Health

Flat faced cats have become extremely popular in recent years with their smooshed faces, button like noses and doll-like eyes, but there’s a price to pay for this cute factor. The technical term for cats with these flat faces is ‘brachycephalic’, and there are tonnes of health risks that come with it. If you’re considering a brachycephalic cat, keep reading to find out about the risks involved and how extreme breeding has negatively impacted the health and well-being of these felines.

If your cat has developed an unusual cough lately, you’re probably wondering ‘why is my cat coughing’ and what to do about it. Although it can be disturbing for owners to see their cat coughing and wheezing, this is not uncommon in the feline kingdom and it’s often a sign of the occasional hairball your pet is trying to get rid of. However, a simple cough can quickly get a bit more complicated when we take into consideration all the possible issues with their nose, throat and lungs that could cause this symptom. And even your cat’s heart might have something to do with it. This means your cat’s cough riddle is best left for the vet to solve. But while you wait for the appointment, here are some of the possible reasons why your cat is coughing.

Before trying a home remedy for cats, always speak to your vet first! Cats are known for being very secretive creatures. They love to hide away in a secluded quiet spot where they feel safe – especially if they are feeling out of sorts but these secretive habits can make it a bit tricky for owners to know when they’re not feeling well. Even if your feline feels very unwell, many cats will just become a bit quieter and hide away - something that isn’t always very obvious to even the most doting of cat owners. Because of this, it’s really important that cat owners contact their vet before starting any home treatments, even if their pet’s symptoms seem quite mild. Your vet will know how to interpret the signs they’re showing, and be able to advise you on whether or not your cat needs to be checked over and suggest treatment options. And remember, even if you need to contact your vet in the middle of the night, all veterinary practices are required to provide an out of hours service who are on hand to help 24 hours a day, 365 days a year so you can always get help for emergencies.

What is FIP (feline infectious peritonitis) in cats? FIP is an uncommon but severe disease which is most often diagnosed in young cats (less than 2 years old). It is caused by an infection with feline coronavirus. It’s important to note that this is different from the coronavirus that infects people and leads to COVID-19. Feline coronavirus infection is very common, and in most cats, it only causes mild signs. However, in rare cases, the virus mutates and interacts with the immune system to cause FIP. A mutated feline coronavirus can trigger feline infectious peritonitis, so before we get to the specifics of the FIP disease in cats, let’s look at what the feline coronavirus is and how your pet might get it.

It can be devastating for your feline to be diagnosed with cat skin cancer, but many types if caught early enough are very treatable. Tumours can be benign which means they’re usually not harmful, or malignant, meaning they can be fast growing and harmful. Either way, if you discover a lump or bump, it’s best to have it checked out by your vet as it could be cat skin cancer.

Kittenhood is amazing, but there comes a time in every cat’s life when they have to take their first step towards independence and leave kittenhood behind. It all starts with a process called weaning.

Incontinence in cats is a condition that’s most frequently observed in older felines. Just like with humans, when cats reach their senior years, it can be quite common for them to develop certain health conditions such as cognitive impairment and loss of muscle control that can lead to problems with defecating and urinating.

Cats are curious creatures and this investigative nature extends to just about everything in your home and garden, including your plants. Unfortunately for you and your little pet detective, there are a number of plants poisonous to cats that you should avoid having within easy reach or – if you have a particularly good climber – having in your home altogether. Keep reading to find out which garden and house plants are poisonous to cats.

Just like most female mammals, cats experience breeding cycles – however this is quite different from the menstrual cycle in humans. In this guide, find out all you need to know about the cat heat cycle, including how often they go into heat and whether or not you should let your feline go through an initial cycle prior to spaying.

Tears are produced constantly by cats to offer essential protection to their eyes. The fluid is responsible for removing debris, keeping eyeballs moist and providing essential nutrients. As tears are in permanent production, some crusting around the eyes is normal, but if your cat’s eyes are watering excessively or the discharge seems to be very thick and mucous-y, it can be a sign of something wrong.

Kittens have very sensitive little stomachs and simple changes to their environment or diet can easily lead to diarrhoea. While it’s normal for their waste to be softer than that of an adult cat, if it’s shapeless or has a liquid or mushy consistency, it’s highly likely that the kitten has diarrhoea. The condition is relatively common and luckily, it tends to be very treatable.

All cats deserve a loving family and a forever home. But there is a special group of felines that need a little bit of extra attention and care. In return, they’ll give their owners plenty of love for welcoming them into their life. These are the special needs cats, a lovely group of furballs that are often overlooked during the adoption process. Some of them have been harmed or treated poorly, others have an illness or condition that requires life-long care and possibly ongoing medication. All of them need our affection more than we’ll ever know, but don’t require as much effort as you might think. Adopting a cat or kitten is extremely rewarding. With patience and guidance from the vet, there is no reason why they can’t have fun-filled lives, despite their special health condition. After all, they still have eight lives left to live! So, if you want to know more about special needs cat adoption and what life might be like with one of these amazing fellows by your side, here are some of the common physical limitations in cats who may be struggling to find a new home.