Health

Cat ears – just like ours – are sensitive things, and should always be handled with care. Your cat’s ears should always be clean, with no thick brown or green waxy discharge, and there shouldn’t be any redness, itchiness or unusual smells. If your cat starts to scratch their ears, shake their head more than normal, hold their head to one side or rub one side of their face, they might be trying to let you know something’s not quite right. One of the main reasons why you should take them to the vet to have their ears checked is because severe cat ear problems can have more serious effects and lead to ear infections. Here are the signs and possible solutions for a cat dealing with ear problems such as infections.

If you’re expecting new bundles of fur arriving at your home soon, it can be exciting – but perhaps a little daunting too. As long as you are prepared and know what to expect, there is no need to worry unduly - pregnant cats are usually more than capable of taking care of themselves, although they will still need close care and supervision from you during labour. As they often try to sneak away to give birth in private, you’ll need to keep a close eye on them in the last few weeks just in case! Speak to your vet if you have any concerns about pregnancy in cats, or are worried about your cat giving birth. Their advice should help to put your mind at rest. Here are some helpful tips from our Pet Care Team to help you be as prepared as possible for when your cat becomes a new mum.

Excessive grooming can be a response to changes in your cat’s environment they’re struggling to come to terms with. Your cat is naturally on a mission to keep their coat clean, at times spending a lot of their waking time self-grooming. But sometimes their behaviour can take a turn into excessive cat grooming. Find out why this happens and what you can do to help your cat.

Worms are parasites that cats can get by accidently eating their eggs. The most common worms in cats are roundworms and tapeworms. Neither of them are good for your cat – they can cause everything from lethargy to a change in bowel habits, as well as weight loss and other symptoms. Your vet will be able to advise you on routine worm prevention which is part of cat care, and the symptoms of worms are easy to spot.

Abscesses can affect any cat at any point in their life. So, if you’ve got a feline in the family, the chances are that one day you might have a abscess on your hands and your cat will rely on your help to get them back to their normal, happy self. Keep reading to find out what you need to know about cat abscesses, what to do when they burst, and how to know when it’s time to contact the vet for help.

If your cat experiences a stroke, it can be really scary and it’s important to take them to the vet quickly so they can receive any treatment they need. Find out about the symptoms you should look out for and the current treatment options in this guide. Strokes in cats occurs far less frequently than they do in humans, but a stroke is still classed as a medical emergency. If your cat experiences a stroke, it’s important to seek veterinary care quickly to make sure they have the best chance of recovery. Find out all you need to know about the cat stroke symptoms to watch out for and the treatment options currently available.

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.

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.

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.

Cats seem to be some of the most resilient animals out there, from fearlessly climbing trees to always landing on their feet, so it’s no wonder we like to say they’ve got nine lives! However despite this, as with all living beings, they can get a variety of ailments, and one of them is cat dandruff, the small, white flakes that fall off of dry skin. While dandruff is definitely unsightly, it can also cause real discomfort to your feline friend, especially if left untreated for extended periods of time. Luckily, dandruff can be spotted early on, and with the right treatment, it can go away faster than you might think. To make sure you’re prepared, check out some of the potential causes and symptoms of cat dandruff, as well as a few tips on how to get rid of those annoying white flakes:

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.