Expert Advice on Cat Health, Nutrition and Lifestyle.
On Monday, April 8, a solar eclipse will be visible in totality within a band across North America. Even if you’re not in the path of totality, you may still be able to observe one of nature’s most exciting spectacles. When the moon moves across the sun, day will become twilight, the temperature will drop, and nature will react. That includes animals – but will your cats react to the eclipse?
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Chronic pain in cats often goes untreated because cats are such masters at disguising pain and illness. This is an evolutionary holdover from their wild origins. In the wild, a cat in pain is seen as weak, making him a prime target for predators.
We know that chronic pain in humans can be debilitating, interfering with daily activities and taking the joy out of life. It’s not a big leap to assume that the same thing happens for our feline companions.Continue Reading
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Allegra has been on several different medications for the past few years. Since she needs to be on half and quarter sizes of some of her pills, that means I have to cut pills. It’s been a bit of a frustrating journey to find a solution that would cut her pills as accurately as possible. I was thrilled when I discovered a hack that has made the whole process so much easier.Continue Reading
The poisoning of the lawns in my suburban neighborhood is already in full swing. When I go for my daily walks, I can see the granules on the sidewalk. I see the lawn company trucks, and sometimes, I can even smell the chemicals. I am strongly opposed to the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and I don’t understand the obsession with a flawless green lawn. But mostly, I worry about the effect lawn chemicals have on the cats who come in contact with them – and that can happen even if your cats never leave the house.Continue Reading
Easter is early this year, and already, Easter lilies are popping up at florists. And every year, cats needlessly die because far too few cat parents are aware that these flowers are highly toxic to cats. Just one small bite of a flower, leaf, stem or even just the pollen of this plant can lead to fatal kidney failure if not treated within 12 to 24 hours of ingestion.Continue Reading
Reverse sneezing in cats happens when a cat tries to clear irritants from their mouth, throat or nasal passages. It is characterized by a sudden, forceful inhalation of air through the nose, often accompanied by a distinctive snorting or honking sound. Unlike a regular sneeze, where air is forcefully expelled out of the nose, reverse sneezing involves the inward movement of air. This can give the impression that your cat is struggling to breathe, which can make these episodes very distressing to watch for cat parents. It can often be mistaken for other respiratory problems.
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If you’re going to be buying flowers for Valentine’s Day, please be aware that many flowers are highly toxic, and in the case of lilies, even deadly to cats. Continue Reading
Next to you, your veterinarian may be the most important person in your cat’s life. She is your cat’s surgeon, radiologist, dentist, dermatologist, neurologist, ophthalmologist, psychiatrist and pharmacist, all rolled into one. Choosing the right person to care for your precious feline can be overwhelming. Here are my recommendations on how to go about finding a vet you and your cat will be comfortable with.Continue Reading
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Taurine plays a crucial role in cats’ overall health and well-being. As obligate carnivores, cats rely on taurine-rich diets to meet their nutritional needs. Adequate taurine intake is essential for maintaining a healthy heart, good vision, and a robust immune system.Continue Reading
Do you remove your shoes when you enter your home? If you don’t, you may want to rethink that. I don’t have a lot of rules in my house, but if you’re coming to visit me, I’m going to ask you to take off your shoes. I don’t want to expose Allegra or myself to all the bacteria and toxins that live on the bottom of the average shoe, because quite frankly, the stuff you’ll find there is the stuff of nightmares.Continue Reading
During a routine veterinary exam, your vet will perform a thorough head to tail physical examination of your cat. Depending on your cat’s age, he may also recommend routine blood and urine testing. If you brought your cat to the vet because of a health issue, your vet may recommend additional diagnostic testing, such as x-rays and ultrasound to determine the nature of your cat’s illness.Continue Reading