Cat health

Should I put my cat out at night?

2006-07-20T07:21:00.000-07:00

Here in the UK we are having a spell of very hot summer weather and all my cats are enjoying spending the time out of doors. The problem comes at bed-time! They know that I try to get them into the house then, so although at any other time they come running towards me, in the late evening they do the opposite! They deliberately elude me because they want to stay outside.
Cats love being outside on balmy summer evenings. The temperature is just right for them, without the hot sun which many of them find too hot. Not only that, but all the little creatures come out and they can have great fun chasing them - moths, voles, fieldmice and even frogs. Last night one of mine was having huge fun chasing a frog which was hopping about just out of her reach. There was no way she wanted to come indoors.
I often hear people say "Oh we put our cat out at night". These are usually people who otherwise give exemplary care to their cat, but on this I totally disagree with them. The night time is the most dangerous time, when cats run the most risk of being killed or injured on the roads. In a rural area they could be attacked by foxes or other wild animals. It is also the time when they are likely to wander off and get lost, if they are shut out for several hours with nobody to let them in or feed them.
Keep your cat in at night. He will protest and beg to be let out, but indoors is the safest place for him!

Coughing cat

2006-06-28T07:28:00.000-07:00

Last time I wrote about my cat Magic who was diagnosed with asthma. His main symptom was a nasty cough, though he also became depressed and lethargic and his eyes and coat became dull.
In this case Magic only gave single coughs every now and again, but sometimes cats can go into a lengthy coughing fit which is very alarming to the owner. It can be a really horrible sound.
Many conditions can lead to a cough. Some of the most common are:

Matter caught in the back of the throat. While grooming the cat may get a small hairball caught in the pharynx or behind the soft palate. Other items that might cause this include grass, pieces of dry food, or fishbones.
Tonsillitis - an infection of the tonsils leading to swelling and inflammation. Tonsillitis can be part of a more generalized disease such as feline respiratory disease.
Lungworm. This is caused by a parasite and occurs when the cat eats prey that is infested with the lungworm larva, such as birds, slugs, mice or other rodents. The cough is very severe in the early stages because the young lungworms are moving around in the lungs, causing a lot of irritation. The cough gradually becomes less frequent, but deeper and more resonant. Other signs can include sneezing, nasal discharge, diarrhea and general loss of condition.
Irritating fumes or dust. If the cat sits near a heating vent or a fan heater he can breathe in considerable amounts of dust particles blown up from the floor. These can irritate the throat and lungs.
Growths in the mouth. Cysts, polyps or even cancerous growths can form in the mouth. If these encroach towards the back of the cat's mouth or throat, they can cause coughing.

Your vet can diagnose what is causing your cat's cough and provide the right treatment. It is essential that you take him to the vet at the first sign of a cough.

Cats can get asthma too

2006-06-24T03:06:00.000-07:00

Last week one of my foster-cats, Magic (4 years old, seen here) was very off-colour. He was lethargic, his eyes were dull and his coat had lost its shine. Every now and again he would give a sort of cough-sneeze-retch, though he didn't vomit. Also he would sometimes give a kind of gulp, as if he had something stuck in his throat.
At first, the vets couldn't decide what was wrong with him. His temperature was slightly raised, though not much. They thought it might be tonsillitis and gave him antibiotic and anti-inflammatory injections, but he didn't get better. Then they found that there was fluid on his chest and gave him a different antibiotic in a high dose, over three days. Now he is almost back to normal - much more energetic and bright-eyed, and has stopped coughing.
The last vet we saw (the senior vet) said he was pretty sure it was asthma, triggered by a specific type of pollen that is around at this time of year. So it could recur in future years, although apparently the pollen count in Britain is exceptionally high this year, so in future years it may not be so severe.

How often should I feed my cat?

2006-06-17T08:52:00.000-07:00

Cats prefer to eat a little at a time. They prefer to eat several small meals rather than one or two larger meals. Ad-lib feeding, or free access to food, seems to suit most cats. When the cat has consumed enough food to supply his energy requirements, he will stop eating. If the food is correctly balanced, he will also by then have consumed the correct amount of protein, fats, vitamins and minerals to meet his daily needs.
Some cats may become obese with this method, but most regulate themselves well. Having plenty of exercise and opportunity for play will prevent most cats from becoming too fat. If your cat is an indoor cat, it is important to provide plenty of stimulus and take time to play with him (see blog for June 13th, 2006).

Do I need to buy expensive toys for my cat?

2006-06-13T07:54:00.000-07:00

When your cat is young he will play with anything! In fact he will go after anything that moves! If you encourage it, this playful behavior will continue well into adulthood. And it is a good idea to encourage it, as it will help him to keep healthy and stimulated.
The cat's natural role is as a rodent-hunter or bird predator, so his natural toys are those with which he can pretend to be chasing something. Home-made toys such as aluminum foil balls, tissue-paper balls, cotton-reels, corks, or even a piece of string, are perfectly adequate and he can have hours of fun with these. Outside he will chase leaves and leap around after flies. He can have as much fun with these as with the most expensive toy.
If there is more than one cat in the house, they will often, though not always, play together and have a great time chasing each other and rolling round together. If you have only one cat, spend time playing with him yourself - he will love this most of all!

2006-06-06T08:18:00.000-07:00

Your cat has a special kind of greeting for you to show that you are his favorite person. He will come over and rub his head and body against your legs, or even "head-butt" you. This is a very personal cat ritual and involves the three primary scent glands - on his forehead, at the base of his tail and on his cheek. This way your cat will know that he has left his special scent on you. The scent is too delicate for you to smell but it is there. He will love it and purr away if you stroke him and talk to him while he is doing it.
Of course it could also be his way of reminding you that there is nothing in his food dish! One of my foster-cats, Magic, will head-butt me to let me know that he wants to come on my lap. He won't jump up but this is his way of getting me to pick him up and put him on my lap.

Watch out for your cat!

2006-06-04T08:59:00.000-07:00

A cat prefers to stay out of sight as much as possible, especially when there is a lot of stressful stuff going on. He will find a snug spot where he can be more or less unseen such as inside a dark closet. The other day one of mine jumped into a drawer when I opened it and curled up at the back where I could not see her. If I hadn't seen her jump in, I would have closed the drawer without knowing she was there, and she might well have suffocated. Cats have been known to get into washing machines, dishwashers, under cars or even inside car engines, with disastrous results if the owner doesn't notice. So be alert and watch out for them!

Cat health cat welfare

2006-06-03T04:38:00.000-07:00

Cat health cat welfare: "Should my cat have an indoor litter tray even if he goes out?
This obviously depends very much on the individual cat. Of course, it goes without saying that if you have an indoor cat you absolutely must provide a tray for him. In my experience the majority of cats who do go out also need an indoor tray. Having said that, I have one elderly cat (Sylvester - see the About Us page) at present who insists on going out in all weathers and NEVER uses a tray indoors. But most cats like a tray they can use if the weather is bad, or at night.
Some people strongly object to having a litter tray in the house because they feel it is smelly and unhygienic. If you use an enclosed litter tray (which many cats prefer anyway as it gives them more privacy) it is quite effective in confining the odors, as well as helping to stop him scattering the litter all over the place. Also there are some excellent litters on the market which both absorb the odors, and 'clump up', so that damp clumps and solids can be removed easily leaving the unsoiled litter to be re-used - meaning the litter lasts much longer. Visit here for a wonderful litter like this, made of all-natural substances and so environmentally friendly too.
Nature Derived Herbal Cat Litter On Sale Now!
You will almost always find that a new cat arriving at your house will find and use the tray without being shown. If not, just pop him into the tray immediately after he does it in the 'wrong' place - DON'T shout and definitely DON'T smack him as he won't understand what he has done wrong. He will very soon learn."

Moggy or pedigree cat?

2006-06-01T03:22:00.000-07:00

You will see from my web site (www.madaboutmoggies.com) that I am prejudiced in favour of moggies (i.e. ordinary non-pedigree cats)! I suppose this is partly because pedigree cats are usually brought into the world deliberately, whereas moggies are often the result of human negligence or carelessness (e.g. in not getting cats neutered). So there are always countless moggies needing a home.
But having said that, I think it depends on what you want in a pet. If you are choosing a cat, get to know the characteristics of various breeds. Siamese cats can be wonderful companions - intelligent, affectionate and communicative. Persians and other long-haired oriental breeds are very beautiful to have around but demand a huge amount of attention and care. For instance, long-haired cats absolutely must be groomed at least once a day, which is very time-consuming. If this isn't done, the coat will become matted, and also the cat will swallow large quantities of hair when grooming himself, and develop hairball. You need to be sure you are ready for this.
Personally, all my life I have had only moggies, and the fun and pleasure they have given me has been an immense joy. They all have their different personalities and can often be very funny. A moggy kitten can usually be taken from its mother at an earlier stage than a pedigree kitten. This means they will often bond with you more readily and will fit into family life with very little hassle.
But, as I said at the beginning, I am biased! Let me know what YOU think!

More about training

2006-05-30T06:55:00.000-07:00

Of course, even using remote punishment like the water-pistol will only probably train the cat not to do whatever it is - e.g. jumping on the kitchen counter - when you are around. Some people have had good results with completely covering the counter with pots, pans and utensils so that the cat is bound to knock something over when he jumps up, and give himself a fright. You may of course feel that this is really too much trouble and makes the place look untidy. An important thing is that the cat should NEVER get a reward for jumping up there, so don't EVER leave food out there. If the cat never finds any chicken or other tasty morsel there, he will probably not continue jumping up, but if he finds something nice even once, he will keep on trying.
Using a powerful cat-repellent can be effective in stopping your cat from scratching walls or furniture, and of course you must provide a scratching-post. Spray the post with catnip to encourage your cat to use it. If he is reluctant, every time he scratches something else, take him immediately to the scratching post and put his front paws on it, and imitate the scratching movement. Most cats do get the idea.
Let me know what YOU think!

Training my cat

2006-05-29T07:47:00.000-07:00

How can I stop my cat doing things I don't want him to do?
The first thing to say is, NEVER smack or punish your cat. That is cruel and has no effect whatsoever. The cat won't understand what he is being punished for.
I knew someone who was determined to stop her cat from going on the bed to sleep. Her method of doing this was to smack the cat every time she found him on the bed. This made the cat very wary of her, but he knew he could go on the bed whenever she wasn't around. There is NO WAY he would be able to know why he was being smacked and he certainly wouldn't connect it with the bed.
The best way to stop cats doing something you don't want them to do is by indirect or remote punishment. The cat associates the experience with what he is doing and not with you. Statistics from animal behaviourists show this produces the most effective results. A high-powered water-pistol is very effective. So if your cat climbs the curtains he gets shot with water. If he jumps on the kitchen counter he gets shot with water. If he scratches your best furniture he gets shot with water. Don't shout, just shoot. That way he will associate the experience with what he is doing, not with you.

Cat leukemia

2006-05-28T03:37:00.000-07:00

The third major disease that can be prevented by vaccination is feline leukemia. This is not related to the type of leukemia that normally occurs in humans. It is transmitted from cat to cat via bodily fluids such as blood or saliva. Some authorities say that it cannot be transmitted to humans. However, sadly I knew someone who contracted feline leukemia from her cats and died from it.
Some cats who become exposed to cat leukemia show no symptoms. Where symptoms do develop, they may include: fever; lethargy, weakness, depression; swollen glands; reduced number of red and white blood cells. Some cats can die at this stage while others can make a complete recovery.
If the disease proceeds to a second stage, it is likely to show itself through a malignant disease, either of the white blood cells, or of the lymph nodes. It can also show itself in other conditions such as severe infections, as the cat's immune system is damaged. Any of these conditions usually results in death.
No treatment is available so DO get your cat vaccinated! It is usually possible to get an all-in-one vaccine for all three of these diseases.

Cat flu

2006-05-27T02:34:00.000-07:00

The correct name for cat flu is Feline Respiratory Disease (FRD). It has nothing to do with the human flu virus. The first signs are often sneezing, followed by a watery eye discharge which gradually becomes thicker and yellow. If it is severe the eyes can become swollen and puffy and eventually ulcerated. The cat will usually stop eating as he has no sense of smell. The cat is also likely to develop mouth ulcers. All this is very painful and miserable for the cat and he is likely to become very depressed.
A different strain, caused by the feline calcivirus infection, often has ulcers on the cat's tongue as its first symptom. Ulcers can also appear on the cat's paws.
Your cat can develop bronchitis or pneumonia as complications of the disease.

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE! Get your cat vaccinated at the earliest possible opportunity. If your cat does develop the disease, get vet attention as quickly as possible and give him good nursing. Keep cleaning his nose and eyes with damp cotton-wool balls. Try to keep your cat eating by giving strong-smelling foods such as fish or cheese. Groom him to increase his sense of wellbeing.

Feline infectious enteritis

2006-05-26T06:43:00.000-07:00

FIE is an extremely dangerous disease to cats and lots of cats used to die of it. However, now that an effective vaccine is available, there are far fewer outbreaks.
In the most severe form, the cat will become ill and die in less than a day, sometimes before any warning signs appear. This is more likely to happen to kittens of six months or less. Alternatively, the illness in its severe form will run for 3-7 days and might still be fatal. There will be profuse diarrhea and vomiting. The cat will refuse to eat but will hover over his water bowl without drinking. He will seem profoundly depressed and will adopt a hunched position caused by acute abdominal pain. However, some adult cats exposed to the virus will not develop these signs as their natural defenses prevent the disease from taking hold.

DON'T take the risk - get your pet vaccinated!

Vaccinating your cat

2006-05-25T05:50:00.000-07:00

Is it important to vaccinate my cat?

Feline infectious diseases are very dangerous and can cause great suffering to your cat, or can even be fatal.
The main diseases against which your cat should be vaccinated are:

Feline infectious enteritis (FIE).
Feline respiratory disease (FRD) or "cat flu" (no connection with human influenza)
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV)

If your cat is in an accident

2006-05-23T06:09:00.000-07:00

If you think your cat has been hit by a car, have him checked as soon as possible.

Internal bleeding can occur without showing any outward signs initially
If you suspect your cat has a broken leg or head injury, you should carefully slide him on to a towel or blanket, and place him in a box for transportation to the surgery. Since cats are expert escapologists, remember to use a secure box!

In an emergency situation it is important to try to remain calm. Always phone your vet before attending, to check which surgery to go to. Have a pen and paper ready, to write down any instructions or directions. Ideally it is best to have your cat seen by a vet at an emergency clinic, where there is access to all the drugs and equipment that may be required, rather than an ordinary vet practice.

Care of the older cat

2006-05-21T09:00:00.000-07:00

Care of the older cat: "Will my cat need different care as he gets older?
Your cat is likely to prove an extremely rewarding companion as he gets older. Cats often become increasingly affectionate and companionable, and like to be with you more and more. Your cat may become less playful, but not necessarily - healthy cats often still like playing at 15 or 16. So don't stop playing with him - he will enjoy it and he really needs the exercise and stimulation. Click here: Slow Mouse Cat Toy for an ideal toy he will love.
The older cat may be stiffer and have arthritic joints so he may not be able to jump up so high. If one of his favourite snoozing places is higher up, you may want to provide steps or stages he can climb on to help him get up there. Also he may not be able to get to all parts of his body to groom himself, so do groom him regularly. If part of his coat becomes matted, cut it off or get the vet to do it. You can find some really helpful products here: Cat Hair Care Products at PetCareCentral.com!
Sometimes also when he becomes less active his claws will grow long and will need clipping regularly. He is likely to object strongly to this so again you may need to seek the help of your partner, a friend or the vet. If this is not done, his claws will curl round and pierce the pad, which will cause infection and be very painful.
Older cats have different dietary needs - for example they need less protein and phosphorus - so do make sure that you give them food that is designated for senior cats. Your cat may object at first as food for younger cats has more fat and is more tasty, but do not give in as the extra protein and phosphorus is bad for him and can cause kidney damage. You will need to be specially careful if there is a young cat in the house who is on junior food, as the older one will go for this if he can"

Relating to cat caring for cat

2006-05-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

Relating to cat caring for cat: "If I adopt a new cat who is very nervous and timid, how can I help him to relax?
This partly depends on the reasons why he is nervous - which of course you may not always know. I took on a two-year-old cat who had been ill-treated, and for the first three weeks he hid under the sofa or behind a piece of furniture. He would come out at night to eat his food or use his litter-tray. Gradually he started to come out a bit more and a bit more, but if I tried to touch him he would cower away as if he expected me to hit him. After three weeks he suddenly came to me of his own accord, and now we are trmendous pals! If he appears very nervous, keep him shut in one room at first and just let him take his own time.
A cat may have had a very frightening experience which makes him just want to hide away. Some people advise the use of kittening pens in the main family living room. If the cat continues to hide he will never learn to face life, whereas being in a pen he knows he is safe while seeing the life of the family going on round him.
If a cat is feral - i.e. has never been socialised to mix with humans - it can be extremely hard to get him to settle in your home if he is an adult. Some experts advise that the best thing to do may be to neuter him and let him go back to where he came from. Having said that, I do know people who have successfully brought round feral cats, but it takes huge patience and perseverance."

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2006-05-21T04:44:00.000-07:00

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