Recent questions tagged cat health

Description : Is there any detriment to shaving my cats?

Last Answer : It’ll hurt you much more than the cats. The clippers will freak them out and you’ll have to deal with a frantic, clawing cat.

Description : Can Frontline Plus flea and tick interact with Fluconazole in cats?

Last Answer : I can't find any information on the interaction between fipronil and fluconazole. However cats are particularly sensitive to medications and I would suggest that before you use Frontline Plus, check with your ... animal is different and while one can be fine with both, others can have a reaction.

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Last Answer : Sorry for the delayed response - computer problems. I'm sure by now the injury has healed and/or been seen by the vet. It's important to give your vet as much information about the injury as possible such as when or how it occurred, is it chronic and so on. Hope your pet is well now.

Description : One day me and my friend were playing with my cat and petting her then all of a sudden she peed on me! Then she jumped off and she LIMPED away! She didn't have a tiny sign of illness until she peed ... bird(after my cat died) died mysteriously too. But that's another story thx for the answer. :)

Last Answer : There is no way now to tell how your kitten died. The only way to try to find out the cause would be for the vet to perform a necropsy which is an autopsy for an animal. Two pets that died mysteriously ... in your home (gas leaks & so on) to make sure the environment is safe for your pets and you.

Description : is there anyway to purchase megestral acetate without a prescription

Last Answer : No, this product must be prescribed by a doctor.

Description : My Calico has been urinating on my bathroom rugs for years now, and nothing stops her. Also, she leaves poop in areal near her litter box. She was doing it before my niece gave me back my male cat who is ... I don't know what to use too repel her from doing this, products I have bought do not work.

Last Answer : The first thing to do is to have your cat checked by the vet to rule out any medical problems. There are new products on the market that remove pet odors and they have been effective. One I've used is ... may be the problem. Also, try to keep the litter box as clean as possible. Hope this helps.

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Last Answer : Cats purr using the vocal folds and/or muscles of the larynx (a hollow, muscular organ through which air passes to the lungs; the voice box). Dilation and constriction of the glottis (the ... containing the vocal cords) causes air vibrations as the cat inhales and exhales making the purring sound.

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Last Answer : All cats knead. Kneading is an instinctive action. Researchers have determined that kneading mean the cat is feeling pleasure. Other reasons may be that when kittens nurse, they knead to increase milk flow; cats ... glands on their feet. For more info, please read our article, "Why Do Cats Knead."

Description : Im doing a project about cats and im just wondering what are cats used for today

Last Answer : Today's cats are mainly great pets. In some places such as farms, they are still valuable as rodent catchers, something they've perfected as long as cats have existed. Sadly, they are also ... in laboratories for research even though other methods are available that don't involve the use of animals.

Description : I'm setting up an aquarium and I want to know what I need to make my monitor happy.

Last Answer : While you can use UV lighting, it's not necessary. 45 watt halogen basking bulbs will do. Monitors grow quite large, so make sure the enclosure is roomy enough. It's important to provide a choice ... , humidity is high, so mist the enclosure several times daily. Adding a floor of earth can help.

Description : My cat gave birth to only one kitten. All the other cats that I know of have had at least 3 kittens or more, Is there something wrong with her?

Last Answer : It's not usual, but especially if the cat is young and it's a first litter, one kitten is born. Keep watch that momma cat is willing and able to take care of the kitten. ... underlying medical conditions. Unless you are a breeder, please think about spaying your cat to avoid anymore litters.

Description : I have a the flu. I've heard that it's something that cats can get it too. Is that true? What can I do to protect my kittie?

Last Answer : It's not very likely that your cat will catch the flu from you. The important thing is to practice good hygiene. Wash hands thoroughly before handling your cat. Cover your mouth when you sneeze or ... a slight possibility of swine flu being transferred to your cat, but it would be a rare occurrence.

Description : My cat loves bread. She's even willing to chew through the plastic bag to get at it. I though cats were carnivores. Why is my cat eating bread when she has perfectly good cat food to eat?

Last Answer : Cats can be finnicky eaters and it's sometimes amazing what food attracts them. A small amount of bread won't harm your cat, but never let her eat uncooked dough. The yeast is a danger. Cats are true ... the bread where your cat can't reach it and try giving her a small piece once in a while.

Description : My cat is 6 years old. Yesterday she slept all day on my bed and didn't come down for meals. Today she seems to be better. She ate breakfast and went outside. Should I be worried or could this be ... and she hates going. I don't want to put her under that kind of stress if it isn't necessary.

Last Answer : If your cat is already feeling better, it's probably just a passing upset. It's perfectly normal for cats to sleep 18 hours a day. Some cats may sleep less. It depends on the age and ... your cat exhibits an unusual behavior other than sleeping long hours, take her to the vet for a checkup.

Description : I found a litter of 3 newborn kittens outside. I didn't touch them because I was afraid that the mom wouldn't want them if she smelled me on them. The mother has been away for hours and the kittens are yelping away. Has she abandoned them? What should I do for them?

Last Answer : It's difficult to tell whether mother cat has abandoned her kittens. If she doesn't come back shortly, you can try feeding them. Your pet shop or vet probably has kitten formula & an eye ... to your nearest animal shelter. Sadly, newborns that have been left by the mother usually don't survive.

Description : Every morning, while I eat my cereal, my cat hangs around, meowing for me to share my milk with her. I ususally give her whatever is left over in the bowl when I'm done. Is this OK to do?

Last Answer : After cats are weaned, they no longer need milk. Mama cat's milk and cows milk are not the same. Cow's milk contains lactose, which many cats can't tolerate. Reactions can be skin rashes, diarrhea, ... water. If you really want to give her milk, try one that is lactose free to avoid any problems.

Description : My cat gets worms all the time. Is there anything that I can do to get rid of them, short of going to the vet?

Last Answer : Cats usually get worms from ingesting fleas. The first thing to do is get rid of the fleas on your cat and in your house. Since there are different types of worms, you might want to have your ... food for cats. Cats are very sensitive to many medications, so always ask your vet about what to use.

Description : My cat got stung by a bee. The area is swollen, otherwise she's acting normal. What should I do for her?

Last Answer : Keep checking the cat to make sure she is not having any difficulty breathing and is acting normal. Any respiratory distress needs immediate veterinary attention. Check if you can see if the ... with your vet before giving your cat any medications as cats are particularly sensitive to drugs.

Description : Our cat goes out side. She's been spayed and she's fully vaccinated. We have foxes in the woods behind our house. Can our cat get any diseases from them? I haven't heard that the foxes are ill in any way. I was just curious.

Last Answer : Rabies can be transmitted through a bite, but your cat has been vaccinated and she probably won't go near the foxes. Sarcoptic mange which is deadly to foxes is rarely transmitted to cats. Unless ... which is host to the fox tapeworm or roundworms, chances of your cat being affected are small.

Description : I think that my cat has worms. How do I treat her? Do I need to treat my other cats as well?

Last Answer : Cats are very sensitive to medications and supplements, even herbal ones. If you see what looks like little pieces of rice near the anus or in the stool, then your cat has worms. There are different ... safest to take your cat to the vet for de-worming and ask about your other cats while there.

Description : I just noticed crystals in my cat's urine. Should I be concerned? Why is this happening? What should I do to fix it?

Last Answer : Crystals in the cat's urine are a sign of a lower urinary tract disorder. They can be caused by not enough water intake and the cat's diet. Changing to a canned food diet can help but do so ... with little veggies. Depending on the severity of the problem, take your cat to the vet to be examined.

Description : I have four cats in a two bedroom apartment. There is a friendly stray kitten downstairs that I'm thinking about taking home. There are always strays that I'd love to take in, and I'm afraid that I might not know when to stop. How many cats is too many?

Last Answer : For cat lovers, this can be a difficult question to answer. Cats do benefit from the companionship of another cat. Keep in mind that more than 3 or up to 5 cats together are enough to keep track of any ... if not friends. I would say go for the stray kitty, but keep your number of cats at 5.

Description : My cat is an amazing hunter. I'm not happy or proud about it, but it is what it is. He caught a rat last night. I found him playing with it this morning. I got rid of it as soon as I could. My cat has his shots. Should I be worried for rabies or anything like that?

Last Answer : If you're concerned, it's a good idea to take your cat to the vet for an examination. However there is probably no need for concern. Leptospirosis, a bacterial disease, can be transmitted to humans through a cat' ... that used to bring me "gifts" too. It could be a sign of how much they care for us.

Description : I get special food for cats and dogs. The cat has access to his food all the time. The dog sometimes leaves over some of his food after feeding time. Is it OK to let my cat eat my dogs leftovers?

Last Answer : No, because dog food lacks certain essential ingredients for cats. While dogs can make their own Vitamin A and taurine (an amino acid), cats need these supplements added to their food. They are ... Always check the ingredients in the cat food you purchase to make sure vitamins and taurine are added.

Description : My cat looks like she is getting fat. Could she be pregnant? How can you tell?

Last Answer : If she's just getting fat, it would show over her entire body. A vet can tell after 20 days if she is pregnant. Another clue would be vomiting after 3-4 weeks. At about 5 weeks, the cat's nipples ... with a soft blanket or towel or shredded paper and placing it in an area of low or no foot traffic.

Description : My cat does this wheeze/coughing thing. How can I tell if it's something serious?

Last Answer : About 1% of cats suffer from asthma. If it's a hairball, your cat will respond to hairball medications or simply place a bit of vaseline on the mouth or paws for your cat to lick off. That ... Your vet will listen to chest sounds and can determine if the problem is asthma, which is also treatable.

Description : What does a cat use its whiskers for?

Last Answer : A cat's whiskers are as long as the body is wide. This enables the cat to measure an opening to see if s/he can fit through. The whiskers are very sensitive and can feel the slightest air currents ... to their whiskers. Cutting a cat's whiskers puts them at a great disadvantage and is a cruel act.

Description : How many toes does a cat have on each paw?

Last Answer : Cats have 18 toes, 5 on each front paw and 4 on each back paw. There are cats called Polydactyl, a genetic abnormality, that have more than the normal number of toes on one or more paws. The extra toes are usually found on the front paws, rarely on back paws or all 4 paws.

Description : How many toes does a cat have on each paw?

Last Answer : The average is 5 on the front paws and 4 on the back, but some cats can have 6,3, etc.

Description : I've noticed that there are a lot of cats running around the neighborhood with one ear a bit shorter than the other ear. What's going on? Are these cats in some sort of cult?

Last Answer : It sounds like your neighborhood has a trap/neuter/release (TNR) program. Kudos to the powers that be. When a stray or feral cat is spayed or neutered, the tip of one ear is removed during ... produce kittens. This program cuts down on the number of feral cats suffering because they have no home.

Description : I heard this somewhere and wasn't sure if it's real or an old wive's tale. Does plaque cause sneezing in cats?

Last Answer : Yes, one of the reasons being an allergic reaction to the plaque causing sneezing. Untreated, plaque can cause gum disease, tooth loss, sinus infections, heart problems to name a few. To ... wrong, take the cat to the vet immediately so that treatment can begin before something serious develops.

Description : Our cat had kittens about a month ago. We leave her food out all the time. The kittens are curious and sometimes try to eat their mom's food, Is it OK for them? Should we try to keep them away from our cats food?

Last Answer : It isn't a problem for kittens to eat momma cat's food as both kitten and adult cat foods are nutritionally almost the same. The only real difference between the foods is the size of pellets and the texture. Kitten food pieces are smaller and sometimes softer.

Description : My cat got into a fight with another cat and it left him with a few bald patches, How long should it take before his hair grows back?

Last Answer : Generally it takes about 1-2 months for a cat's fur to grow back after injury or a haircut. It may take a little more time with a long-haired cat. The new fur may have a somewhat different color ... the cat has a full body shave or a spot where there has been an injury or surgery was performed.

Description : I've heard that they see much better than humans at night, but how well do the see in general? Do they see better than dogs?

Last Answer : Cats have excellent eyesight whether day or night. And cats do see better than dogs. For more information on cats and their eyesight visit: http://thepetwiki.com/The_Glowing_Cat

Description : I just adopted a 4-month-old kitten. How big will he be when he's full grown.

Last Answer : Adult cats average about 8-12 lbs depending on body structure. Some cats like the Maine Coon can weigh more. But you always want to keep your cat at a healthy weight to avoid obesity and the health problems that come with it.

Description : When it's really dark outside, sometimes my cats eyes seem to glow. What's up with that?

Last Answer : There is a layer of tissue behind the retina called the tapetum lucidum. It acts like a mirror reflecting light back to cells in the retina. This causes a cat's eyes to appear to glow when a beam of light is shined on them.

Description : My cat is getting neutered this Friday. I'll be home with him all weekend to make sure that he's OK. Can I leave him home on Monday by himself or will he need me to be with him for a longer period of time after his surgery?

Last Answer : When cats are stressed or in pain they usually hide or want to be left alone. You can make a comfy spot for him - a crate, box or bed, even just a favorite blanket. Cats recover very quickly and unless ... a couple of days (in which case he needs to see the vet asap) you can leave him by himself.

Description : My cat had a litter of 5 kittens. How long should it take for them to open their eyes?

Last Answer : Kittens open their eyes 7 to 10 days after birth. If the eyes don't open or appear crusty or runny, the kitten should be seen by a veterinarian.

Description : It seems like my cat sleeps all the time. Is that normal? How much sleep do cats need?

Last Answer : Cats sleep approximately 16-18 hours a day. 75% of the sleep period is light (catnaps) and the remaining 25% is deep sleep. It may appear your cat is sleeping all the time because he may be awake ... your schedule. However if you suspect something is wrong, please take him for a checkup at the vet.

Description : I gave my cat her booster shots a few weeks ago and she still has a bump near the injection site. It's gotten a bit smaller, but it hasn't gone away. Should I be concerned?

Last Answer : The lump could be a reaction to the vaccination. Let your vet know aboutl the lump. Keep a check on it to see if there are any changes in size, becoming larger, or how it feels. If you note any changes, your cat should be examined by the vet.

Description : We adopted a kitten about 3 months ago and she knocks everything over all the time. It doesn't seem like she's doing it on purpose, she just seems really clumsy. Should I be concerned? Is this something that she'll outgrow?

Last Answer : Not all cats are dainty ballerinas. Some are more like bulls in a china shop. Having said that, I would suggest having the cat examined by a veterinarian to rule out any neurological or other problems.

Description : My cat is long-haired and licks herself often. Then she throws up hairballs. Is there anything I can do to help her?

Last Answer : Smear a bit of petroleum jelly on a paw where the cat is likely to lick it. Some commercial products containing petroleum jelly are Laxatone, Petromalt or Katalax. Fresh mashed or canned pumpkin (not ... any treatment, have your cat checked by the vet to make sure there are no other health issues.

Description : I have a cat the gets a bump at the injection site, when she gets immunized. I've heard that some cats can get cancer from getting shots. Is this true? Do I have anything to worry about? Can I just skip giving her shots?

Last Answer : There is an ongoing controversy about vaccines and diseases such as cancer. The latest guidelines say that pets only need to be vaccinated every 3 years, although rabies vaccinations are according to ... vaccines that check antibodies in the blood. Changing the site of the vaccination may help too.

Description : We've has our cat for 3 months. I'm not sure if my cat is deaf or just ignoring me. I call for him to come, but he never does. He never responds at all when we call his name. How can I be sure?

Last Answer : You can try to check for deafness by standing behind your cat, making sure he's not watching you and clap your hands, bang on a pot or call his name. If your cat responds, he's probably not deaf ... , the best way to tell if he is deaf is through special testing that your vet can advise you about.