Health

As a loving pet owner, you’re bound to want the absolute best for your cat, and this all starts with making sure that they are as happy and healthy as possible. Health check list Every month you should “play vet” and conduct a careful check up on your cat to make sure that all is well. By following our checklist, you have the opportunity to spot any unusual signs early on, meaning that you can seek treatment as soon as possible, if necessary. Not only does this help you keep your cat in tip-top condition, but also allows you to spend more hands-on quality time with your feline friend.

Hyperthyroidism in cats is a common disease which mainly affects middle-aged and elderly felines. Read our guide to find out everything you need to know about the condition. Hyperthyroidism in cats is a common disease that affects middle-aged and senior cats. Hyperthyroidism refers to excessive levels of thyroid hormone being produced by the thyroid glands located in the neck. This can have significant health implications, because thyroid hormone is involved in the normal regulation of metabolic processes in the body. Therefore, the condition can affect multiple body systems. If you are concerned that your cat might have hyperthyroidism, we’ve created this guide to tell you all you need to know about the condition, from the symptoms to watch out for to the life expectancy for hyperthyroidism in cats. What causes hyperthyroidism in cats? Most cases of hyperthyroidism are caused by a benign tumour of the thyroid gland leading to excessive thyroid hormone production. However, the tumour can be malignant and spread within the body in a small proportion of cases. You may hear the terms T3 and T4 used – with T3 referring to triiodothyronine which is the active form of the hormone and T4 referring to thyroxine which is the precursor for this. Blood levels of both of these forms of the thyroid hormone can be tested as part of the diagnostic process.

If you have a cat that likes to explore the outside world, it’s likely that they’ll encounter a tick at some point. Find out how to remove a tick from a cat with this guide. If your cat spends a lot of their time outside, it’s likely that they’ll get a tick at least some point in their lives. These tiny creatures latch onto your cat’s body and will feed for several days if not removed, so it’s important that they’re caught as early as possible in order to prevent further pain and discomfort, and to prevent them passing on certain infectious diseases which they can carry. If you’ve spotted a tick on your cat, you may be wondering how to remove it without causing pain or leaving part of the tick behind, which is why we’ve put together a useful guide to tell you how to remove a tick from a cat safely and properly. Introduction to cat ticks There are two different groups of ticks to watch out for, hard ticks and soft ticks. Hard cat ticks often look like a sunflower seed; they are also recognisable by the hard shield found just behind their mouthparts. Hard ticks are the type of ticks you will usually find on your cat. Soft ticks are the second type of group of tick. Instead of looking like a seed these ticks look like a raisin. These kinds of ticks are not usually found on cats, as they tend to feed on other animals instead such as birds or bats. What are cat ticks? Ticks are a kind of parasite. Ticks bite beneath a cat’s skin and suck blood back into their bodies. Unfed ticks are tiny, have eight legs, and can be black, brown, red or tan, but once they attach themselves to your cat they can swell up to the size of a pea as they fill with blood. Cat ticks are actually classed as arachnids instead of insects, which is a key difference between them and the flea. Ticks can pass disease onto an animal it feeds on; this is why tick prevention steps are an important measure to take when looking after a feline.

Did you know that eight out of ten cats over the age of three have tooth and gum problems? Just like our own teeth, your cat’s teeth accumulate plaque and if this isn’t kept under control, it can lead to tartar and even periodontal disease. You know how important it is to look after your own teeth, so make sure you give that same care and attention to your furry friend’s cat dental care. Dental disease in cats Warning signs of dental problems Cats accumulate plaque on their teeth just like we do. If left, this hardens to form tartar, which irritates the gums causing gingivitis and can ultimately lead to tooth loss. If your cat has severe dental disease and it’s not dealt with, the build-up of the bacteria in the mouth can lead to further complications such as heart and kidney issues. So what signs do you need to look out for and how can you help to keep your feline friend’s teeth in tip top condition? The first unusual thing you’ll probably notice is your cat’s bad breath – it can be hard to ignore! This is a sign of advanced dental disease. Other symptoms include reddened gums, yellowish-brown tartar on teeth and drooling. Have you noticed your cat dropping food from their mouth, chewing only on one side or losing weight because they’re unable to eat?

After your cat’s operation they might be out of sorts for a while, but with a bit of extra love and care from you, they’ll soon be back to pouncing, exploring and playing as normal. Collecting your cat from the vet When your cat is ready to come home, your vet will give you some advice for looking after them until they’re back on their feet. This advice will depend on your cat’s specific treatment, and should include check-up dates and any medicine your pet needs to help them recover. Each cat is different, so follow your vet’s advice and give them a call if you think your cat isn’t recovering properly; even if you’re just not sure what to do, they’ll be happy to help. Even if your cat is usually an energetic bundle of fun, they’ll probably feel quite dozy after their anaesthetic, so don’t worry if they’re a little sleepy for a while. Despite this, check they’re eating enough to help them get better, and look out for any signs of pain.

No pet owner wants a time to come when they have to think about cat amputation, but if your cat’s had an accident or is unwell and surgery can stop their pain, it can be the kindest thing to do. Amputation sounds drastic but it’s a much more common procedure than it once was and, although it involves major surgery, disabled cats can cope very well without a tail or on three legs, once they’ve had time to readapt. So there’s no reason why your handicapped cat shouldn’t live a life that’s filled with as much love and happiness as any of their other feline friends. Cat tail amputation When might my cat need their tail amputated? As cats' tails are long and energetic, they’re prone to accidents, and injuries. Your vet may be able to treat some of the less serious problems but in some cases they may decide that a severely damaged tail needs to be amputated. How will tail amputation affect my cat? Cat tail amputation is a relatively straightforward operation, and although your furry friend may take some time getting used to living without a tail, you can feel reassured that the operation is unlikely to have a long-term impact on their behaviour. Limb amputation in cats When might my cat need a limb amputated? Your vet will recommend limb amputation if, for example, your cat’s leg has been very badly injured in an accident or if they’ve discovered a cancerous tumour on a limb, and removing it completely can stop the illness from spreading. How will limb amputation affect my cat? Losing a leg might sound like a drastic measure but many cats continue to live a very happy life on three limbs without any problems. After the operation, your cat will need to recover from the surgery and then learn how to walk and run again, as their weight distribution will have changed. Your vet will be able to give you lots of help and advice on how you can both cope during these first few weeks.

Cats are incredibly clean creatures, but sometimes they may need a little bit of help cleaning those hard to reach places like their ears. Find out how to clean a cats ears and what you should be looking out for with our handy guide. Cats usually do a really good job of keeping themselves clean, but sometimes they may need added help in places that are hard to reach, like their ears. It’s not easy for your cat to give the inside of their ears a thorough clean so it’s usually a good idea to keep an eye on them and clean them when necessary. It’s important that cats’ ears are kept clean in order to avoid ear infections and other possible problems, but many cat owners don’t know how to do it. Keep reading for our top tips and advice for cleaning a cats ears and what you should be on the lookout for. How often should you clean a cat’s ears? You should always make sure to regularly check inside of your cat’s ears so that you can be on the lookout for any problems or a possible infection. It’s best to incorporate this into their grooming routine and make sure to look inside their ears at least once a week. It will depend on your cat’s habits when it comes to how often you should clean their ears. If you have a house cat you may find that you rarely need to clean their ears, whereas if you have a cat that’s always getting up to mischief outside, they may need more regular cleaning to remove dirt they’ve picked up. It’s generally a good idea to start doing regular checks when your cat is a kitten to get them used to having their ears handled, otherwise they may be nervous and this can make cleaning a cats ears a difficult task.

Cat insurance can bring real peace of mind and help to take the worry out of a stressful situation. Choosing the right insurance for cats might seem like a big job, but we’re here to help! Our cats give us a huge amount of enjoyment, as well as being our steadfast companions. So, when they make us worry you want to have a good cat insurance policy in place to make sure they get all the help they need. After all, money is the last thing you want to think about if your cat is ill, lost or stolen. You could chat to your vet about the types of insurance for cats that your pet might benefit from, and we’ve made a list of some general things to help you out too. Knowing how to choose pet insurance can be a little tricky, but once it’s done nothing beats the peace of mind you get from knowing your cat is in good hands! The importance of cat insurance Medical care for cats is improving all the time. However, these treatments can be costly, and when added to the stress of your cat being under the weather, they can really put the pressure on. Getting the right insurance for cats can take some of the worry away, as you’ll know you’re financially covered. Even so, it’s important to know how to choose cat insurance that will fit your pet’s needs – which means reading the small print! What to look for in a cat or kitten insurance policy When looking for cat or kitten insurance, it’s a good idea to do your research on the companies that are offering the policies. In the unfortunate event that you do need to make a claim, a good company could make the experience far less stressful. You should firstly search for a good track record from your cat insurance company and look into how many other people have claimed and what their experiences were like. They should be easy to contact and offer a good, simple and straightforward service. Don’t forget to check opening times and if they have live chat, email or if all contact is via phone. Additionally, make sure that they’re happy to answer any questions and the people you talk to should be friendly and helpful. Remember that you might need to call them at a difficult time, so you need to feel like they are approachable. Things to bear in mind for your cat insurance policy You’ll probably end up looking at all kinds of policies – and it can be difficult to choose between them if they all start to look the same! To help you out, here are the main things you might want to consider when choosing insurance for cats. The cost of your policy While you want the best policy you can get when it comes to your feline friend, you must be able to afford the cat insurance cost. If the monthly premium is too high for your finances, you’ll just be giving yourself extra stress. How much excess will you have to pay for each claim? The excess is the amount of money you have to pay before the cat insurance company covers the remainder. If the excess is high, you’re less likely to claim for minor conditions – and this should be reflected in a lower monthly cost. Only you can weigh up the pros and cons, but make sure you think it’s fair. Does the cat insurance cover all the costs of your pet’s treatment? It’s also important to find out what areas of treatment will be included within the policy.

If you suffer from allergies you may have given up hope of ever owning a cat, but did you know that there are certain hypoallergenic cat breeds that might not provoke your allergies? Keep reading to find out more. If you have a cat allergy, you may have completely given up on the hope of ever owning a pet cat. Some people find that the presence of a cat is enough to bring on itchy eyes and sneezing. But did you know there are actually hypoallergenic cats that might not provoke your allergies? It's important to understand that there's no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic cat, probably because there's no such thing as a typically allergic person! Different people are allergic to different things, so some cats that set off your allergies may not affect other people. However, there are certain cat breeds that provoke fewer reactions in people, which may be suitable for those of us who have allergies. Keep reading to find what commonly causes these allergic reactions and discover if any of these hypoallergenic cat breeds are for you. What causes cat allergies? There are many different causes of cat allergies: some people are allergic to cat hair, while others have an allergy to the household dust that is carried within the fur. But it's thought that many people are allergic to the 'Fel d 1' proteins found on cat hair, skin, saliva and dander (dried flakes of skin). All cats produce this protein and male cats actually produce more than females, especially if they're not neutered. Because there are technically no anti-allergy cats, it's recommended that if you suffer from allergies, you should spend some time around your chosen breed to find out if they trigger your allergies or not. This will give you peace of mind and then you'll safely be able to commit to share your life and home with them. Keep reading to find the most common hypoallergenic cat breeds.

As cats get older, their needs change. Around the age of eleven, it’s time to adjust how you care for them to ensure they stay healthy and happy. While older cats may naturally become less active, keeping them stimulated and engaged is crucial for their wellbeing. This guide offers tips on how to include appropriate enrichment in their day to day lives, and how to set up their space to keep elderly cats comfortable and active. It's important to remember that every cat is different. Some older cats may remain active and playful, while others will prefer a more relaxed lifestyle. The key is to observe your older cat's behaviour and adjust your care accordingly. With a little knowledge and a lot of love, you can provide a comfortable and fulfilling life for your cat whatever their age.

Understanding Weight Changes in Ageing Cats First things first, we need to understand that weight changes in ageing cats is normal, and they often occur in two distinct stages. As cats enter their senior years, they may become less active, which can lead to weight gain if we don’t adjust their diet, same as with dogs. However, as cats become geriatric, they tend to lose weight – both fat and muscle. This loss can be due to several factors, from dental problems, that make eating painful, to a decrease in their sense of smell and taste, as well as changes in their metabolism. Studies have shown that after the age of 11, a cat's metabolic rate can actually increase, while their digestion and ability to absorb nutrients decrease. Many cats over 12 struggle to digest fat (up to a third) and protein, which can lead to weight loss even if they're eating the same amount. This is why it's important to consider a cat's age when feeding them. Energy provision may need to be slightly decreased from 7 to 11 years old, but then increased from 12 years old onwards to account for these metabolic changes. In some cases, senior cats may actually need more food after the age of 12 to maintain a healthy weight.

Blood in a cat’s urine is a worrying sight. Also known as ‘haematuria’, it can be a sign of a few different urinary tract conditions which is why it’s important to get your cat checked by a vet. Our article covers what other symptoms to look out for, what it could mean for your cat and ways to prevent it.