.

You'll also want to keep an eye out for bleeding or other discharge. Colored discharges can indicate an infection that needs to be treated with antibiotics, and that means a vet trip. Bleeding might not be bad, but if it doesn't stop or if it's excessive, bring them in.

What Can the Vet Do for an Injured Tail?

First and foremost, your vet can evaluate to see exactly what's wrong with the tail. If it's an infection, they can identify what it is, why it's there, and how to treat it.

If they suspect a fracture or break, they can take X-rays and figure out where, how extensive, and how much of the tail is damaged. A common issue, particularly in injuries caused by cars, is a single larger break hiding another smaller break.

"If the fracture is located at the tip of the tail, it usually heals well without any treatment, although, the tail may have a bump or kink at the fracture site. If the bones in the tail are crushed, part of the tail may have to be amputated. Injuries near the base of the tail often involve nerve damage and are more serious." – VCA Animal Hospitals.

Generally, a vet will evaluate your fur baby and come up with an appropriate treatment plan. This can be:

• Cleaning, bandaging, and waiting. For simple lacerations and very minor fractures, particularly to the tip of the tail, this is all you need.
• Antibiotics. In the case of an infection, either oral antibiotics or an antibiotic ointment may be prescribed, along with instructions on how to use it. You'll want that e-collar if you're putting on a cream, just to make sure they don't lick it away.
• A splint or cast. In some rare cases, a tail injury may need support to heal properly, the same way we might heal our own broken bones with splints or casts. If this is the case, your vet will determine the best kind of cast to put into place and any other support or instructions you'll need to follow at home.
• Amputation. A cat's tail may need to be amputated, either partially or fully. On the plus side, amputation for one of our furry friends isn't nearly as "bad" as it is for us people. We have a self-image that relies a lot on our appearance and function; cats and dogs, meanwhile, just live their lives the best they can. The loss of a tail (or an eye or a limb) just means they need to adapt, and they'll adapt. Most cats do just fine without a tail.

Depending on the cause of the tail injury, your vet will also want to give your fur baby a complete once-over and may recommend additional imaging.

This will help them determine if there are any other injuries or causes for concern like broken or fractured toes, legs, or ribs or internal damage or bleeding.

Minor tail injuries usually improve fairly quickly with no lingering damage. Serious tail injuries can take months to fully heal, especially when nerves have been involved. Talk to your vet about your kitty’s prognosis and what you can expect for at home care and healing time.

As always, if you ever have any questions about anything I go over in our articles, please feel free to let me know. As a pet parent and lover, I'm always more than happy to help you out however I can.

At least, that is, when they aren't in playtime mode, just hunting for the joy of hunting, and they aren't making mistakes, slipping on the hardwood, sliding into walls, or missing the mark entirely.

Alright, so our fur babies aren't always the ferocious predators they were when they first evolved. But that's okay! We love them and pamper them just the same. They no longer need to hunt for their very survival every day.

Of course, this really makes you think. Are they losing out or missing something?

Truthfully, the answer is… maybe.

The Perils of the Modern Feline Diet

As it stands right now, our fur babies don't need to hunt for food, but that doesn't mean they're satisfied with what they get. When we buy food off the shelves, whether it's dry food or canned wet food, we do our best to make sure they're getting what they need.

The trouble is, all too often, these foods aren't quite right. They may have fillers in them that your cat can't quite digest or that they digest but aren't really very healthy for them. That's not even considering the issues with contaminated foods or foods where the manufacturers cut corners. We're talking about the higher-quality foods here.

In fact, two of the most common diseases our feline friends suffer from today are linked to their diets.

• Obesity. It's easy to over-feed and over-eat, and cats – who aren't used to the fillers and additives in the foods, the caloric density, and the ingredients themselves – put on more weight than they would in nature. Moreover, without needing to hunt for it, they don't necessarily burn as many of those calories, so they build up and lead to an overweight feline. Sadly, as funny and adorable as a chonker is, it's not healthy or good for them.
• Diabetes mellitus. Diabetes is a problem with processing blood sugar, and it's an epidemic amongst many different species, including both people and cats. Cats are obligate carnivores – they have to eat meat to survive – and that means they're more susceptible to fillers and carbohydrates in their food causing problems with insulin, leading to diabetes.

Since these diseases are so tied to diet and they're so common, vets and scientists have been spending a lot of time studying how cats eat naturally to see if there are ways we can improve their diets to help eliminate the risk of these diseases.

"Carbohydrate levels in commercial diets are often much too high. Cats have not evolved to digest high amounts of starches, only obtaining a small amount of partially digested matter from the stomach contents of their prey. They have insufficient enzymes in their saliva and pancreas glands to process these complex sugars, and will often overeat, leading to a multitude of problems." – NP Vet Group.

What Natural Feeding Isn't

Natural feeding is a response to the artificial diets we've been feeding cats as a society for decades, but there can be some misconceptions around the name. So, first, let's talk a bit about what natural feeding isn't before we get into what it is.

Some people think that natural feeding involves buying prey animals to let your cat hunt and eat on their own. People buy "pinkies" for snakes and lizards, after all. Isn't it the same sort of thing for cats?

Well, not really. For one thing, pinkies – which are baby mice, named such because they don't even have fur yet – are already dead. Cats hunt things that are alive and moving and aren't going to put much effort into or have much interest in already dead food. They'll eat it if they have to, but it's not the kind of natural hunting you might think of when you think of a cat stalking prey.

There are also the ethical considerations. Most people don't think twice about the source of the ingredients in their cat's food, but when you're buying animals to feed to your cat, the abstraction is removed, and you see it in front of you, and it might not feel very good. Of course, imposing human ethics on nature isn't always a good idea. That's how you end up with bad cat parents forcing their felines to go vegan, and that's a terrible idea.

Fortunately, natural feeding doesn't actually involve hunting at all. It's all about what you feed, not how you feed.

Besides, natural hunting for cats is also full of risks.

• Prey can fight back. Birds have beaks and talons, rodents can bite and scratch, and insects can sting. Every hunt is a risk, and cats in the wild are routinely injured in the hunt. Even small injuries can result in infections as well. Obviously, we don't want that for our domestic felines.
• Prey can carry diseases and parasites. While you wouldn't get this if you were buying food-bred prey animals for your cat, cats in the wild are always at risk of eating something that gives them worms, fleas, or another disease.

Luckily, this isn't what we mean when we talk about natural feeding at all.

Natural feeding also doesn’t automatically mean raw feeding, though it is an option. We’ll get into that more later.

How Natural Feeding for Cats Works

Natural feeding is all about coming up with a diet that most closely mimics what a cat needs to be healthy, based on two things: habits and content.

Habits mean how they eat. We humans tend to eat 2-3 big meals in a day, or one big meal and snacks throughout the day. That's not necessarily natural; as hunter-gatherers, we likely foraged and ate small amounts throughout the day, with "big meals" being a rarity.

While cats often live in colonies, they are solo hunters, and they are used to having a warm meal.

They also tend to hunt whenever the opportunity strikes, and since their prey is small, they frequently need to hunt multiple times in a day. Hunts also fail, and the prey gets away. Combined, this means that cats are similar in that they would eat smaller, more frequent meals than we people usually give them.

Content means what they eat. Cats, being obligate carnivores, get all the nutrients they need from a combination of protein and fat – that is to say, meat. Very little of what they eat involves carbohydrates or dietary fiber, and while they'll certainly chew on grass and plants for both flavor and digestive purposes, it's a very small part of their diet.

"One study looked at how feral cats get their food. It showed that a "typical" feral cat will kill and eat approximately nine mice throughout the day, with a number of unsuccessful hunts scattered in as well. Another paper revealed that feral cats got 52% of their calories from protein and 46% from fat, which only leaves 2% available to come from carbohydrates.

So, left to their own devices, cats will eat multiple small meals throughout the day that are high in protein, high in fat, and low in carbohydrates. But that's not all. These cats have to work to get their food. Their behavior is characterized by periods of rest broken up by short bursts of relatively intense activity." - PetMD.

Another part of feeding, water consumption. While cats in the wild get most of their water content from the food they eat, when they do drink, they naturally avoid stagnant water to avoid illness. The moving water that they choose is not confined to a small bowl, which for some cats can cause whisker fatigue.

So, natural feeding means feeding your cat smaller, more frequent meals and making sure the food they eat is nutritionally balanced for their needs. You want a food that's high in protein, moderately high in fat, and very low in carbohydrates.

You have two options here: you can make your own cat food, or you can buy a food designed with natural feeding in mind. Even "good" commercial cat foods tend to be higher in carbohydrates than a cat should really have, though, so it can be tricky to find something good for your furry friend. Wet food is also preferable because cats get a lot of their water requirements from it and might not drink enough if they primarily eat kibble and dry foods.

Key Takeaways for Naturally Feeding Your Cat

• Provide smaller, more frequent meals
• Feed a high meat-based protein, moderate fat, and low carbohydrate food
• Serve the meal slightly warmed
• Have a good play session before each meal
• Provide a water fountain for fresh moving water

Building a Healthy Natural Feeding Meal

Odds are you have a job and maybe a family to tend to, so becoming a servant to your cat (well more than you already are) can be a challenge.

If you have the time and financial means you may want to consider switching from a traditional canned wet food to a raw or homemade diet. Natural feeding isn’t an all or nothing concept, you can always make small changes to your feeding process.

Given a cat’s need for a high protein diet, I don’t recommend feeding dry food, though it can be a great option to use as a treat since it’s lower in calories compared to traditional treats.

Raw and Homemade Diets

Unsurprisingly, a lot goes into a healthy diet for your fur baby. Unfortunately, many people think meat is meat and assume a ground chicken, turkey, or beef from the grocery store is going to be good enough. Even store-bought fish isn't good enough on its own.

"Many people mistake raw pet meats and minces available from their supermarket or pet shop as being a complete food. This is often not the case, with many just being minced muscle meat only, severely lacking in the important minerals and vitamins required to keep a cat healthy. This puts your cat at risk of developing nutritional diseases. Some pet minces also contain sulphur-based preservatives, which not only have been linked to asthma in cats but also inactivate some important B vitamins. Fish also contains some enzymes which can reduce the availability of essential thiamine in the diet." – NP Vet Group.

So, what do you do?

Rotate through different meats throughout the week. Chicken and fish are both good options and for a third, you might consider locating a source of something like rabbit or even a "pest" meat like possum or a rodent. If you can't find it, that's fine, but you'll want to keep to a lower amount of beef or pork than you would the meats your cat would be more likely to encounter in the wild.

See if you can source whole meats instead of just muscle meats. A working relationship with a butcher can be great here. Your goal would be to get ground meat that has calcium from ground bones in it and nutrient-rich marrow as well. You won't find this for human consumption, though.

Get your cat started on raw "meaty bones" occasionally. The two most common and useful here are chicken wings and chicken necks. The bones are just the right size that your cat can strip the meat off them without risking hurting themselves chewing on the bones, and raw bones aren't as splintery or prone to danger as cooked bones.

Add in some organ meat from time to time. Heart meat is great for cats – it's high in taurine, a nutrient cats need to live. Liver, meanwhile, can be dangerous in high amounts, so only give your cat a little bit at a time.

Other tips:

• Make your cat food regularly. Keeping it frozen for too long reduces its nutrient profile, particularly in vitamins.
• Don't leave food out for long. Meat goes bad, obviously, and you don't want to have a bowl of rotting meat sitting around.
• Avoid meats with preservatives, especially if you're starting with ground meats or minces. It can be worthwhile to invest in a food processor or meat grinder yourself instead.
• Take it slow. Adapting a cat from a kibble diet to a natural feeding diet can be time-consuming if they don't take to it right away. You may also need to lightly poach or cook the meat initially.
• Add in supplements or meal completers. It’s incredibly important to ensure your kitty is getting all of the nutrients necessary to keep their body operating in optimal form, so if their raw diet is lacking in any area, be sure to supplement their food. Some common supplements include, vitamin E, fiber, omega 3, and taurine.

WARNING: Feeding a raw diet can introduce harmful bacteria into your household including, but not limited to salmonella and listeria. If you opt to feed a raw diet to your kitty, ensure you practice impeccable food safety practices when handling all meat. You’ll also want to ensure you only purchase high quality, fresh meat, as bacteria and germs can flourish in uncooked meat.

Commercially Prepared Diets

I’m including this section, because as I noted above, a natural diet doesn’t have to be all or nothing.

If you’re currently feeding dry only, add wet food into the mix, or if you can, transition primarily or fully to wet food.

Canned wet foods come in many different levels of quality, so before picking one it’s important to read the label. Remember you’re looking for a wet food that is primarily animal protein based, which means at the very least, the first ingredient should be an animal source.

There are also some freshly prepared cooked options available through mail order. These meals are a great alternative if you don’t have time to make a homemade diet as they already include the necessary nutrients to ensure your kitty is getting a balanced diet.

Fresh meals also tend to be made in small batches right here in the US but be sure to learn about the quality and source of the ingredients.

Above all, though, make sure you talk to a vet about this potential dietary shift. Some cats, especially older cats with health issues or a predilection for them, may need special care when shifting to a natural feeding diet. Others may need special supplements or medications to help keep them healthy, particularly those who normally eat special formulated foods.

Natural feeding can be a great way to keep a cat happier and healthier and give them a longer and more fulfilling life. So, if you're interested in learning more about natural feeding diets, there are plenty of resources available. And if you have any questions, feel free to ask me in the comments!

Most of the time, those consequences end up being a bit of embarrassment, a few bad smells, or maybe a bruise, scrape, or allergic reaction. Sometimes, though, it can be a little more pronounced and a little scarier.

One of the scarier symptoms you can come across with a feline friend is swollen paws. It's not the kind of symptom you see very often, so it can be very concerning when you see it, especially if you also see your furry child limping around or avoiding moving just to avoid stepping on the foot that is all swollen up.

It's even worse if more than one is swollen. It tugs at the heartstrings, and of course, it makes you concerned whether or not it's a serious problem worthy of a trip to the emergency vet.

So, let's talk about it. Before you get yourself worked up into a panic, let's go over the various possible causes of swollen cat paws, how serious they may be, and how to handle them.

Is a Swollen Cat Paw Cause for Concern?

While it's always concerning to see your pet pal in some kind of distress, is a swollen paw something worth a trip to the vet for, or is it less severe?

Thankfully, it's almost always the latter. There are a bunch of different possible causes for a swollen paw, but most of them aren't so serious as to need emergency attention.

It's only in a few cases where emergency attention is necessary, and I'll make sure to note that when I discuss it later.

You should, however, certainly call your vet at the first opportunity. They can examine your furry child to make sure nothing else is wrong, like a fractured or broken toe, an infection, or something that needs cleaning or stitches.

From there, of course, follow their advice, and if they want to see your fur baby right away, do so.

What Are the Symptoms of a Swollen Cat Paw?

While the obvious symptom is, well, obvious – the paw is swollen – you might not notice it right away. In fact, whatever that silly feline got into to cause the problem can have a delayed reaction, and you might not notice swelling right away because it hasn't swollen up yet.

Think of it like this. You twist your ankle. It’s not horrible, just a little painful, and you think I’ll just walk it off instead of resting and icing. Over time you start to see swelling until you finally admit there might be a little more to your injury that you need to tend to.

So, what are some other symptoms you might notice?

• Frequent biting or licking at a paw. Cats don't have a lot of tools at their disposal to deal with pain and illness, so they generally try to lick and nibble at whatever is bothering them as a way to soothe and prod at it. If there's something stuck in their paw like a thorn, they'll be trying to get it out, even if they don't really have a good way to do so.
• Reduced mobility or limping. If you injure your foot, you don't want to put weight on it; if you injure a hand, you don't want to use it. The same goes for your fur baby. If they injure a foot, they don't want to put weight on it, so they'll limp around and avoid doing so. They may also just choose not to move much and will curl up in their comfort space and not leave it for much of anything.
• Reduced appetite. This one is especially common in cases where your fur baby is in pain or where they have an infection. They just won't feel good, so they won't want to do much, including eating. This is a good indication that something is wrong enough that you should bring them to the vet.

There are also two signs of infection that you should watch out for. If you see either or both of them, make sure you bring your fur baby to the vet ASAP; antibiotics may be critical to preventing further pain, damage, and danger.

• Abnormally hot paws. Cats naturally run a little hotter than we do – their body temperatures are around 101 to 102.5 degrees – but their paws, being extremities, will be a little cooler. If their paws are hot to the touch, it can be a sign of inflammation, which is most often a sign of an infection that needs addressing.
• Foul discharge from the paw. This is a sure sign of an infection. When pus or another awful ooze is coming from the paw, it's probably because of some kind of injury that got infected. This can be anything from something in the nail bed to something in one of those adorable toe beans to a cut that just didn't heal. Either way, it's vet time.

Now, what actually causes these problems? Let's dig in.

The Causes of Swollen Cat Paws

There are a bunch of possible causes of swelling in a paw. That's because swelling is a natural reaction to pretty much any kind of injury or invasion of the body and is part of the natural healing process. A tiny bit of swelling is fairly normal, even, but it's still worth addressing because we, as pet parents, can help.

Cause #1: Insect Bites or Stings

The first and one of the most common causes of a swollen paw is an insect bite or sting. Cats have a fierce internal hunting instinct, and they love to pounce on, play with, and swat at bugs around them. Sometimes, it's a fly, aka a delicious sky raisin. Other times, it's something that ends up tasting or smelling awful and driving away your kitty. Aside from the yuck factor, there is usually no harm done.

The issue is those cases where the bug can fight back, and bites or stings. Bees, wasps, hornets, some spiders, particularly vicious ants.

Insect bites and stings usually have some kind of venom that further drives the point home. It'll sting, of course, and that pain is meant to drive off whatever predator was trying to eat them. That venom will cause localized swelling that can last for anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours.

Two things can make this worse. The first is when the stinger breaks off or sticks in the paw. Honeybees are notorious for doing this, which is why they don't sting very often; it's deadly to them, so it's a last resort. Wasps and other stinging insects can sting more than once and don't lose their stingers, so they are less hesitant to sting when in defense mode.

The second issue is when your fur baby is allergic to the venom. Their paw, or even their whole leg, can swell up, and in serious cases it can even cause trouble breathing. If you suspect your kitty is having trouble breathing, head straight to the emergency vet.

I wrote more about allergies in cats over here, so be sure to check it out!

Cause #2: Foreign Bodies

The term "foreign body" refers to anything not naturally part of the cat invading the body of the cat.

If you allow your fur baby outside, whether supervised or not, there are lots of little pokey items waiting to be picked up. So, what happens if they step on a nettle, a thornbush, one of those bee stingers that sticks in the foot, the barbed tip of a fishhook, a bit of wood, or another small, sharp bit of debris?

Well, that bit of sharp substance can end up stuck in their paw. Maybe it's between toes, or around nails, or lodged in a toe bean. Whatever the case, it's stuck there, and like a tenacious splinter, it's not always going to be easy to get out.

Luckily, these are rarely dangerous, just irritating. You can handle this in a bunch of ways, including just removing the object with tweezers if you can get a grip on it.

"If you are certain that the swollen paw was due to a minor problem such as a thorn you have removed, soak the paw in a mixture of one-gallon fresh cool water with two tablespoons of two percent chlorhexidine added. Chlorhexidine is an antiseptic that is available at many drugstores. However, it's always wise to check with their vet even if the problem seems to be minor since the chance of infection is always present, and the foreign object can move deeper into the paw as time passes, making it more difficult to retrieve." – Love To Know Pets.

Your kitty can still be susceptible to a foreign body if they are indoor only. Pokey items such as pine needles can be tracked inside.

Décor items can have pieces that break off, and let’s not even talk about that mug that shattered into a million pieces that you thought you cleaned up (yeah this might have just happened in my house, though no toe beans have been injured (knock on wood)).

Any minor injury with a foreign body requires you to clean the wound and make sure it doesn't get infected, so keep an eye on it until things look like they're healing.

Cause #3: Injuries

The third possible cause is any of the many possible injuries that can happen to a paw. Cats can only really interact with the world in a few ways, the main one of which being their paws, so of course, those paws are at risk of being injured when the world doesn't want to be messed with.

Cuts, bruises, scrapes, burns, anything that injures the paw can cause swelling. As long as there's nothing lodged in the paw – and you should check – these issues will generally heal in a few days.

That said, more serious problems can require immediate vet attention. Examples might include:

• Serious burns. If you had a hot stove and your fur baby stepped on it, medical intervention will likely be needed for pain and to prevent infection.
• Serious cuts. In cases where a cut is bad enough that it requires stitches, exposes tendons or bones, or otherwise won't just heal up in a few days on its own.
• Injuries that may be more than skin-deep. If a nail was pulled out, a toe may be fractured or broken.

This is also where heat can be a sign of an infection and means you should bring them to the vet ASAP.

Cause #4: Nail Problems

While we often think of cats being able to deal with their claws naturally by scratching, it's actually a good idea to keep their nails trimmed.

Just like human nails, claws can continue to grow if not maintained. Nails that grow too long can lead to problems and I’m not just talking about your furniture.

Claws, and long ones in particular can get caught on things and tear, bend, twist, or otherwise injure the toe they're attached to. They can also get caught and ripped out in extreme cases.

Another extreme case is when the nail keeps growing unchecked for too long; it keeps its natural curl and curls more and more until it curls back into the foot itself and can puncture the toe bean.

That can then be a huge irritant and even a source of infection. A young healthy cat doesn't usually let their nails get that long, but if they're sick or old or it hurts to scratch at things, overgrowth is possible.

The opposite of all of these is nails that are cut too short. You've heard of being "cut to the quick"? Well, the "quick" is the blood vessel in the center of a nail that keeps it healthy and allows it to grow. Cutting more than just the white tip will hit the blood vessel and nerves causing your kitty pain.

When your kitty goes scratching in the litterbox, this injury can allow germs to take of residence leading to a possible infection, which can cause swelling and will need attention.

Cause #5: Cancer

Nobody likes to hear the C-word, and thankfully, it's pretty unlikely to be the cause of foot swelling in a cat.

However, cancers can spread anywhere in the body, and that means places like the paw pads, nail beds, and toe joints. You might be surprised to learn a type of lung cancer called lung-digit syndrome can cause swelling in the paw.

If the swollen paw appears to be more of a lump rather than swelling, it doesn’t automatically mean it’s cancerous. There are several cause of lumps and bumps that can show up on your kitty.

Thankfully, almost all cases where your cat has a swollen paw are not going to be the big C; they're going to be fairly obvious, direct sources of injury that can be treated right away and handled by a vet or even just with some home treatments.

Cause #6: Infection or Disease

Those adorable toe beans are unfortunately not immune to infections and diseases.

Pillow Foot

We reviewed some of the symptoms of infection above, heat, oozing, etc., but if your kitty’s paw pad has inflated like a balloon, they may be suffering from feline plasma cell pododermatitis (PCP), more commonly known as pillow foot.

This condition is not common and that’s likely why it’s also not well understood. It’s said to be the result of an immune response to inflammation or an infection.

Treatment may include prednisolone to help reduce inflammation and an immunosuppressant and/or antibiotic to help address an infection.

There is no cure for pillow foot so it’s important to be diligent in monitoring if your kitty has been treated in the past.

Calicivirus

There are several strains of the feline calicivirus (FCV) and some cause more severe issues than others. Mild infections typically present with upper respiratory symptoms, though severe cases can cause joint inflammation and swelling and the paw is not immune. It can also cause ulcerations on the paw.

FCV is highly contagious, but there is a vaccine. While it won’t prevent infection, it can minimize the severity of symptoms if your kitty gets infected.

Fungal and Bacterial Infections

These little invisible invaders can live peacefully on your skin but given the opportunity they can grow out of control and turn into an infection.

If your kitty is an anxious groomer or has allergies that cause them to nibble at their paws, the extra attention from that barbed tongue can lead to little cracks in the skin giving invaders an open door to thrive.

So, if you notice swelling around your cat’s nail beds and/or a foul smell it’s time for a vet visit.

Whatever caused your fur baby’s swollen paw, you may need to invest in an e-collar to prevent them from nibbling at it while it heals.

Has your fur baby ever come to you with a swollen paw before? If so, what ended up causing it, and how did you handle the situation? I'd love to hear all your stories about your furry little friends, so be sure to leave those in the comments section down below!

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But did you know that cats can have allergies, too?

It's true. Pretty much any living thing can have allergies, but what are they, and what allergies can cats have? After all, if your fur baby is having allergic reactions, you want to do what you can to minimize them so they don't suffer.

What Are Allergies?

Let’s start off with the basics, in the truest sense of the word, allergies are symptoms resulting from an immune response.

Complex, multi-cellular living things have immune systems. The immune system is a complex set of tiny processes in the body that help protect it from outside invaders. It's purpose is to help protect you against things like viruses, bacteria, and fungal infections, things that are also alive and trying to invade and use your body as a breeding ground to grow their own colonies.

When those nasties get a foothold, you get sick. Whether it's a cold, the flu, COVID-19, a rash, or any other kind of infection, it's a case where the immune system hasn't been able to fight off the invader. Usually, the immune system is hard at work fighting it off, and once it learns how, you'll recover from the illness. Sometimes, you need assistance from antibiotics or other medications.

What happens when the immune system identifies something as an invader when it's really harmless, though?

For example, dust mites, pet dander, grass pollen, and even things like bee sting venom and peanuts can all trigger an immune response.

"Allergens are foreign proteins that the body's immune system tries to remove. Examples of allergens common in humans are pollens, dust, molds, and pet hair." - VCA.

That's right; it's an allergy. An allergy is simply the body trying to use the immune system to fight off something that isn't really a danger and isn’t fightable in the traditional immune sense. So, you may get some of the symptoms of getting sick without the "getting sick" part.

The term allergy is often used interchangeably with the word sensitivity, but they aren’t actually one and the same. While they both may produce the same symptoms (we’ll get into these in a bit), a sensitivity does not involve an immune response. Sensitivities are an irritant and usually have more mild symptoms and are not life threatening.

Are Allergies Common in Cats?

Actually, yes! Allergies are one of the most common medical conditions to affect cats.

Sure, cats can get sick, get cancer, and have all sorts of terrible things happen to them, but allergies are simply so common, with so many different possible things they can be exposed to that can trigger them.

Allergies can present in a few different ways, and there are four main groups of allergies that can affect cats.

What do Allergies in Cats Look Like?

Generally, allergies will show up in one of three ways. Different kinds of allergies can express differently, so you can get some idea of what kind of allergy your cat is suffering from based on what kind of symptoms they're having.

The three kinds of allergic reactions are:

• Dermatologic. That is, skin reactions. Itchy, red patches, with swollen skin beneath, flaking skin, and occasionally something more extreme, like hives, can be a sign of an allergic reaction. This can be localized to just a small area, or it can cover large patches of the body or even be a full-body reaction for the most unfortunate feline friends of ours.
• Digestive. If your fur baby eats something that triggers a reaction in them, it can range anywhere from mild to severe. Mild reactions are mostly limited to soft stool and those nasty, room-clearing kitty farts (though those are more of a dog thing in general). Meanwhile, more severe reactions can include diarrhea and vomiting. If left untreated, it can also lead to secondary problems like dehydration and malnutrition.
• Respiratory. All of those irritating symptoms we get when we have seasonal allergies are the same sorts of things cats can get. Sniffles, sneezing, congestion, coughing, wheezing, runny nose, and itchy and watery eyes are all common symptoms of common allergies. In the case of something more severe, the windpipe can swell up and make breathing difficult or even impossible; that's when you need to bring your fur baby in for immediate medical treatment.

Usually, but not always, symptoms are going to be limited to one of these three groups. Sometimes, they can overlap a bit, though; for example, an insect bite allergy can cause skin reactions, but a bad enough reaction can also lead to respiratory distress. That's kind of how bee sting allergies work in people; the site of the sting is a reaction, but so too is respiratory distress and shock.

What Are the Four Types of Allergies in Cats?

While some vets may break the types of allergies into more refined groups, we’re going to stick with four main categories.

There can be some overlap between them in terms of symptoms, and severity varies wildly between different individual cats (and even throughout a cat's life), but they can broadly be broken down into these four groups:

• Flea allergies. Not your typical flea bite, but an overreaction to a bite.
• Food allergies. These are allergies related to something your fur baby is eating, perhaps only one ingredient in their food.
• Atopic Dermatitis. This is a skin reaction to environmental allergens, like dust mites. It's fairly common and one of the more complex kinds of allergies to deal with.
• Contact allergies. These are fairly similar to atopic dermatitis, though the symptoms are typically more mild and the treatment options are different.

Let's break them down individually!

What Do I Need to Know About Flea Allergies?

Flea bites are almost always very minor. Think of it like a mosquito for you; when one bites you, you get an annoying little welt that itches, but goes away on its own in a day or two, and that's pretty much it. Flea bites are the same way for most cats: itchy and irritating, but minor and will go away on their own even without treatment, that is, as long as the fleas themselves don't stick around.

As a side note, this is why you should always make sure your fur baby is up to date with their flea medications. Flea meds alter your kitty's body chemistry to make it inhospitable for fleas to live, so while they can still show up and bite, they won't linger. You can read a lot more about it here in my guide to cat flea medications.

Flea allergies are worse. When a flea bites, it injects a bit of saliva to feed without disturbance. This itches, but in a cat with flea allergies, one bite can cause a significant response.

“All cats can be affected to some extent by flea bites, but an allergic cat will react with disproportionate severity. Where it would take dozens of flea bites to significantly harm a normal cat’s skin, the same amount of damage to the skin of an allergic will result from just a few bites.” - William Miller Jr., Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine

Symptoms of flea allergies include:

• Skin bumps (known as miliary dermatitis)
• Itching
• Scratching
• Chewing of the skin
• Sores and scabs
• Presence of fleas, flea eggs, or flea dirt
• Secondary infections

What Do I Need to Know About Food Allergies in Cats?

Remember earlier when we talked about the difference between an allergy and a sensitivity? Food allergies are the perfect place to dig into this difference in more detail.

There are differing positions on the prevalence of food allergies in cats.

Cornell Feline Health Center, among others argue food allergies are the “thirst most common type of feline allergy.”

However, a study released in 2018, conducted by Banfield Animal Hospital looked at 2.5 million dogs and 500,000 cats and it showed food allergies in cats and dogs aren’t quite as prevalent as many people think.

“Food allergies affect just 0.2 percent of dogs and 0.1 percent of cats” – American Veterinary Medical Association

While earlier than the Banfield study, a prior study in 2006 ‘Food allergy in dogs and cats: a review’ found:

“The exact prevalence of FA [food allergies] in dogs and cats remains unknown.”

Seems like the jury is still out on this one.

The gap between these perspectives may be related to the grouping of food allergies, sensitivities, and intolerances, with the basic difference being the immune system is involved in one, but not the others.

For the sake of this post, we’re going to group all three issues together as many of the symptoms overlap, and ultimately have a similar resolution, though getting there will vary.

Food allergies are particularly tricky because it's hard to tell what your fur baby is allergic to in the first place. Tracking down what, specifically, is causing the allergic reaction is very important so you can avoid it in the future.

Some of the most common cat food allergies are related to the protein in their diet and include beef, chicken, and fish. Bear in mind any ingredient could potentially be a trigger, preservatives, gums, grains, etc.

Symptoms of Food Allergies and Intolerances

Severity of symptoms can vary, and may include some or all of the following:

• Red skin
• Fluid filled bumps on the skin (often on the head and neck)
• Itching
• Scratching
• Flakey skin
• Loss of hair
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Frequent visits to the litter box
• Gas
• Weight loss

If your vet suspects a food allergy is at play, they may recommend an "elimination diet," where you restrict what your fur baby can.

Elimination diets are tricky:

"Testing is conducted by feeding an elimination or hypoallergenic diet. This means a diet in which the ingredients have not previously been fed to the cat (e.g., duck, rabbit, venison). Because it takes at least eight weeks for all other food products to be removed from the body, the cat must eat the special diet exclusively for a minimum of eight to twelve weeks.

Unless the diet is fed exclusively, the test is meaningless. This means absolutely no treats, other foods, people foods, or even flavored medications during this trial. This cannot be overemphasized. Even accidentally providing a tiny amount of the offending protein can invalidate the test." – VCA.

If symptoms resolve on the hypoallergic diet, a food allergy is likely the case. To confirm, your vet may ask you to reintroduce their old food to see if symptoms return.

What Do I Need to Know About Atopic Dermatitis in Cats?

Atopic dermatitis is a skin irritation caused by something in the environment.

Often, these allergies are seasonal because they're related either to the life cycle of something like a dust mite or, more often, to the pollen of a plant that only flowers during specific times of the year.

Symptoms of atopic dermatitis are generally limited to the skin and can include:

• Redness of the skin
• Itching
• Scratching
• Scabs
• Excessive Licking
• Fur Loss
• Ear Infections

There are two types of allergy tests that can be done on your cat, intradermal allergy testing (IDAT) and radioallergosorbent testing (RAST).

The RAST test is pretty straight forward, a blood sample is taken by your vet and sent to a lab for review. While affordable, it’s not very reliable, though it could be a starting point for diagnosis.

A more accurate test is the IDAT, where small amounts of potential allergens are injected and then observed for a response. This test is more expensive and may require a visit to a specialist.

There is also serologic testing (RAST), which is done with your cat’s blood. This testing tends to be less reliable, but it could be a starting point for diagnosis.

A 2019 study has shown hair and saliva tests are not accurate allergen tests.

What Do I Need to Know About Contact Allergies in Cats?

Contact allergies are the least common allergy in cats and are a kind of dermatitis that isn't atopic; that is, it has a defined, specific cause. It can be a reaction to a shampoo, or to a flea collar, or to natural fibers like wool. It can also be something natural like poison ivy.

Symptoms of a contact allergy will be seen just at the location of “contact” and include:

• Redness
• Itching
• Bumps

These symptoms are generally minor, and will resolve once the source of the reaction is removed.

Cats can also be sensitive to plastic. That “dirt” on your cat’s chin is not actually dirt, but feline acne. Plastic is very porous and a great breeding ground for bacteria.

If your cat has little back specs on their chin, the first thing you should do is swap out any plastic bowls for stainless steel, glass, or ceramic.

What Do I Need to Know About Asthma in Cats?

A post about cat allergies deserves a section on feline asthma. While it’s estimated only 1% of cats living in the US suffer from asthma, it is believed to be triggered by an allergen.

Asthma is when the airways to the lungs become narrowed due to inflammation, making it harder for your cat to breathe.

Symptoms of asthma include:

• Open mouth breathing
• Wheezing or coughing
• Increased respiratory rate

Asthma attacks can range from mild to severe, and it is incurable.

Diagnosing asthma can take several tests to rule out other causes of labored breathing. Your vet will start with a physical exam, followed by bloodwork, and may order an x-ray to get a better look at your cats lungs.

What Can I Give My Cat for Allergies?

The first challenge is identifying the cause of the allergy, but some common treatment options include OTC antihistamines, an oatmeal bath, fish oil supplement, corticosteroids, and topical prescription medications.

Flea Allergies

If your cat has a flea allergy, monthly preventative treatments are a must, even if they are indoor only.

You’ll also want to ensure you’ve thoroughly cleaned your home if fleas have been present.

If your kitty is currently suffering from an acute severe reaction to flea bites, talk to your vet about medications that may be helpful.

Food Allergies

A strict diet is the only solution for a cat with food allergies. This may include feeding a prescription diet or switching to a different brand of food that doesn’t include any ingredients your cat is allergic to.

If you have multiple cats in your household and feed them different foods, it’s important to ensure your allergic kitty isn’t sampling any of the other food or symptoms are likely to return.

You’ll also need to be aware of reactions after treats or supplements. Symptoms may not appear immediately, so it can be difficult to identify the new offender, so make a note if you offer any special treats so you’ll remember down the line if symptoms show up.

If your kitty got into something they shouldn’t and has an acute bout of symptoms, talk to your vet about medications to get them over the hump, this may include something to stop vomiting or diarrhea, and/or an antihistamine for skin reactions.

Atopic Dermatitis

If your cat is allergies to environmental allergens, keeping them indoors can reduce their exposure. Doing more regular cleaning can help with indoor allergens.

You may also consider giving your kitty a fish oil supplement. The omega-3 fatty acids in the oil are anti-inflammatory and can help with skin allergies.

Because some cats with atopic dermatitis may also have a food allergen, your vet may recommend a hypoallergenic diet.

There are also a few medical options to help with atopic dermatitis and your vet will help you decide what’s best for your cat.

Your vet may start with prednisolone, which is generally well tolerated and provides quick results. Antihistamines may also be an option.

For more severe cases immunotherapy may be recommended. This treatment is regular injections or sublingual drops. Yep, just like humans with several allergies, cats can get allergy shots too! This treatment can take months to work, so supportive therapy for symptoms may also be needed.

There are also immune-modulating medications that suppress the overreaction of the immune system. These medications can make your cat more susceptible to infections and there are potential side effects, so you’ll have to weigh the benefits and risks.

Contact Allergies

Addressing contact allergies is fairly simple, remove access to the things your cat is allergic to. The challenge is first identifying the offending substance.

To help identify the allergen, look for the areas of the body that are showing an allergic reaction. Is it just around the neck? Do they wear a flea collar, easy fix. If you suspect bedding or toys might be the offender, remove to determine if the symptoms resolve.

When it comes to cleaning products, switch to pet safe brands and always remove your fur baby from the area while cleaning is taking place.

Asthma

The treatment of choice is usually an inhaled corticosteroid, just like you’ve seen used in humans, though the device doesn’t go in the mouth, but over your kitty’s face.

If your cat suffers acute bouts of asthma, try to identify the trigger. Could it be a perfume you only use occasionally? An air freshener? Perhaps a plug in or scented litter? If you’re able to identify an allergen, you can potentially reduce the frequency of attacks.

How Dangerous are Allergies in Cats?

Most of the time, allergies range from mild to moderate in severity for cats. Generalized itching is irritating and can stress your fur baby out, but it's not life-threatening unless they scratch holes in themselves and get an infection.

In rare instances, allergies can be more severe. Whenever they cause bleeding, ulcers, sores, or infections, and any time they inhibit breathing, you should bring your fur baby to the vet.

Luckily, allergies in cats are relatively well understood, and the treatments, particularly emergency treatments, are readily available. Once they pull through, you can figure out what they were allergic to and how to get rid of it from your environment for a safe, happy kitty.

Does your kitty have allergies? If so, what kind of allergy do they have, how did you identify the allergen, and what do you do to help them manage it? I'd love to hear all your stories about your fur babies, so be sure to leave those in the comments section down below!

Both viruses and bacteria can cause cat colds, and if you have a young kitten or an older cat, it’s especially important to try to prevent these infections.

But what if your cat does get a cold? What can you do to help them? Does your fur baby need to be seen by a vet? We’ll get into that and more in today’s post.

Colds vs Respiratory Infections

The truth is, there’s no such thing as “a cold.” What we call a cold is just an upper respiratory infection (URI), usually viral rather than bacterial/fungal/etc., and it's defined more by the symptoms than the cause.

Respiratory infections in cats can be caused by a number of different viruses, but the vast majority are from two common viruses, the feline calicivirus and the feline herpes virus (FHV), also known as the feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR).

“The chief infectious agents that cause feline upper respiratory infections are herpesvirus; and calicivirus, together accounting for about 90 percent of infections. Other agents include: Chlamydophila, Mycoplasma, Bordetella, and others.” – veterinarypartner.vin.com

Just like how the flu is actually a wide range of different mutations of the influenza virus, the cold can be any of the different kinds of rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, enteroviruses, and coronaviruses.

That's right; coronaviruses are usually responsible for a simple cold. COVID-19 is just one of many different kinds of these viruses and is only more dangerous because it's a new kind that humans don't have a reaction to and can't fight off as effectively. It's basically just a cold dialed-up to 11.

Why do I go into this digression? Well, you may have heard stories of lions, tigers, and housecats all being able to catch COVID. Our poor furry friends can get sick the same way we can, sometimes even from the same viruses.

It's very rare for the same virus to cross species lines, however, so most viruses that cause URIs in cats are not going to get you sick and vice versa. COVID-19 is a special case.

"No, cats cannot get colds from humans. The vast majority of viruses are highly species-specific and will not survive in a different host. Some bacterial infections can be transmitted to and from humans and cats, but this is rare.

Cats can get COVID-19 from humans and may show mild symptoms, but this is extremely rare." – Daily Paws.

How Do Cats Catch Colds?

When you think of colds in humans, you know it’s transmitted from someone else who is already sick. The same is true for cats. This might have you wondering, my cat is indoor only, so s/he will never get a cold, right?

Wrong. While being an indoor only cat reduces the chance of your kitty getting a cold transmitted from another cat, it doesn’t eliminate the risk.

Cats can pick up a virus that you brought home after petting another sick cat. They can also pick up a bug at the vet if they interact with another cat, or if they are boarded in a facility with relaxed cleaning protocols.

The truth is your cat is most likely already a carrier of the feline herpes virus and just isn’t showing symptoms.

“Up to 97% of cats are exposed to feline herpes virus in their lifetime, and the virus causes a lifelong infection in up to 80% of exposed cats. Of these, up to 45% will periodically shed the virus, usually when stressed.” – Cornell Feline Health Center

The crowded environment of shelters allows feline herpes to spread like wildfire, but it can also be a problem in breeding catteries.

Case in Point: As an adult, I’ve only ever had rescue kitties and they’ve all been carriers of FHV. A couple of my babies would have flares during stressful times, but most of the time showed no symptoms. My sister has purebred Maine Coons, and one has a chronic case of FHV.

What Are the Symptoms of a Cold in Cats?

Upper respiratory infections in cats are pretty similar to how they are in people. The symptoms can range from very mild to pretty severe, but they're generally not life-threatening unless your cat is otherwise susceptible to illness (very young or very old), sick in other ways, or the "cold" is actually something more dangerous.

It's worth noting that cats are notorious for hiding their illnesses. It’s a form of self-preservation, so, when your cat is obviously sick, they're likely in the worst of it.

Here are the most common symptoms of a cold in cats:

• Congestion and sniffles.
• Sneezing.
• Runny nose.
• Runny or teary eyes.
• Lethargy.
• Poor appetite.
• Coughing.
• Dehydration.
• Fever.
• Enlarged lymph nodes.
• Ulcers in the eye and/or sores in the mouth.

Should You Bring Your Sick Cat to the Vet?

Now that we know what symptoms to look for, your next question is likely should I take my poor sick fur baby to the vet, and if so, should it be an emergency vet trip or just an appointment scheduled ASAP?

Luckily, colds are almost always minor in cats, just like they are in humans. We think of colds as an annoyance and a source of stress, not as a life-threatening ailment, because they very rarely end up serious or fatal.

99% of the time, you don't need to bring your cat to the vet at all for a simple cold. They'll probably get over the worst of it and bounce back to their happy, purring selves in just a few days. The key in making the determination of whether or not a vet visit is needed is documenting the symptoms and whether they are improving or getting worse.

While most cat colds are caused by viruses and resolve on their own, some are caused by bacteria or fungi. Even a viral cold can become more severe by developing a secondary bacterial infection.

The following examples are cases where your cat needs to be seen by a vet.

• If they remain sick for more than 4-5 days, they may have something worse than a cold, or they may have an underlying issue that makes the cold worse, and vet treatment may be necessary.
• If their symptoms are very severe, such as having a lot of trouble breathing, wheezing, and other signs of pneumonia.
• If they refuse to eat or drink for more than 24 hours, they may need a vet to give them nutrients and fluids to get over the worst of the disease. Not eating or significantly reduced eating over an extended period of time, can cause death in cats.
• If they're already old, infirm, sick for other reasons, or very young. Colds can be more dangerous if your fur baby has a poor or compromised immune system for other reasons, so they are at higher risk of more serious illness.

As with any ailment, keep an eye on your cat, and consider any underlying health issues. A cat with asthma may need to be seen by a very for mild symptoms, whereas an otherwise healthy cat would not. Watch your cat’s behaviors and determine whether or not you feel like you need faster treatment. An unnecessary vet trip you take when you don't need it may be expensive, but it's better than your cat needing a trip to the vet and not getting it.

Can You Prevent Your Cats from Getting Sick?

Well, yes and no. There are a lot of things you can do to help minimize the chances of your fur baby catching a cold, but there's no way to truly 100% prevent them from getting sick.

First and foremost, get your kitty vaccinated.

Those two viruses I mentioned earlier that cause 90% of URIs in cats, have a vaccine. While it won’t prevent infection, it will help minimize the severity of symptoms if you cat contracts the virus or is already a carrier. Without the vaccine these viruses can lead to death.

You might already be familiar with the vaccine, it’s a combo vaccine called FVRCP. Kittens will need this vaccine several every 3 to 4 weeks for several months, as well as a shot at one year.

Recommendations will vary by vet, but once the initial series is complete, your cat will typically only need to be revaccinated every 3 years.

Keep your cat indoors.

The main culprits of cat colds are the FVR and FHV and since they are highly transmissible, it’s best to keep your kitty away from non-vaccinated cats.

Wash your hands after petting any cats other than your own.

Colds can travel through the air and on surfaces, and even if your cats don't associate with other cats, you can transfer the germs by bringing them into your home on your hands or even your clothes.

Make sure your fur baby has food, shelter, and warmth.

This isn't usually a problem for indoor cats, but if you keep barn cats, mousers, or other "working" cats, the winter months can be harder on them, and they can end up sick because of the stress.

Try to minimize stress.

A stressed animal is more prone to getting sick because their immune system is suppressed by the stress hormone cortisol. This goes for people, too, by the way; if you're worried about getting sick, do what you can to minimize stress to alleviate the worst of it.

Make sure you have adequate ventilation and air quality in your home.

Stagnant air, dirty air, and trapped air all make it harder to breathe appropriately and stay free from illnesses, and if a cold does get into your home, it will end up trapped rather than circulated away.

Isolate a Sick Cat from Other Cats

Cats spread illness quite quickly amongst themselves, and that makes a sick cat a danger to other cats around them.

If your cat lives with you all alone, you don't need to worry. You won't catch the cold from them, and any dogs or other animals you have won't either. However, if you have other cats, you should establish a "sick room" for your fur baby – usually a bathroom, spare bedroom, or other isolated space – and keep the sick fur baby away from the others for 3-5 days.

It's going to be tough. Hearing your sick fur baby cry from their sick room will break your heart, even if you go and spend time with them. For cats that love spending time cuddling with one another, they may even take up the heartbreaking position of trying to cuddle through a door. Even this can be dangerous exposure if there's too much space under the door, though. You should try what you can to keep the illness from spreading between cats.

You’ll also want to practice good hygiene when going between visiting your sick kitty and the healthy ones.

Similarly, if your cat is used to being able to go outdoors and wander, socialize with other cats, keeping them inside for several days is important. Any other cat they spend time socializing with outdoors is also at risk of catching the same cold, and these illnesses can spread quickly in packs of strays and feral felines.

Should You Give Your Cat Cold Medicines?

The short answer, no. You should not give your cat human cold medicines. That goes for topical medications too. While you might find those chest rub creams help open up your stuffy sinuses, they are not safe for cats. Remember anything that’s applied to your cat’s coat is likely going to ingested as they work to remove it.

Most of the time, human cold medicines aren't just ineffective; they can actually be toxic to your fur baby. The last thing you want to do is make the situation worse.

How Can You Make Your Cat Feel Better?

If your cat ends up with an upper respiratory infection, the good news is there are things you can do to help.

Before embarking on a home treatment plan, keep in mind that stress can exacerbate symptoms. You know your cat best, so balance your urge to help with how they are responding to said help.

Here are some at home remedies you can try.

• Use steam and humidity. A humidifier can help in pretty much any room they're in, preferably one that warms the steam rather than a cold vaporizer. Alternatively, bring them to the bathroom and run a hot shower to steam up the room. This can help fight dehydration, help their mucus membranes stay moist, and loosen up the gunk in their sinuses and lungs to help get it out.
• Clean their nose and eyes with a warm, damp cloth. If they'll let you, of course. Wiping and dabbing at their crusty eyes and stuffy or runny nose will help keep them a little bit more comfortable. You can't exactly get them to cough up the gunk, but when it comes out on its own, you can clean it up.
• When feeding them, use soft food. This can be wet food, or you can moisten dry food with a bit of broth or tuna juice to make it softer and easier to eat. If you’re rehydrating wet food, do it in small amounts and throw away anything that hasn’t been eaten. Leaving it out for several hours will allow bacteria to grow.
• Warm up the food a bit. Congestion makes it hard to smell anything, and if your fur baby can't smell their food, they won't be as interested in it. Heating it up a bit – ensuring it’s not hot enough to burn them – will increase the odors and make it easier for them to smell.
• Provide warmth for them to stay comfortable. Using a cat safe heating pad under their bed or a warm blanket can help keep them warm and cozy while they fight off the illness.
• Clean and replace blankets, bedding, food, and water bowls, and other items they contact every day. Because many viruses and bacteria live on surfaces, constant exposure to the same materials can lead to reinfection or prolonged infection and can be a danger to other cats.
• Do what you can to reduce their stress. There are all kinds of sources of stress in life, and minimizing them can help a lot. This could mean keeping the kids or dog away from your ill kitty, or using a pheromone plug in to reduce stress.

As we discussed earlier, if your kitty is in an at-risk group, especially young, old, or has underlying health conditions a vet visit is likely in order. Symptoms that are not improving also need a vet visit. The good news is your vet has additional tools that can be helpful for your kitty.

• Antibiotics. If your vet determines your kitty’s cold is the result of bacteria, or that they’ve developed a secondary bacterial infection, an antibiotic might be prescribed to treat the infection. This could be injected, oral, or topical in the case of bacterial conjunctivitis.
• Antivirals. In severe cases your vet may prescribe an antiviral medication to help speed up the recovery process.
• Antifungals. If your vet determines your kitty’s URI is the result of a fungal infection, an anti-fungal drug might be prescribed.
• Fluids. A sick kitty will tend to sleep more and eat/drink less, which can lead to dehydration. Subcutaneous fluids will counteract dehydration. This may be something your vet does as a one-time treatment in the office, or you may be given fluids to administer at home.
• Appetite Stimulate. If your kitty has stopped eating because of a stuffy nose, and the tricks of warming their food, and using stinky options like tuna haven’t worked, your vet may prescribe an appetite stimulant to help encourage your kitty to eat.

Has your fur baby ever had to deal with a cold before? If so, how did you help them get through it? Be sure to leave all your stories in the comments section, down below! I'd love to hear them!

If you have a young kitty at home this post can still give you good information to know signs of illness to look for to know when an unplanned vet appointment might be warranted.

Pet parents with senior and geriatric kitties, this is a must read. There are many common ailments that impact older cats and adjustments to their diet or medication may be needed to address the issue.

One of the more common symptoms your feline companion may display when a health issue arises is increased urination and thirst.

While not in all cases, drinking more – and thus, peeing more – may be a side effect of illness, it's one that is often more obvious when it advances because it may lead to accidents.

In this post we’re going talk about the most common causes of increased thirst and urination, how they are treated, and we’ll also provide pointers for how to identify these changes.

As usual, don’t miss the educational videos, this post has 3!

Let’s get started.

Identifying Increased Thirst & Urination?

As our lives get busier, naturally we look for ways to automate everyday tasks. One tempting item, if you have the funds to afford one, is an automated litter box.

This might be an unpopular opinion, but I don’t recommend a self-cleaning litter box.

By a show of hands, who enjoys cleaning the litter box? I get it, they save time and sweep away the stinkies before they get time to stink up your home. That’s certainly a benefit I won’t argue. Where they fall short is their ability to tell you what’s being deposited into their waste bin.

As you may know, your cat’s litter box usage or lack thereof can tell you a lot about their health. Increased thirst and urination go hand in hand.

That is, if your cat is drinking more water than usual, they will also be peeing more than usual.

How Much Water Should My Cat Drink Daily?

Questions you may have at this point are how much is too much water or how much water should my cat drink daily? Well, this will depend on your cat’s weight as well as their diet.

“Cats need to consume about 4 ounces of water per five pounds of lean body weight per day, so the average 10-pound cat should drink about one cup of water per day. It’s important to realize that cats that eat wet food, which can contain up to 80% water, may drink less, and cats that eat dry food usually take more of their daily water requirement in by drinking.” - Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine

Now, unless you can monitor your cat’s water fountain 24/7, odds are you won’t be able to tell if your cat’s drinking habits have changed. Your best friend here is the litter box. Who would have thought anybody would consider a litter box as a good friend hmm?

As it turns out, any changes in water consumption will be date stamped in the litter box. Of course, so long as you follow a daily litter box cleaning routine. That’s the key.

Scooping the litterbox daily is the best way to identify changes in urine output. You can also keep an eye on the size of the clumps to see if there is a change in frequency, output, or both.

Case in Point: If you’re one of the many multi-cat households, you may notice the change while you’re scooping, but not know who’s responsible for the change. In this case I recommend, and have personally used, an inexpensive wireless camera. Set it up to view just the litter box and configure the settings to alert you when there is motion. If you’re home, you can immediately check the deposit and confirm the source.

A change in water intake may be difficult to identify if you use a bowl and freshen it daily, so keeping an eye on litter box output is going to be your best bet.

If you use a water fountain (and I highly recommend them), take note of how often you’re refilling the reservoir.

Did the refill rate change from once a week to not making it a full week? The change might be subtle at first, but the earlier you can recognize a change the better.

What Problems Can Cause Increased Thirst and Urination in Cats?

There is a whole variety of reasons that can lead to increased thirst and urination in cats. From a cat’s level of activity to behavioral issues such anxiety and stress, to the amount of time a cat spends indoors vs outdoors, to environmental/seasonal changes that could include excess heat to underlying health conditions.

The gamut of possible reasons can be very wide.

“…a female pet with a history of being in heat six months ago may have increased thirst and urination because of an infected uterus…Some drugs can (also)cause increased thirst and urination in cats)” - VCA Animal Hospitals

Excessive water consumption could be seasonal

If you believe environmental issues (such as excess heat) may be causing your cat to drink more than usual, you can make changes while continuing to observe your cat’s behavior.

If after addressing any issues in the environment you still notice that your cat is still drinking more water than usual, this could potentially be a sign that your cat has some underlying health issue, and a vet visit may be warranted.

Other than benign causes, the three most common health conditions that cause increased thirst and urination are: Diabetes, Hyperthyroidism, and Chronic Kidney Disease.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a problem with the pancreas and the body's ability to produce insulin in balance with diet and bodily health. Insulin is like a tiny chemical key that opens up individual cells and allows sugar into them, where the sugar is used as energy and food to keep the cell going.

There are two kinds of diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is typically seen in younger cats and is due to damaged cells in their pancreas.

Type 2 diabetes is generally seen in adult cats and can be caused by a number of factors, but ultimately shows as increased sugar in the blood because the body has developed a resistance to insulin.

Regardless of the kind of diabetes, they both end up resulting in increased thirst and increased urination as their little bodies have to get rid of excess sugar and other byproducts.

Diabetes is common in cats, especially overweight cats, male cats, and older cats. Other symptoms of diabetes include leg weakness, weight loss, increased appetite, and even loss of fur.

“Though there is no cure for feline diabetes, the prognosis for a good quality of life is good with adequate management at home. With early, aggressive treatment of diabetes, many cats will enter a state of diabetic remission, meaning they are able to maintain normal blood sugar levels without insulin injections.” - Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine

Cat Diabetes | Dr. Todd Green, Board-Certified Internal Medicine Specialist | VCA Animal Hospitals - 2:09 Mins

Hyperthyroidism

The thyroid produces hormones that affect nearly every organ in the body, so when it’s not functioning properly, you can expect to see changes throughout the body.

Problems with the thyroid can crop up as both hypo- and hyperthyroidism, cases where the thyroid is producing too little or too much of the hormones it controls.

Hypothyroidism is very uncommon in cats and won’t cause the symptoms we’re discussing today.

Hyperthyroidism on the other hand is not uncommon. In fact, my angel Moosie cat was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism when he was a teenager. If you want to learn more about this disease check out my in-depth discussion on hyperthyroidism.

Other symptoms besides increased urination are vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, increased appetite, increased excitability, poor body condition, and an abnormal heart rate.

The problem with cat hyperthyroidism is that it usually comes along with several other serious health conditions including heart disease and high blood pressure.

“Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is another potential complication of hyperthyroidism, and can cause additional damage to several organs, including the eyes, kidneys, heart, and brain. If hypertension is diagnosed along with hyperthyroidism, drugs may be needed to control the blood pressure and reduce the risk of damaging other organs.” - Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine

Cat Hyperthyroidism | Vets Clinic | 2:44 Mins



Chronic Kidney Disease

I like to think of the kidneys as filters for the body. They are responsible for many functions including water conservation and the removal of waste from the blood stream.

“Your cat’s kidney disease may lead to an increase in their thirst and urination. You may notice them drinking a lot more and rushing to the litter box many frequently than they used to...Your vet will want to run tests to determine the cause of your cat’s increased thirst and urination.” - Atlantic Veterinary Internal Medicine & Oncology

When the kidneys begin to lose function over time, it’s called chronic kidney disease or CKD.

This reduced function means the amount of waste they would typically remove from the blood is lessened and more urine is output. Cats will then compensate for the increased output by drinking more water.

While it can show up in cats of any age, CKD is more commonly seen in older cats.

“Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the most common metabolic disease of domesticated cats, with most affected cats being geriatric (>12 years of age).” - Brown CA, Elliott J, Schmiedt CW, Brown SA.

CKD is ranked in stages as the disease progresses and the level of kidney function diminishes.

Three out of my four now angel kitties all had CKD with the hallmark indicator of increased urination as the disease progressed. You may also notice that your cat has a reduced appetite and is losing weight.

Everything You Need to Know About Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats | Dr. Sarah Wooten, DVM, CVJ | 17:04 min Video

Other Issues

While the above issues are the most common, there are a variety of other causes of increased thirst and urination.

Other potential causes include:

• Other kidney issues. Chronic kidney disease isn't the only kidney issue that can cause thirst and urination. Acute kidney issues and kidney infections can also be responsible.
• Various hormone disorders. While the thyroid is the usual culprit, there are a ton of other glands and processes that create hormones that, when out of balance, can cause the same symptoms. While uncommon in cats these include diseases such as Cushing's Disease and Addison's Disease.
• Excessive calcium in the blood. Known as as hypercalcemia, when the body doesn't process calcium or when there's too much calcium in their diet.
• Liver disease. Much like the kidneys, the liver is responsible for handling bodily fluids, specifically filtering and processing blood. When it's damaged or needs to work overtime, it can cause increased thirst and urination, though you’ll often see other symptoms such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin or white part of the eyes), weakness, and disorientation.
• Certain kinds of cancer. These can be cancers of the kidneys, liver, thyroid, or other parts of the body related to the urinary tract.
• Drug side effects. As noted above, if your fur baby is on a medication, particularly for an infection, excess thirst and urination could simply be a side effect.

In some cases, an electrolyte imbalance can also cause the issue. There's also a rare behavioral issue called "primary polydipsia" that involves excess thirst and urination for no reason other than a trained or learned behavior, with no underlying health conditions.

How to Determine What's Wrong

Because increased thirst and urination are oftentimes caused by medical issues, you’ll need to take your fur baby to the vet to get a diagnosis.

"The search for answers begins with a complete history and physical examination. A pet's history is the information you give the veterinarian about your pet's illness. History is very important and can provide clues about the cause of increased thirst and urination." – VCA Animal Hospitals.

Your vet will likely ask you questions about your cat’s behavior, what they've been eating, medications they're taking, when you noticed the changes, and if you’ve seen any other unusual behavior. This will help them determine what course of tests they might want to order.

Increased thirst and urination that came on acutely after eating something that isn’t cat friendly may need different tests as compared to a cat that has had the symptoms worsen over time.

Your vet will likely perform a few kinds of tests, beginning with simple physical examination, involving careful prodding and palpating of the abdomen, lymph nodes, and other potentially suspect areas.

One of the best diagnostic tools a vet has is a blood test. Blood can tell you a lot about the health of your cat. A test called a CBC, or Complete Blood Count, will check things like white blood cell and red blood cell counts to look for possible infection.

Your vet may also do a comprehensive metabolic panel, which is another kind of blood test that will analyze things like lipids, proteins, enzymes, sugar, hormones, and electrolytes. All of these need to be within normal ranges, and if they aren't, the specific imbalance can point to a specific disease.

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Finally, a urinalysis will check for kidney function and look for infections of the urinary tract, which will help add more details to the overall picture.

If hyperthyroidism is suspected, your vet may also want to run a specific blood test to check your cat’s thyroid function to confirm the diagnosis.

How to Treat a Cat with Increased Thirst and Urination

The treatment plan will obviously depend on the cause of the increased thirst and urination. The good news is the common causes we noted above are easy to diagnose with simple blood tests and there are treatment options.

Diabetes

If your cat’s glucose comes back high, your vet will likely prescribe insulin for you to inject at home. This might come as a scary diagnosis, but I can tell you from personal experience, with a little training and practice, you’ll be a pro in no time.

My angel Moosie was initially diagnosed with diabetes due to his obesity. If your kitty is in a similar situation, a change in diet, exercise, and weight loss can put your kitty into remission.

He was diagnosed with diabetes again several years later, this time unrelated to his weight. When you have a diabetic cat, it’s going to be important to test their glucose level and ensure they are receiving the correct dose of insulin.

You’ll likely have frequent discussions with your vet at the beginning of treatment until you reach the correct dosage to keep your fur baby in a healthy range.

Hyperthyroidism

An overactive thyroid will clearly show up on a blood test and the good news is it’s almost always caused by a benign tumor. A daily medication to help regulate hormone production is the most common treatment option, though it treats a symptom and not the root cause, the tumor.

Other treatment options are available, so talk with your vet to see if an alternative option is best for you and your kitty.

Chronic Kidney Disease

If you take your kitty to the vet annually for check-ups and do periodic bloodwork, you’re likely to receive a CKD diagnosis before you ever notice any symptoms.

The good news is early diagnosis means you can make changes to slow the progression of the disease. Your vet may recommend diet changes such as prescription wet food that is easier on the kidneys. They may also recommend you begin a potassium supplement, which can be sprinkled on your kitty’s food.

In more progressed cases of CKD, your kitty may need to be treated with subcutaneous fluids to address dehydration. CKD can also cause increased blood pressure so you may end up with a daily prescription that will need to be given.

Kidney disease will progress at a different rate depending on the cat, but I can tell you from experience small changes early, regular monitoring, and tweaks along the way, will allow your kitty to live for many years with the diagnosis.

Have you noticed increased thirst or urination in your kitty? What was the diagnosis? How have you dealt with treatment? Share your story below so other pet parents can learn from your experience.

One thing you might wonder is, does heartworm affect cats? After all, when you see commercials for heartworm medications, they're almost always for dogs. Can cats even get heartworm?

Well, while most commonly associated with dogs, heartworms can insidiously infiltrate our cats posing a significant threat to their health and vitality.

As usual, I’ve thrown in a great educational video. This time by Willard Veterinary about the heartworm infection process. This is a must-watch!

So, how do you protect your fuzzy feline friend from this horrible disease? As with so many things in life, the first step is education.

What is Heartworm?

Heartworm (scientifically known as Dirofilaria immitis) is, unfortunately, exactly what it sounds like. The heartworm is a parasite that can grow up to a foot long. It lives primarily in the blood vessels in the heart and lungs and can damage both of them, often fatally.

Heartworm disease is transmitted by mosquitos and can be indirectly transmitted between certain animal species. When a mosquito bites an infected animal, they carry the heartworm larvae from that animal to the next animal they bite.

Once transmitted, the larvae develop into adult worms that will produce more larvae increasing the number of worms in the carrier.

One of the dangers of heartworm is that the worms damage the tissues and vessels they live in, which means even once the worms are killed or removed, the damage can remain.

Given the potential for permanent damage, prevention is key, but we’ll get to that in a bit.

In the meantime, check out this video for a full explanation of the heartworm infection process:

Does Heartworm Affect Cats?

Yes, it does. Truthfully, almost any mammal can get heartworm. While dogs are what is known as the "definitive carrier," meaning it's a disease that primarily affects dogs, heartworms can spread to other animals as well.

Affected animals include cats, wild canids like wolves and coyotes, jackals, foxes, ferrets, and even creatures like bears, seals, and sea lions. In extremely rare cases, even humans can get it! However, not from pets. More on this below.

Luckily, heartworm is relatively rare in cats, and it doesn't affect cats in the same way that it affects dogs. For some reason, heartworms don't generally thrive in cats and almost never reach the adult stage.

“Heartworm disease in cats is a bit different than in dogs. Heartworms in cats do not live as long (average lifespan is only 2 to 4 years) or grow as long, and fewer of them mature into adults.” – US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

While larvae heartworms can still cause damage, cats rarely have adult worms, and when they do, it's only a couple of them instead of the dozens or hundreds like a dog can end up with.

It's estimated that cats get heartworm at about 5-20% of the rate that dogs in the same area do.

"Cats are relatively resistant to heartworm infection when compared to dogs, with the infection rate in cats reported to be 5-20% of the rate in dogs in the same geographic location. Typically, cats have fewer adult worms than dogs, usually less than six. Many pet owners are surprised to learn that approximately 1/3 of infected cats live indoors only." – VCA Animal Hospitals.

Larvae heartworms do still cause damage, though.

“you can start to see signs of pathology in an affected animal’s body, even though the parasite has not yet reached maturity.” – Dwight Bowman, DVM, PhD

Heartworm infections invoke an inflammatory response in the vessels and arteries even when they die. Because heartworms primarily affects the lungs in cats, veterinarians often refer to it as HARD (or Heartworm Associated Respiratory Disease).

Can Heartworm in Cats Be Treated?

Yes, heartworm in cats can be treated. However, treatment is only effective at the early stages of the infection while heartworms are still babies. There isn’t a treatment for heartworms once they become adults in cats. So monthly heartworm prevention medicine is critical.

Current treatments for heartworm are intended for dogs and they do not work very well in cats. Melarsomine is a medication used to treat heartworms in dogs. This medication kills the worms in dogs quite effectively.

Unfortunately, melarsomine doesn't work very well in cats. The medication has severe side effects in cats, so much so that it's considered toxic.

It does work to kill worms present in the cat, but those dead worms can obstruct the lung's blood vessels and, in many cases, causes sudden death in the poor feline fur baby taking the medication. Obviously, you don't want that, which is why most vets won’t prescribe it.

“There is no known safe and effective adulticidal treatment available for feline heartworm disease. There is no scientific evidence that any treatment intended to kill adult heartworms in dogs will safely do so in cats and increase their infection survival rate” – Maddie’s Fund

There are two-ish treatment options for cats with heartworm.

The first is to treat the symptoms and hope. Worms don't live as long in cats as they do in dogs (only about 2-3 years, instead of the 5-7 they do in dogs.) That means it's possible to give your fuzzy feline treatments like oxygen in a crisis and corticosteroids to keep them fighting through the infection.

The goal of this option is to help the cat fight to survive the infection while preventing further worms from growing in the kitty. Unfortunately, there's always the risk of a worm blocking an artery and causing sudden death, and there's not much that can be done about that.

The second option is surgery. Open heart surgery can be performed to remove the worms in the cat's system, and since there are usually less than half a dozen adult worms present, it's easier to get them all than it would be in a dog.

"Studies have shown that up to 40% of cats may die during or after this procedure, so surgical heartworm removal is typically reserved for those cats who have severe disease and a poor prognosis without surgery." – VCA.

Sadly, there are no other treatment options currently available for cats with heartworm.

The only saving grace is that, since heartworms don't thrive in cats the way they do in dogs, many cats infected by worms show very few symptoms, such that you might never notice they have an infection in the first place. It's only a small fraction that advance enough to show symptoms and end up in a life-threatening position.

Can You Prevent Heartworm in Cats?

Yes, you can. Extremely effective heartworm prevention is not only possible, but it’s readily available for pet parents from several companies.

While severe heartworm disease isn’t common in cats, the fact that there are really no treatment options specifically intended for cats means prevention is key.

Preventative medications circulate through a cat's body and kill off any young larval worms that may have been deposited by infected mosquitos.

These medications are completely effective at killing the early larvae worms. The caveat is that if the worms are allowed to molt into their adult stages, the medications no longer work on them.

Since heartworms can molt to their adult stage in as little as 51 days, you need to give your fur baby a preventative medication more frequently than that.

For that reason, most vets recommend monthly heartworm preventatives. These can be pills, chews, or topical meds, all of which are approved for use in cats.

Heartworm prevention medications are generally safe and can be given to cats even younger than 8 weeks of age, which is great because even kittens can get heartworm.

This is a lifelong treatment; once your kitten is old enough to get the medication, you give it to them on a regular schedule for their entire lives.

Can I Buy Heartworm Cat Medication Over the Counter or On the Internet?

Unfortunately, no. Heartworm prevention medications are prescription-only.

FDA WARNING: “Heartworm prevention medications are prescription only—so beware of internet sites or stores that will sell you these medications without a prescription.” - US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The added hurdle exists for two reasons:

• Dosage is very important, and if you don't give your cat enough of the medication for their weight class, it might not be effective.
• If a cat has an already-active heartworm infection, the medication has a rare but serious chance of causing dangerous reactions or death. Any cat other than a newborn kitten will need to be examined before the prescription can be written.

All of that said, cats are generally safer than dogs when it comes to heartworm, so while you should keep them on preventative medications, you don't necessarily have to worry quite as much about it.

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Note: Keeping your cat indoors doesn't prevent heartworm. Infected mosquitos can get in through doors, windows, and cracks, and there's no way to tell whether or not they're infected until it's too late.

Even indoor-only cats should be given heartworm prevention medications on a regular schedule.

Are There Home Remedies for Heartworms?

No. There are no home remedies capable of preventing heartworms, nor are there home treatments that can cure a cat with worms.

While I'm normally fine with trying home remedies when they have a chance of helping, this is one case where there's absolutely nothing that can be done safely outside of FDA-approved preventative medications, and it would be ethically wrong of me to tell you otherwise.

"There are no home remedies for heartworm in cats. The only "natural" or "organic" home remedy for heartworm in cats is to consider treatments that center on preventing or warding off mosquito bites." - Chewy.com

Dogs may have some options, but that's a topic for another time, and since there are treatment medications that can work in dogs, the risk of a home remedy failing isn't nearly as bad as it is with cats.

What Are the Symptoms of Heartworm in Cats?

Some of you may have adopted a stray cat, taken in a cat with an unknown medical history, or are just getting worried because you didn't know how dangerous heartworm can be for cats, and now you're starting to wonder. Does your cat have heartworm?

Sometimes, a heartworm infection won't show any symptoms at all.

Other times, some symptoms can show up, so it’s good to know what to look for.

Symptoms of heartworm disease can include:

• Coughing
• Asthma-like attacks and difficulty breathing
• Pale gums
• Periodic vomiting
• Lack of appetite and weight loss

In extreme cases, they may also have:

• Difficulty walking
• Seizures
• Fainting
• Fluid accumulation in the belly
• Collapsing and sudden death

If you've read these and thought to yourself, "But that's just what any illness does to a cat," you're unfortunately correct.

Most of these symptoms are the generic "something is wrong" with a cat, so it can be difficult to tell the difference between a heartworm infection and a cold.

If your fur baby is sick, the best thing to do is take them to the vet. The vet can then do an exam, including blood tests, x-rays, and antigen tests, to see if there are any signs of heartworm.

If there aren't, you can just ensure that your fur baby is on a preventative medication and move on to treating whatever is causing their symptoms.

What Else Should You Know?

There are some additional details that might be helpful to know.

Heartworm isn't directly contagious between cats.

A cat with heartworm isn't going to infect another cat or dog for that matter. Because the disease needs an intermediary host, the mosquito, removing any stagnant water from around your home and treating for mosquitos can reduce the risk of infection.

Why are cats more immune to heartworm than dogs?

Well, it's not entirely clear, other than the fact that heartworm is a dog-centric parasite and evolved to infect canines, not felines. The fact that it can infect non-canines at all is an oddity, in a way.

Will a cat recover from heartworms?

Maybe. Some cats with heartworm infection do spontaneously resolve. If a cat can outlive a heartworm infection, they can then be put on preventatives to keep it from happening again.

However, the damage done by the worms before they die is permanent, so your cat might be stuck with difficulty breathing or a reduced energy level for the remainder of their life.

Unfortunately, there's no feline vaccine for heartworms yet. Preventative medications are antiparasitics that kill the larvae if they show up, but like any medication, they wear off over time.

A vaccine would train the cat's immune system to detect and fight off the worms instead, but no such vaccine has yet been developed. Maybe one day!

Can People Get Heartworms from Their Pets?

No. People cannot get heartworms from their pets. As discussed above, heartworms are only transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. In rare cases, people may get heartworms via a mosquito bite.

However, given the fact that humans are not a natural host for heartworms, the larvae usually die before becoming adult worms.

How Can I Learn More About Heartworms in Cats?

• Ask your veterinarian.
• Call the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine at 240-402-7002 or email askcvm@fda.hhs.gov
• Visit the American Heartworm Society
• Visit Pets & Parasites
• Visit the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) website

Finally, heartworms are historically most common in the American South, but unfortunately, they have spread.

Various factors, like climate change and cross-country animal adoption have contributed to the spread. Consider the number of animals that have been adopted across the US after major hurricanes have hit the southern states.

Even though mosquitos might not be around all year 'round, at this point, it's a big enough risk that vets recommend preventatives all year. From the American Heartworm Society:

"For a variety of reasons, even in regions of the country where winters are cold, the American Heartworm Society is now recommending a year-round prevention program... Mosquito species are constantly changing and adapting to cold climates, and some species successfully overwinter indoors as well. Year-round prevention is the safest and is recommended." – American Heartworm Society.

Keep your fuzzy feline friend safe and remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Do you have any non-urgent questions about heartworm or how you can prevent it in your fur baby? If so, you're always more than free to leave a comment down below, and I'll do my best to get back to you as soon as possible!

Maybe it's raised on the surface, or maybe it's deeper under the skin, and you need to poke and prod to really feel it out.

Whatever the case may be, it's a devastating thought, and our minds as pet parents immediately flash to all the horror stories and worst-case scenarios that could be coming. Is this it? The big one?

Truthfully, while it's never a good feeling, a mysterious lump isn't always a devastating illness.

There are plenty of reasons why a lump can form that can be easily treated or might not even need treatment, depending on its location and appearance.

So, if your cat has developed a lump, how do you know if it's a bad thing or not? Let's run down some of the causes and treatment options.

This week’s educational video is about cat lymphoma by Dr. Sue Ettinger a specialized cancer veterinarian. Lymphoma is one of the most common forms of cat cancer.

As with all things cats, for every pet parent, education is the first step. This video is a must watch.

Always Call Your Vet

This will be short and sweet, every lump should be checked out by a professional.

Even if you think you know what it is, pet health is full of similar-presenting ailments that have vastly different contexts and repercussions. It's always important to get any lump checked out, and old lumps should be monitored.

Now, will you need a trip to the emergency vet? Probably not.

Even the worst lumps tend to not grow so quickly that a matter of days makes a difference. The exception is if there are other signs that your cat's health is failing, like lethargy, lack of appetite, hindered mobility, or if the lump is characteristic of something like an infection and abscess, which needs to be treated immediately.

The best first step when you notice a lump is to call your vet.

They can ask some questions about the lump and your cat's behavior, and help you determine whether you should bring them in immediately or schedule an appointment for some time in the next few days.

What a Lump Might Be

Now let's go through the options of what a lump might be.

Lumps can be caused by a lot of different things. Some of them are easily treatable, some are safe and can be ignored, and some are dangerous.

Some might even go away on their own or with a simple treatment, while others won't. Here's a rundown of the kinds of things that can cause lumps.

Trauma. Have you ever bumped into something and had a bruise that wasn't just a tender spot but kind of tightened up and felt hard to the touch? That can happen in cats, too.

A trauma lump generally happens if your fur baby misses a jump and bangs into something, runs into something too hard, or is struck by something.

They heal on their own, but they'll be tender, and you still might want to make sure your cat doesn't have internal injuries that need more treatment.

Bites. Insect and parasite bites (like mosquitos, spiders, ants, fleas, insect stings, and so forth) will often leave a small, raised bump in the skin.

Most of the time, these are raised, reddish, irritated, potentially painful, and almost always really itchy.

They'll also go away on their own, though if your cat has fleas, ticks, or other parasites, you need to get those treated first. You also need to make sure they aren't allergic to whatever got them.

Skin tags. A skin tag is just a small patch of skin that grows abnormally, but not in a cancerous way. They can be a little unsightly and, if they're in certain spots, can interfere with your cat's behavior, but 99% of the time, they're perfectly fine and ignorable.

They aren't painful, they aren't irritating, and the cat generally won't even pay attention to them. They also don't need to be removed unless, again, they end up disrupting your cat's behavior (such as if one grows too close to an eye and obstructs their vision.)

Abscesses. An abscess is a self-contained infection, usually caused by some kind of injury that gets infected. You can see them in infected teeth or where puncture wounds from other animal bites broke the skin.

They start small and invisible, but once they grow enough, the pus-filled abscess swells to the point that it causes pain, irritation, and more systemic effects of an infection like lethargy and fever. Abscesses need to be treated by a vet by draining them surgically and a course of antibiotics.

“Cats who are allowed to freely roam outdoors are most at risk of cat fights, and the resulting bites and scratches and infections. Abscesses are painful, pus-filled swellings that can be associated with fever, lack of appetite, and depression, and need immediate veterinary attention.” - Dr Catherine Tiplady - RSPCA Pet Insurance

Cysts. Cysts are sacs of a tough material that fills with, usually fluid. They're often small and grow slowly, if at all, and they aren't painful or dangerous unless they're in a position that bothers your cat and hinders their behavior.

Most of the time, a cyst is ignorable, but if it grows too large or is positioned badly, it may need to be removed surgically. Draining a cyst is temporary; unless the full cyst, including the sac, is removed, it will fill back up over time.

Note: two particular kinds of cysts can be more bothersome and require removal. Sebaceous adenomas are cysts caused by clogged and inflamed hair follicles and show up primarily on the head, but can be anywhere.

Apocrine gland cystadenomatosis (try saying that three times fast) is dark-colored groups of cysts in the ear, which can be bothersome and need to be removed before they cause problems.

Granulomas. These bumps are usually circular and raised. They can appear anywhere on the body but are often seen on the lips. The exact cause isn’t well understood, but theories include some genetic predisposition and others suspect them to be caused by an allergic response.

Lipomas. A lipoma is a fatty growth that usually shows up under the skin. They are some of the most worrying because of how they're placed, but they're benign, slow-growing, and not painful or dangerous. Sometimes they may need to be removed if they might cause problems, but most of the time, they're fine.

Causes and Risks of Cat Lymphoma | Dr. Sue Ettinger | 11:34-Min Video

Warts. Also known as papillomas, are caused by a virus and are very rare in cats. They tend to only develop in very young, old, or immunosuppressed cats and may resolve on their own or need surgical removal. Something important to note is these are contagious to other cats.

Malignant tumors. This is the category broadly called "Cancer" and are, of course, the worst discoveries. Nearly 80% of all feline cancers fall into one of four categories, according to a study by the University of Missouri:

• Basal cell tumors at 26%
• Mast cell tumors at 21%
• Squamous cell tumors at 15%
• Fibrosarcomas at 15%

Cancers are the main reason why every lump needs to get checked out ASAP; they can move fast, spread throughout a body, and can end up deadly in a distressingly short amount of time.

It can happen to both young cats and older cats. Not all cancers are that aggressive, though, and many are treatable using modern surgical or medical techniques. It's critical to learn what you're dealing with to choose an appropriate treatment option.

Of the common types of feline cancers, each one behaves differently.

Basal Cell Tumors

These are the most common and the good news is they tend to be solitary tumors that grow slowly. The best part is they are typically benign in cats, with only 10% classified as malignant.

They often need surgery and radiation or chemotherapy to handle. They're skin-level tumors and show up primarily around the head and neck.

Squamous Cell Tumors

These skin tumors are usually located in areas with no hair and occur more often in light colored or white cats.

“The ultraviolet radiation of the sun damages the cat’s DNA, and its cells begin dividing and multiplying. The tumors that result from solar exposure occur most commonly in lightly pigmented or white cats in areas that are hairless or sparsely haired.” – Dr. Margaret McEntee, DVM

These tumors grow slowly and can vary in appearance. While these tumors can turn deadly, when caught early there are several treatment options.

Mast Cell Tumors

These tumors are typically found on the head, neck, and legs. While they are typically skin-level tumors they can also grow in the respiratory and digestive tracts.

Some mast cell tumors can be surgically removed, but if they spread, they need more advanced treatment.

Fibrosarcomas

These tumors can show up anywhere in the body and they tend to be very aggressive. Depending on the location and whether or not it has spread will determine treatment options.

Often surgical removal will be the first line of attack with the potential for radiation and chemotherapy.

Note: Fibrosarcomas have been linked to certain vaccine injection sites. Because of the high potential to get the diseases the vaccines protect against, and the low incidence of developing a fibrosarcoma, vaccines are still recommended.

“The incidence of these tumors is not known, but is reported to be about 1 in 10,000.” – UC Davis Veterinary Medicine

Other kinds of cancers can cause lumps and bumps, but the above four are by far the most common.

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Identifying a Lump and Picking a Treatment

Early detection of any lumps and bumps can make a big difference in the success of any treatment. Establishing and keeping regular brushing and petting routines with your cat will go a long way.

For cats, the best way to identify lumps and bumps is during brushing. Training your cat to tolerate things such as brushing as well as getting gently probed will ensure early detection of any abnormalities that might warrant attention.

You should get your cat used to you regularly touching and feeling specific areas including: the top of the head and down the cheeks, behind the ears, the chin and throat, the back and sides of the neck, the chest, the back, the stomach, around the groin, the armpits, the legs, the tops of the feet and between the toe beans.

When you find a lump, the first thing your vet is going to do is poke and prod at it to narrow it down. Sometimes, appearance alone can help identify it.

Other times, the lump is in or under the skin, so things like the consistency and movement of the lump can help identify what it is. For example, is it growing in the skin or under it? Is it soft and feels full of liquid or is it solid?

If the vet thinks the lump is suspicious, the next step is usually cytology using a fine needle aspiration (FNA). A fine needle aspiration uses a tiny needle to extract some of the cells from the lump and uses both microscopy and chemical procedures called "staining" to identify what the cells in the lump are. It's all quite complex and very interesting if you're curious.

In some cases, this procedure alone won't identify the lump, and you may need a biopsy.

A biopsy will either remove the whole tumor or just remove part of it, depending on how large it is, and that tissue will be sent to pathology. This will then identify whatever the lump is and recommend any treatments necessary to make sure there's no systemic disease.

Possible Treatments and Follow-Up Care

Lumps in cats fall into a few simple treatment options.

1. Watch and wait. If your veterinarian doesn’t think the lump looks suspicious, they will likely recommend you monitor it for any changes over time. Some lumps might just be a cosmetic issue, so if it isn’t causing problems or likely to grow, there is the possibility it can safely be ignored.

As with anything in medicine and veterinary, some veterinarians may disagree with a watch and wait approach.

“Whenever I hear a new client says that her previous doctor recommended “waiting and watching” a tumor, my response tends to be: “Wait and watch what? The cancer spreading?” - Paws and Claws Animal Hospital – Holistic Pet Center

A cyst is a good example of something that might fall into this category.

Years ago, my sister’s cat had a cyst on the top of his head that was quite large. She had it removed but could have left it alone as it wasn't causing any long-term harm.

Here is another case. Also many years ago, I was giving my angel Moosie some belly rubs when I felt a couple of lumps in his belly. As it turns out it was just fatty lumps and never needed any treatment.

Suffice it to say I’m not a vet or even a vet technician and I can only speak from my past experience. So, in my experience, a watch and wait approach has worked with my own cats and nephews.

My advice is that you use your best judgment. And when in doubt, just like you would do for yourself, get an opinion or second opinion from a professional.

2. They might need immediate treatment, including surgical draining or removal and antibiotics, as in the case of abscesses. They'll heal up once treated and won't reoccur.

3. They might need surgical removal. A simple surgical removal will cut out the lump and, if necessary, some amount of surrounding tissue to ensure all traces of the lump have been removed. Depending on the type of lump and whether or not there were clean margins, your veterinarian will determine if treatment can stop.

4. They might need a full course of cancer treatment, including surgical removal if possible, and a course of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a novel treatment option.

Depending on the age and health of your cat, your options may be limited.

Case in Point: My now angel Sosa had her first bump show up when she was around 16. Our vet didn’t even recommend aspirating it to determine what it was as her other health issues made her a poor candidate for any treatment options. She went on to fill our home with 3 more years of love.

When to Worry

If a lump has appeared out of nowhere and is growing quickly, if it's painful and red, if it affects your fur baby's behavior, if it's bleeding or leaking fluid, or if your fur baby has previously been diagnosed with cancer, a lump is worrying.

If, on the contrary it's small and isn't growing, not painful, and self-contained, take a deep breath, because it might be nothing.

No matter what the case may be, I cannot emphasize enough, you should always talk to your vet and get their opinion.

There's no real way to treat or even effectively diagnose most lumps from home, so you need veterinary care to ensure the best possible outcomes for your feline companion.

Keep in mind that benign tumors can turn into malignant ones.

“Even benign growths can turn cancerous, which is why it’s important to regularly check for masses on your pet and to let your vet know if anything has changed, even in a previously diagnosed benign growth.” - Jacksonville Community Pet Clinics

While most lumps can be handled and treated effectively, the sooner they're addressed, the better the outcomes.

If you have any non-medically-urgent questions about lumps on your cat, I'd be more than happy to help you out however I can. Just leave me a comment down below, and I'll get back to you as soon as possible. As a final reminder, though, if you have any worries about a lump, it's always best to talk to your vet first to see what they think.

They take care of themselves, right? They don't need baths because they clean themselves, they don't need their nails trimmed because a scratching post lets them keep them short, and so on.

Unfortunately, this kind of attitude leads more to neglected kitties than it does to responsible pet parents. Cats may be relatively clean creatures, but they can still use a little helping hand, especially for areas of hygiene that they can't handle on their own.

One such form of cat upkeep is tooth brushing.

It's actually really important! While cats typically don’t get cavities (we’ll get into this in more detail down below), they are prone to develop periodontal disease and tooth resorption, which is quite painful.

Often, older cats – especially those whose mouths haven’t been tended to over the years – end up with toothless mouths – two of my kitties had multiple teeth removed later in life.

You can stall or avoid this issue entirely by keeping your cat's teeth brushed and as clean as possible. You likely have a lot of questions, so I'll do my best to answer them here.

As usual, I've added a great short education video on how to train your cat to let you brush their teeth in 4 weeks. This is a must watch!

How Do Cat Teeth Compare To Human Teeth?

For starters, an adult cat has 30 permanent teeth while humans have 32. Does this surprise you? We're not very different teeth-wise after all.

Second, just like us humans, cats are born with no teeth. As they grow, they get baby teeth (aka milk teeth) and eventually those fall out as their permanent teeth grow in.

Third, if you’ve ever looked in a cat’s mouth, you can see a lot of sharp little teeth. If you compare their molars to ours, theirs are much pointier. Those sharp teeth are ideal for ripping and tearing apart bits of meat, but they can still get little bits of tissue stuck between them and trapped along the gums, and they aren’t able to floss to get it out.

Fourth, and perhaps most importantly, just like us, a cat’s teeth are prone to plaque build-up, which hardens to tartar and when left unchecked can lead to gingivitis and periodontal disease. Imagine not brushing your teeth for 15, 20 years. Odds are you’d be in a lot of pain from cavities.

One important difference between human and cats’ teeth is that cats don’t typically get cavities because of the shape of their teeth. God bless them for that! However, the dentin can erode leading to tooth resorption.

“Unlike humans and dogs, cats do not have occlusal tables [horizontal surfaces] on their molars; thus, they do not develop true carious lesions.” – Dr. Alexander Reiter

Since cats are masters at hiding pain, it’s important to maintain their teeth before dental disease sets in. Check out this short read of 5 things you may not know about your cat’s dental health.

While biannual teeth cleanings are the norm for us humans, regular cleanings are also recommended for your kitty.

How Do Wild Cats Care For Their Teeth?

You might be thinking to yourself, why do I need to clean my cat’s teeth? After all if wild cats can survive without having their teeth brushed, shouldn’t my kitty be fine? Right?

Well not so fast. The difference is wild cats also chew on bones and other tough bits of what they eat. These bits of bone serve as an abrasive and a cleaner to remove bits of stuck meat. It's sort of like how we might use toothpicks.

Another important consideration is that wild cat’s teeth usually outlive them as cats in the wild do not live that long.

Unlike our fur babies, who thanks to advances in science and veterinary medicine can now live 20+ years. Thank you cat scientists!

Our angel Sosa, our longest living kitty, lived for 18 years and 11 happy months!

Why is this important?

Well, when you feed your own cat a meat diet, chances are it's all soft food. After all, you don't want to give them inedible bones that could splinter and hurt them or just be carried under the couch to be lost, right?

Well, that removes the "flossing" part of their diet and makes them more prone to gum disease.

Also, it’s important to realize that wild cats can and do get gum disease and toothaches; they just don't have any way to deal with it but to suffer until the tooth breaks out or an infection kills them. Never forget that nature is a harsh world!

Why Should You Brush Your Cat's Teeth?

Regularly brushing your cat’s teeth will have as many benefits as brushing your own teeth. Also, a consistent tooth brushing routine will positively impact your cat’s overall health and well-being.

We should never underestimate the impact that happy fur children have on our own happiness and well being as well.

The first benefit, of course, is oral health. You're removing bacteria and preventing gum disease, which minimizes the chance of toothaches, infections, abscesses, and emergency dental surgery. Anything you can do to prevent illness and pain is good, right?

Second, dental health has a direct impact on overall health. When cats have dental disease, plaque bacteria can enter the blood stream through the blood vessels in the infected tooth spreading to other organs such as the heart, kidneys, and liver.

“The bacteria that are found within the mouth of pets with dental disease are the same bacteria that are often implicated in heart disease. These bacteria are associated with both endocarditis (inflammation/infection of the interior of the heart) and valvular disease in dogs and cats.” - Catherine Barnette, DVM | VCA Animal Hospitals

Third, brushing your cat’s teeth as preventative medicine can spare your cat a traumatic life-threatening experience while saving you money. Dental extractions are expensive for pets.

If a tooth needs to be pulled, especially in an emergency situation and doubly so if there's an infection involved, you're going to be looking at a hefty bill – trust me I’ve done this for two senior kitties.

Investing a few bucks into some toothpaste and a toothbrush is way better than an expensive, risky, dreadful surgery.

Once you've successfully trained your fur baby to accept their teeth being brushed, it can become part of bonding time. Cats groom one another as a sign of affection, and while they don't exactly brush each other's teeth, adding it to part of your grooming routine can be a good experience for you both.

What Kind of Brush Should You Use?

Cat toothbrushes come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, and forms. Since different cats have different temperaments and preferences, it might take some experimentation and some training to find the right option.

Here are some of the best options:

• Finger brushes. Often called dental wipes, these are basically slightly abrasive cloths you wrap around your finger, so you can use it to brush their teeth. This gives you more fine control and sensitivity to make sure you're getting as much of the tooth as possible.
• Standard toothbrushes. These are a lot like our human toothbrushes, only with a much smaller head and shorter bristles. Some will say it’s easier to maneuver around a cat's small mouth, but some cats don't like stiff plastic being shoved in their jaw.
• Silicone toothbrushes. These are like traditional toothbrushes, except instead of harder plastic and stiff bristles, they're made of softer silicone. These toothbrushes typically slide over one finger essentially turning your finger into the handle. These are best for cats that don't like the harsher or more abrasive kinds of brushes
• Nubbed toys. If you search online for cat dental toys, you’re like to find a rubber toy with little holes in it. These products are designed less as a toothbrush and more as a toy, hopefully making it more attractive to your cat. Your cat is given an incentive to chew on it, like catnip inside it, and they just chew away. It's more of a passive tooth brushing than an active effort on your part. With that said it’s also less effective, though better than nothing.

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You can even use a human toothbrush (as long as it's new and only used for your cat) or just wrap your finger in gauze. There are a lot of options! You just need to try a few until you find one that your cat will tolerate.

What Kind of Toothpaste Should You Use, If Any?

Toothpaste is important for human tooth brushing because it's mildly abrasive and can scrape away the built-up bacteria and plaque that cause cavities. But is toothpaste important for cats too?

Generally, yes. If your cat won't tolerate any kind of cat-safe toothpaste, a dry brushing will be better than nothing at all, but if you can get them used to toothpaste, you're much better off.

There are a wide range of cat toothpastes available, and they come in such delectable flavors as tuna, malt, poultry, and salmon. Since these are flavors your cat will probably love, toothbrushing can be considered a treat of sorts.

Never, under any circumstances, use human toothpaste. This is one of the reasons why you shouldn't share a toothbrush with your cat, because of residue on your toothbrush.

Why? Human toothpaste contains fluoride. Fluoride is clinically proven to help prevent cavities and restore tooth enamel… but it's also toxic to cats and dogs. The last thing you want to do is poison your furry child!

Case in Point: Sometimes your cat might want to brush their own teeth, like my angel Moo. If you’re like me, you leave your toothbrush out by your sink and odds are there is some toothpaste residue that remains on the bristles. Many years ago, my husband told me Moosie was chewing on my toothbrush! I was grossed out and worried in the same breath. Needless to say, from that point forward my toothbrush lived in the medicine cabinet. Where does your toothbrush live?

A closing note on toothpaste, look for one that is Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) certified so you can trust the claims the manufacturer is making.

Is It Ok to Use Baking Soda to Brush My Cat’s Teeth?

No.

You may also be tempted to use baking soda to brush your cat’s teeth. Don’t.

“Baking soda has a high alkaline content and, if swallowed, it can upset the acid balance in the stomach and digestive tract.”- VCA Animal Hospitals

How Often Should You Brush Your Cat's Teeth?

Generally, you want to get in the habit of brushing your cat's teeth once daily. You don't need the morning-and-evening brushing people prefer, but a daily cleaning is a good way to maintain dental health and prevent various tooth problems down the line.

Some cats are very resistant to the idea of having their teeth cleaned. There are options you can use – which I talk about further down – but ideally, you'll be able to get them cleaned as often as possible.

Even if that's only once a week or once every two weeks, anything is better than nothing at all. Just keep in mind that once plaque hardens into tartar, it’s difficult to remove without the use dental instruments and general anesthesia.

And, as you may know, while anesthesia-related deaths are rare, complications can and do occur.

“Like any medical procedure, anesthesia does have risks. These risks can run from minor problems, such as mild vomiting after recovery from anesthesia to life-threatening problems such as cardiac arrest or stroke.”- American Veterinary Medical Association.

How to Train a Cat to Let Their Teeth Be Brushed

I’m not going to lie to you, if you have a two-year-old kitty and you decide you want to start brushing their teeth, chances are you're going to be in for a difficult time. However, with a little bit of patience and a lot of love you will soon be happy you did it.

You need to train them, and the earlier you start, the easier it will be. Don’t worry though, older cats can learn new tricks too.

The biggest thing you need is plenty of treats – and it doesn’t have to be food. Positive reinforcement is the name of the game here, so every time you do anything related to tooth brushing, give them a treat.

It could be a fun play session or a special snack. Eventually, they'll associate the act of tooth brushing with the reward and will be more willing to accept it.

Other than that, the key is to start slow and work your way up. Begin by pulling at their lips and looking at their teeth. Don't try to do anything with the toothpaste or brush yet, and be sure to offer them a treat right after.

This might only last for a couple of seconds before they get irritated, and that's fine. You want the action to be tolerable before moving forward. No one wants a foreign object just shoved into their mouth.

Second, offer your kitty a bit of cat-safe toothpaste on a finger for them to lick. I mentioned the special flavors they come in, so your cat will likely think of it as some kind of food and will give it a taste.

You want them to be used to the flavor of the toothpaste so they aren't dealing with you shoving some kind of nasty chemical in their mouths. Again, offer them treats afterward if they aren't into the toothpaste's flavor. You can also try putting a little toothpaste in their mouth without using the toothbrush.

Next, start introducing the toothbrush. You can try different brushes here to see which one they object to the least. Putting a dab of toothpaste on it can get them used to having it around their mouth, but you don't want to try brushing yet. You're just getting them used to a strange new tool, not how it's used. Again, treats after every exposure!

Once they're more used to the brush of choice, you can start trying to brush their teeth. Don't go deep! Start by brushing those big sharp chompers at the front of their mouth and nothing else.

All you're doing is getting them used to two things: the toothbrush being put in their mouth and the sensation of having a tooth brushed. Go slow, do only a tooth or two to start, and reward them for their patience.

Over time, they'll be more willing to let you brush more teeth. Eventually, you'll build up to the point where you can brush their whole mouth, 30 seconds per side. That's when you know your training has been successful.

Here’s a great video showing how to train your cat to let you brush their teeth in 4 weeks:

Are There Other Ways to Promote Cat Oral Health?

Of course. While there's no real substitute for regular tooth brushing, you can do a few things to help ease it along, especially for cats that really, really don't like tooth brushing.

First, make sure their diet is healthy. The worse the diet – especially if it's full of carbs – the worse the bacteria in their mouth will be, and the more likely they are to experience poor dental outcomes.

You want robust, healthy food for them, not food packed with unhealthy fillers. If you switch their food, remember to transition to their new food slowly.

You may also consider a special pro-dental food. These may be prescription foods, or they may just be expensive normal foods, but they can include some elements that help fight mouth bacteria for cats that won't let anyone brush their teeth.

Don't forget to make sure they have dry food as well. It's generally healthier for your cat to eat wet food, but dry food can help with that same effect that bones do for wild cats.

Harder, more abrasive food can scrape teeth clean.

There are also "mouthwash" style products for cats. Now, obviously, you can't train a cat to swish and spit a mouthwash, and you shouldn't try either.

Instead, you can use oral sprays that include some flavoring agent (to make it more pleasant for your fur baby) and an antibacterial and antiplaque chemical to help enhance their oral health.

Of course, a mouth spray can be just as irritating as tooth brushing, so you need to train them on that too. Talk to your vet to see what they recommend.

Anything Else?

Cats are creatures full of love, but they can also be surprisingly high-maintenance. Grooming can be a whole process, which is why we wrote a whole book about it.

Check it out to see if your questions are answered, and if not, drop me a line! I love helping fellow pet parents take care of their furry children.

If your fur baby has anxiety, another thing you might try prior to attempting a tooth cleaning is a bit of CBD. You can learn all about CBD for cats throughout my blog.

So tell me, do you brush your cat’s teeth? When did you start? How often do you brush them? What’s your chosen toothbrush style and how does your cat respond?

That means, at the very least, knowing what's normal so we can know what's abnormal, what it means, and whether or not it's an emergency that needs immediate attention.

I know what you might be thinking: define normal, right?

Any cat parent knows that for many cat-related things, there may not be a standard for normal. For example, what may be normal for one cat may be abnormal for another. Even in multi-cat households.

However, when it comes to health, there are definitely some aspects that have standards. Especially when it comes down to the heart, the most vital organ. This week I will discuss everything related to your cat’s normal resting heartbeat.

Do you know what the normal heart rate for our furry feline friends should be? Or, do you have a clue of what it means if it's outside of the normal range?

Routine at-home physical examinations can help cat parents stay on top of their cats’ heart health. A normal resting heart rate is a good indicator of your cat’s overall health.

Learning about your cat’s heartbeat, especially if you have an aging cat or one with heart disease, can give you a head start on recognizing an issue. This is a topic I hold close to my heart as my two angel cats Sosa and Randa suffered from heart disease late in their lives.

At home routine physical examinations can help cat parents stay on top of their cats’ heart health. Let's dig into some of the most frequently asked questions about this and other feline vitals.

What Is the Normal Heart Rate for a Cat?

A normal resting heart rate for a cat is between 120 to 140 beats per minute (bpm).

You may find conflicting information all over the internet concerning this range. For example, as you will see in the demonstration video below, veterinarian Lindsay Butzer (DVM) discusses the normal heart for a cat as being 180 - 200 beats per minute. We decided to follow the information provided by Merck Veterinary Manual.

Generally, the average heart rate for a cat is much higher than a human heart rate. For reference, the normal resting heart rate for a human is generally between 60 and 100 bpm.

Fun fact: Our doggy friends have a resting heart rate more similar to ours, 70 to 120 bpm.

Cats that are sleepy, cozy, and dozing in a comfortable sunbeam are likely to be on the lower end of the scale. Conversely, cats that are angry, scared, anxious, or have just gotten done playing are likely to be on the higher side of the scale.

How Can You Check Your Cat's Heart Rate?

It’s a good rule of thumb to check your kitty’s heart rate while they are resting to get a consistent reading. There are several ways you can check your cat's heart rate.

Option 1: Put your hand on their chest, just behind their front right leg. This is roughly where the heart is on a cat, so you should be able to feel the beating of their cute little heart. Depending on how active or squirmy your cat is, you may only be able to count beats for around 15 seconds; if they're calm and restful, you can count for a full minute. If you can only count for 15 seconds, of course, multiply the number by four to get something close to their heart rate.

Option 2: In the same location as noted above, put your ear to their chest so you can hear their heart beating. This only works with cats that don't mind both you being up close and personal to their underside and cats that aren't likely to squirm away when you put your face up to theirs. Be mindful that you likely won’t be able to heart a heart beat if you kitty is purring.

Option 3: You can also take their pulse on their primary leg artery, the femoral artery. You can find this vein on the inside of the hind legs, up near where the leg meets the body. Feel around and gently press, looking for the place where you can feel their pulse. Once you locate it, count beats for 15-60 seconds and adjust accordingly.

Option 4: Buy an inexpensive stethoscope. I’ll admit, I bought one when my now angel Sosa was 18 going on 19. I used it to better hear her heartbeat and to keep an ear on her breathing.

In my opinion, this is the easiest and most effective option of all. If you go this route, make sure you get a stethoscope made specifically for pets, then bring it to the next vet appointment to ask your vet how to properly use it.

Check out this 30-second demonstration on how to check your cat’s heartbeat by Dr. Lindsay Butzer DVM:

In all cases, it can be helpful to keep a stopwatch or other timer on hand.

You may also find it useful to multitask by petting your fur baby with your other hand so they stay calm and allow you to feel for their heartbeat. Obviously, some cats don't like being touched so intimately, so this can be tricky.

How Often Should You Check Your Cat's Resting Heart Rate?

This can depend on the reason why you're checking.

Under normal day-to-day life, it can be a good idea to check your cat's heart rate at least weekly though for the average person, this is an unlikely expectation. Keeping a log of heart rate and other vitals can be a good idea to help diagnose any issues and when they start.

Some vitals are harder to take than others, so taking the heartbeat can be done more frequently, even several times a day. If you have a cat that doesn't mind being touched, it's a simple matter to take a heart rate measurement periodically and note whether or not it's outside the normal range.

If you're putting your cat on a new medication, or if you think they're stressed, injured, or sick, you might want to take their vital signs more often. This way, you can notice quickly if they're having trouble or if they're experiencing side effects.

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Remember, too, that a "normal" range is contextual. Consider the following for example, if your cat has been running back and forth for half an hour, but their heart rate is still in the 140s, it could be a sign of something wrong.

Similarly, if they've been napping and you check their pulse only to find it on the high end of the range, they could have issues you need to deal with.

Neither one is cause for an emergency vet trip, but it can be worth calling your vet to mention it and schedule an appointment if they think it's necessary.

If your cat is averse to being handled in a way that allows you to check their pulse, you'll likely want to work on it over time.

Be gentle with physical affection and reward them with treats when you can, so they associate touch with care, and build that trust until they allow you to stay long enough to get a good count.

What if Your Cat's Heartbeat Is Too Fast?

A fast heart rate is not itself a problem, but it can be a symptom of a problem.

First, think about what your cat has been doing recently. If they've been running around, playing, chasing your ankles or the other cats in the household, or even doing something stimulating like watching birds out the window, their heart rate may be elevated.

It's the same way that we get excited, or our heart rates increase when we exercise. Your kitty is fine; they've just been enjoying themselves and expending energy.

On the other hand, as pointed out in the previous section, if their heart rate is over 200 beats per minute and all they've been doing is napping, there may be a health issue at play.

Moreover, if their heart rate is above 220 and they haven't been engaged in play recently, or if it's significantly higher than a previous check, you should discuss the finding with your vet.

Come to your vet armed with any other symptoms. In particular, you might check for:

• Blue discoloration of the mucous membranes in the mouth.
• Difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, irregular breathing, or labored breathing.
• A cough, wheezing, or other respiratory issue.
• Fainting.
• Weakness.
• Lethargy or intolerance to exercise.

These and other related symptoms can be a sign of a variety of different health problems. These can range from simple to serious and include issues like:

• Pain
• Pancreatitis.
• Heart disease, tumors, or cancer.
• Side effects from medications, particularly heart medications.
• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM).
• Congenital heart defects.
• Hypothyroidism.
• Metabolic disease.
• Infection or illness.
• Shock or stress.
• Anxiety.

If your fur baby has a rapid heart rate, you should call your vet and be prepared to bring them in for an emergency check-up and examination.

In cases where their heart rate is too high or is elevated for too long, your vet may want to perform some tests. These tests may include an electrocardiogram (EKG) to monitor heart performance, imaging, and even blood tests to look for signs of disease.

It's worth noting that many vets don’t have the tools or expertise to perform an EKG in office and will refer you to a pet cardiologist. Curious about what happens at a vet cardiology appointment? Check out my experience here.

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What if Your Cat's Heartbeat Is Too Slow?

Healthy cats tend to have lower heart rates. When the body has to struggle to function, whether because of illness or disease, stress, or temporary problems, the heart has to pump faster to keep the body working. Thus, a slower heart rate is generally better.

That said, a slow heart rate even when exercising, or a very slow heart rate when resting, can be a sign of a problem. Called bradycardia, a slow heart rate can indicate issues such as:

• Hypothermia.
• Oversedation.
• Respiratory illnesses.
• Neurological diseases.
• Gastrointestinal diseases.

You'll want to look for other symptoms, such as passing out, lethargy, very slow breathing, and exercise intolerance. You may also notice seizures.

Again, you should call your vet and be prepared to bring your fur baby in for an examination. Your vet will run tests like the ECG, imaging, and a blood panel to look for possible reasons why your fur baby is having troubles.

Generally, a slow heart rate is either a sign of a healthy, active cat or a cat with underlying problems, and it will return to a normal range when those problems are addressed.

What if Your Cat's Heart Rate Is Irregular?

In a cat’s body, there are two nodes, part of the nervous system, that are responsible for sending regular signals to the heart to contract.

These nodes normally operate on a regular basis, but in times of distress, illness, or because of defects, might misfire. This can lead to skipped beats, irregular beats, and other variations in heart rhythm.

Irregular heartbeats can be an arrhythmia, or they can manifest as a heart murmur or another potential disease. Even a regularly spaced heartbeat can be "bad" if the beating fires in the wrong order, putting undue stress on the heart.

Important to note here is that occasional, sporadic irregular heartbeats are not necessarily a sign of something bad.

“Irregular heart rhythm, or cardiac arrhythmia, is important to take note of but is not always a serious condition. An irregular heartbeat occurs from time to time when a cat is under stress, nervous, or scared. Some breeds, like Persians, Maine Coon cats, and Himalayans, tend to be more prone to irregular heart rhythms than others.” - Rocky Mountain Veterinary Cardiology

Heart problems can be genetic, related to aging, and/or illness. Some breeds are more prone to heart disease such as HCM, so their heart rate and heart function should be monitored more closely.

A taurine deficiency can sometimes also cause this, though taurine deficiency is very rare in cats that are being fed properly.

As with other heart issues, call your vet and be prepared to bring your fur baby in for an examination to see what's wrong and how to fix it.

What Other Vital Signs Should You Check?

In addition to monitoring your cat’s heartbeat, part of a routine at-home physical examination should also include a vitals check. Heart rate is one of the core vitals; the other two are temperature and respiration rate.

Temperature is the most difficult to take because the best way to do it is rectally. A simple thermometer, a bit of water-soluble lube, and a calm cat distracted by treats are required to take their temperature. Ideally, your cat's internal body temperature will be somewhere between 100.5 and 102.5 degrees F.

Respiration is breathing. All you need here is to watch your cat's sides rise and fall or put a hand in front of their nose to feel for their breathing.

According to Dr. Bruce G. Kornreich, D.V.M, Ph.D., DACVIM, a normal range is between 15 and 30 breaths per minute.

“The normal resting respiratory rate for cats is between 15 and 30 breaths per minute. Respiratory rates above 35 breaths per minute in either species should prompt consultation with a veterinarian.” - Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine

Cats have small lungs, after all, and need to breathe fairly frequently to get the oxygen they need. As with heart rate, the more active they are or have been, the faster they'll breathe.

Like timing your kitty’s heartrate, counting their breaths while they are resting, even sleeping, is the best way to get a consistent rate.

Two other vitals you can check are called the CRT, or capillary refill time, and the mucous membrane state.

• CRT can be checked by opening your cat's mouth and lightly pressing on their gums. This presses the blood away from the surface and leaves the area white until the blood comes back. It should take no more than two seconds for the blood to return; if it takes longer, or it doesn't return at all, call your vet immediately.
• Mucous membranes are the interior surfaces of the mouth, as well as the nose, around the eyes, and other such surfaces. Look for discoloration – they should be a healthy pink – and make sure they're moist.

Finally, you can also check hydration status. A dehydrated kitty is an unhappy kitty, but if they aren't drinking, it can be a sign of any number of problems, including kidney issues, infections, and more. Keep an eye on how frequently your cat is drinking, how often they're urinating, and how elastic their skin is.

There are two main ways to check if your kitty is dehydrated.

The first is to touch their gums. Tacky or sticky gums is a sign of dehydration.

The second is to pinch the skin over their shoulder blades. In a hydrated cat the skin will almost immediately return to its original position. A dehydrated cat’s skin will slowly go from the tented position back into the original position.

What Other Questions Do You Have?

If you have any other questions about the health, the at-home checks, or the other potential things to watch for with our feline friends, please reach out and drop me a line. I'm not a vet, but I'm a friend to animals, and I know plenty about how to keep them happy and healthy.

At the same time, you can check out the rest of my blog for tips on everything from training cats or trimming their nails without making it a fight. There's something for everyone, so check it out!

One more thing, if you are feeling like getting a little special something for your fur baby that is unique, made right here in the USA, 100% pup and cat safe, USDA certified organic and brought to you by a US company, check out Toe Beans online pet supplies store!

As always, if you found this content useful, all our blog content on toe beans is shareable. So, what are you waiting for to spread the love? Go ahead and hit any social media icon of your preference around the post for instant sharing with friends and family. Sharing is caring!

Is the same true of our feline friends? Sometimes our kitties' noses are wet, and sometimes they're dry.

Is either one a cause for concern, or are they both more or less normal?

In today’s blog post we’ll explore some of the most common reasons for your cat's wet nose, potential causes of concern to watch out for, as well as how to monitor your cat's nose for changes.

Surprisingly enough, your cat’s nose can sometimes be a great source of information on your cat’s health and well-being.

As usual, if you are looking for trustworthy and authoritative cat parent education you are in the right place. I've also added a great video of a cat drinking water from a faucet. Does your kitty ever do that?

Let’s learn about cat wet noses, shall we?

The Health Myth

There's a common myth with both cats and dogs specifically revolving around their noses.

It goes a little something like this: if your cat's nose is wet, they're fine and healthy. If it's dry, they're sick and need attention.

This is entirely a myth. In fact, cat noses go through cycles throughout the day. Whether it's wet or dry in general depends on what they've been doing recently, what their habits are, and even their natural health levels.

Some cats just run damper than others. It's sort of like how some people are prone to sweating a lot more than other people. Each kitty is unique.

Fun Fact: the print of a cat’s nose is unique just like the human fingerprint!

Why do I bring this up? Mostly just because it can lead you to over-think a situation or miss signs of actual problems. A wet nose is usually fine but it can indicate a respiratory illness in certain situations.

Likewise, a dry nose is usually fine but can indicate dehydration.

The key is context, so looking at other symptoms and behaviors is critical. You also need to take into consideration what is normal for your cat.

Why is My Cat's Nose Wet?

There are actually a lot of different reasons why your cat's nose might be wet, either when they're just wandering around and going about their business doing cat things or when they're up in your business rubbing their face all over you and yours. Let’s go through some of the most common reasons.

1. They just licked it.

Sometimes, your cat's nose might be moist because they just licked it. Cats pretty frequently mlem those pink tongues of theirs right up over their noses for a bunch of different reasons. The biggest two are grooming and temperature regulation.

Cats groom themselves with their tongues, so they use their tongues to solve a lot of different bodily problems. If their nose itches, tickles, or feels like it has something on it, your cat is likely to give it a lick. It's a feat only a few talented humans can pull off, but cats do it without breaking a sweat.

Temperature regulation is also important. Humans sweat when we need to cool off since the evaporation is an effective way of cooling us down. Dogs don't have much in the way of sweat glands, so they pant.

Cats don't usually pant (at least, they shouldn't be!), but they also have relatively few sweat glands. So, they'll often moisten their noses and let that evaporation help cool them off.

Catnip can also be a culprit here. Catnip stimulates a lot of different parts of a cat's system, and it can make tear ducts or nasal glands work overtime. More likely, though, it just tickles their nose while they're sniffing at it, and they're licking their nose more to alleviate it.

2. Natural sweating.

Another reason your fur baby might have a moist nose is sweat.

As I just mentioned, cats use their noses as one of the primary ways they keep their temperature down because it's one of the few places where their skin is directly exposed to outside temperatures.

Their noses are also one of the few places they have sweat glands. So that moisture might not be kitty drool; it might be kitty sweat. Either way, it'll evaporate quickly since that's what it's meant to do.

3. Tear duct drainage.

Nasal cavities, sinuses, eye sockets, tear ducts, and all the other sorts of bits in the nose and mouth are connected to one another in various ways.

One of the more surprising things a lot of people don't know – about themselves or about their cats – is that when your eyes water and tears build up, they don't always evaporate or fall away.

You actually have little drainage ducts in the corners of your eyes, where excess tears can drain away back into your head. Usually, they drain into the nasal cavity, down the back of your throat, and are absorbed back into your body.

With cats, it's the same way, so that means it could be out through the nose. This is another case where your fur baby might lick their nose because of the excess moisture.

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4. Humidity in the air.

If you've ever spent time working outside when it's humid, you know that evaporation stops working once the atmospheric moisture levels get too saturated. You can't send more moisture into the air if the air is already saturated, after all!

Well, the same thing goes for your kitty as well. Their little noses can't evaporate and dry back if the air around them is too moist.

You'll probably notice that your cat's nose is wetter the more humid it is outside and inside, wherever they spend their time.

So, if your kitty has a wet nose that seems to be more seasonal, it’s likely in the hottest months of the year.

5. They just had a drink.

Cats love to drink water, whether it's from a faucet, from a bowl, or even from your own cup!

One quirk of this is that they need to put their faces really close to the water to lap it up. Obviously, right?

• Running water can splash and spill on them. This could be minor, or it could be more of a major inability to "get" what the faucet is doing like the kitty in the video!

• Some cats are just a little messier than others. They might lap up water and splash it on themselves as they drink. This is particularly the case if your cat laps up water with a more aggressive kind of drinking (since not all cats use the optimal drinking method.)

• If their water is clear and still, your cat might have a hard time judging how deep it is and how close they are to it. Cats have powerful eyesight, but it's tuned more for movement, so still water can be difficult to detect properly. Then they go to drink and dunk their face right in it. You might be seeing a wet nose because they just took a bit of an impromptu bath. My angel Moo used to always have a wet chin because he would dunk it in the water as he was drinking!

Whatever the case may be, sometimes your fur baby just has a wet nose because they got it wet trying to drink. No big deal, right?

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6. They have the sniffles.

One of the only potential causes for concern on this list, at least as far as a wet nose is concerned, is a cold. Cats can get the sniffles (or any other sort of respiratory illness) the same way people do, and that means they have similar symptoms, including post-nasal drip, a runny nose, a stuffy nose, or irritated sinuses.

Luckily, your fur baby will generally show other symptoms if this is what's bothering them. For one thing, their nose won't just be a little moist; it'll be dripping.

They'll also probably be panting or breathing open-mouthed, because their nose is stuffy.

They may also hide, cry in distress, or have other symptoms. You can read a whole lot more about various causes of respiratory distress over here.

Is a Wet Nose a Cause for Concern?

Not usually, no.

If you suspect your fur baby is sick, then you'll want to take them to the vet to make sure it's nothing serious and to get any useful medications or supplements to give them.

Most of the time, though, they aren't sick; they're just a little damp, and there's nothing wrong with that!

It's perfectly normal and natural for a cat's nose to be a cold, moist little dab of purring love.

Vet journalist Ingrid King says this:

"Even though people seem to think that a wet nose is a sign of health [and] a dry, warm nose is a sign of sickness, that's actually not true... A cat's nose may go back and forth between being wet and dry several times a day, depending on the cat's activity. Did your cat just eat or groom herself? Her nose will be wet. Has she been lying in the sun, or is the air in your house extremely dry? Her nose will be dry. The only way your cat's nose will be an indicator of her health is if you notice anything abnormal, such as flaking skin, lumps and bumps, or a runny nose."

Why is My Cat's Nose Dry?

Now let's take things in the opposite direction. Why is your cat's nose dried out? Is that dangerous or a cause for concern?

1. The humidity level is low

The most common reason your cat's nose is dry is, well, it's dry out! Dry air, even at what we consider a comfortable level of humidity, is enough to dry out things like your kitty's nose (and their skin, eyes, and nasal cavities too.)

They lick their nose, they get it wet, that moisture evaporates, and they're left with a dry nose. That's all there is to it!

This is especially common in the winter months in many locations, though some places have hot, dry summers as well. The drier it is outside and inside, the more likely your cat's nose will be dry.

Pro Tip: To combat the dryness of the climate, consider getting a humidifier.

2. They've been napping in the sun

They might also have a dry nose because they've been napping in a pleasant sunbeam, and that direct sunlight dried them out. You'll notice that when they wake up, one of the first things they're likely to do is go take a drink. Honestly, same; we should all be drinking a lot more water than we usually are.

Cats can also get sunburned, particularly on their noses. From the ASPCA:

"Cats are at risk of getting sunburn on their hairless noses, which can cause dryness, swelling, redness, and flaky skin. Sunburn is more prevalent in white-haired cats who have pink noses. If your cat has a light coat or is obsessed with soaking up the sun, you may need to take steps to protect them against harmful rays."

3. They've been licking it

Wait, didn’t I just say that’s a reason your cat’s nose is wet? Well, yes, I did, but excessive licking can lead to a dry nose.

If your kitty has a runny nose, they are likely to lick it more often to clean up. If the sniffles don’t resolve in a day or two, the excess licking over a period of time can lead to a dry, rough irritated nose.

If you’ve ever been licked by a cat, you’re familiar with the little barbs on their tongue. Constant licking can cause a lot of irritation, so it’s important to recognize the change so you can help your fur baby get well.

4. They are dehydrated

Speaking of drinking more water, sometimes cats can end up dehydrated.

In fact, I just listened to a vet talk about how cats that eat only dry food often live in a purrpetual state of mild dehydration. Cats naturally get a lot of water from their food, but dry food is obviously lacking that moisture.

Some cats also don’t like still water, so they may be ignoring their water bowl until they convince you to turn on the sink for them. I’m a big fan of water fountains because they keep the water moving, and in my experience keep kitties drinking more often.

Minor dehydration just means your fur baby will be thirsty, but major dehydration can crop up and cause problems. Keep an eye out for symptoms like:

• Sunken eyes.
• Loss of appetite.
• Lethargy beyond normal catnaps.
• Panting.
• Elevated heart rate.

These can all be signs of systemic distress, which can be caused by things like dehydration and the issues it causes, including electrolyte imbalances and organ problems.

Is a dry nose cause for concern?

Again, not generally. It's only if they have other symptoms of dehydration that you need to get them checked out and rehydrated.

If you're concerned that your cat has some kind of health problem, here's a quick exam process from the humane society:

• Check their skin, looking for lumps, scratches, or irregularities.
• Check their ears for odors, liquid, swelling, or mites.
• Check their eyes for redness, tearing, discoloration, or discharge.
• Check their mouth for red gums, drooling, brown teeth, or bad breath.
• Check their nose for discharge and watch them to see if they paw at it a lot.
• Check their rear, looking for rice-like white bits that can indicate worms.
• Check their feet for cuts, swelling, or other problems.

If you spot any problems, bring your fur baby to the vet to give them a once-over. Hopefully, nothing's wrong, or what's wrong can be solved with a little pampering!

Now, I'll hand it over to you, the readers! Tell me all about your furry friends! Are their snoots a little more on the wet side, or are they a little more dry? I absolutely love hearing all about your fur babies, so be sure to share your stories in the comments section down below!

Check out this adorable bread obsessed kitty:

While some of this is clearly adorable behavior from a hungry little predator, sometimes there may be a bit more of a sinister undertone.

Sharing a little fish or chicken, usually not a big deal. Cats are obligate carnivores, they have to eat meat to survive, and your meat is definitely tasty.

Bread, though? Can they eat that?

You can put that particular fear to rest: cats can safely eat plain bread without many issues, though they don't need the carbs, so it’s not something nutritional beneficial for them.

Like any treat, it should be held in moderation for the overall health of your furry friend.

Not all human foods are safe for feline consumption, though. Today we’re going to review some of the more common types of food we may have in our homes that should never make their way into your cat's system.

It’s worth mentioning that many of these foods have different toxicity levels. Toxicity can mean anything from digestive upset all the way to death. In many cases a very small amount won’t be fatal but read on to learn more.

1: Alcohol

This one should come as no surprise. After all, alcohol is a toxin for people, too; that buzz you feel after a glass or two of wine is a side effect of being, well, poisoned.

It's just socially acceptable for people to do a little self-harm as a tasty treat in this particular instance.

Cats, though, have neither the social support and cultural mores nor the body mass necessary to handle alcohol. Even a little of the stuff can lead to dangerous complications and even death.

Signs of alcohol toxicity:

These can occur as soon as 15-30 minutes after ingestion.

• Lethargy
• Lack of coordination
• Drooling
• Vomiting
• Weakness/Collapse
• Decreased respiratory rate
• Hypothermia (low body temperature)

Many cat parents mistakenly believe that so long as they avoid directly giving alcohol to their cats, the risk of alcohol poisoning is non-existent.

The truth of the matter is that there are many ubiquitous sources of alcohol around the house that might potentially put their cats at risk:

Ethanol — Common sources of ethanol include alcoholic drinks, desserts flavored with alcohol, fermented fruits, unbaked yeast dough, some liquid medications, and mouth washes.
Methanol — The most common sources of methanol include windshield fluids, some gasoline additives, and some paint solvents.
Isopropanol — This alcohol has twice the potency of ethanol or methanol. Common sources include 70 percent rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer, glass cleaners, perfumes or colognes, detergents, antifreeze, and some grooming products or flea sprays. | Animal Emergency Care

2: Yeast

Anything you’re making with yeast in it is a one-two punch of danger for a cat.

Raw yeast alone is unpleasant because it can grow in your cat's digestive system, releasing gasses that cause uncomfortable bloating and digestive issues.

Moreover, yeasts often produce alcohol as a byproduct, and we just covered how dangerous those can be.

Note that this only means active yeasts; a baked bread, even if yeast is an ingredient, has had that yeast killed by the heat of baking and is thus safer.

Signs of yeast dough ingestion include:

• Bloat
• Unsuccessful attempts to vomit that result in nothing or a little white foam
• Enlarged abdomen
• Tremors
• Weakness
• Increased heart rate
• Collapse

If you bake bread at home, or in a facility that hosts cats, make sure to never leave dough out to rise in a place that is within a cat’s reach.

“A key part of baking bread is giving it time to rise (proof). While proofing dough may not look appetizing to people, it may to pets. It’s important not to leave dough out to rise in an area accessible by dogs and cats, including countertops.” | ASPCA Pro.org

3: Chocolate

Chocolate has a few different substances called methylxanthines, which are derived from xanthine as a base.

Several different chemicals fall into this category, including two you're more likely to be familiar with: theobromine and caffeine.

Both of these are mildly beneficial to people but can have dangerous effects on animals, including cats.

Caffeine can lead to seizures, tremors, and death if consumed by cats (and dogs), so you should keep your chocolate treats locked away. The darker the chocolate, the worse it is, too.

Story time: One Halloween a few years back, I purchased some bags of mixed chocolate bars and left them on the counter. When I got home from work, I found the bag ripped open and several of the chocolate bars had been sampled. I’m not just talking about teeth marks. Some of the chocolate was clearly eaten. The guilty party was fine, and I learned it’s not just dogs that break into candy stashes.

Signs of chocolate toxicity:

• Hyperactivity
• Restlessness
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Increased thirst
• Elevated heart rate
• Tremors
• Hyperthermia (elevated body temperature)

4-5: Coffee and Tea

While you probably enjoy a nice cup of coffee or tea in the mornings to get you up and moving, that caffeine is just as dangerous to your cat as it is when it's in chocolate.

Black or green tea is known to cause liver and gastrointestinal organ damage in cats.

While you may read on other blogs that catechins are beneficial to your cat and that it’s ok to give your cat black or green tea so long as you cat is healthy and isn’t fasting, we highly advise you consult with your veterinarian before giving tea to your fur baby.

To be on the safe side, don't let your fur baby have a cuppa joe, no matter how much they beg and whine about it. They probably just want your attention, not your treat, anyway.

Be careful, too; even "decaf" drinks still have some natural caffeine in them. It's below the threshold where a human will feel it, but cats are much smaller than people and, thus, much more sensitive to smaller amounts of these substances.

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A lick or two of your coffee or tea usually isn’t a big deal, but after the first time, be sure to keep your beverages supervised.

I had to switch to a travel mug when I worked from home after I caught my angel Moo with his head in my cup of tea. Luckily, nothing happened but I got really scared.

Many pet parents may be unaware of dangerous sources of caffeine laying around the house. Some overlooked sources of caffeine that may put your cat in danger include:

• Sodas
• Energy or sports drinks
• Diet pills
• Over the counter pain medications
• Over the counter energy boosting pills Your favorite candy bar may also contain caffeine.
• Chocolate (with that fun crinkling wrapper?)
• Coffee flavored ice creams (that bowl you left in the sink without rinsing)

6-8: Lemons, Oranges, and Grapefruits

Citrus fruits, in general, are bad for cats. Two particular substances in the citrus cause issues: citric acid and citrus oils naturally found in the peels and throughout the fruits.

These substances can lead to upset stomachs and digestive unrest, as well as central nervous system depression, which is a lot worse than it sounds (and isn't related to mental health.)

Luckily, most cats don't like the scent of citrus and will stay away from it on their own, which is why citrus scents are often used as deterrents for cat training.

9: Coconut

Coconut oil is a common item in holistic medicine, and there's a small amount of evidence to suggest that it can help cats out with certain coat issues, largely relating to vitamin deficiencies.

Contrary to what you may read all over the internet about the health benefits for your cat, caution should be exercised with coconut.

A quick search of coconut for cats will result in a lot of affiliate marketing sites trying to sell you on hundreds of products. Beware!

Here is what the Drake Center for Veterinary care says about credible and unsubstantiated claims on coconut benefits for your cat:

Coconut oil claims with no credible basis based on what we currently know include: Cancer prevention, dental calculus and periodontal disease prevention, weight loss, thyroid dysfunction; Claims that may have a credible basis include: Dry skin, wound healing, atopic dermatitis | The Drake Center for Veterinary Care

My best advice is that if you’re going to try supplementing with coconut oil, make sure it’s food grade and always talk with your vet first. It can cause digestive issues, so it’s always best to start with a small amount to see how your kitty responds.

Last, but not least, the flesh and milk of the coconut are high in potassium so they should always be avoided.

10: Dairy

Any of you out there who are lactose intolerant know how unpleasant it can be to have some cheese, milk, yogurt, or other dairy products in a meal.

Even a surprisingly small amount can lead to ongoing digestive problems, unpleasant bloating, gas, and other issues.

Well, you may have heard that humans are relatively unique in that we're one of the only species that can enjoy dairy after childhood. It should be no surprise, then, to find that most cats are lactose intolerant.

But then, why do cats like milk and dairy?

“The parts of the diary product that your cat has interest for are fat and protein. They can smell the fat and protein in dairy products and will be attracted by it. There can be a lot of both fat and protein in milk, cheese and yoghurt.” | Charlottesville Cat Care Clinic

Unfortunately, that stereotype of giving a stray cat a saucer of milk or whipped cream does a lot more harm than good.

It's not good for them, and while it won't kill them, it won't be pleasant for them or whoever has to clean up after them. Not to mention that giving your cat milk can cause an unbalanced diet and lead weight gain.

A tiny bite of cheese now and then is usually well tolerated, but anything more than that is begging for trouble.

11: Grapes

Grapes (and raisins, which are just dehydrated grapes) are a somewhat confusing fruit.

Unlike other foods, which have well known compounds that cause toxicity, grapes are a bit of a mystery. They also tend to be associated as just bad for dogs as most cats aren’t attracted to them.

“There are dogs who have had issues after only a few grapes and some who do not have any issues until they eat a whole bag of them. Because the mechanism of toxicity is unknown, the best answer is no grapes for either your cats or your dogs.” - Embrace Pet Insurance Director of Claims Jenna Mahan

Since science hasn't yet figured out what the compound cause problems such as sudden kidney failure, most veterinarians recommend to keep them away from both cats and dogs.

Lethargy and seizures are common symptoms seen in dogs that have consumed grapes, so head straight to the vet if your kitty sampled some grapes and exhibit these symptoms.

12: Eggs

Let me begin this section by saying well cooked eggs, without added seasonings are perfectly safe for cats. They are a good source of protein and are often seen as an ingredient in wet cat food.

Raw eggs on the other hand are not safe for cats. Because chickens can carry salmonella their uncooked eggs are also a risk for spreading the bacteria.

Need another reason not to feed your cat raw eggs? If they get salmonella, they can pass it on to you!

So keep in mind, if your cat is a counter surfer, like some of mine were, make sure to never leave anything with raw eggs unattended, including the empty shells.

13-14: Onions and Garlic

I don’t know about you, but I love to cook with both onions are garlic. They bring so much delicious flavor to foods.

Those delicious smells that waft from the kitchen can also be appealing to your fur baby. The thing is both onions are garlic are toxic to cats.

Onions and garlic are both alliums, along with hundreds of other species. Other alliums include chives, shallots, leeks, and scallions (and really, anything with that oniony smell to it). There are also hundreds of inedible ornamental alliums grown as flowers.

Unfortunately, all of these are bad for your fur baby. In addition to digestive troubles, alliums can cause damage to red blood cells and lead to anemia.

“Allium spp can cause Heinz body formation, methemoglobinemia, agglutination, and hemoglobinuria. Cats are more sensitive to Allium toxicosis than dogs. In addition to anemia, small animals may exhibit GI signs, including anorexia, vomiting, and diarrhea. The anorexia often occurs 1 day before the hemolysis.” | Malinda E. Wallis, BS, CVT | ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center

Some are worse than others, too; garlic is 3 to 5 times more toxic than onions for a cat.

Signs of garlic or onion toxicity:

• Vomiting
• Lethargy
• Increased heart rate
• Blood in urine

15-17: Almonds, Pecans, and Walnuts

Nuts, in general, are bad for cats. Some, like macadamia nuts, cause problems similar to those caused by grapes (and are similarly not understood by veterinary science as of yet).

Others, like almonds and walnuts, are just high in natural fats and oils. These fats and oils aren't really necessary to your cat's health and can cause digestive problems, as well as pancreatitis, a very painful condition.

18: Xylitol

Everything else on this list is a food, so what is this chemical doing here? Well, xylitol is a sugar alcohol, which should already tell you a lot of what you need to know… or should it?

A "sugar alcohol" isn't really an alcohol and doesn't work in the same way. Instead, it's a lot more like sugar! Xylitol is one of the most common "healthy" sugar substitutes found in most sugar-free foods these days.

There is firm evidence that xylitol is wildly toxic to dogs (and is a big reason why peanut butter treats for dogs need to be vetted first), but there is some debate on whether or not it’s also toxic for cats.

Here's what the FDA says about xylitol for pets in general:

Some food and drink items that you consider tasty treats may be dangerous for your pet. As tempting as it might be to share your food or drink with your four-legged friend, please resist! Some of the more hazardous edible items include:… Xylitol (a sweetener found in products such as some sugar-free chewing gum, sugar-free candy, cough syrup, mouthwash, and toothpaste)” | U.S Food and Drug Administration

What's not clear is whether the pet group includes cats as well.

A study published in the National Library of Medicine about the effects of xylitol in cats, observed no effects of toxicity in cats.

“Xylitol is commonly used as sugar substitute in households. While it has numerous beneficial effects on human health, it is highly toxic to dogs. The goal of this study was to examine whether xylitol has similar deleterious effects, such as hypo glycaemia and acute hepatic failure, on cats…Based on our results, xylitol did not induce toxic effects on cats.”

There are a number of reasons for the debate, many cats aren’t interested in consuming products that typically contain xylitol, so there isn’t much documented to show their response.

Because xylitol causes drastic blood sugar level drops in dogs and even liver failure, I’ve added it to this list as a precaution. I would keep products containing xylitol away from diabetic kitties and older cats that have other health issues.

Until we know more about how cats are affected, it’s best to err on the side of caution.

19: Tomato Stems and Plants

Okay, so this one isn't quite like the rest on this list, but it's still something you might have around the house. Tomatoes, when ripe, are perfectly fine for your fur baby. The leaves, stems, and rest of the plant, as well as unripe tomatoes, are dangerous, though.

Tomato is a kind of nightshade, which is a common toxic plant that was even used as a poison in centuries past.

“Ingestion of the greenery, flowers, and green fruit can cause clinical problems in dogs and cats…Clinical signs include gastrointestinal (GI) upset, cardiac effects, and central nervous system signs (e.g., ataxia, muscle weakness, tremors, seizures), resulting from cholinesterase inhibition.” - Malinda E. Wallis, BS, CVT | ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center

Fun fact: potatoes, eggplants, and tobacco are all nightshades as well!

So, if you like to grow your own fruits and veggies, but also have a kitty that likes to chew on plants, tomatoes should be kept off limits.

20: Salty Meats and Treats

Cats may need meat in their diet but feeding them bacon or salami is likely going to be a problem. It's not the meat itself that's the problem here; it's the preservative: salt. Salt is necessary in small amounts for cats, dogs, and people, but in large amounts, it can cause a lot of problems.

Unfortunately, salt is a very effective preservative and flavor enhancer, so it's in just about everything, which is why so many people have blood pressure issues. Cats, being smaller and more sensitive, can develop hypernatremia from an excess of salt.

“Large amounts of salt can produce excessive thirst and urination, or even sodium ion poisoning in pets…As such, we encourage you to avoid feeding salt-heavy snacks like potato chips, pretzels, and salted popcorn to your pets.” - ASPCA

Symptoms of hypernatremia:

• Increased thirst
• Vomiting
• Decreased appetite
• Diarrhea
• Seizures

21: Canned Tuna

Tuna is alright for cats as a treat, but you should avoid making it a core element of your cat's diet. There are two reasons for this.

The first is that canned tuna isn't nutritionally complete for a cat. It doesn't have all of the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients necessary to keep your cat healthy. They need a more varied diet to make sure they get everything necessary to nourish their entire body.

The second is that there's a lot of mercury found in fish, particularly tuna, so if your cat over-eats tuna, they can end up with mercury poisoning. People can get this too, but again, you need a lot more tuna to get that big a dose.

“Commercial fish food products such as tuna have been associated with chronic poisoning in humans and cats.” – Merck Veterinary Manual

Signs of mercury poisoning:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Tremors

22-25: Raw Chicken, Beef, Pork, and Fish

Raw meats of any kind may seem like an odd inclusion on this list. After all, wouldn't cats in the wild eat raw meat all the time? Well, sure, cats in the wild also get sick and even die from the things they eat all the time. We like to take better care of our fur babies than that, right?

The problem here is microbes. Bacteria like e.coli and salmonella, as well as various parasites, can all linger on the surface of raw meats. Cross-contamination is also an issue.

Any of these diseases can prove devastating to your feline friend, so it's usually better to cook meat before giving it to them.

Similarly, if you buy a raw meat diet, make sure it's produced in a certified environment. Making it yourself, unless done with extreme care, can be dangerous.

Symptoms of Food-Caused Problems

As you’ve noted from the signs listed above, the most common issues from food are digestive. Your poor kitty's digestive system will want to get rid of whatever is causing them a problem ASAP, with predictable results.

Other symptoms can include pain, gas, coughing, confusion, breathing problems, seizures, tremors, and weakness.

If you see your cat struggling with any of these, it's probably a good idea to rush them to the vet to make sure it's not going to get worse. Often, with fluids and a bit of monitoring, they'll end up fine.

However, you need to be careful to make sure they don't consume the offending food again in the future.

Luckily, most food issues can be resolved within a couple of hours, and monitoring at the vet is mostly a precaution.

If you suspect your fur baby has eaten something dangerous, first call your vet. If they tell you to just keep an eye on them, you will probably be fine with some monitoring. Otherwise, you may want to rush them to the emergency vet, particularly if their symptoms indicate something worse than digestive troubles, like seizures or kidney/liver failure.

If you can't get through to your vet, you can also try:

• Pet Poison Helpline, 855-764-7661, www.petpoisonhelpline.com

• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, 888-426-4435, www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control

They'll help advise you on what, if anything, you should do and what your next steps should be.

What's your favorite treat to give to your fur baby? Hopefully, it's not something on this list! I'd love to hear about your furry friends and their favorite snacks, so be sure to leave your stories in the comments section down below!

Are they just a bit too warm, or is there something more concerning going on?

There are a bunch of different reasons why your feline friend might have started panting. From the most innocuous reasons (make sure not to miss the educational video in the section about other reasons your cat might pant) to some serious and nefarious ones.

Because panting is not a common behavior in cats, every cat parent should equip themselves with the key knowledge necessary to take action when needed, in order to assist their furry children.

Without further ado, let’s dig in.

1: Your Cat is Panting Because of Excessive Warmth

Just like with dogs, cats will pant when they get too hot.

This typically occurs with dogs when they are outside playing or after a strenuous walk/run.

“Rapidly expelling hot air and drawing in cooler air is known as panting. When the cool air comes in contact with the moist lining of the lungs and throat, it helps the animal reduce its body temperature. You've definitely seen dogs do it—canines sweat through their paws but also pant to cool off more efficiently.”- Smithsonian Magazine

In the US though, most cats are kept indoors so they are able to stay in a comfortable temperature regulated home.

Of course, not everyone has air conditioning, and not all cats live inside, so you’re more likely to find an outdoor cat panting because they are overheated.

Even still, cats are incredible smart animals. On a hot summer day, you're not likely to see them cuddled up on a lap; instead, they'll have found a cool, shady spot to doze and conserve their energy.

Case in Point: I can tell when our little Sosa is too hot. She’s almost always on my lap, but on one particularly cold winter day, I pulled out her little cat-safe heating pad and had it on my lap. She napped for a long time, but eventually hopped down and laid on the hardwood floor. She never does that, so it was clear she needed to cool down a bit.

If they aren't able to find a place to cool off, or if they are still too warm even when they're in the coolest location they can find, then they'll need to cool themselves off any way they can.

They have a few options. The first one is sweating. However, sweating doesn’t do much to cool down cats as they only sweat through their toe beans. No pun intended 😊

The second option is grooming, which is actually their main cooling mechanism. Grooming works by keeping them cool as their saliva evaporates. I know, it doesn’t sound very glamorous. This is kind of similar to how humans’ sweat evaporates to help cool us down.

Panting follows this same evaporation to cool methodology. Panting involves extending the tongue combined with rapid breathing allowing that moisture to evaporate subsequently cooling your fur baby down.

The third option is panting. Panting follows this same evaporation to cool methodology. Panting involves extending the tongue combined with rapid breathing allowing that moisture to evaporate subsequently cooling your fur baby down.

If you notice your fur baby panting when it's hot out, you might want to bring them to someplace cooler. You can also drop a couple of ice cubes in their water bowl.

Pro tip: Unless otherwise advised by your veterinarian, never shave your cat in the summer. Their coat helps regulate their body temperature by the air held between their coat and their skin. Remove that barrier and they lose an important cooling (and heating in the winter) mechanism.

"Fur acts as a thermal regulator to slow down the process of heat absorption." - James H. Jones, University of California at Davis.

As I mentioned in my example above, cats are going to seek areas to cool down, a tile floor, a lower level of a house. They’ll also groom a lot to further their cooling, so it’s unusual to find a cat panting because they are overheated.

The most likely scenario (aside from an outdoor kitty in the heat) would be if you have a really active kitty that had a major play session. They may rest after the exertion and pant to cool down.

Excessive heat and lack of access to water can lead to dangerous consequences. While more common in dogs than in cats, on especially hot days, keep an eye out for the signs of heatstroke, including:

• Restlessness.
• Vomiting.
• Lethargy.
• Muscle shaking or tremors.
• Drooling.
• Excessive grooming.
• Loss of balance or coordination.
• Seizures or unconsciousness.

If your cat is showing signs of any of these, you should bring them to the vet ASAP.

Heat stroke is a dangerous and potentially deadly condition and may require more than just a cool space and water to cure.

“Heat stroke is a form of hyperthermia, which often presents as an emergency, due to prolonged exposure to hot, humid temperatures with poor ventilation. It can be fatal.” – Lort Smith Animal Hospital

Unfortunately, since cats don't like to suffer visibly or show weakness, you might not be in a position to witness these issues until they're already a problem.

2: Your Cat is Panting Because of Pain

Bodies have a definite physiological reaction to pain, and it's not just that immediate sense of hurt.

Pain floods the body with hormones in an attempt to control it, and other effects will happen as well. Think about the last time you hurt yourself; you probably got flushed and warm, right? Well, pain triggers similar reactions in other animals, including cats.

Cats in pain – particularly when it's acute, sudden, and high levels of pain – are likely to pant as a way to help cool themselves and calm their bodies.

Some signs of sudden pain, particularly when it's from an injury or a sudden issue, include lethargy, reduced appetite, hiding away, increased touch sensitivity, whining or yowling, changed behavioral patterns, limping or other movement issues, and other changes in behavior.

If something hurts, your cat's instincts are to try to soothe it any way they can, avoid things that aggravate it, and warn off potential threats.

That means they won't want you to touch the area that hurts, they'll hiss and swat at you and others nearby, and they'll possibly even try grooming or other soothing behaviors in the area.

If you suspect your cat is in pain – if the onset is sudden and especially if it's bad enough to cause panting – you should take them to the vet right away.

There are many different reasons for pain to occur, and almost all of them need immediate treatment.

3: Your Cat is Panting Because of Respiratory Illness

While it might not seem like an obvious connection, sometimes your cat might pant because they're having trouble breathing.

Either they aren't getting enough oxygen when they breathe, or they're not able to take deep breaths.

There are all sorts of different respiratory illnesses that cats can catch, from feline colds and flues to more nefarious infections. Pretty much all of them are worth talking to your vet about, especially if they've reached the point where your cat is panting.

Your vet can give you medications to give to your cat, as well as assess whether or not they're in any danger or if they're just uncomfortable.

Some of the most common signs of a respiratory irritation or infection include coughing, wheezing, hacking, or a runny or stuffy nose.

If your cat has a runny nose, the only thing you might notice is extra licking of the nose, which will likely become raw and scabbed. If you cat has a stuffy nose, they may make an audible sound when they breath.

Read More Cat Behavior Guides

• FAQ: Can CBD Oil Help Calm Cats with Situational Anxiety?
• My Kitty Wants to Be Outside: How Do I Keep Them Safe?
• Feeding Stray Cats: Essential Tips and Guidelines to Follow
• Cat Nail Biting and Pulling: Is It Harmful to Their Health?

Asthma

Asthma isn't just an affliction that can affect humans. It's a respiratory ailment that isn't caused by a bacteria or virus but rather a reaction in the body.

It's a disease characterized by swelling in the lungs and airways, making it harder for your fur baby to bring in enough air to fuel their body.

Asthma attacks can have several similarities to respiratory illnesses, but they don't tend to involve hacking, wheezing, or a runny nose like an infection will.

Instead, they're mostly going to involve coughing since it feels like the lungs are all gummed up with stuff your cat wants to get rid of. Unfortunately, that "stuff" is the lungs and airways themselves, so no amount of coughing is going to help.

Panting happens because, in between coughing and shallow breathing, they just need more air than they're getting.

There are two situations where your feline fur baby is having an asthma attack: expectedly or unexpectedly.

If your cat has been diagnosed with asthma, your vet will have given you a treatment plan and potentially even medication or another option for when an attack happens. If it happens unexpectedly, you'll want to bring them to the vet as soon as you can for that diagnosis and treatment.

While asthma may oftentimes be one of the most common dog-like panting causing respiratory conditions in cats, you may want to get your cat checked for other more serious conditions such as pleural effusion.

“Cats with pleural effusion often have rapid, shallow breathing. In some cases, you may notice increased respiratory effort – your cat’s abdomen may move significantly with each effort to draw breath. Cats may develop open-mouthed breathing in an effort to increase airflow. Some affected cats may also cough.”- VCA Animal Hospitals

4: Your Cat is Panting Because of Stress

Stress can cause a number of bodily reactions, including vomiting, potty accidents, and yes, panting. Think about when you’ve seen your cat pant. Were they riding in the car? Were they at the vet’s office?

“If you notice your cat is panting in the car, it is likely because they are stressed and anxious due to the travel. They may be unsure of the situation, which leads their heartbeat to increase and results in their panting. Cats enjoy having their own territory, so being put into a new environment, often in a carrier does not tend to be well received by them”- Greencross Vets

You can help reduce stress in these situations by making their carrier and car rides more frequent. Instead of going for a car ride once a year for the annual vet appointment, make a quick trip around the block every now and then.

Being in the car and returning home without being manhandled will help make the expectations of a car ride less daunting while minimizing the occurrence of panting.

To reduce the incidence of panting caused by stress, in addition to desensitizing your cat to car rides, you can try a few other tricks.

First, if your cat likes catnip, you can give your kitty some to eat it about 10-15 mins before the known stressful event. Just a pinch. When catnip is consumed orally, the effect is quite the opposite to the zoomies. Cats will normally get drowsy and feel relaxed after eating catnip.

Second, you may want to try CBD for cats. CBD has been known to help cats with a number of conditions including reducing situational anxiety.

Lastly, you can also try using feline pheromone sprays in the carrier to help soothe your stressed kitty.

5: Your Cat is Panting Because of Heart Failure

"Heart failure" sounds like a deadly and incredibly emergent condition, but it's actually more of a long-term disease.

Fully known as "congestive heart failure," it's a condition where fluid builds up around the heart and throughout the chest cavity. In people as well as in cats, heart failure like this is a long and slow decline, which can be managed in some ways but rarely fully prevented.

Why does your cat pant if they have heart failure?

Fluid builds up in the chest cavity making it harder to breath. The breathing becomes more shallow and therefore more rapid, often leading to panting.

If you're familiar with pressure and hydraulics (hold on, this won't be that complex), you know that water can't be compressed the way air can.

You can pressurize air by compressing it into a smaller space. You can't do that with water. Fluids, in general, don't compress in that way.

What this means is that when fluid builds up in the chest cavity, the lungs have less room to expand because they're trying to expand into space occupied by fluid.

The muscles that allow the lungs to breathe in aren't strong enough to compress air into the lungs – and they shouldn't be, that would damage the lungs – so they can't overcome the limited space.

As noted above, heart failure in cats is a slow process and mostly affects older felines, and it is more common in Persians, Ragdolls, and Maine Coons.

Medication can help stave off the issue, but it's not fully curable. If you suspect your cat has heart issues, you should schedule a cat cardiology appointment.

6: Your Cat is Panting Because of Airway Obstructions

As you can see from most of the reasons why a cat might be panting, it tends to have something to do with an inability to breathe.

If it's not excessively hot out, and your cat doesn't have the symptoms of another disease, it's possible that your fur baby swallowed or inhaled something and it got caught in their nose or throat, partially blocking their airway.

If this is the case, often the only symptom you'll notice is sudden panting, possibly with pawing at their head or other general signs of distress.

Sometimes coughing might occur as their body tries to expel the foreign object; other times, they can't breathe in enough to fully cough.

In any case, a partial airway obstruction is incredibly dangerous and deserves a trip to the emergency vet. It may be resolvable with as little as a pair of forceps and a bit of sedation, or it might require an emergency surgery.

Either way, once the foreign body is removed and your fur baby recovers, they'll be right as rain again.

Other Reasons Your Cat Might Pant

The six reasons above are the most common reasons why your cat might pant like a dog, but they aren't the only reasons.

In fact, there are quite a few other reasons. Anything that fills up the chest cavity, obstructs the airways or lungs, or causes pain or distress can lead to panting.

That includes, but is not limited to, things like heartworms, cancer, or a nutritional deficiency causing a reduced uptake of oxygen.

There are also non-emergency reasons why your cat might be panting.

• They had the zoomies and are all tuckered out. If your cat did a lot of running around, especially when it's warm out, they're probably just tired. They'll pant for a little bit before they calm down and settle in for a nap.
• They're friends with dogs. Sometimes, cats that have been raised with dogs, particularly alongside puppies since they were newborn kittens, might adopt some of the behaviors of the dogs they grew up with. This can include panting as a more common situational behavior rather than a physiological reaction.

What to do if Your Cat Starts Panting

If your cat is panting, take a deep breath and remember it doesn’t necessarily mean there is a nefarious cause.

“We usually don’t see it [panting] happen, but there are some circumstances where it may be completely normal.” Aimee Simpson, VMD, VCA Cat Hospital of Philadelphia.

Observe the circumstances that might have contributed to the panting and look for any other behavioral changes.

Length and frequency of panting, along with any accompanying behaviors can help indicate if the issue is serious or benign.

Short-term panting after a rigorous play session, or a car ride, likely no big deal.

Frequent panting with no obvious cause, should be evaluated by your veterinarian.

“If a cat's open-mouth breathing does not resolve within a few minutes, they should be seen by a veterinarian right away.” - Dr. Christa Coppola.

If you do need to bring your cat to the vet due to unresolved panting, consider the following tips:

• Try to keep your cat calm. Stressing your cat or making them anxious may result in the panting getting worse.
• If you have reasons to believe your cat is overheated, dampen their toe beans and ears with a cool, wet cloth.
• Avoid giving your cat anything to consume orally, whether it be food or water.

Read More Cat Behavior Guides

• Pounce and Play: 5 Video Games to Try with Your Cat
• What Are the Advantages of a Cat Tree for Your Cat's Health?
• Paws Off the Furniture! Teaching Your Cat Scratching Etiquette

Do you have any questions about why your cat is panting? As mentioned, if you are ever in doubt, it never hurts to call your vet. It could save your furry friend's life. But for any general questions surrounding the topic, please feel free to drop a comment down below! I'd be glad to help you out however I can.

The question is, is bad breath normal for cats, or is it a sign of something you should be concerned about?

Today we’re going to talk about many of the causes of bad cat breath, whether this is considered normal, and what you can do to help your furry friend.

Is Bad Breath Normal for Cats?

No, bad breath is not normal for cats no matter their age. Just like with us humans, while you should not expect a floral bouquet scent coming out of your kitty’s mouth, an offensive stinky mouth is never normal, never.

Interestingly, many people think bad breath on a dog or cat is normal, because the fact is most fur babies that you encounter have bad breath. So, while it might be common, bad breath is not normal.

"A healthy cat's breath should not be offensive." - Eric Davis, DVM, Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine.

There's a level of bad breath that goes beyond just "what they ate," and that's where bad breath can get a little concerning for cats. Felines with persistent bad breath likely have another underlying condition going on.

Causes for Bad Breath in Cats

There are levels of bad breath, and if you don’t brush your kitty’s teeth you are likely familiar with their normal breath smell.

But if your cat suddenly gets bad breath, like, worse than their normal breath, it's worth identifying the cause to help remediate the underlying problem.

1. Bad Diet

First of all, a bad diet can cause bad breath.

This happens a lot when you're feeding your fur baby the cheapest food you can get them to eat.

No judgment here; sometimes we do what we have to when times are tough. But food that is full of additives and stuff your cat can't digest will have systemic effects.

They'll have trouble digesting it, and some of the ingredients they can break down will decompose or digest into nasty bacteria and other chemicals that can cause stomach problems, organ problems, and, you guessed it, bad breath.

It’s also worth noting since cheaper food has lower quality ingredients, in addition to making your cat’s breath stinky, it also often causes stinkier poop and more of it.

2. Fish Burps

A similar diet-related cause of bad breath is fish (in dogs, too). Cats love fish, and I mean love fish.

You might be surprised to find fish included in “chicken” recipes. So, while you might not be feeding your kitty a “tempting tuna” flavored cat food, check out the label to see if fish is hidden in the ingredients.

If you've ever taken a fish oil pill and had "fish burps," you know how that scent comes back up in a worse form than it went down.

This happens just the same when your kitty is eating something fishy. So, if they have breath that smells like fish that was left out in the sun a little too long, this could be the cause.

3. Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the swelling and inflammation of the gums.

Gingivitis is caused by a buildup of plaque, which is basically bacteria that when left alone forms into a hardened substance called tartar.

Unfortunately, this stuff smells pretty bad. Part of dental cleaning is scraping off this plaque before it hardens into tartar and becomes much harder to get rid of.

Since your cat isn't brushing their little teefers every day, they suffer from a lot more of this build-up than we generally do, but we’ll talk more about teeth brushing later.

Aside from bad breath, there are several other signs that may indicate your kitty has gingivitis. It’s important to identify and treat gingivitis early as it can lead to a more serious condition, which we’ll discuss next.

But first, it’s important to know that gingivitis is a preventable, but also treatable condition.

“Given adequate plaque control and thorough, consistent dental home care, gingivitis is a reversible and controllable condition.” - Journal of feline medicine and surgery

4. Periodontal Disease

By far, the most common cause of bad breath in both people and in cats is periodontal disease. This is a fancy term used to describe infection and inflammation of the gums, ligaments, and bone.

Periodontal disease starts off as gingivitis, which is why you’ll want to nip the problem in the bud before it progresses. With all the tartar build up and infection in the mouth as you may imagine your kitty’s breath will be quite smelly.

Periodontal disease has to be treated by your veterinarian with a thorough cleaning of your cat’s teeth. Depending on the amount of damage s/he may also require dental extractions.

5. Stomatitis

Stomatitis is another form of inflammation, and while it can include the gums, it’s more severe than gingivitis as the entire mouth can be inflamed.

Specifically, stomatitis is a swelling and inflammation of the mucous membranes and other areas around the mouth. Gums, tongue, cheeks, it all gets swollen and can rub into open sores. All of this is painful and irritating, and worse, vets aren't even sure what causes it in cats.

Also known as Feline Chronic Gingivostomatitis (FCGS), cat stomatitis affects about 0.7-4% of cats.

Unlike gingivitis or periodontal disease, stomatitis is very hard to handle at home and will require treatment by your vet. In the meantime, your cat will have a hard time eating, grooming, and generally using their mouth for anything.

There's also a related kind of stomatitis called Lymphocytic Plasmocytic Stomatitis. It's the same effect but with a different cause; vets believe it's related to feline leukemia, FIV, calicivirus, or bartonella. It's relatively rare but very extreme, so it needs to be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.

Read More Cat Health Care Guides

• FAQ: Can You Give Cats Human Grade CBD Oil?
• 6 Common Reasons Why Your Cat Started Panting Like a Dog

6. Diabetes

"Bad breath" can come in many different forms. While it might not be pleasant to you, giving that breath a second sniff can give you a few clues as to what might be causing it. Specifically, this and the next few entries on this list all have more characteristic smells.

If their breath is bad, but it smells slightly sweet (or even very sweet), then it could be a sign of diabetes mellitus.

This is an issue with the pancreas and is pretty similar to diabetes in people. It's just an issue with the body's ability to produce insulin, which can have pretty severe consequences if left untreated.

You may want to change your cat's diet to one that is diabetes-friendly in addition to talking about treatment options with your vet.

When it comes to diabetes, bad breath likely isn’t the first sign you’ll notice though. Pet parents usually notice increased thirst and urination.

7. Kidney Disease

Another issue that can be partially identified through the breath is kidney disease. Kidney disease is extremely common in older cats and one telltale sign is an ammonia smell on the breath.

The kidneys are responsible for filtering waste from the blood and expelling it, primarily through urine; if they aren't working, the stuff that makes urine smell the way it does isn't expelled, so it builds up and can express itself through things like the breath.

Kidney disease is progressive, so it’s good to have routine bloodwork done to identify it early, so you can make adjustments as needed.

If you smell an ammonia-like bad breath on your fur baby's breath, you should consult with your vet.

8. Other Issues

There are other possible causes of bad breath as well.

These can include:

• Oral cancers causing various bacterial and other problems in the mouth.
• Localized infections in the mouth, usually because of a cut or scrape.
• Rotting teeth, which is an advanced form of periodontal disease and requires dental surgery.
• Liver Disease, which can cause the breath to smell a bit like ammonia.
• Gastric reflux, where the acid in the stomach works its way back up the throat, with all that entails.
• Intestinal blockages, which can lead to the breath smelling a bit like feces.
• Coprophagia – common in dogs, less so in cats – where the cat eats the feces, which can lead to that smell on the breath.

All of these are potentially dangerous causes. While not all bad breath is a sign of an impending crisis, many of them need to be addressed as soon as possible, so it's generally a good idea to give your vet a call when your kitty’s breath starts turning bad.

How to Help Treat Bad Breath in Cats

While many of the causes of bad breath in cats aren't things you can handle at home, some of them are, and others are preventable.

Look At Your Cat's Diet

First and foremost, you want to look at your kitty's diet. The worse the food they're eating, particularly in terms of additives, the more likely they are to end up with issues because of it.

There's a lot of debate over what the best diet is, and some cats have particular preferences when it comes to food, but really a lot of it just comes down to feeding them healthy carnivore ingredients.

The more fillers and non-carnivore foods you feed them, the worse off they're going to be. If you decide to change your cat's food, make sure you transition them to the new diet carefully.

Brush Their Teeth

The other thing you can do at home, and it can have a huge impact, is brush their teeth.

Yes, that's right; a little kitty toothbrush and some kitty-safe toothpaste (or gel, rather) can go a long way.

Most parents tend to think of brushing their cat’s teeth as mission impossible. In reality, and just like with almost everything related to your cat, it is less difficult than you may think. The key is in successfully completing a training program.

I’m not going to lie to you, it’s going to take some time, some patience and above all a lot of love. But the upside is that your cat will thank you with many healthy smiles, fresh breath kisses and much better overall health. Remember this, a healthy kitty is a happy kitty, and happy kitties make happy cat parents 😊. And I speak from experience…a lot of it.

Of course, your cat probably doesn't want you mucking about in their mouth, so you're going to have to train them to tolerate it. Starting young is the best option, so they can learn to tolerate it early, and you won't have troubles later in life.

How Can I Train My Cat to Let Me Brush Their Teeth?

Start by using a finger (with a protective barrier or not, depending on how bitey your fur baby is) and just gently pull back their lips and dab a bit of tooth gel on their teeth.

You don't need to rub or jam your finger in their mouth, and you shouldn't try to pry their jaw open, either. Just get them used to the idea and experience.

The key is to reward them after you do this with a high-value treat. Depending on the cat, this could be a bit of prized soft food, a drink from a running faucet, or another treat you know they love.

Once they're more tolerant, you can start to use a brush instead of a finger. Similarly, as they grow more used to it, you can do a bit more aggressive brushing.

Your goal is to get them to the point where they tolerate daily tooth brushing, even if it's cursory. Even a little bit is better than nothing.

Because it’s such an important topic, we’ve written an entire post about how to brush your cat’s teeth, so check it out for more info.

Check out this 3.5-minute video about a 4-week plan to train your cat to let you brush their teeth by The College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University.

Stinky Kitten Breath vs Stinky Cat Breath

While it may be surprising to imagine that your tiny, adorable kitten could possibly have foul-smelling breath, there are several reasons why this can occur.

It's important to note that while some causes of bad breath can be expected in kittens, persistent or severe halitosis should be evaluated by a veterinarian.

• One common reason for bad breath in kittens is dental issues. Just like with our grown up fur babies, kittens can develop plaque, tartar, and gum disease, leading to bacterial growth and an unpleasant odor. The teething process can also contribute to bad breath, as inflamed gums and the eruption of new kitty teeth may create an environment for bacterial growth.
• Diet can also play a role in a kitten's stinky breath. Some commercially available kitten foods or treats may contain ingredients that can cause oral odor. Dietary changes or an unbalanced diet can also lead to digestive disturbances.
• Mostly, though, kittens are naturally curious and may explore their environment by chewing on objects they shouldn't. Ingesting foreign objects or substances can cause gastrointestinal problems, leading to bad breath. It's important to kitten-proof your home as best as you can and keep trash, certain types of poisonous houseplants, and other dangerous items out of their reach.
• Kittens may also have a higher incidence of parasitic infestations than adult fur babies. Certain parasites, such as giardia or roundworms, can cause gastrointestinal symptoms and contribute to foul-smelling breath. When kittens are young, they are more susceptible to these things, and some of them happen to cause the stinky breath you're experiencing.

While bad breath can be expected to some extent in your little furballs, it's essential to differentiate between temporary issues and persistent halitosis that may indicate an underlying health problem.

Regular dental care, such as brushing the kitten's teeth with a veterinarian-approved toothpaste, can help maintain oral health. Feeding a balanced, high-quality diet and providing appropriate toys can also promote oral hygiene and reduce the risk of bad breath.

When to Take Your Cat to the Vet

At a minimum, your cat should have regular check-ups to evaluate their health, and those appointments should include oral inspections.

On top of that, you will want to take them to the vet if they suddenly develop extremely bad breath, particularly if that foulness smells like ammonia or smells sweet.

If it only lasts a day or two, don't worry about it. Otherwise, at the very least, you should call your vet and see what they have to say.

Luckily, many issues that cause bad breath can be caught and treated early when you notice them and get the proper care. It's only when you accept bad breath as a fact of life and let the underlying cause fester that it can become a dangerous issue.

Do what you can to care for your fur baby's mouth, evaluate their diet, and make sure they get regular check-ups for the best possible chances of keeping them healthy.

Do you have any other questions about cat mouths or bad breath or anything else? If I didn't answer your question, let me know in the comments, and I'll do what I can to respond!

They show up seemingly at random, and though they're a lot more common with indoor/outdoor pets, they can even infect an indoor-only cat and leave you wondering how it happened.

How does it happen?

Well, fleas are extremely common all over the world, and they can take up residence on pretty much any creature with fur.

That means fleas can find their way to your kitty from the groomer, the vet, an encounter with a mouse, or even a stray flea that hitched a ride from the neighbor's dog on your shoe and into your home.

If you find fleas on your kitty, your first thought is likely what do I need to buy to get rid of these things and how long does it take for flea medicine to work on cats?

Well, the short answer is, it depends on the type of medication you use. We’re going to get into that today, so if/when the time comes, you’ll have the answers you need.

Cat parents raising kittens should watch the education video on how to kill fleas on kittens. Dr. Robert Sidorsky, DVM offers his expert advise on this topic.

As always, if you are looking for more cat care resources, I have sprinkled some great ones throughout the post. Alternatively, you may want to visit the toe beans pet parents blog, which by the way is loaded with resources, and you can search by topic.

Happy reading, learning, and sharing!

What Are Cat Fleas?

Before we take a deep dive into treating fleas in cats, I think it’s important to learn a little about these pesky bugs.

Cat fleas are small bugs that survive on animal, or even human blood. So, fleas aren’t just a concern for your fur baby, it’s a concern for the humans in your life too.

If your cat has fleas, whether they got them on an adventure outside or they sprang up seemingly from nowhere on your indoor-only kitty, it's important to get them treated right away.

Fleas can lead to a variety of other infections, including tapeworms, anemia. And if that wasn’t bad enough, they can even infect you with diseases. Not to mention the flea allergies, itchy bites, and skin irritation they cause with their feeding habits!

“Cat fleas have been implicated in the spread of plague and the bacterial disease murine typhus through rats. They can also transfer tapeworms, specifically the dog tapeworm, Dipylidium canninum (Linnaeus), and the rodent tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta (Rudolphi). These tapeworms occasionally infest humans, especially very young children. The dog tapeworm infests cats that spend time outdoors.” – Pestworld.org.

How do I know if my cat has fleas?

The most common signs of a flea infestation include:

• Scratching
• Unusual licking or biting at their skin (especially in warmer locations like the groin, ears, between the toes, and inside folds of skin)
• Skin redness
• Fur loss
• Black dirt like substance in their coat
• Appearance of salt and pepper residue on their bed

Fleas have different stages of life, so when it comes to treatment it’s important to choose an option that will kill all stages.

Anti-flea medications come in several forms, which work in different ways and at different speeds. So, how quickly will your furry friend see relief? The good news is, it's generally not very long.

The First Flea Medicine for Cats: Collars

Flea collars are typically used as a preventative measure, but they can also be used to treat an infestation.

You might wonder how they even work, after all how could a simple collar deal with fleas throughout an entire animal's coat?

The answer is, chemically. A flea collar is basically a collar infused with medication.

That medication works its way into your fur baby's skin and body and is circulated throughout their system. It is then excreted again through skin oils, which appear all over their little fuzzy body – thus killing the fleas that have setup shop.

Flea collars will start to take effect within 24 hours, and your pet will start to experience some relief the day after the collar is put on. That is, assuming they're calm enough to keep it on.

For cats that hate collars, a flea collar is not a very effective way of treating fleas. Since it's a slow-release chemical, it needs to stay in place for a while.

In fact, for the best effect, a flea collar should be used for at least 3-4 weeks before it takes full effect – hence the reason they are primarily used as a preventative measure.

There are also different kinds of flea collars. Some may target adult fleas, while others target eggs and young.

The life cycle of a flea is about three months long, which is why flea infestations can reoccur so readily; you stop seeing fleas, you stop treating for them, and then boom: they come right back. It's not even a new infection; it's just eggs from the previous batch hatching anew.

If flea collars take weeks to fully work, why do people use them? Well, for pets that tolerate flea collars, it can be an effective, long-term way to control the infestations. They're also relatively budget-friendly compared to other medications.

On the other hand, some flea collars can be a bit intense, and the medication can cause redness and irritation in extreme cases (and for sensitive kitties.)

The medication is also transferable, so it can get into your system if you spend much time in contact with your fur baby, which you obviously do. This can be particularly dangerous for pregnant women and for human babies.

While it might seem like you can just pop down to the pet store and pick up a flea collar, it's usually a good idea to talk to your vet first in case there are other, better options you can try before.

The Second Flea Medicine for Cats: Topical Ointments

Topical ointments are medications that come in the form of a cream or lotion-style goop. This medication may be designed to be applied once per month or on a different schedule.

For example, some variations on the medication are meant to be applied every three months instead.

Some of these medications are flea-specific, while others are general antiparasitics and can kill ticks and even worms. This all depends on the brand of medication and the style you get.

You should, of course, generally talk to your vet before picking a medication so you don't get something unnecessarily strong or that could cause side effects for your poor fur baby.

Applying these medications is relatively simple. The main thing to know is where to put them. You want to put the medication on the back of the head and the scruff of the neck.

This is so your furry child can't lick it. They may still rub it against furniture or use a paw to work at it, but the main thing is making sure that the bulk of the medication stays where it is.

Topical medications will generally take effect within about 12 hours, and by the end of 48 hours, your fur baby will be mostly flea-free.

There may be a few stragglers, and you'll still probably want to give them a bath to wash away eggs and lingering critters, but the medication will do the bulk of the work.

These medications generally work by making your fur baby's skin a hostile environment. Fleas feed on blood, and to get at that blood, they need to bite into the skin of your pet.

Unfortunately for them, once a flea medication has spread throughout the body, it infuses the skin and makes it deadly for the flea to bite. Any new flea showing up is in for a rude time.

I’d like to add a word of caution here, stick to brands recommended by your vet. The cheaper options available in big box stores can be tempting, but they may be less effective and more likely to cause skin irritation.

Case in point: Back in college, over summer break, my sister bought a topical flea medicine for her kitty. It came as a two pack, so she figured she’d just give the extra dose to one of my boys.

She applied it as directed and shortly thereafter my Moosie began scratching. He couldn’t reach the exact spot, but I could see he was uncomfortable. I separated his fur by his shoulder blades and his skin was bright red.

I immediately tried to remove the ointment that was applied, but it was too little too late. He remained itchy and a little spot of his skin scabbed over as it healed from the ointment.

The Third Flea Medicine for Cats: Oral Medications

Any oral medication can be a challenge to give a cat. While pill “guns” and “pockets” are readily available, some cats are going to make you work hard to get them to swallow a pill.

There are also those smart cats that will eat everything you hid a pill in but leave the pill behind. I also love when they hid it somewhere in their mouth and spit it out later! Have you ever had that happen? I have.

Once you’re able to get the pill swallowed by your kitty, it can begin doing its job. The typical oral flea medication is stored in your cat's lipids, or fat.

When a flea bites your kitty, it drinks a bit of blood and also the medication. What happens next depends on the medication.

Some medications cause an overstimulation of the flea's nervous system, which kills the adult flea. This kind of medication kills adult fleas but doesn't do anything to new fleas hatching until those fleas feed, though, so it's not usually the best solution.

Remember the life cycle we talked about above? You don’t want the cycle to continue indefinitely by just killing the adults as they bite.

Another kind of oral medication doesn't do anything to adult fleas. What it does is essentially causes a birth defect in any eggs the flea lays so that the fleas that hatch cannot form an exoskeleton and, consequently, aren't capable of surviving.

Combined, the two medications are pretty effective at getting rid of a flea infestation, and they can last for up to a month in general before they need to be reapplied.

Obviously, talk to your vet about the right kind of medications; you don't want to combine two if it would hurt your fur baby, after all.

The real question, though, is how long they take to work. This is where it turns out to actually be pretty great; oral flea medications start working within 3-4 hours – some even claim to start working in 30 minutes!

It can still take a bit of time before all of the residual fleas are gone, but it's still generally quite effective.

The tricky part with oral medications, other than making sure your cat will even swallow them in the first place, is that they're internal medications.

They can cause side effects or problems more so than other flea treatments, and in cats with epilepsy, they can even be dangerous.

Other Kinds of Flea Treatments

There are a few other kinds of flea treatments that may be in order, depending on the situation and the severity of the flea infestation.

For example, if you're rescuing a flea-ridden kitten and their infestation is extreme, something like a medicated flea bath might be the way to go.

How To Kill Fleas On Kittens by Dr Robert Sidorsky, DVM

Flea baths are pretty unpleasant for many felines, but they're a good way to get rid of fleas pretty much immediately.

Many fleas will flee the sinking ship, though, so you need to be diligent with cleaning up and using further preventative medications.

An internet search might tell you to do a dish soap bath. Using a mild, fragrance-free dish soap will cause the flea to essentially drown in the water and a good scrub will remove the larva and eggs and wash those away as well.

One concern with the dish soap option is that it can be drying to the skin. Cat’s have less oil on their skin, so washing it away can lead to further skin irritation. So, if your kitty already has sensitive skin, ask you vet for a recommendation for a flea dip.

Read More Cat Care Guides

• How to Buy Catnip for Cats
• Understanding Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) in Cats
• Clumps or Crystals: Which Cat Litter Type Works Best?
• Is Your Cat's Tail Injured? Look for These Telltale Signs
• What is a Ragdoll Cat? Breeds, Traits, Origins, Care & More
• Quick Guide: Identifying the Cause of Swollen Cat Paws

Flea combs aren't medications; rather, they're just fine-toothed combs that allow you to scrape scrape fleas and their eggs physically out of your fur baby's coat. They can be a good way to remove fleas while you wait for a medication to take effect.

Another potential option is the "natural" flea medications. Pyrethrins are a natural set of chemicals that come from chrysanthemums and, when refined, become something like a neurotoxin to fleas.

They're not toxic to your fur baby (in reasonable doses), but they're absolutely deadly to fleas. This is one of the oldest kinds of flea treatments, and for a good reason. They also tend to kill other kinds of parasites, like lice and mites.

There are also variations on the topical model, such as sprays and wipes, which can apply a medication more broadly over your fur baby's coat.

These are often less effective and less long-term than topical or oral medications, but they can be effective for spot treatments and getting rid of some fleas while you wait for another medication to kick in.

Fleas Keep Coming Back: What to Do

One of the most common issues with fleas is that they just keep coming back. One single adult flea can lay dozens, if not hundreds, of eggs, and that means many more fleas once they hatch.

The first and best thing you can do is give your fur baby a flea treatment on a regular basis, according to the instructions on the medication you're using.

This may be once a month (for some topical and most oral medications) or once every three months. Flea collars can also be effective for ongoing treatments.

Ongoing flea treatments make sure that even if a flea gets in and finds its way to your fur baby, it won't stay there. Either it will die right away, or it won't be able to lay viable eggs or both.

You should also make sure that any other pets in your home are treated appropriately, especially any that go outside, like dogs. We love all our fur babies equally, even if they stay inside or go on adventures, and they should all be protected, right?

Remember, even if your indoor cat never goes outside, they should still have flea prevention medication used because fleas don't respect your property lines.

Even people coming to visit can bring fleas with them! Moreover, your fur baby could pick up fleas at the vet or at the groomer, too.

You should also take steps to make sure that rodents don't find their way into your home, or if they do, they have no reason to linger.

Remove food scraps from counters and the floor, store pet food in airtight containers safe from rodent infestation, and seal up ways a rodent could get in.

You'll also want to make sure to keep your home clean, especially if there's been a known flea infestation.

Fleas and flea eggs can linger for a surprisingly long time in the household, hiding in carpets, in dust, and in out-of-the-way corners, just waiting for the next time your fur baby comes along.

Read More Cat Care Guides

• FAQ: What Types of Allergies Do Cats Most Commonly Have?
• Introducing a Cat to Dogs in Your Home: Step-by-Step Guide
• What is Natural Feeding for Cats and How Does It Work?
• Lump Check: When to Be Concerned About Your Cat's Health
• Avoiding Poisonous Houseplants: A Guide for Cat Parents

If your kitty has had fleas, be sure to wash all of their snuggle items like beds and blankets. Don’t forget to vacuum the couch and any cat trees.

Have you had to fight off fleas on your fur babies? In the end, what options did you find that worked the best? Tell us your story in the comments; you know we love to hear all about them!

One more thing, if you are feeling like getting a little special something for your fur baby that is unique, made right here in the USA, 100% pup and cat safe, USDA certified organic and brought to you by a US company, check out Toe Beans online pet supplies store!

As always, if you found this content useful, all our blog content on toe beans is shareable. So, what are you waiting for to spread the love?

Go ahead and hit any social media icon of your preference around the post for instant sharing with friends and family. Sharing is caring!

If you’re reading this article it’s because you're wondering, is constipation normal in kittens? When should I be concerned?

The fact of the matter is, constipation in kittens is neither rare, nor is it imminently dangerous. However, it's always worth keeping an eye out and making sure everything is going alright, eventually.

A constipated kitten is an uncomfortable kitten. They're all stopped up and, just like when it happens to us, might have some pains, cramping, or just uncomfortable bloating.

So, what causes constipation in kittens? At what point do you need to take action, and what kinds of actions should you take?

We’ll get to all of that and more. And by the way never, ever, ever miss our educational videos in every blog post.

How Long Has Your Kitten Gone Without Pooping?

Pooping is obviously a normal part of life, but sometimes things don’t go as smoothly as expected. It can happen at any age, but today we’re going to talk about kittens that aren’t pooping.

The first thing to ask yourself is how long has it been since the last time your kitten used the litter box?

Well, that's not quite accurate. A more accurate question would be, how long has it been since the last time your kitten pooped?

If they're not quite litter trained, lack of poo in the box might not be an indication that they're constipated; instead, maybe they found an out-of-the-way corner of the closet, or under a piece of furniture. In this case you’ll probably smell it before you see it!

But what if there is no hidden poop?

If you're pretty sure your kitten hasn't found some out-of-the-way place to do their business, and there's nothing new in the litter box to clean up, it might be time to start worrying, just a little.

First of all, kittens don't necessarily go do their business every day. Depending on a bunch of different factors, they may go once a day or as often as six times a day.

On the other hand, they might skip a day, and that's more or less normal.

When should you start worrying? Usually, if your kitten hasn't gone in two days, then it's time for a vet visit.

What about extremely young kittens?

If your kitten is super young – like, a few days or weeks old – they may not have a fully-functioning body just yet.

A neonatal kitten, one that has just recently been born, is still figuring out this whole "digestion" thing.

In nature, with a mama cat around to help, this is solved through a little stimulation.

The mother instinctually licks at the rear end of her kittens to stimulate them into going. If your tiny furry bean was unfortunately orphaned, well, they might need a little help from you.

But no worries, no licking required here!

"It's also important to understand that neonatal kittens—those under a month of age—may not be physically able to poop without assistance. Young kittens require stimulation from their mother's tongue in order to defecate. If orphaned, they need to be gently stimulated by a caregiver before every meal." – KittenLady.org.

So, if you find yourself caring for a young kitten, you’ll need to learn how to stimulate your little one since they can’t go on their own.

If you’ve never done it before, check out this great video from the Kitten Lady to learn all about stimulating a kitten.

How to Help Baby Kittens Pee and Poop!

What Causes a Kitten to Not Poop?

We’ll begin at the root of the problem. Constipation has a lot of different causes, some of them are common and super easy to fix, while others are less common and potentially more dangerous.

Let's go over them and see what kinds of symptoms you should look for.

As mentioned above, very young kittens need stimulation until their bodies learn what muscles to contract in what order to cause defecation to happen.

If your kitten is brand new out of the box, this might be the issue. It's generally easy to solve with a little manual stimulation of their genitals.

However, this is only relevant if your kitten is a few days or a few weeks old.

Most of the time, once your kitten is around a month or six weeks old, they'll have this pooping thing down pat and won't need manual stimulation to help them out anymore.

So, if your kitty is beyond six weeks, you can rule this issue out.

2. Dehydration

Probably the most common cause of constipation in both kittens and people is dehydration.

The bowels need moisture to keep stool soft as it passes through. Without water, poo will harden and seize up, becoming extremely difficult or impossible to pass.

Dehydration will inevitably lead to constipation. Your kitten may be visiting the litter box, but nothing comes out, and they may cry about it because they're trying, straining, and it's not happening, or it's even painful.

And if anything comes out, it's small, hard clumps, like pebbles of poo.

Even if you keep a water bowl for them, some cats end up preferring running water and have an aversion to water that has been sitting in a bowl. This is actually an instinctual behavior.

Still or stagnant water is often full of nasty organisms, so cats will seek a moving source. Dehydration is also more probable if you give your kitten dry food and not wet food since they have less moisture making its way into their systems.

“Feeding wet food and/or adding water to food is another good way to increase water intake; and, in some cases, flavoring the water with a small amount of either water from a can of tuna or low sodium chicken broth can prompt a cat to drink more.” - College of Veterinary Medicine; Cornell University.

Dehydration is only a cause for concern if it continues. Luckily, it's also pretty easy to solve, so long as you figure out how to give your kitten water in a way they'll drink. You might need to change their water bowl frequently or get a fountain for them.

Here are some tips to get your kitten to drink more water:

• Food, drinks, and toilets do not go together with cats. Try keeping the water bowl away from the food bowl and litter box.
• Exposed sitting water may not taste as good. Try washing the water bowl every day. Thoroughly rinse it and refill with fresh yummy water.
• Many cats do not like it when their whiskers touch the edge of a bowl when drinking. Try using a wide-brimmed bowl.
• Just like us, cats prefer to eat and drink out of ceramic, glass, or metal bowls – Avoid plastic bowls as they can taint the water.
• Some kittens might be put off by the taste of chlorine especially if they are rescues and were used to drinking water from natural sources. Consider buying natural spring water or try collecting rainwater for your kitten to drink while slowly transition them to tap water.
• As mentioned above, instinctually cats often prefer to drink from a running water source. Try a cat water fountain.
• Try using different types of water bowls in different places. Watch and learn what type of bowl and location your kitten prefers to drink from.

Read More Cat Behavior Guides

• Feline Behavior: Decoding a Cat's Intense Stares and Behavior
• My Kitty Wants to Be Outside: How Do I Keep Them Safe?
• Paws Off the Furniture! Teaching Your Cat Scratching Etiquette
• Why Do Cats Bite and Then Lick You?
• How to Keep Your Cat Still While Trimming Nails

3. Obstructions

Curious kittens will chew, bite and lick, interacting with pretty much anything using their mouths.

Things like hair ties, floss, ribbons, and other small items end up eaten and work their way into your kitten's intestines. Once there, they get tangled up and can cause a bowel obstruction.

Bowel obstructions are dangerous because your kitten's digestion is still working and still trying to get stuff past the obstruction, but it won't move.

This is usually painful. Moreover, in extreme cases, a bowel obstruction can cut off blood flow to a section of the bowel or even perforate it if something hard or sharp gets lodged in there.

Young kittens might also end up with hairballs that cause obstructions because they're learning how to groom themselves and haven't yet figured out how to hock up that hair instead of swallowing it.

Remember their little tongues have barbs that angle toward their throat, so once something is attached, it’s headed into their digestive tract.

Obstructions are more dangerous than dehydration, and if you suspect that your kitten swallowed something that's causing an obstruction, you should take them to the vet. You don't want to end up with bowel problems or something worse happening.

Case in point: My little kitten nephew, Loki managed to consume a foam portion of his human brother’s toy without him noticing. The first unusual symptom they noticed is that he began throwing up.

Then he stopped eating. Not eating is always a warning sign, well so too is repeated purging.

Read More Cat Behavior Guides

• FAQ: Can CBD Oil Help Calm Cats with Situational Anxiety?
• Cat Teeth Brushing 101: Everything You Need to Know
• Feeding Stray Cats: Essential Tips and Guidelines to Follow
• Quick Guide: Identifying the Cause of Swollen Cat Paws
• FAQ: What Types of Allergies Do Cats Most Commonly Have?

Sometimes throwing up is the result of your kitty eating too fast, other times it can be a sign of inflammatory bowel disease, so don’t jump to the conclusion that your kitty has an obstruction just because they throw up.

I digressed, back to Loki. When his symptoms didn’t improve it was time for a vet visit, which showed a foreign object in his intestines.

The vet had to surgically remove the object. Thankfully the little guy made it through with no complications and was sent home with meds, a funny haircut, and the cone of shame. The remainder of the offending toy went into the trash.

Unfortunately, these kinds of scenarios aren’t uncommon. Some cats even have pica and will eat all sorts of things they shouldn’t.

If you have a kitten in your home, just like a toddler, you need to kitten-proof your house as best as you can. Remove access to electrical cords and pick up any small objects that your kitten could possibly get in their mouth.

Doing a little prep work will help remove otherwise harmless items that could turn into dangerous obstructions.

4. Parasites

Another somewhat common cause of intestinal blockage is parasites.

Cats are no stranger to worms – many animals end up with them at some point – and they can range from slightly annoying to dangerous.

In kittens, with bodies that are smaller and more vulnerable to parasites, something like roundworms can grow out of control.

In some cases, the sheer number of worms can cause a blockage.

How can you tell if your cat has worms? There are a bunch of signs, including constipation. They may also have:

• Vomiting, particularly when they try to eat and can't keep it down.
• Weight loss, because their intestines are full of worms, and they can't keep food going through.
• Dull fur, because the loss of vitamins and nutrients is showing through.
• A potbellied look, because the worms are all bunched up in the gut causing it to swell up.
• Worms in their poo if they do manage to go. They'll look like short bits of spaghetti (hopefully you aren’t eating pasta).

Parasites are at least relatively easy to handle.

Antiparasitic medications will kill them off, allowing them to either be digested or expelled in the next bowel movement, but these meds will need to come from your vet.

Roundworms are exceptionally common, and as such, one of the recommended treatments for a new kitten is to have preventative antiparasitic medication.

These treatments are generally given every couple of weeks when your kitten is between three and nine weeks old and monthly after that.

There are also other kinds of worms, like hookworms, tapeworms, and heartworms, that can show up (and be prevented by medication), but if constipation is a main symptom, chances are that roundworms are the most likely parasite.

5. Congenital Defects

Our fifth and final cause your kitten is unable to poop is also the least likely cause.

If your kitten has had trouble with defecation from the onset, there's a chance that they have a congenital defect.

These abnormalities in anatomy can occur pretty much anywhere and can range from superficial (like polydactyly; having an extra toe) to defects in the heart or brain that are, in medical terms, "incompatible with life."

There are a lot of different potential defects, so much so that the Merck Veterinary Manual has a whole section dedicated to them.

In some cases, a kitten can be born with megacolon. This condition occurs when there are nerve issues within the colon aren’t working properly.

The colon then becomes stretched-out and can no longer serve the function of moving along feces – the result, a kitty that can’t poop.

Megacolon can also be acquired and/or cause by trauma, but this is more common in adult cats.

“Acquired megacolon has many causes, the only real common one being behavioral. Some cats have psychological problems defecating in the litter box. A new type of cat litter may be the cause, or it could be competition with another cat, or the cat may just be a very nervous type. Feces becomes retained and the colon stretches, and, just like a pair of panty hoses the colon loses its’ elasticity.” - Stephen Sheldon, D.V.M.

There is also an unusual congenital defect called atresia ani, where there is no anal opening. While rare, this defect can be corrected with surgery.

What to Do if Your Kitten Isn't Pooping

As with anything related to your kitten’s health, catching any ailment early is critical. And so, the first step in determining what to do if your kitten is not pooping is noticing that s/he is not pooping.

Scooping the litter box is the most dreaded part of cat parenting, no argument here. However, especially for busy pet parents, scooping the litterbox daily is the most effective way to monitor your kitten’s bowel movements.

If your kitten is experiencing some form of constipation, the first thing to do is check their water situation. Watch them throughout the day.

Are they peeing? Are they drinking? Are they vomiting? The answers to these questions can help you figure out what the next step should be.

As discussed above, dehydration is the most common and the easiest of these issues to solve. You may need to figure out if your kitten is averse to standing water and wants flowing water.

Read More Cat Behavior Guides

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• Cat Nail Biting and Pulling: Is It Harmful to Their Health?
• Pounce and Play: 5 Video Games to Try with Your Cat
• Is Your Cat's Tail Injured? Look for These Telltale Signs
• Cat Colds: How to Treat and Take Care of a Cat with a Cold

You may also want to check if you have more than one cat, and one of the cats is bullying the other away from the food and water. Each cat should generally have their own bowls and litter boxes for exactly this reason.

If you see signs of worms or other illnesses, you'll want to talk with your vet. You'll probably need medication to give the kitten to help them fight off whatever is ailing them.

Alternatively, you might want to take some casual steps at home, such as:

• Making the litter box more inviting. Some cats want more security or want you to be nearby when they go, and may seem constipated if they don't have that security.
• Change their diet. Some diets may trigger mild allergies or food sensitivities that can lead to poo troubles, so a change in food might be in order.
• Play more. A languid cat is more likely to have constipation since part of what moves the intestines along is physical activity.

As we mentioned earlier, if your kitten hasn’t pooped in 48 hours, give your vet a call, describe the situation, and see if they have any recommendations.

It’s never wrong to call your vet, so don’t feel like you have to wait two days when you are concerned about an issue.

Have you ever had a kitten with constipation problems? If so, what ended up being the issue, and how did you go about handling the situation? Was it something that took a lot of time and effort to resolve, or was it a simple fix? Be sure to let me know down below. Not only would I love to hear your stories, but I'm sure other readers going through similar situations would appreciate it, as well.

One more thing, if you are feeling like getting a little special something for your fur baby that is unique, made right here in the USA, 100% pup and cat safe, USDA certified organic and brought to you by a US company, check out Toe Beans online pet supplies store!

As always, if you found this content useful, all our blog content on toe beans is shareable. So, what are you waiting for to spread the love? Go ahead and hit any social media icon of your preference around the post for instant sharing with friends and family. Sharing is caring!

We may all agree that purring is a fascinating thing. However, as far as science goes, right now we don't know how purring works.

There are a few theories, but nothing has been confirmed. Isn’t that crazy? We should all write a petition to the scientific cat community requesting research on this. Not kidding.

At any rate, we know it's a behavior they do when they're relaxed, content, and happy (though some will purr while in pain), which is why it's all the more frustrating when that purr starts to sound congested, raspy, or like your poor fur baby has a head cold.

But, what can make a cat's breathing and purring sound congested, and what can you do about it?

If your cat has ever sounded purr-gested, no worries, I’ve got you covered here. Raising 4 cats from kittenhood to full grown adults has taught me a thing or two about purr-gestion. Let’s dig in!

As always, if you are looking for more cat behavior guides, make sure not to miss the read more section at the bottom or, search our blog by topic.

Spoiler alert, our blog is packed with pet parent resources.

Your Cat Has a Cold

An "upper respiratory infection" is a disease similar to the common cold in humans.

It's actually more of a generic name for a wide range of possible viruses. In fact, cats can even catch COVID! Just like how we people get stuffed up when we have a cold, so too do our fur babies.

You can often tell when your cat has a respiratory infection because of the sounds they make when breathing, but they'll also usually have other symptoms as well.

They might sneeze or cough, their eyes and nose might be runny, and your kitty may begin to breathe through their mouth if they have a stuffy nose.

One of the most common viruses that causes cold-like symptoms is the feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR), more commonly known as feline herpesvirus.

Don’t worry, this virus isn’t contagious to humans (AKA zoonotic), but it is easily spread to other cats. There is a vaccine available for this virus, but it’s likely to just reduce symptoms if your kitty is exposed to the virus.

Is it a cause for concern?

Yes, but not dramatically so. No one wants to see their fur baby sick, but there's also no easy cure for many respiratory infections.

You'll want to take them to the vet at the first available appointment, but you probably don't need to rush them to an emergency vet.

Most viral infections will resolve on their own, but it’s important to watch if your kitty’s symptoms are getting worse or better over time. Some viral infections can lead to secondary bacterial infections and that’s when you absolutely need your vet.

They may give you a prescription for antibiotics or other medications, which will help speed up their ability to fight off whatever infection they have.

When I first adopted Sosa she had a little sneeze, which quickly turned into runny swollen eyes. I brought her to the vet and was given a salve to put in her eyes and an l-lysine supplement to add to her food.

After a couple of days, I could see she was getting worse, so back to the vet we went. What no one wants to hear is that their new little kitten has pneumonia, but she did, so we added antibiotics to her regime.

Thankfully after a few days she began to improve and the whole ordeal was behind us.

All of my kitties were carriers of FVR and had flare ups over the years. Thankfully it was never serious and just needed some time to resolve on its own.

I began to recognize early on when symptoms would start and began giving them the l-lysine supplement. It’s worth nothing that there are mixed results with this amino acid. It helps shorten the symptoms in some kitties, but not others. Ask your vet if your cat might benefit from it.

“Most cat colds last about seven to ten days and are generally not serious. If your cat has been suffering with cold symptoms and shows no sign of improvement within 4 days, it may be time to visit the vet.” – West Chester Veterinary Medical Center.

You can’t visually tell if a cold is being caused by a virus versus a bacteria or fungus, so it’s always a good idea to chat with your vet. And if your kitty isn’t eating or drinking, or is hiding, definitely make an appointment.

Obesity is, unfortunately, a common problem with cats. Some are very food motivated and will do anything they can to chow down on anything they find, including plenty of human foods that just aren't very good for them.

Likewise, a lot of bargain-bin cat foods just aren't good from a nutritional standpoint – many are packed full of carbs instead of the protein your kitty needs.

And while we can all agree on how adorable chonky cats look, obese cats have a bit too much body pressing in on their lungs, and it can make it harder to breathe.

Likewise, extra fat can push on and obstruct the airways and cause apnea. Fat-related issues like diabetes, heart issues, and other problems can also cause issues with breathing.

Is it a cause for concern?

Yes, but usually more on a long-term scale. You can't rush your cat to the emergency vet for liposuction.

Weight gain occurs over time and so too will weight loss. Listen to your vet at the annual appointments to see if your kitty is heading on a path to obesity and be sure to take action.

At their annual appointment, your vet will evaluate your kitty’s health to see if they have other conditions that might lead to obesity (like thyroid problems), but otherwise, you will mostly need to manage their diet and encourage them to exercise to help them lose that weight.

There's no shortcut, and it's a long process, but anything for our felines, right?

If you’ve read some of my older posts, you may remember that my angel Moo reached a hefty 21 pounds. I thought his snoring was the cutest thing ever! He ended up developing diabetes, so the snoring was minor in comparison.

The fact is though, cats shouldn’t make noise when they breath, so if your adorable pudgy kitty otherwise seems fine, but is snoring while sleeping, talk to your vet about a weight loss plan.

Trust me, it’s going to stave off other health issues down the road.

Your Cat Has Asthma

“Asthma is a disease of the lower airways of the lungs that affects between 1 and 5% of cats.” – Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Unlike in humans that have many triggers for asthmatic episodes, it’s generally agreed that an allergic reaction is the cause in cats.

It manifests as an infection-like response deep in their airways, as part of an out-of-control immune system response that causes inflammation in the airways.

If your fur baby crouches down and stretches their head and neck forward – a way to open up the airways for better breathing – it might look like they're about to hock up a hairball.

More likely, though, they're just trying to breathe more easily while their lungs are congested.

Is it a cause for concern?

Sometimes. Asthma can range from mildly inconvenient to very severe.

The most severe cases can even be life-threatening if your poor fur baby isn't able to get enough oxygen to keep sustaining themselves. This is, thankfully, quite rare.

Most of the time, asthma is unpleasant for both you and your fur baby. It can, however, be mitigated, which I'll go into in at the bottom of this article.

It's also sadly true that asthma does not have a cure and tends to slowly get worse over time; if your cat has a mild case when they're young, it may become worse as they get older.

It's also important to mention that there are quite a few other conditions that look like asthma, so you'll still want to take your fur baby to the vet to rule them out.

When you take your cat to the vet, they may also give you corticosteroids and bronchodilators.

Corticosteroids are medications that can suppress the immune response and reduce inflammation that causes an asthma attack, and bronchodilators are medications that cause the airways to open, both of which make it easier for your fur baby to breathe while the asthma attack subsides.

I know what you might be thinking: Are corticosteroids safe for cats? According to VCA Animal Hospitals:

“For decades, this class of drugs has benefited humans and animals. They are a vital part of the treatment protocol for many life-threatening diseases. Their benefits far outweigh any risks in the majority of cases. When used properly, very few side effects occur”

While I haven’t personally had experience using inhaled steroids, my kitties have taken oral steroids for digestive issues – and unfortunately long-term use does come with some serious potential consequences.

VCA Animal Hospitals does say there are less side effects of inhaled steroid treatment that their oral counterpart. But, just like with any other medication, corticosteroids will come with their own benefits and risks, so talk with your veterinarian.

Your Cat Has Physical Issues

Persians, Himalayans, and some exotic shorthairs are breeds that have smushed faces.

The technical term for them is "brachycephalic," and it's characterized by a shortened skull (from front to back) resulting in the nose being essentially compressed into the skull.

Brachycephaly is caused by a gene defect, and the cat breeds mentioned above are bred to pass along this gene.

As the term ‘gene defect’ implies, this isn't really healthy for these animals. It can cause a range of breathing problems, collectively known as Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome.

There are a variety of different specific causes, but they're all related to the anatomy of the cat.

Another physical issue is the growth of nasal polyps. These nodules are benign but can cause airway blockages leading to noisy breathing.

It can sometimes require sedation to identify the polyps, so your vet is likely to treat the symptoms as an upper respiratory infection (as this is much more common) and if it doesn’t get better explore further.

Is it a cause for concern?

Only if it's causing problems. Some cats live perfectly fine lives making a little noise when they breathe but are otherwise fine.

Others develop problems with their breathing over time, which gradually get worse. You'll need to take your fur baby to the vet for an examination.

There are generally three options. The first is "wait and see"; if the noise is not leading to adverse health issues, then there is nothing to worry about.

If it is causing an issue, you may need to begin a medication to reduce swelling in the airways.

The third is surgical correction, to remove anything that obstructs their airway. This is, obviously, a last resort but may be necessary if your feline friend is suffering.

Your Cat Has Fluid Build-Up

When fluid builds up in the lungs, it's called pulmonary edema. When it builds up around the lungs, preventing them from fully expanding, it's called a pleural effusion. In both cases, this build-up of fluid is generally caused by some ailment and inhibits breathing.

Your fur baby may also have other symptoms that indicate one of these causes. These can include mouth-breathing, a dry cough, wheezing, lethargy, loss of appetite, and abdominal swelling.

Is it a cause for concern?

Yes, very much so. Fluid build-up has a lot of possible causes, but almost all of them are dangerous and need immediate medical attention to handle appropriately. You'll want to take your fur baby to the vet as soon as possible.

My angel kitty Beany had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the most common type of heart disease in cats.

If you’re interested you can read about her first trip to the veterinary cardiologist. As her disease progressed, her cardiologist asked me to keep an eye on her breathing rate as changes can indicate fluid build up in and around her lungs. In her final days she began to cough, and I knew that was a sign.

Check out the video below to see how my Beany kitty looked and sounded when she coughed. WARNING: This video may be disturbing to some viewers.

Something is Caught in Their Airway

Purr trivia: Did you know that purring is a behavior only possible in cats (and two small cat-like creatures from Africa, genets)? Did you also know that also, lions and tigers, the big cats that roar, can't purr?!? All cats are divided into either cats that can roar or cats that can purr. I bet you're glad our adorable housecats are the purring variety, right?

One of the worst causes of congested-sounded breathing in your cat is they inhaled something, and it's caught in their throat, partially obstructing their ability to breathe.

For obvious reasons, this is pretty distressing! Cats are curious critters, and they like exploring and sniffing at things, and sometimes that backfires.

Your feline friend will likely be acting somewhat distressed, breathing hard, and having a hard time relaxing. You would too if you got something stuck in your airways!

Luckily, this is one of the least common causes of congested-sounding breathing. It's worth keeping in the back of your mind in case it happens, but there are other causes that are much more likely.

Is it a cause for concern?

Yes, absolutely! Depending on the location the medical name for this condition is "tracheal foreign body," or “respiratory foreign body” and it's something that needs to be resolved as soon as possible.

Your furry friend most likely isn't going to be able to get it out on their own, and if it's left unaddressed, it can cause all kinds of problems. Irritation and swelling can make it even harder to breathe, and it's undoubtedly painful.

“As they can cause potential complications ranging from mild shortness of breath to severe respiratory tract obstruction and laceration, such foreign bodies need to be removed immediately and effectively because tracheal foreign bodies can be life-threatening (Zambelli 2006)” - CZECH Academy of Agricultural Sciences

If you suspect your cat inhaled something that is causing them problems, you'll need to take them to the vet as soon as possible.

Ideally, it will be a simple matter to remove whatever object they inhaled, but in more extreme cases, they may even need surgery to remove it or repair any damage it did.

Helping a Cat with Difficulty Breathing

Difficulty breathing is always a bad thing; it's just a matter of how bad and how immediate the issue may be. If it's a regular seasonal problem, you can generally take steps to minimize the issue.

If it's a sudden problem, a trip to the vet is likely a good idea. If it's extremely sudden and your cat shows other signs of distress or illness, you'll be better served with a trip to the emergency vet.

Once you find out the cause, you can then determine what options are available for treatment.

Something as simple as a humidifier in the dry colder months can help a kitty with respiratory issues. I set one up for our Sosa kitty every winter to help her with congestion. It’s also great for kitties with asthma.

If the cause is an allergy or sensitivity issue, some simple lifestyle changes can make a difference. Switch to a dust free litter and kick those synthetic room fresheners and cleaning supplies to the curb and opt for more natural plant-based options.

Consider getting a robot vacuum that can run on a schedule to keep dust and allergens down. Room air purifiers are also a great option and us humans benefit from them too!

If your kitty has an infection, meds are a must. Life can get hectic, so it never hurts to jot down the date and time you give each dose so you don’t accidentally miss one.

Has your kitty had another cause for their congested breathing that you believe should be listed? If so, be sure to leave a comment down below! I want to keep this list as comprehensive as possible and would love to hear your input!

As always, if you found this content useful, all our blog content on toe beans is shareable. So, what are you waiting for to spread the love 😻? Go ahead and hit any social media icon of your preference around the post for instant sharing with friends and family. Sharing is caring!

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If my cat is looking skinny, is that normal, or is it something to be concerned about?

In most situations it can be surprisingly hard to tell whether your purr baby is healthy by just looking at them.

And, while a chonky cat may be adorable, the risk of getting diabetes is not worth it. I still remember the day when my angel Moose had a seizure during his insulin treatment.

On the other end of the spectrum, how skinny is too skinny for a cat? There's no fixed weight you can look to for all ages and breeds, but there are tests you can perform at home (don't worry, they're not invasive) to give your furry friend a quick checkup.

As an adult, I’ve been blessed with four very different kitties that have taught me a lot. I’ve had kitties that have a very healthy body conditions and one that was overweight or obese several years of his life.

As they aged, three of my four babies turned into skin and bones – a not so unusual part of an aging kitty with several health conditions.

I hope that by sharing my personal experience I can contribute a little bit to help you and others around you navigate any weight concerns you might have with your cats.

For pet parents looking for more cat care guides, I have sprinkled some great ones throughout the post.

Happy reading, learning and sharing!

Most Lean Cats Are Not Underweight

Before getting into specific tests, I need to mention one thing: many cats are technically overweight.

The truth is healthy weight is somewhat skewed by our individual perceptions and of course the internet.

Some (myself included) may perceive skinny cats as healthy while others may see their overweight fur children as a sign of good health and general well-being.

There are a ton of adorable felines online, including quite a few chonkers, but those adorable fat kitties are just that: obese.

It's only a matter of time before that added weight puts too much stress on their joints and/or leads to other problems like kidney issues or feline diabetes.

You might be surprised at just how common an issue it is:

"In the U.S., roughly 60 percent of cats are overweight. Similarly, 39 to 52 percent of U.K. cats are overweight, according to International Cat Care. Because so many of the cats we see are overweight, a normal weight may seem abnormally thin to their pet parents." – Pet Obesity Prevention

Seeing a skinny cat can immediately make you think they're underweight, but that's not usually the case. Cats are lean by nature, they are predators who – in the wild, anyway – need to hunt their food.

Obesity makes it harder for them to hunt, both from aches and pains and the sheer effort it takes to move those extra pounds.

That's not to say cats can't get too skinny. Underweight cats may have health issues too, so it's worth your time to pay attention to their weight and know when skinny becomes too skinny.

The Informal Method to Test If Your Cat is Skinny

There are two different ways to test how skinny your cat is and whether you should be concerned. I'm referring to them as the informal and the formal methods. The informal method is sometimes called the bone test or the hand test.

For this test, you use your own hand as a reference. All you need to do is pet your cat and feel for their ribs and spine.

• Can you feel their ribs through their flesh? If you can't, may be obese.
• If you can feel their ribs, compare it to your hand. Does it feel more like the back of your hand, where your metacarpals are? That is, you can feel the bones, but they're still padded and covered with a bit of subcutaneous fat? If so, your cat is probably a healthy weight.
• If you can feel their ribs and, compared to your hand, they feel a lot closer to your knuckles, your cat may be too skinny. You don't want them to be just skin and bones; they need a bit of healthy weight.
• Now run your hand down their back, along their spine. You should be able to very slightly feel their individual backbones, but they shouldn't be knobby and ribbed; there should be muscle there.

Additionally, you can look at their waist, below the ribcage; is it very thin and narrow? Do they have an overt hourglass shape?

If so, they're probably too skinny. The same goes if you can see their shoulder blades visible through their fur. Usually, those should be at least a little padded.

Now, obviously, this is not a very scientific examination; it kind of depends on your own hands and the impression you have of their skeleton. It can also vary somewhat from cat to cat and from breed to breed.

A burly, muscular Maine Coon is likely to have more muscle around their bones than a smaller domestic shorthair, and we all know the various hairless cats already look kind of like skinny goblins no matter how much weight they have on their bones.

We still love them either way, though.

If you need a little help doing an at home body shape assessment, check out this short 2 min video as a guide:

The Body Condition Scoring System for Skinny Cats

The second method for determining the weight class of your feline child is the BCS, or Body Condition Scoring system.

This is the one I referred to above as the formal method. This system is a more scientific method used by trained vets. There are two different scales, one that uses whole numbers from 1 to 9 and one that uses half-steps from 1 to 5 (1, 1.5, 2, etc.). Both are the same; it just depends on which numerical scale your vet uses.

For a better understanding, we created the illustration below. The chart gives you a visual guide for body type showing both scales (1/5 or body type 1 out of 5 possible types). You’ll notice the ideal body condition is right in the middle of the scale.

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Additionally, the Journal of American Animal Hospital Association has a great PDF reference of both body condition scales, along with descriptions for each. Don't worry, though, I'll summarize it here for you too:

• (1/5) or (1/9): Visible ribs, no palpable fat, severe tucked abdomen, vertebra and shoulder blades easily discernable. Verdict: Dangerously Underweight.
• (2/5) or (3/9): Palpable ribs with minimal subcutaneous fat, obvious lower-back vertebrae, visible waist, and minimal abdominal fat. Verdict: Underweight.
• (3/5) or (5/9): Well-proportioned with a visible waist, palpable ribs but a non-visible spine, and slight abdominal fat pad. Verdict: Ideal Weight.
• (4/5) or (7/9): Ribs hard to find, distended waist, rounded abdomen, moderate abdominal fat. Verdict: Somewhat Overweight.
• (5/5) or (9/9): Ribs not palpable, heavy fat around the spine, chubby face and limbs, extensive abdominal fat. Verdict: Dangerously Obese.

Half-steps like 1.5 or 3.5 are more defined for dogs but are simply middle ground or shared characteristics between the steps for cats. Again, you can read more specifics in the PDF I linked above.

If your cat ranks as a 2/5 or 3/9, they're too thin, and you should consult with your vet to check if an underlying health issue might be the cause.

Alternatively, if your cat is slightly underweight, you may need to adjust their diet or look for health issues, especially if it's sudden or a new development.

Obviously, obesity is a whole other issue, but today I'm writing about skinny cats, not fat cats, so I'll get into that another time.

Healthy Weight Ranges for Your Cat

One thing you may have noticed is that I haven't mentioned specific weight at all yet. That's because weight varies a lot depending on the size of your cat.

A large male and a small female can both be healthy with very different weights. Likewise, a Munchkin, Rex, or Siamese is going to be much lighter than a Maine Coon, Savannah, or Norwegian Forest Cat.

When you talk to your vet, they’ll give you an idea of what a healthy weight range should be for your cat. Generally, though, appearance and the feeling of their bones through their skin is a great indicator.

Cats can range anywhere from around 8-10 lbs. on average to as much as 25 lbs. and still be healthy, depending on their breed and gender. That's why it's so challenging to determine by weight alone.

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Why Do Skinny Cats Lose Weight?

If your cat is skinny, there are a lot of different possible causes, some much more dangerous than others. Any cat that is severely underweight is at risk, though, and should be examined by a vet.

Here are the most common causes of cat weight loss, particularly when it's unexplained or sudden:

• Kidney disease. Kidneys are sensitive organs and are prone to failure in small animals. As many as 35% of cats will suffer from kidney disease at some point in their lives. If your cat is drinking a lot more, that’s another sign that this might be the cause.
• Diabetes. Diabetic cats are becoming increasingly common, largely due to diet. If your cat is losing weight but has a larger appetite and drinks a lot more, this may be the issue.
• Cancer. Unfortunately, cats are not immune to this heart-wrenching disease. There are as many different kinds of cancer as there are organs in your fur baby's body, and they can range from easily treatable to terminal.
• Digestive diseases. Anything going wrong with your cat's digestive system – whether it's IBD, pancreatitis, gastritis, or even allergies – can make their ability to digest and process food less effective. If they can't get the nutrients from their food, they can't sustain their weight.
• Hyperthyroidism. The thyroid is a sensitive organ and controls hormones throughout the body. Cats can be prone to hyperthyroidism, which can cause excess energy, a high metabolism, and hyperactivity.
• Parasites. Tapeworms, for example, are a common infection (particularly for outdoor cats), and since they live in the digestive tract, they steal nutrients from your cat. This usually won't cause severe weight loss in adult cats, but it's still possible. It's also a leading cause of weight loss in kittens.
• Tooth issues. If your fur baby has a toothache, they're not going to want to eat food because it hurts to do so. If you notice that they aren't eating much, check their teeth for red inflamed gums – it’s a telltale sign of dental disease.
• Stress. Just like people, when your fur baby is in a stressful situation (which can include anything from moving to introducing a new pet or family member), they're likely to lose their appetite and lose weight.
• Age. Elderly cats often have health issues that accompany their old age and some – some of which we’ve noted above. Another thing to keep in mind is that cats will start to lose muscle mass as they get older. This process is not something you can control, so getting your kitty to eat more isn’t going to solve the problem. Your vet will guide you as to what you can expect for body condition as your kitty ages.
• Bullying. If you have more than one cat, a bully might be preventing the other from eating. Even if they aren’t a bully, some kitties are really piggies in disguise and just want to eat ALL the food. For this reason, it's usually a good idea to feed each cat separately.

Case in Point: At a regular annual check-up, I told my vet that Bradley seemed to be eating less and that was unusual.

His weight was steady with his last check-up and with no other symptoms or concerns found during the exam he received a clean bill of health. Just a month or so later I could tell a big difference in his weight. We went back to the vet and x-rays revealed likely cancer - which was later confirmed by a biopsy.

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All of this is to say two things - you know your cat best, if you have concerns ask your vet for additional testing and second weight monitoring is important for all adult cats, especially seniors.

My little man had aggressive large cell lymphoma and was gone within a couple of months - but had it been some other diagnosis, we would have caught it way before the next annual appointment and could have started and treatment. Unexplained weight changes matter.

Depending on the issue, catching it early can give you a great prognosis. Many of these issues can either be treated and moved past or can be controlled through management and medication.

You may need to adjust your feline's diet, give them medication to cure an acute problem, or just give them medication regularly. In some cases, surgery of some sort may be required.

Of course, sometimes, all you need to do is make sure they have access to food. Some cats don't like eating full meals at meal time and like to "graze" by snacking throughout the day.

Not to mention the fact that in many cases your cat’s eating habits will change as they get older.

For example, the eating habits of our 18-year-old Sosa have changed drastically as she has gotten older. She would eat wet food twice a day like clockwork.

With age – and illness, she has gotten extremely picky with all kinds of food. And when I say all, I mean all. All brands, all flavors, all textures dry or wet, it doesn’t really matter. The only food she’ll even consider today are treats.

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After a very scary bout of pancreatitis getting weight back onto her boney body was essential. So, to pack it on and to ensure she sustains a healthy weight, we feed her complete nutritional treats. She grazes on 3-5 of her favorites throughout the entire day, so we no longer have a mealtime.

The bottom line is there is nothing wrong with habit changes when it comes to eating as long as the food they get is healthy and nutritionally complete. Just don’t forget to make it available for when they want it.

What to Do if Your Cat is Too Skinny

If your cat is skinny and underweight, it's a good idea to talk to your vet and check to see if there's something wrong.

Unfortunately, a lot of different medical conditions and other issues can lead to weight loss. Since cats hide their problems to avoid showing weakness, weight loss is commonly one of the first symptoms you notice.

What makes matters worse is that identifying a weight loss visually is very difficult. Unfortunately, in most cases you’ll usually only notice it once your cat has lost a substantial amount of weight, and by that time, it may be too late to address any issues.

The first thing to do is characterize the weight loss. Here are a few important considerations.

• Is your cat eating at all?
• Is the weight loss sudden, or has your cat been losing weight over time even when eating?
• Is it accompanied by changes, either in your home or life or in their feeding habits or the food you give them?
• Are they less active, in pain, or more irritated or anxious than normal?

Note down any of these so you can talk to your vet about them.

Then give your vet a call, and ask them if you should bring your fur baby in for an examination. Depending on the scale of the weight loss and how underweight they are, it may be a "wait and see," or it may be a "come in ASAP" situation.

From there, your vet can run tests to help determine what, if anything, is wrong, and you can take action to solve the problem.

I think it’s worth noting here that tracking weight is important as it’s an indicator of the overall health of your kitty. Since most pet parents don’t weigh their cats at home, it’s important to see your vet regularly to track any changes.

Check out my post about how often you should bring your cat to the vet, if you’re not sure about the frequency.

If, after reading today's article, you're having any concerns regarding the health of your feline companion, please be sure to seek professional medical assistance from a vet. It is always better to be safe rather than sorry.

But, if you have any non-urgent questions regarding your cat, I'd be more than happy to help at any time! Just leave a comment down below, and I'll get back to you as soon as possible!

As always, if you found this content useful, all our blog content on toe beans is social media shareable. So, what are you waiting for to spread the love? Go ahead and hit any social media icon of your preference around the post for instant sharing with friends and family. Sharing is caring!

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Just like with us humans, regular check-ups can help your cat live a longer, happier, and healthier life. Unfortunately, the truth of the matter is, too many pet parents don't bring their cats to the vet as often as they should, and some don't even do it at all. Does this surprise you?

Some of the most common reasons for not taking cats to the vet range from the associated costs to lack of a perceived reason to difficulties in logistics to cat being indoors only to lack of time to “I can always check Dr. google” if something does not feel right, etc.

Whether you agree with any or some of the statements above or not, there are plenty of benefits in bringing your cat to the vet periodically.

When determining how often you should take your cat to the vet the biggest factors to consider are age and health status. Evidently, under normal conditions, a young cat does not need to visit the vet as often as an adult or elder cat.

In this comprehensive FAQ blog post, I discuss what the recommended frequency of vet visits is based on the life stage of your cat as well other common non-age-related reasons for a vet visit.

This post also comes with awesome educational videos. All of them a must watch! If your kitty is in need of care you cannot afford, make sure to read the section about financial resources for pet parents in need.

For pet parents looking for more cat care guides, make sure to not miss the read further section at the bottom. As usual, it is loaded with resources.

Happy reading, learning and sharing!

Why Should You Take Your Cat to the Vet?

Somebody once said an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Do you remember who this was?

No to get into history here but Ben Franklin coined this phrase in 1736 when reminding the citizens of Philadelphia to remain vigilant about fire awareness and prevention.

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This timeless phrase should remind us of the importance of prevention in our lives. When it comes to your cat’s wellness this phrase is of particular relevance.

Us pet parents know that cats are awesome at many things, and that includes hiding pain, ailments, and diseases.

The only way you can ensure your cat stays happy and healthy is by proactively bringing him/her to the vet. Prevention is really the only tool you have with cats.

I can give you so many reasons to proactively and periodically bring your cat to the vet that I could even write a book. Did I just come up with a reason to write another book?

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Well, at any rate, in the best interest of time, here are some at the top of the list:

• Catch health issues in the early stages
• Track your cat’s weight
• Make sure your cat receives all needed vaccines and avoid preventable diseases
• Build a trusting relationship with a family vet
• Help your cat warm up to vet visits
• Get timely help with behavioral issues (aggression, elimination, and other issues)
• Ensure optimal dental health
• Keep your human family members from catching feline zoonotic diseases. I while back I wrote a post on 5 ways to lessen your chance of catching a bug from your fur baby.

The list goes on and on but by now I’m sure you get the point. If you’ve never brought your cat to the vet, just remember it’s never late for a first visit.

And in case you're wondering what happens during a first vet visit, Dr. Susan Sabatini from Ontario Veterinary College gives a great run down in the video below.

Cat First Vet Visit

Internet memes would have you believe that cats are aloof, independent creatures, but us cat parents know they can be just as snuggly and playful as their pup counterparts.

Our fur babies look to us to love them and care for them so they can live long healthy lives.

Part of love and care means taking them to the vet, whether they put up a fight about it or not.

Of course, we all know that sometimes a vet trip can be tricky, it can be stressful for you and your kitty, sometimes it can also be scary when a procedure is needed or emotional when a new diagnosis is revealed.

Did we mention it can also be pricey?

As such, you probably don't want to make a vet trip more often than is necessary. So, how often do you need to take your cat to the vet? As noted above, the biggest determining factors are age and health status. Let's talk about each of them!

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When Should You Take Newborn Kittens to the Vet?

You might know by now that we are advocators of adopt, don’t shop – so odds are you’re not going to encounter many newborn kittens – unless you regularly rescue catermelons (a pregnant momma that often resembles a watermelon).

But what if a stray adopts you and gives birth to a litter of little ones? Or if you find orphaned kittens because something terrible has happened to their mother?

When they're first born, kittens are both blind and deaf, and as you may imagine will need round-the-clock care and attention from their feline mother.

But they can always benefit from some assistance from their pet parent, and then ultimately their vet.

It’s maybe worth mentioning that being a completely hands-on pet parent is a necessity if momma cat is not around, but we’re not going to dive into that in this post.

Newborn kittens should be seen by a vet as soon as possible. You'll need to bundle up the potentially anxious mother and all of her little furballs for their first adventure as a family.

An early vet visit is imperative for an unvetted momma and her babies. Momma cats that have spent their life outside may carry parasites that they pass onto their kittens. Viral and bacterial infections are also common.

Bringing the little ones to the vet early will help identify these issues so that they can be treated in a timely manner.

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How Often Should You Take Older Kittens to the Vet?

Kittens generally need vet visits every 3-4 weeks (about once a month) for the first 2-5 months of life.

These visits are checkups to test for any diseases or parasites that might threaten the health of the kitten.

You'll also get them the first set of their vaccinations, blood testing for things like FIV, and a physical examination. You may also be asked to bring a stool sample along with them for each visit.

Just like human vaccinations, there are core vaccines for cats and kittens and non-core vaccines that your vet may recommend based on other risk factors. Core kitten vaccines include the following:

• Feline Distemper (also known as FVRCP). This vaccine protects against Feline Rhinotracheitis Virus/Herpesvirus 1 (FVR/FHV-1), Feline Calicivirus (FCV), and Feline Panleukopenia (FPV)
• Feline Leukemia (FeLV)
• Rabies

Check out what Dr. Hill has to say about vaccines:

In addition to vaccines, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) endorses the recommendation from the Veterinary Task Force on Feline Sterilization for Age of Spay and Neuter Surgery which found cats should be sterilized (spayed or neutered) before they reach 5 months of age.

Some veterinarians are trained to perform spay and neuter surgeries on very young kittens, but in general the minimum requirement is the kitten must be at least 8 weeks old and weigh 2 pounds or more.

Many rescues have a requirement that they won’t adopt out a kitten that hasn’t been sterilized. By safely performing the surgery sooner rather than later allows the kittens to be adopted earlier so they begin their lives with their new family.

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How Often Should You Take Young Adult Cats to the Vet?

Cats ranging from seven months to six years old can be considered young adult cats.

You’ll often seen this broken down as “Junior,” which goes from 7 months to about 2 years old, and “Prime” up to 6 years old. As a Junior, your kitty will finish growing somewhere between 12 and 18 months of age.

“Kittens usually stop growing at approximately 12 months of age, although they still may have some filling out to do.” – Dr. Nicole Fulcher

Young adult cats are frisky and full of energy, settling into their habits and lifestyles. This time of life often involves exploring their home and taste testing the world around them.

Once they are fully vaccinated, young adult cats only need to be taken to the vet once a year. If you haven’t done so already, be sure to ask your vet about micro-chipping your kitty so if you ever get separated you can be reunited.

While young adult cats tend to be nice and healthy at this point in life, regular checkups allow your veterinarian to compare year over year values to see if a harmful change is beginning to trend.

Vet visits during this stage of life, will include a comprehensive physical examination to check for any possible issues.

As noted earlier, cats are notorious for hiding minor ailments, illnesses, and injuries, so a thorough examination can catch things you might have missed.

In addition to an exam, your cat will likely have some blood drawn to check for any signs of disease, chemical imbalances, or other issues that may need proactive attention.

Remember, many ailments and diseases, caught early, can be cured or mitigated before they become life-altering problems.

These annual visits will also be an opportunity to check for parasites via a stool sample and to update your cat on their vaccines. You can expect a rabies booster annually (or every 3 years in some states).

Non-core adult vaccines might also be recommended depending on the lifestyle your cat leads.

Do you have other pets in the home? Does your kitty go outside, or are they indoor-only? These can have an impact, and you'll want to discuss them with your vet. You’ll also get refills for flea and tick treatments at these appointments.

As your kitty begins to transition from a young adult to a more mature adult, your vet is going to focus more attention on their mouth. A whopping 85% of cats over the age of 4 have some form of periodontal disease! And did you know dental health is directly related to overall health?

“It has been said by veterinary dental specialists that if you brush your dog’s or cat’s teeth regularly that they will live to 17 or 18 years old. If you don’t your pet may only live until around age 12. Though that may not always be true, the principal is that regular dental care will extend both the quality and lifespan of your pet and prevent many future diseases.” – Westside Animal Hospital

Your vet will let you know when it’s time for a teeth cleaning. While sedated, your vet will be able to thoroughly clean your kitty’s teeth and remove any tartar that’s built up. You can read about how my Moosie made out with his dental cleaning here.

How Often Should You Take Mature Adult Cats to the Vet?

When your kitty is around 7 to 10 years old, you’ll start to see their energy levels taper off and they’ll prefer to spend time snuggled up in a cozy sunbeam or lap rather than running around being a rambunctious bundle of fur.

That's not to say they'll spend all their time sleeping – far from it – but they certainly won’t be as active as their younger counterparts.

During this stage of life, you will still want to take your cat to the vet at least once a year. Many of the same checkups will happen, including the physical, bloodwork, and stool sample, as well as continued vaccination boosters.

Your vet will also want to review things like diet and weight. Cats that are overweight often start to have trouble as they age. From pain in their joints to thyroid problems or diabetes.

My angel Moo ended up with diabetes as a result of his unaddressed obesity. We can all agree that there is nothing more adorable than a chunky cat. But believe me, you do not want to put your cat through obesity. I have a lot of lessons learned.

Many of these problems are much more easily addressed when they haven’t had time to set in and do more damage. Being proactive about dietary and activity changes can be important part of maintaining good health.

While many mature adult cats remain healthy, it’s not uncommon for some health issues to start to emerge. It's simply a fact of a life well-lived that bodies start to fail in various ways; it's not a reflection upon you or your care or love for them.

A kitty that is around 10 years old is about 56 in human years (give or take depending on what cat-to-human age converter you use) so they may need some help to maintain their well-being.

A decline in kidney function is very common during this period of life, so you may need to begin a special diet or start administering medications.

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How Often Should You Take Senior Cats to the Vet?

Once your cat passes ten years of age, they have officially earned the title of senior.

Most domestic cats live between 12 and 18 years, though cats that spend time outdoors often have a shorter lifespan, due to predators, unfortunate encounters with vehicles, more interactions with parasites, and greater chances of infection and injury.

Indoor kitties generally live longer and healthier lives because they aren't exposed to the same threats that they would face outdoors. With that said senior cats are still at risk for aging related diseases.

Check out this 2 min video on the most common diseases in older cats:

As a senior, your venerable elder of a cat will benefit from more frequent vet visits. The general recommendation is about twice a year or once every six months.

The more frequent visits are necessary to identify changes in your cat’s health. A lot can happen in 6 months and waiting a full year for another checkup could allow health issues to worsen.

If it’s hasn’t been a normal part of your annual visit, you can be sure that blood tests are going to be recommended for your senior.

Your vet will be specifically looking for common age-related issues and potential complications. They will also want to perform a urinalysis to track kidney function.

When your cat becomes a senior, you’ll want to pay careful attention to their behavior. If they show reluctance to jump, if they seem stiff, favor limbs, or avoid certain actions, this may be worth bringing up with your vet.

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Joint pain is common in older cats but can be managed in several different ways. From traditional medication to acupuncture to CBD oil. Your vet will recommend an appropriate course of action for your cat.

Oral care also continues to be important for seniors. Inflamed gums and tooth pain can cause your kitty to cut back or even stop eating. While your kitty may not show that they are in pain, a slow decline in eating can be a sign of dental issues.

Case in point: When my now 18-year-old Sosa was about 16, a regular checkup helped identify a considerable decline in her dental health. The doctor recommended the removal of several teeth as they were causing pain and other issues. This was very stressful and traumatic due to her advance age and other health issues. Fortunately, our vet specializes in elder cats and felt comfortable with putting my Sosa under general anesthesia. Everything went well during surgery and my Sosa was back to herself after a couple of days. Had we waited a little longer, she may not have been a good candidate for such a procedure due to her advanced age and her poor dental health might have resulted in other complications.

How Often Should You Take Geriatric Cats to the Vet?

If your kitty reaches the ripe old age of 15, they’ve graduated to geriatric status – you officially have a little old lady or little old man in the family.

A 15-year-old kitty is about 76 in human years, so as you may imagine their aging body isn’t going to function as well as it once did.

If your kitty has been diagnosed with any of the common aging cat diseases, you may start to add specialist vet visits in addition to your regular twice yearly vet appointments.

Some kitties with chronic pain might benefit from acupuncture sessions, a cat with heart disease may need disease management from a veterinary cardiologist, and in the heart-breaking case of cancer, a veterinary oncologist.

What are Some Other Reasons to Take a Cat to the Vet?

Any time throughout your furry friend's life, there may be other reasons to take them to the vet.

If you have a well-established relationship with your veterinarian, you may be able to call with any concerns that come up to see if they advise that you should come into the office.

This is one advantage of building a trusted relationship with your vet and why it’s listed as a key reason to periodically bring your cat to the vet.

In some cases, you may be able to watch and wait to see if an ailment clears up on its own. With all my cats for example I have made sure to build a relationship with our family vet and believe me it is worth it.

Generally, a vet visit is warranted for anything out of the ordinary.

Injuries

The most obvious one is injury. While kitties are extremely nimble, accidents happen.

A miscalculated jump could cause a leg injury, a stuck claw could cause a paw injury. If your kitty goes outside, they could get in fights with other animals or injured by a passing vehicle.

If your cat comes home scratched up, but is otherwise acting normal, you may be inclined to just let the wounds heal on their own. This can be dangerous as under the surface an abscess could be forming.

At the very least, wounds should be cleaned and examined for debris or damage that might need stitches, and you'll need to watch them for infection.

Treatment for an injury might include pain medications, a cone, a cast, or other accessories to help encourage healing. It’s always a good idea to have an emergency veterinarian’s office information on hand in case of a concern that arises after normal business hours.

Chronic health conditions

We mentioned earlier that there are some common aging diseases your kitty might face. When initially diagnosed, your kitty may need to be seen more frequently to ensure the health issue is being properly addressed.

An example would be with inflammatory bowel disease. Once diagnosed, your vet may recommend dietary changes and will want updates on how your kitty is responding. If diet changes aren’t enough a medication may be required.

Determining which medication and dosage works best for your kitty may take some time. More frequent bloodwork may also be needed, which would mean heading into the vet office more often.

If you receive a new diagnosis, don’t panic - and I speak from experience.

There are many health concerns that, when managed properly, won't affect your feline's quality of life until they're advanced in age, but regular monitoring and treatment are necessary.

Proper management means a closer review by your vet to watch for changes that indicate the need to adjust medications or diet.

Litter box issues

Litter box issues are another common cause for concern. This is under behavioral issues in the list of reasons to bring your cat to the vet.

If your cat is having trouble using the litter box (also known as elimination issues), for example if they're suddenly going where they shouldn't, or if they're visiting frequently without actually going, or if they have issues like diarrhea for more than a day or two, it’s time to give your vet a call.

There may be a simple explanation you can handle at home, but your vet may want to perform an examination to make sure they don't have problems like a urinary tract infection, bowel obstruction, or kidney infection.

Vomiting, digestive issues, or food and drink issues

Likewise, vomiting can be a sign that something is wrong. Cats vomit occasionally, including hairballs, and it's not necessarily a cause for concern.

But, if your cat is throwing up more than once or twice a month, it can be a sign of something more nefarious going on. It could be something as simple as they're eating too much too fast, but other more chronic health conditions can cause vomiting.

Another big red flag is unexplained weight loss. Weight loss is fine if your cat is obese and you're working on helping them get down to a healthy weight, but if they've started losing weight unexpectedly – especially if they haven't changed their behavior in other ways – it can be a cause for concern.

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Any number of illnesses or parasites can lead to weight loss. Likewise, if your cat has stopped eating for more than a day or two, a vet visit is a must. Failure to eat can cause liver lipidosis, which can be deadly if left untreated.

Conversely, excessive thirst can also be a sign of a problem, particularly kidney disease. If your cat seems very thirsty, and it's not just because it's the peak of summer and it's hot, take them for a vet visit.

Behavioral changes

Finally, any unexplained behavioral issue can also be a cause for concern.

A normally active cat no longer wanting to play, an aloof cat suddenly wanting to snuggle, or a cat that seems to be fearful or aggressive out of nowhere; these can all be signs of problems that need a vet's attention.

While there might be a reasonable explanation (like a change in life circumstances or home situation), it’s always best to rule out a physical cause.

Financial Resources for Pet Parents in Need

Raising a cat is a beautiful thing. But just as raising biological children it can be expensive.

Believe me, I know, I grew up with cats and have adopted and raised 4 of them from kittenhood all the way to adulthood.

As life changes, sometimes pet parents may find themselves in situations where money is tight. We pet parents understand very well that some medical procedures can be both life threatening and/or really expensive.

You should try not let this get in the way of providing the best healthcare you can for your furry children.

Fortunately, there are a number of organizations that provide financial resources for pet parents in need.

Frankie’s Friends: Non-profit foundation dedicated to finding cures and saving pets with cancer and other life-threatening conditions. This non-profit helps save pets’ lives by providing grants to assist with the cost of life-saving or life-enhancing emergency or specialty care for pets whose families cannot afford the full cost of treatment.

RedRover Relief: This organization provides financial assistance grants and additional resources so pet parents, and rescuers can care for animals who need urgent veterinary care. RedRover also offers financial assistance for victims of domestic violence and their pets.

The Pet Fund is a registered 501(c) 3 nonprofit association that provides financial assistance to pet parents who need veterinary care. Often fur children are put down or suffer needlessly because their parents cannot afford expensive surgery or medical treatment. Pet parents must often make the difficult decision to put an animal down or neglect medical needs because of the costs involved.

Live Like Roo Foundation is a volunteer-run 501C3 organization that provides support and financial assistance to families whose fur child faces a cancer diagnosis. They pay bills for biopsies, amputations, medications, growth removals and much more.

Alternatively, if you do not qualify for any of the grants above, there are a number of veterinary financing options available. Simply run an internet search and you will find plenty of convenient options.

So, there you have it. In the first couple of years of life you can expect to take your kitty to more frequent vet visits, but that will lead into a regular annual schedule. If health issues arise you may need to visit your veterinarian more frequently.

Even without health issues, as life comes full circle, an aging kitty will begin going back to the vet more frequently. Follow your vet’s guidance for appointment frequency. Like you, they want your fur baby to live a long healthy life and preventative care is a big part of that process. Over to you.

Do you have any questions regarding how often you should be taking your cat to the vet? If so, be sure to leave a comment down below! I'd be more than happy to assist you and your furry feline friend however I possibly can! Just remember, if you're ever in doubt, it's always best to stay on the safe side and take them in for an examination.

As always, if you found this content useful, all our blog content on toe beans is social media shareable. So, what are you waiting for to spread the love 😻? Go ahead and hit any social media icon of your preference around the post for instant sharing with friends and family. Sharing is caring!

One more thing, if you are feeling like getting a little special something for your fur baby that is unique, made right here in the USA, 100% pup and cat safe, USDA certified organic and brought to you by a US company, check out Toe Beans online pet supplies store!

Just as mental healthcare is growing in focus for people around the world, so too is the mental and emotional well-being of our pets. Some people stereotype cats as aloof and uncaring, though we pet parents know better.

Modern medical science is hard at work addressing cognitive and behavioral issues in humans, but both study and treatment development are lagging behind in animals. This has led to a lot of uncertainty about how to handle issues, after all, it's not like our kitties can tell us how they're feeling.

Today, we've done our best to put together a resource for cat parents looking into one of the more recent and popular alternatives for cats: CBD.

One common question pet parents have is whether it is a good idea to share their human grade CBD oil with their cats. After all, it's human grade and so, if it's safe for me, it should also be safe for my cat, right? Well, not quite.

If you are interested in learning more about CBD for pets, I've sprinkled some great articles about CBD throughout the post. Alternatively you may want to visit my blog and search by topic. It is packed with useful resources.

What is CBD?

CBD is the abbreviation for the chemical compound cannabidiol. Cannabidiol is found within the cannabis plant, and cannabis has been used for centuries as a holistic form of medicine.

The plant itself has several different compounds including THC, which has been stigmatized for a long time as a psychoactive substance, labeled a "gateway drug.”

In recent years, social pressure has shifted. More attention has turned away from pharmaceuticals and towards traditional medicine.

People are trying everything, from Ayurveda to Chinese ginseng and beyond. CBD is just one of many substances currently being used and studied for its effects on the body.

If you're initially put off by CBD coming from the cannabis plant, don't be.

There is so much confusion surrounding CBD. The first thing to understand is that not all CBD tinctures are created equal.

Some are made from hemp while others are made from cannabis. So, there is hemp CBD tinctures (hemp extracts) and cannabis CBD tinctures.

Certain cannabis sativa plants have a much lower concentration of the psychoactive compound THC and a much higher concentration of CBD.

For example, hemp plants generally contain more CBD, and cannabis plants contain more tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the compound associated with the ‘high’ that people think of when they think of the use of cannabis.

Hemp extracts (AKA hemp derived CBD oils) generally contain between 0% (broad spectrum) to less than 0.3% (full spectrum) of THC. Under federal law, hemp derived CBD tinctures are legal.

It’s important to differentiate these plants from those with a higher THC and lower CBD concentration. These plants are considered marijuana and while legalized in many states, it’s still a controlled substance heavily regulated by the FDA.

The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3 percent THC federally legal.

However, CBD products containing more than 0.3 percent THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them federally illegal but legal under some state laws.

You can rest easy, CBD alone won't get you or your fur baby high.

How Does CBD Work?

Scientific studies have revealed that most (if not all) animals, including humans, have a hormonal system called the endocannabinoid system. To quote some scientific papers:

"The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a widespread neuromodulatory system that plays important roles in central nervous system (CNS) development, synaptic plasticity, and the response to endogenous and environmental insults." - NCBI.

That's a lot of fancy scientific words, but the meaning is surprisingly simple. The endocannabinoid system is at least partially responsible for your nerves and brain, your ability to learn and adapt, and your ability to handle or fight off damage to your brain. (That's what "insult" means in this context; we're not talking about taking a drug to feel better about a devastating joke.)

The endocannabinoid system helps regulate memory, learning, emotional processing, sleep, pain control, temperature regulation, immune responses, inflammation, and more.

With such a direct connection to so many critical parts of your overall health, it's no wonder that people are starting to investigate it for how it interacts with various substances, right?

According to Peter Greenspoon, MD at Harvard Medical School, exploration of the ECS may lead to new drug discoveries.

“Study of the ECS was initially focused on attempts to understand (and demonize) an illegal drug, but new research has since flourished into a far more broad-based exploration into what is an astoundingly intricate and far-reaching system by which our bodies learn, feel, motivate, and keep themselves in balance. We are truly at the dawn of an age of discovery of the ECS and the development of new medicines that may help alleviate some of the cruelest diseases that people (and animals) suffer from. I am incredibly excited to see what discoveries await us as we continue to untangle the mysteries of the ECS.” HHP – Harvard Medical School.

Note: It's worth mentioning that CBD is not the only cannabinoid substance and is far from the only chemical that interacts with the endocannabinoid system. There are over 100 different chemicals termed cannabinoids; CBD is simply one of the most easily isolated and potentially useful of them.

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Taking a CBD oil interacts with the endocannabinoid system to help support your body in a variety of ways.

Proponents of CBD will tell you it can support your body in the fight against inflammation and anxiety, though it’s still much too early in scientific studies to make any formal claims on the matter.

The truth is, we don’t fully understand how CBD works on the body just yet. And while numerous studies are currently being conducted, and many may show encouraging results about its benefits, it may be years before definitive results are verified.

Is CBD Approved?

CBD is in an interesting position. As a cannabis-derived substance, CBD was part of the controlled substances list and was illegal up until 2018.

It has since been decoupled from its cousin compound, THC, which remains on the Schedule I list on controlled substances.

Since its removal from the controlled substances list, CBD has been broadly available in a wide range of products, from extracts and tinctures to CBD-infused foods and more.

They have not been approved by the FDA to treat anything and cannot be marketed as such, though, of course, there will always be people who skirt the line.

I’ll add a word of caution here. If you come across a CBD product claiming it’ll solve this or that, it’s best to keep it moving and to look for a more reputable company that shares honest, factual based information.

CBD has been approved as a medication for exactly one thing: epilepsy. The FDA has approved one specific CBD-derived drug, called Epidiolex, to treat epileptic seizures.

Something important for every pet parent considering CBD for their cat to understand is that while CBD may help soothe your cat’s situational anxiety, inflammation, or other ailments, CBD is not an approved treatment yet.

The Food and Drug Administration is looking into it, but the approval process can take years.

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Can You Give CBD to Cats?

CBD is gaining broader acceptance as a way to support the body's ability to handle problems and stay healthy.

As pointed out above, that doesn't mean it's widely tested or approved, but neither are some other healthy habits.

The fact of the matter is, you don't need the FDA's approval to eat a healthy salad, do you?

The real question is, can you give CBD to cats? If you’ve read any of our previous posts on CBD, you already know that CBD oil is safe to give to your kitty and your pup.

Above, we mentioned that most or all animals have an endocannabinoid system. That includes humans, cats, and dogs. That means cannabinoid chemicals like CBD can have an effect on the bodies of these animals.

However, just because we have the same system doesn't mean it works the same way, right?

Well, that can be true, but in the case of CBD, it pretty much works the same way for cats and dogs as it does in humans. The only difference is one that's pretty obvious: dosage.

Cats are much smaller than people. As such, the amount of CBD necessary to elicit a response is much lower. With a person, most products range from 20 to 1,000 milligrams of CBD per day.

That's a huge range, and it really depends on why you're using it. We're not going to go into it here, though.

For pets, the general rule is around 0.25 milligrams for every 0.5 kilograms of body weight. Most adult cats should weigh around 4-5 kilograms (8 – 11 lbs), so that's 2 to 2.5 milligrams of CBD.

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According to a study published by the National Institute of Health on Single-Dose Pharmacokinetics and Preliminary Safety Assessment with Use of CBD-Rich Hemp Nutraceutical in Healthy Dogs and Cats, several studies with cats that were administered CBD were given 2 mg of CBD so it may be a good place to start with an adult cat.

We recommend pet parents to start low and slowly increase the dose as you observe desired results.

Is There a Difference Between Human and Pet-Grade CBD?

Another question you might have is whether there's a difference between human-grade CBD products and pet-grade CBD products.

The answer is, yes, of course. Differences come in a few different forms.

Dosage. Since the amount of CBD a person takes is generally so much higher than the amount you would give to a cat, the concentration of CBD is going to be a lot lower in a pet-focused product. Now, it’s important to note that this isn't consistent across manufacturers. There are no regulations governing CBD products because they're so new, and there are already far fewer regulations for pet products than there are for humans.

In general, most pet-focused CBD products are going to be very diluted, as compared to human-targeted CBD products, which might be a pure concentration of CBD oil. This varies from product to product, though; some might expect you to dilute them with a carrier oil or be very careful with a dropper, while others are infused treats or other products that give your fur baby the right dosage every time.

Flavoring. This one might seem obvious in retrospect, but many people overlook it. Human-grade CBD is usually either neutral or flavored, possibly as part of a vape cartridge, or as part of a snack or food. For pets, it's either a neutral flavor, or it's some kind of meat flavoring, or peanut butter, i.e. something our carnivorous friends prefer. Your cat might not like what you enjoy, and you might not like what they enjoy. That doesn't mean you can't share, just that it might be less pleasant than you expect.

Purity. Unfortunately, pet products are less regulated than human products, even in something as unregulated as CBD. Some "pet-grade" CBD products might use the designation as an excuse to be less pure, less filtered, or less processed (in this case we mean more THC).

The truth is, though, it varies a ton based on the manufacturer of the product. Some of them are extremely sketchy, while others are USDA certified organic and can provide an independent Certificate of Analysis (COA) confirming the concentration noted on the label.

Certification. As we've mentioned, the FDA doesn't certify any CBD products except for that one epilepsy drug. However, that doesn't mean that they can't be certified at all. There are at least four different certifications you should look for. Regulated and unregulated by the US government.

The first two represent the highest thresholds for safety, purity, quality, oversight, product and process quality control and accountability. They are regulated by the US federal government and should be your minimum threshold for product confidence.

The two remaining on the list are not associated or regulated by the federal government and are somewhat easier to meet. And while not as popular or reputable, they represent nice additions on top of the first two:

• USDA Certified Organic. The USDA will review all of the ingredients in a product – not just the CBD – and verify that they're produced using organically ingredients. This sets the highest bar in terms of safety and guarantees the purity and a product free of contaminants.
• cGMP. The Current Good Manufacturing Practice certification is obtained by meeting the FDA’s requirements for “the methods, facilities, and controls used in manufacturing.” This is the second highest threshold for safety and quality any CBD product you consume should at least meet. The regulations ensure that a product is safe for use and confirms that it has the ingredients and strength the manufacturer claims.
• The US Hemp Authority. This authority specifically deals with hemp and hemp-derived products, which includes CBD. They can verify that a product is produced using industry standards and best practices.
• The NASC. The National Animal Supplements Council is a third-party agency that helps review supplements to verify that they're as safe as possible to get, short of dedicated FDA testing.

Here is a great guide on how to pick the best CBD oil for your dog or cat.

So, while there are differences, they vary from product and manufacturer, and it's difficult to make any sweeping generalizations.

Can You Give Your Fur Baby Human-Grade CBD?

The simple and short answer to this one is yes. Human-grade CBD is, if anything, more likely to be pure and refined than pet-grade, simply by nature of how much more oversight human-grade products have. Read more below for the long answer.

That's not to say it's completely safe. You want to watch out for a few things.

• First of all, keep an eye out for additives. A flavoring you might enjoy might be toxic to your furry friend, and that's absolutely not something you want to encounter unexpectedly. In the same way you wouldn't want to give your fur baby a CBD-infused chocolate because of well, the chocolate, you want to be careful with what other ingredients in your CBD product. This is less of a problem if you buy a pure CBD tincture or one that is certified USDA organic and designed for cats.
• You should pay attention to concentration and dosage as well. If you're using a tincture or pure oil to make your own treats or add to food, you need to make sure you know what the concentration of CBD is in your product. Some are diluted in a carrier oil, while others are closer to pure CBD oil; one or two drops of the latter will be far more potent than the former.
• It’s also best to check for a Certificate of Analysis for the product you intend to buy. These certificates are provided by an independent third-party lab after they test and analyze the content in a batch of CBD oil. As we mentioned earlier, it’ll confirm the amount of CBD present as well as the level of THC. Some tests will also show if any microbials or heavy metals are present.

So, should you give your fur baby human-grade CBD? That's ultimately your call. We know CBD oil isn’t cheap, so it’s tempting to share, but frankly, we don’t recommend it, because of the possible additives we noted earlier.

Instead, look into a pet-specific CBD product designed for your fur babies.

If you ever want to try CBD oil for your cat, we always like to caution pet parents to make sure they pick a non-toxic and safe CBD oil for their furry children.

Making sure you pick a product that is made in the USA as well as organic should be every pet parent's priority.

As we have discussed in multiple occasions throughout all my related blog posts on CBD, the wild west nature of the pet products industry can make buying safe CBD tinctures a very dangerous thing.

If you are currently buying pet hemp oil (not to be confused with hemp extract or CBD oil for dogs and cats) on the largest US eCommerce site, odds are those products are manufactured in Asia. Keep on administering them at your own peril. Don't believe us? keep on reading.

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There are several ways in which you can find out if your pet products are made in Asia and the manufacturer is falsely claiming made in the USA or some cleaver variation of this phrase.

One simple way is by running what we like to call the 3liv3v3 test (replace the "3" symbol for the letter "a" and the "v" for a "b" when looking up this website).

For those of you not familiar with this website, it is basically where 90% + of products come from on the largest eCommerce site in the USA. Go on 3liv3v3 and run a search for pet hemp oil .

You will be surprised or should we say terrified? to find many of the most popular commercially available products there. Perhaps even the one you are using right now. The horrifying thing is that many of these brands label their products as "handcrafted in the USA" or even "made in the USA".

In closing, if your fur baby has common issues such as inflammation, joint pain, low appetite, or situational anxiety, your best bet is to take them to the vet and discuss medical treatment options.

Never try to use holistic treatments for serious medical issues that may require veterinary attention. In addition, we always recommend chatting with your vet before administering CBD oil.

However, as a way to support the overall health and wellness of your fur babies (and yourself), CBD might be a good product to try. We'll leave that decision up to you.

Have you ever given your feline friend CBD before? How did it go? Do you have any funny stories to share about the experience? Did you get more CBD on you instead of in your kitty? Be sure to leave all your thoughts and stories in the comments section down below! I'd love to hear your thoughts!

If you found this post informative, please feel free to click on any social media button located around this post. Alternatively, if you are looking for more education on CBD for pets, you are at the right location. I have written extensively about this topic!

One more thing, if you are feeling like getting a little special something for your fur baby that is unique, made right here in the USA, 100% pup and cat safe, USDA certified organic and brought to you by a US company, check out Toe Beans online pet supplies store!

The truth is, though, animals of all sorts can have different personalities, and those personalities can include proclivities towards certain attitudes, including situational anxiety and stress.

If you use CBD oil to help manage your own anxiety you may have at some point wondered: Can CBD oil help calm cats with situational anxiety?

Unfortunately, while humans have plenty of medications and therapy techniques available to handle stress, very little is available for our kitties.

When you have a scaredy cat, like I do, you have to find ways to cope and help them cope, to give them the best life possible.

In this post I go into great detail to discuss situational anxiety in cats while answering an important question about CBD oil for pets: Can CBD oil help calm cats with situational anxiety?

From often overlooked symptoms to causes of situational anxiety to how to help with it. I also share my own journey with my own scaredy cat and how I use CBD oil to manage her own situational stress and anxiety.

If you are interested in learning more about CBD for pets, my blog is packed with resources. I have written extensively about it.

What Are the Symptoms of Situational Anxiety in Cats?

Before you can determine whether or not to formally address your cat's situational anxiety, you first need to know whether or not your cat actually has it.

There are many symptoms and behaviors your fur baby can exhibit that may or may not be part of it.

According to PetMD, there are several symptoms and behaviors that can indicate your cat suffers from situational anxiety. These include:

• Mild: Avoiding eye contact.
• Mild: Shifting body or head away from you.
• Mild: Holding their tail close to their body.
• Mild: Nervous flicking of the tail.
• Mild: Partially dilated pupils.
• Moderate: Ears tilted to the sides.
• Moderate: Further dilation of the pupils.
• Moderate: Faster than normal breathing.
• Moderate: Fixed staring at a source of stimulus.
• Moderate: Crouching and leaning away.
• Severe: Attempting to escape a situation.
• Severe: Freezing in place.
• Severe: Holding ears back.
• Severe: Fur standing up straight.
• Severe: Aggression.

You've likely seen many of these behaviors as part of regular play, but there's a difference between play and stress.

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Situational anxiety is tense, cautious, and fearful, while play is more rambunctious and energetic.

Cats in a stressed state may also growl, yowl, or make warning noises, particularly if the source of their stress approaches them.

What Causes Situational Anxiety in Cats?

There are several primary causes of situational anxiety in felines, and it can manifest in different ways.

These triggers include:

• Pain, illness, or injury. Cats in distress often display signs of nervousness. Cats are notorious for hiding pain and sickness since it makes them feel vulnerable, which is why many cat parents worry when their cat displays outright symptoms of uneasiness; they may also indicate a much deeper and more concerning ailment.
• Trauma. Fear and apprehension are common responses to trauma. Trauma can be fresh and new, or it can be an older trauma your cat remembers (from their time as a kitten or in a prior household as in the example of a rescued adult cat). It's actually rather similar to PTSD in humans.
• Poor socialization. Cats tend to be very flexible in their behaviors when they are young, but solidify in their responses as they age. This means that cats that are not properly socialized as kittens may develop situational anxiety responses to otherwise common stimuli, including boisterous people or loud environments. Anyone who has adopted a stray or a rescue that hides when something changes in the environment will recognize this source of situational anxiety.

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There's also the case of separation anxiety. Many cats are social creatures, and if they bond closely to you as their parent, they may grow anxious when they are left on their own for too long.

Some cats that are raised in a home and are later abandoned can also develop this form of situational anxiety.

Can You Help Relieve Situational Anxiety in Cats?

Above, we mentioned that situational anxiety in cats doesn't have as much research or study into it as anxiety in humans. While this is true, that doesn't mean there is nothing you can do about it.

Some potential alternatives include:

• Environmental management. If your cat experiences situational anxiety when the environment changes, minimizing that change can help.
• Antidepressants. Depression and anxiety are very similar in both humans and animals, so medications for depression can also help relieve situational anxiety. Some antidepressants are long-term medications you have to administer every day; others are meant for short-term treatment during a move or major shift, or can be used preemptively for traumatic events like the 4th of July fireworks. You should speak to your veterinarian in more detail if you think your cat needs medical intervention.
• Behavioral modification. While complex, certain kinds of therapy such as exposure/desensitization training and counter conditioning can be effective, when applied consistently. Be prepared for this method to take time. Whatever the modification is, it should be done slowly and not forced upon your kitty. Forcing a behavior will only exacerbate the problem.

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Unfortunately, for many pet parents these aren't always the ideal options. You may not want to medicate your fur baby, or sometimes they may have a bad reaction to medications in general.

They may also be difficult to train so managing their triggers may not work. Additionally, some pet parents may prefer a more holistic approach to help their fur babies.

Using CBD to Manage Situational Anxiety in Cats

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a chemical found in the hemp plant.

It is distinct from the psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) found in marijuana, which is broadly illegal. CBD is non-psychoactive and not defined as a controlled substance, making it both legal and useful.

CBD is relatively unstudied in both humans and animals, but many studies are currently being conducted.

These studies are part of a push to both legalize THC products, and to study the long-term benefits of both THC and CBD. Fortunately, there's preliminary evidence to suggest that CBD has two major benefits for both humans and animals.

• Pain relief. CBD may have the ability to dull pain, particularly the pain that comes from inflammation and joint issues. A case report was recently published on Wiley about CBD and THC as analgesic therapy in a cat with chronic osteoarthritic pain. According to the study:

"A 10-year-old mixed breed male cat presented with clinical signs related to chronic orthopedic pain. Upon physical examination, pain was noted, based on the feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index (FMPI). An analgesic treatment with a full spectrum cannabis oil (1.8% CBD and 0.8% THC) was proposed for 30 days (0,5 mg/kg based on CBD). The FMPI scale score decreased more than 50%. This case reported a satisfactory outcome for the patient and the owner, although this medication could increase ALT." - Veterinary Medical School | Universidad de la Republica, Uruguay.

• Calming situational anxiety. While CBD is not psychoactive, it may have the ability to reduce situational anxiety and help promote a calmer demeanor. A study by the center for research of developmental disorders of Kyoto, Japan suggests CBD can help ease separation anxiety in cats.

"In addition to humans, domestic cats are provided with such endocannabinoid system with which CBD interacts almost in the same manner researchers think it does in humans. However, little has been known about the clinical implications of CBD in the animals. Here the effects of CBD administration upon separation anxiety were evaluated in ten healthy cats. The animals experienced brief separation from their caregivers twice, once following the administration of CBD 4.0 mg/kg/day over a 2-week-period and once following the administration of sunflower oil alone as placebo." - Center for Research of Developmental Disorders, Kyoto, Japan

It's worth reiterating that, as of now, there is no firm evidence of these benefits that has been acknowledged by regulatory bodies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A lot more studies need to be conducted before these compounds can be proven as effective.

You may have some questions before deciding to try CBD with your scaredy fur baby. We understand, and we'll do our best to answer.

Will CBD make my cat high?

No! CBD is not psychoactive at all.

That said, you want to make sure you get products that are 100% CBD diluted in a carrier oil for example MCT coconut oil. Some CBD tinctures include a very small percentage of THC (less than 0.3%), these are known as full spectrum CBD oils.

Others will contain zero THC, which are commonly known as broad spectrum CBD oils. In either case, as long as the CBD is extracted from the hemp plant (also known as hemp extracts), these products are not only federally legal but also have no psychoactive properties.

Keep in mind that you should look for CBD oils with a certificate analysis showing its purity and level of CBD contents. We’ll discuss this in more detail below.

Are there side effects to CBD use?

CBD oil is not toxic or dangerous in high doses, but it can still potentially cause some rare side effects.

The side effects from excessively large doses include:

• Excess licking.
• Head shaking (possibly due to dizziness or nausea).
• Pacing.
• Gagging.
• Excess salivation.
• Vomiting.

One study performed on both dogs and cats found that cats tend to absorb or eliminate CBD more quickly evidenced by their lower serum values.

This suggests any potential side effects will be shorter in duration for cats than dogs. This study also indicates that CBD has more frequent adverse effects in cats than in dogs.

It’s worth bearing in mind that this is just one preliminary study and does not fully represent all cats, across different methods of administering CBD, and across different issues like situational anxiety and pain management.

CBD is generally considered safe in that your cat is not at risk of being permanently harmed from taking it or taking too much of it. If your furry friend experiences negative side effects, it's generally easy to spot, and you can discontinue the use of CBD oil immediately, with no further harm done.

Whenever beginning CBD with your kitty, you should err on the low end of the quantity recommended for administration. Then, over time you can slowly increase the dose until desired effects are observed.

Are CBD products illegal or approved?

Marijuana products are legal at the state level in certain states, but are currently illegal at the federal level.

However, CBD products are not marijuana products. They are hemp products, and hemp products have been deemed fully legal since 2018.

While it has been legal to purchase for several years, the FDA has not analyzed, processed, or approved any CBD products.

The only exception is one medication that treats a specific type of seizures in humans. Significant testing must be performed for approval. As such, CBD is classified as a nutraceutical, and is not approved or meant for the treatment of any disorder, ailment, or disease.

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Are CBD products regulated?

As mentioned, the FDA – the primary organization responsible for validating and approving medications for both humans and animals – has not yet approved any CBD products for use in animals.

Here's a quote directly from the FDA:

"FDA recognizes the potential opportunities that cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds may offer and acknowledges the significant interest in these possibilities. However, FDA is aware that some companies are marketing products containing cannabis and cannabis-derived compounds in ways that violate the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) and that may put the health and safety of consumers at risk." – FDA.gov

The USDA provides guidance and regulation on USDA has guided and regulates the growth and production of hemp and hemp-based products like CBD, but there's no straight forward list of USDA-approved CBD products available.

That said, there are a range of third-party organizations and laboratories that have established themselves to test and verify the chemistry and efficacy of CBD products.

It's important to verify the products you consider purchasing, as well as the veracity and authority of the organizations that certify it.

In general, just make sure you trust the product and the seller when you buy it, and only consider products that come with third-party testing or COA (Certificate of Analysis) that ensures the quality of the products you purchase.

CBD products aren’t cheap, so if you’re going to spend the money, it’s worth checking that what you think you’re getting is actually in that bottle by reviewing the lab analysis.

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A CBD product without a lab analysis could contain contaminates such as heavy metals or solvents. And even if there is no contamination the claimed amount of CBD can vary greatly from one batch to another so the strength in a bottle may not be correct.

How long would it take for CBD to work for my cat?

In many cases, CBD will start to take effect within 15-30 minutes of administration. This does, however, depend on the size of the dose and the size of your fur baby. For more serious issues you’ll need to allow 2-4 weeks of regular use.

While there is no consensus on dosing as CBD tinctures come in different concentrations, it's generally recommended that you administer CBD based on the weight of your feline.

A small cat may need much less compared to a larger chonker. Given that CBD products come in different concentrations, be sure to follow the instructions on the product you purchase.

Additionally, the quantity of CBD can be adjusted depending on your fur baby's reaction, so as we mentioned earlier start on the low end and then work your way up.

How long will the effects of CBD last?

Some experts suggest CBD remains in a cat's system for around 4 to 6 hours.is eliminated relatively quickly from cats.

However, this depends on several factors, including:

• Your fur baby's age.
• Their personal brain chemistry.
• Their weight and activity levels.
• Their breed.
• What response you're looking for.

Just like us humans, every cat is different so it's important to observe your fur baby carefully to ensure no adverse reactions are happening.

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What should I look for in a good feline CBD tincture?

Buying anything your cat consumes orally or via dermal absorption should never be taken lightly. I can not emphasize enough that this is a serious endeavor where your #1 priority should always be safety of ingredients.

Unfortunately the unregulated nature of many segments of the pet products industry has made it very dangerous for unsuspecting pet parents to buy almost anything for their fur children.

I constantly write extensively on the topic of safety of ingredients and raw materials to help pet parents make educated purchases that reduce the risks to their beloved fur babies. Despite the general lack of regulations in CBD products, you can look for a few key qualities in a good CBD product for your cat.

• Look for USDA-certified organic products. The USDA regulates hemp producers, and as such, will regulate many sources of CBD, though not all. Among other benefits, certified organic products are non-GMO as well as pesticide and heavy metals free.
• Look for lab tests and reports. Independent labs test batches of products and will certify them by product and batch number. Check to see if your chosen product is verified. Reputable online retailers will sell CBD products that come with a COA (certificate of analysis)
• Watch for purity levels. Some CBD products may include trace amounts of THC (over 0.3%), which can affect your cat strongly enough to cause a negative reaction. Others may claim a strong concentration that isn’t actually present.
• Buy only CBD oils that have been extracted using the CO2 extraction method. The CO2 extraction method is the purest and safest way to extract CBD. Many manufacturers will use extraction methods that leave traces of toxic substances in the final product.
• Look for evidence or assurances in manufacturing quality. No two CBD oils are created equal. Keep in mind that the quality of your CBD oil will always be a function of the quality of its manufacturing process. One of the highest standards in manufacturing processes is the CGMP certification. CGMP regulations assures the identity, strength, quality, and purity of hemp derived products by requiring that manufacturers adequately control manufacturing operations. There are many unscrupulous sellers that will sell anything that pays without regards to your fur baby's safety.
• Look for CBD products that are made in the USA. This may seem like an obvious recommendation but as we've discussed on multiple occasions throughout all my related blog posts on CBD, the pet products industry's wild west nature can be a very dangerous place for the unsuspecting pet parent.

If you are buying pet hemp oil (not to be confused with hemp extract or CBD oil for dogs and cats) on the largest US eCommerce site, odds are those products are manufactured in Asia. Keep on administering them at your own peril. Don't believe us? Keep on reading.

There are several ways in which you can find out if your pet products are made in Asia and the manufacturer is falsely claiming made in the USA or some cleaver variation of this phrase. One simple way is by running what we like to call the "3liv3v3 test" (replace the "3" symbol for the letter "a" and the "v" for a "b" when looking up this website).

For those of you not familiar with this website, it is basically where 90% + of products come from on the largest eCommerce site in the USA. Go on "3liv3v3" and run a search for pet hemp oil.

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You will be surprised (or should we say terrified?) to find many of the most popular commercially available products there. Perhaps even the one you're using right now. The horrifying thing is that many of these brands label their products as "handcrafted in the USA" or even "made in the USA."

And, of course, no matter what you buy, watch your kitty to see how they react. The last thing you want is to stimulate their situational anxiety even further by giving them something that causes an adverse reaction, however rare it may be.

Should You Invest in Feline CBD?

At the end of the day, the biggest question is simple: should you pick up a CBD product to try to calm down your kitty, or should you stick with more traditional approaches, behavioral training, and trigger monitoring?

The answer depends a lot on you and your cat's issues and triggers. Some cats have triggers that are easily avoidable or behaviors that can be easily minimized. Others take well to medications.

Some have situational anxiety that seems intractable and impossible to handle. Hemp Extracts with CBD are an option you can explore, particularly if other options are ineffective or difficult to maintain. At the very least, it's unlikely to be harmful if you want to give it a try.

My Experience Helping my Old Scaredy Cat with CBD Oil

From one pet parent to another, I thought I’d share my experience thus far using CBD with my 17-year-old kitty Sosa.

She’s always been your stereo typical scaredy cat and as she’s gotten older and become the only furry household member, her separation anxiety has worsened.

Sosa also has both kidney disease and heart disease, and her appetite has been waning for some time now. I spoke with my veterinarian a few months back and she green-lighted trying CBD.

Our goals with starting CBD were three-fold:

1. Increase her consistency with eating,
2. Reduce the separation anxiety she experiences at night when Meowmy and Pawpi go to sleep behind a closed door (she knows to blame Pawpi for his cat allergies), and
3. Help reduce inflammation that causes her to periodically limp.

It’s been just over two weeks now and there has already been an improvement in her eating. Anyone with a geriatric kitty knows keeping weight on can be an uphill battle, so I was immediately pleased. I’m considering this one a win.

As for her limping, it has stopped. I can’t help but wonder did the CBD reduce her inflammation? Is this just a span of good days for her? The jury is still out on this one, but she is going up and down the stairs with more pep in her step.

Now on to her situational and separation anxiety. This one is absolutely a more chronic issue since she’s had it since a kitten. On some nights we’ve noticed less crying, but it hasn’t been consistent.

We’re slowly stepping up her dose and monitoring her for any changes. She has a vet appointment next month (Jan 2022), so it’ll be interesting to see how she does in the car and at the vet as compared to pre-CBD administration.

To our cat parent readers: have you tried using CBD for your furry friend? What were your experiences like? Did everything go as you thought it would, or did anything unexpected occur? What about those of you who haven't given it a go yet? Would you consider doing so now? Be sure to leave all your thoughts and stories in the comments section down below!

Interested in learning more about CBD for dogs and cats? We've written extensively about this topic.

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One more thing, if you are feeling like getting a little special something for your fur baby that is unique, made right here in the USA, 100% pup and cat safe, USDA certified organic and brought to you by a US company, check out Toe Beans online pet supplies store!

As I opened my laptop Beany hopped up on the arm of the chair and at just the right angle I could see a red spot on her inner arm.

I immediately reached out and confirmed my suspicion, blood.

I ran to grab some tissues and as I examined her more closely I saw there was a lump on her arm, which is where the small amount of blood was coming from. I waited for the vet to open and called to have her seen.

I emailed a couple of pictures and waited for a call back.

I was advised to get her an e-collar and to bring her in the next morning and they would squeeze her in between appointments.

The next day I dropped Beany off and anxiously awaited a call from the vet.

When it finally came, I was told samples from the lump were reviewed under a microscope and the cells were abnormal.

It could be benign or it could be malignant; we’d have to wait for cytology to review the cells.

Given the location and risk of infection, either was the standard course of treatment would at a minimum be removal.

Beany has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), which puts her at moderate risk for surgery, so I knew immediately we were caught between a rock and a hard place.

Flash forward 3 days and I get another call from my vet – it’s the dreaded c word… cancer. Call it mother’s intuition or a premonition based on it being 2020, I just knew it wasn’t going to be good news.

The next steps would be to determine the stage of the cancer, which will require chest x-rays and another ultrasound. From there my vet said we would need to see an oncologist.

My husband and I discussed it and we don’t think Beany would do well getting chemo or radiation.

She can’t stand the car or being handled by vets. While we want to keep her with us forever we have to consider the amount of stress the additional testing and treatment would cause.

So here we are two days after diagnosis and we’re still trying to process the news.

We decided we would make an appointment to speak with an oncologist to fully understand the prognosis and what options are available.

Have you ever had a kitty diagnosed with cancer? How did you proceed after the news?

Read More Cat Care Guides

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• 7 Tips for Taking Care of a Fluffy Long-Haired Cat
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• DIY Cat Bed Ideas to Make a Cozy Place for Your Fur Baby

One more thing, if you are feeling like getting a little special something for your fur baby that is unique, made right here in the USA, 100% pup and cat safe, USDA certified organic and brought to you by a US company, check out Toe Beans online pet supplies store!

I was totally grossed out, but she laughed and said, “just wait one day you’ll talk about poop too." While she turned out to be correct, I don’t think she had cat poo in mind!

So, let’s get started. Most poo issues with resolve by themselves after a day or two. If your fur baby is eating and drinking as usual, try to be patient.

If the changes continue beyond a couple of days, give your vet a call. They may want you to come in for a check-up.

So what’s normal?

Poop can be a great indicator of your fur baby’s overall health, so it’s important to keep an eye out for any changes.

The average kitty will poo at least once per day. The poo should be deep brown in color, well-formed (not too hard, not too mushy), and the smell, while stinky, shouldn’t be shocking to your senses.

If your kitty’s poo goes from stinky to OMG ARE YOU ROTTEN INSIDE??, make an appointment with your vet.

This probably goes without staying, but blood in the stool is not normal and requires a vet’s expert advice.

Beyond normal, we have two ends of the spectrum, constipation and diarrhea.

Constipation

If you catch your kitty in the litter box just standing there trying to potty, but nothing is happening (or only little pellets are being expelled), s/he might be constipated.

This can be common for kitties eating dry food because they aren’t consuming enough water. Consider adding a scoop of wet food at mealtime to add in some extra fluids.

Other common causes of constipation include kidney problems, which is very common in aging cats.

Overgrooming can lead to excessive hair in the digestive tract, which can also lead to a backup. Low fiber diets and health issues such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) may also be the cause.

Talk to your vet about some natural remedies to resolve bouts of constipation. They may recommend pumpkin to add some dietary fiber or a hairball remedy if your kitty is an over-groomer.

Inflammatory disease may require a prescription diet or medication.

Diarrhea

On the flip side, we have diarrhea.

I have one kitty that poos outside the litterbox when her tummy is feeling especially bad.

While this can be frustrating, it’s best not to scold her because cats connect the reprimand to fear of the pet parent instead of understanding the unwanted behavior.

Keep in mind that diarrhea that lasts more than a day or two can cause dehydration, so don’t let this issue continue over a long period of time.

There are so many possible causes of diarrhea, but some of the most common include dietary sensitivities (ex. dairy) or allergies (ex. protein source), IBD, Hyperthyroidism, and yes the dreaded C word… cancer.

Diarrhea that does not quickly resolve will likely require at a minimum, blood work from your vet in order to try to identify the root cause.

A short stint of prednisolone or metronidazole may be given to reduce inflammation and clear up the runny stool while a firm (pun intended) diagnosis can be determined.

If IBD is found a daily medication may be needed to induce remission. If a food allergy is suspected a diet change will likely be recommended.

What to expect at the vet

If you end up needing to bring your little one to the vet, get ready to talk all about poo. Your vet may even share a poo consistency chart with you to help identify what you’ve been seeing in the litter box.

Be prepared to explain when you noticed the change, any changes to your kitty’s diet, and any other stressors that may have been recently introduced. When possible, I also like to take a picture of the poo to capture the consistency and amount (if present) of blood. Your vet may recommend additional tests to further refine treatment options.

Does your kitty have digestive issues? What do you do as at home remedies?

Read More Cat Care Guides

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• 7 Tips for Taking Care of a Fluffy Long-Haired Cat
• Should I Brush My Cat or Do They Clean Themselves?
• DIY Cat Bed Ideas to Make a Cozy Place for Your Fur Baby
• How to Keep Your Cat Still While Trimming Nails
• FAQ: Can CBD Oil Help Calm Cats with Situational Anxiety?
• How to Buy Catnip for Cats
• FAQ: Can You Give Cats Human Grade CBD Oil?
• Common Questions and Clever Ways to use Catnip

One more thing, if you are feeling like getting a little special something for your fur baby that is unique, made right here in the USA, 100% pup and cat safe, USDA certified organic and brought to you by a US company, check out Toe Beans online pet supplies store!

Many will jump right to the benefit of reducing overpopulation and the suffering that accompanies this problem, but this post will focus on the benefits directly for you and your fur baby.

Behavioral Benefits

• Your fur baby won’t go into heat! That means no bouts of howling to attract a mate, no urine marking around the house, and no messy bleeding!
• Your fur baby is less likely to roam away from home. The mating instinct is strong and if your fur baby is unsterilized you risk them going off to find a mate. Worse off they may attract mates into your yard when you have no intention of breeding.
• Neutered males tend to be less aggressive, and less likely to mount your guest’s leg or your furniture!

Health Benefits

• Spaying prevents uterine infections and reduces the chance of mammary gland tumors. To get the most protection from this benefit you need to spay your fur baby prior to her first heat cycle.
• Neutering prevents testicular cancer and even reduces some prostate issues.

We all love our fur babies and sometimes imagine what it would be like to have a mini version running around.

Remember though, each animal will have their own personality so the odds of getting a “mini-me” that looks and acts the same is not likely.

So, let’s do what’s best for our fur baby instead. Longer, healthier life? Avoiding unwanted behaviors?

Sterilization is a win-win and it’s never too late. If your fur baby is over 8 weeks old and you haven’t already had him/her sterilized, what are you waiting for?

Talk to your vet today about scheduling this simple procedure!

How old was your fur baby at sterilization? Did you go to your local vet or animal shelter?

Read More Cat Care Guides

• FAQ: How Often Should You Take Your Cat to The Vet?
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• 7 Tips for Taking Care of a Fluffy Long-Haired Cat
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• DIY Cat Bed Ideas to Make a Cozy Place for Your Fur Baby

One more thing, if you are feeling like getting a little special something for your fur baby that is unique, made right here in the USA, 100% pup and cat safe, USDA certified organic and brought to you by a US company, check out Toe Beans online pet supplies store!

I just thought hmmm that’s odd. I saw it briefly 2 maybe 3 times before I thought something isn’t right here.

So, I took a peek in her mouth and noticed a missing upper canine!

Thankfully she didn’t seem to be in any pain, although cats are notorious for hiding even the most serious ailments, so it’s hard to know for sure.

She was eating fine, but I knew a vet appointment was in our near future, so I called and got her on the schedule.

Here I thought she had lost the tooth, it turns out it broke!

My wonderful vet Dr. Smith carefully performed a full exam and recommended a good cleaning and removal of the broken tooth and at least one other.

So, we proceeded with the pre-op bloodwork and will sit tight while we wait for results.

Mind you Sosa is 15, going on 16 years old, so she’s no spring chicken.

She has stable Stage 1 kidney disease, presumably Irritable Bowel Disease (more bloodwork to come), and slightly elevated heart values.

A lot to consider when it comes to undergoing anesthesia.

Having gone through this with my Moo almost 2 years ago to the date, I feel very confident in the vet that will perform the surgery.

At the time my Moosie boy was 16, had hyperthyroidism and diabetes.

Different ailments, but still higher risk.

He made out amazing and while I’ll be super nervous the day Sosa undergoes surgery, I’m conservatively optimistic that she will be fine as well.

A few takeaways:

• See something out of the ordinary? Always investigate to determine the cause.
• Don’t assume “normal” behavior means your fur baby is not in pain.
• Always consult a professional when you think something may not be normal for your fur baby.

Stay tuned as we follow Sosa’s progress during pet dental health month to learn how to take care of your fur baby’s teeth.

In the meantime, take a peek at your fur baby’s teeth to see if they may need a good cleaning.

Has your fur baby ever broken a tooth? How did you notice?

Read More Cat Care Guides

• FAQ: How Often Should You Take Your Cat to The Vet?
• Why Do Cats Bite and Then Lick You?
• 7 Tips for Taking Care of a Fluffy Long-Haired Cat
• Should I Brush My Cat or Do They Clean Themselves?
• DIY Cat Bed Ideas to Make a Cozy Place for Your Fur Baby

One more thing, if you are feeling like getting a little special something for your fur baby that is unique, made right here in the USA, 100% pup and cat safe, USDA certified organic and brought to you by a US company, check out Toe Beans online pet supplies store!

Vitiligo is a disease that causes the loss of skin pigmentation.

It can also cause hair to lose color. While vitiligo only affects about 2% of the world’s human population, did you know it can also occur in cats and dogs?

Background

The skin contains melanocytes, a type of cell that produces melanin (the pigment that colors the skin).

Vitiligo occurs when melanocytes are destroyed. As the melanocytes die, the affected area of the skin and the associated fur will turn white.

There are three main types of vitiligo:

• Focal vitiligo: Affects only one or a very limited area of the skin.
• Segmental or Unilateral vitiligo: Affects one side or an entire body part.
• Generalized or Bilateral vitiligo: Affects the entire body either in a random or symmetric pattern.

Causes of Vitiligo in Cats

While the exact cause of this disease is still unknown, some of the potential causes include an autoimmune system disease, stress, family history, and exposure to toxins.

It’s worth noting that most cases of vitiligo in pets seem to be hereditary.

Important Facts About Vitiligo

• Vitiligo is NOT contagious.
• Vitiligo is NOT painful.
• Certain dog breeds are at a higher risk for developing vitiligo, some of these breeds include:
  • Belgian Tervurens
  • Rottweilers
  • Labrador Retrievers
  • German Shepherds

Have you ever met a doggy or kitty with vitiligo?

Read More Cat Care Guides

• FAQ: How Often Should You Take Your Cat to The Vet?
• Why Do Cats Bite and Then Lick You?
• 7 Tips for Taking Care of a Fluffy Long-Haired Cat
• Should I Brush My Cat or Do They Clean Themselves?
• DIY Cat Bed Ideas to Make a Cozy Place for Your Fur Baby
• How to Keep Your Cat Still While Trimming Nails
• FAQ: Can CBD Oil Help Calm Cats with Situational Anxiety?
• How to Buy Catnip for Cats
• FAQ: Can You Give Cats Human Grade CBD Oil?
• Common Questions and Clever Ways to use Catnip

One more thing, if you are feeling like getting a little special something for your fur baby that is unique, made right here in the USA, 100% pup and cat safe, USDA certified organic and brought to you by a US company, check out Toe Beans online pet supplies store!