Health

Cats are curious creatures who love to get into stuff. If your feline loves to explore the outdoors, you might be thinking about which poisonous plants cats should avoid and how you can help them if they come into contact with one. Come spring time, you might be wondering ‘are daffodils poisonous to cats?’ Carry on reading to find out and discover how you can help your feline if they end up ingesting them.

We never like to think of our cats as being unhappy, or feeling sad, but in many ways they can experience feelings in a similar way as we do, and sometimes they can suffer from a feline equivalent of depression. Lots of things might cause a cat to feel a bit down in the dumps. For example, most cat owners tend to think of their cats as independent creatures, who prefer to be alone. But that is not always true. Some cats need companionship and like to be cuddled and loved, and so sometimes a lack of affection can lead them to feel blue. Knowing what signs to look out for will help you to determine whether your cat is suffering from a low mood state and what you can do about it. Carry on reading to find out all you need to know about depression in cats.

Does your cat seem to be losing balance, their sense of direction or having trouble standing up? These might be signs of a syndrome called feline vestibular disease. Keep reading to find out what it is, as well as the main symptoms to look out for, so you can intervene promptly and seek veterinary advice to help your cat feel better.

If you’ve got yourself a new kitten, you’ve probably noticed that they’re growing so quickly before your eyes! Growing at such a fast rate, you’re probably wondering when do cats stop growing. Read on to find out all you need to know about cats growing!

Like humans, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease can infect cats. However, Lyme disease is much more common in dogs and humans and the illness is rarely seen in our feline friends. Add to this the fact that cats do not always develop symptoms and this can make reaching a diagnosis quite difficult. So how is Lyme disease in cats transmitted? The bacteria that cause Lyme disease is spread by ticks. Cat ticks are very good at passing on infections from one animal to another. Ticks feed by biting an animal and feeding on its blood. They may stay on the skin for a few days and then once they’ve had enough, they drop off. The ticks can transmit microbes that cause diseases, such as Lyme disease or babesiosis but it’s unusual for cats to catch either disease.

Some cats are naturally smaller than others, but unlike this natural variation in size, feline dwarfism is often associated with numerous health issues. Dwarfism in cats is the result of a genetic disorder, and there are a few cat breeds in which this genetic disorder is selectively bred, such as the Munchkin.

If you suspect that your cat has an illness, they may need treatment prescribed by a vet. This might include antibiotics for cats if the illness is caused by a bacterial infection! Find out all you need to know about your feline’s antibiotic treatment below.

It may sound odd, but cats are every bit as prone to hay fever as us humans are. However, the symptoms can be different, and your cat may be suffering from this allergy without you realising. This is because you may not recognise the signs as being due to your cat’s hay fever. As spring arrives and human hay fever sufferers experience the onset of a runny nose, lots of sneezing and itchy eyes, you may be wondering what cat hay fever symptoms are and how you can prevent your feline friend from the dreaded spring allergy. As they explore the garden and surrounding neighbourhood, cats will no doubt come into contact with pollen, and some may have allergic reactions. In this article we will be exploring all you need to know about cat hay fever symptoms, and how you can treat your feline’s allergies.

You’ve trained your cat to use the litter box and you may have cleaned up after the occasional one-off accident, but that’s not the end of a cat owner’s dealings with their pet’s toilet habits. In this article we’re looking at all things cat poo, so you can have a better understanding of what should your cat’s poo look like and what to do if what you find in the litter box doesn’t match that description. Although this is not the most glamorous part of your life together, keeping an eye on your cat’s poo is another important task you should add to the list of cat-related responsibilities. Your pet’s bowel movements offer valuable clues that could help you identify unusual symptoms and possible health issues. It’s an early warning system for all sorts of cat conditions such as liver problems, food allergies and anxiety, but unfortunately, it’s quite easy to ignore or misunderstand.

Cats are quite finicky creatures, and it is well known that they like their creature comforts and cleanliness, especially when it comes to their litter tray. We can’t really blame them though, wouldn’t you much rather a clean loo, after all? Cleaning your cat’s litter tray is incredibly important for their well-being and can even help to prevent toileting problems. So, how often should you change cat litter? Once a day? Once a week? Keep reading to find out all you need to know.

Many cat owners are concerned about keeping their feline at a good weight. Most commonly concerns are centred around obesity, but your cat losing weight unintentionally could also be a sign that something’s wrong. Your feline may be eating well and still losing weight, they may have a reduced appetite, or they may just be avoiding food entirely. Weight loss can be a sign of a number of different health problems so, if your cat is losing weight, it’s best to contact your vet as soon as possible. In this guide we look at the most common reasons why your cat may be losing weight as well as the other symptoms you should be on the lookout for.

Keen to keep both your plant collection and your cat happy and thriving? It’s entirely possible. We are well aware of how much our feline friends like to visit the plant pots for a snack, and how difficult it can be to stop them munching on everything they’re not supposed to, including poisonous plants. Toxic plants can be very dangerous if ingested by your cat and so, if your cat does manage to eat a plant you’re unsure about, be sure to get in touch with your vet straight away! But on a more positive note, there are lots of cat-safe plants out there that do not cause toxicity if your cat does manage to nibble on them. Here is a list of non-toxic plants for cats that are attractive to look at, but less risky for your feline friend. Note: Although the plants listed are non-toxic – meaning they are unlikely to be dangerous if ingested by a cat – if your cat does manage to eat these plants it can still cause a stomach upset, which can result in diarrhoea and vomiting, as well as a very sore tummy! Because of this, we always advise to keep these plants out of reach of your cat to try and prevent them from having a sneaky nibble!