Health

If your cat always seems to be hungry, here are a few reasons why that may be the case: from simple ones such as boredom to more serious conditions needing the vet’s attention. Is your cat acting hungry all the time? We tend to think of cats more as fussy eaters than food obsessed, but if you have a feline that doesn’t stop pestering you for food, it’s natural to wonder whether this is normal or if you should head to the vet. If you’re asking yourself ‘why is my cat always hungry’, here are a few possible reasons.

As a responsible cat owner, it’s important to keep up to date with your kitten’s vaccinations to protect them from a range of diseases. Read about when to vaccinate your cat or kitten and what to expect here. Cat vaccinations are vital to help protect them from common illnesses and to help keep them healthy. Additionally, kitten vaccinations are a condition of boarding for most reputable catteries and they are completely necessary if you want to travel abroad with your cat or kitten. Cat vaccines can be divided into two different types: core and non-core. Core vaccines are recommended for all kittens, and non-core vaccines are given depending on the risk to an individual cat. Discuss with your vet which vaccines are best suited to your cat. How kitten vaccinations work? The aim of the kitten vaccine is to immunise your cat against certain illnesses and diseases. The vaccines will help your cat’s immune system to recognise certain viruses and get to action quickly to fight the infection, before the disease can take hold. What are the core vaccinations for cats? Core vaccinations are those recommended for all cats. They’re designed to keep your pet safe and free from some very serious conditions, so it’s very important you get your cat vaccinated against these conditions as soon as possible. By vaccinating against these core diseases, you can also help to protect other cats living in your environment by helping to establish ‘herd immunity’. The more cats that are vaccinated in any one place, the harder it is for viruses to become established in a population. If too many cats are not vaccinated then those viruses become more of a risk to all the cats living there. Core vaccinations are those recommended for all cats. They’re designed to keep your pet safe and free from some very serious conditions, so it’s very important you get your cat vaccinated against these conditions as soon as possible. By vaccinating against these core diseases, you can also help to protect other cats living in your environment by helping to establish ‘herd immunity’. The more cats that are vaccinated in any one place, the harder it is for viruses to become established in a population. If too many cats are not vaccinated then those viruses become more of a risk to all the cats living there. Kitten vaccinations include: Feline Panleukopenia Virus (Feline Infectious Enteritis or Feline Parvovirus) This is a highly contagious virus and can often be fatal, particularly for young kittens. The most common symptoms are vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, dehydration (even if they keep drinking), loss of appetite and, less commonly, nervous signs associated with brain damage. Feline Calicivirus This virus causes cat flu (sneezing, nasal discharge, mouth ulcers and excess salivation/dribbling). Affected cats may be reluctant to eat and have a temperature. Feline Herpesvirus This also causes cat flu, fever, sneezing and nasal discharge as well as ulcers on the eye. Chronic infection can result in nasal diseases.

Cat scratch fever is an incredibly rare bacterial infection that can affect humans when a cat's claws or teeth break the skin. Read our guide to discover everything you need to know about the rare disease, including what causes it and who's generally most at risk. Cat-scratch fever, also known as cat-scratch disease is a bacterial infection that affects humans, and comes from cats infected with Bartonella henselae bacteria. According to the CDC, around 40% of cats will carry the bacteria at some point in their lives – usually when they’re kittens – but it’s very rare that it’s fatal for both humans and cats. Keep reading to find out about cat-scratch fever symptoms, the possible causes and who’s most at risk for getting the disease.

Find out how to encourage your cat to be active, even if they live indoors. Getting your beautiful cat to exercise can sometimes be a challenge. As any cat lover knows, cats have strong and independent personalities; they need alone time and are unlikely to do anything they don’t want to do. This can be especially worrying for a house cat, who has no outdoor exercise to help keep her healthy, or a kitten who has to be kept in the house for the first six months of their life. So how do you make your cat exercise? Enticement is the way forward: cats need to be engaged with their task or they can rapidly lose interest. Luckily, they all have a few personality traits that you can tickle to ensure they are having the time of their lives-and are being active in the process. 1. Laser pointers Different cats have different preferences for the toys they like. Some are in love with the fishing pole, where you dangle a string above their heads and they bat at it. Others adore paper bags and boxes. But if your cat seems disinclined to play, then it is best to appeal to her feral nature-pouncing. Cats love to chase, especially items that move quickly. The laser point is an absolute favourite: point a laser at the wall and watch your cat try and catch that elusive red dot. 2. Battery-operated toys These are another great way to make your cat exercise, and are ideal solutions for busy owners. Just turn on a battery-operated toy, available from most pet shops or online, and your cat will be entertained for hours! 3. Outdoors While it may seem unusual, house cats can be encouraged to go outdoors and be walked. It is, of course, necessary to see if your cat is happy with this-don't do anything that might stress or upset her. If you plan on this form of cat exercise, try and introduce it when they are kittens (after the first six months!) when they seem more inclined to try new things. Older cats may be set in their ways and may take more convincing. Remember to use a leash when walking them, and make sure it fits comfortably.

Being a cat owner can be difficult when it comes to health issues – cats are notoriously secretive and can try to hide when they are in pain. This means you need to be on the lookout for symptoms that something is wrong. And dental issues can be a common problem. In this article, we’ll look at a condition called stomatitis and how to spot the signs of a dental health issue.

Despite the name, ringworm in cats has nothing to do with worms! If you suspect your cat has this fungal skin condition, it’s important that it gets treated as soon as possible to prevent spreading to other animals or even you. Ringworm in cats is a highly contagious fungal infection of the skin. It is more common in kittens and long-haired cats, but can affect any breed and age. It is also a zoonotic disease meaning it can spread to humans, particularly people who are immunocompromised. Despite the name, ringworm is not actually caused by a worm at all, rather a group of fungi called dermatophytes and can be referred to by its medical name dermatophytosis. Due to the highly contagious nature of the condition, it’s essential that ringworm treatment for cats is sought as soon as possible. If you suspect that your cat is suffering from ringworm, keep reading to find out what you should do. What is ringworm in cats? This common skin condition is a fungal infection which feeds on the keratin in a cat’s fur, skin and nails. It’s called ‘ringworm’ because the fungus creates circular ring-like lesions on your cats’ skin, usually also associated with hair loss. These are often found on the head, ears, along the ridge of the back and on the front legs, but they can be present anywhere on the body. How do cats get ringworm? Ringworm in cats is highly contagious and is most commonly caught through contact with infected cats. It can spread rapidly in multi-pet households as it gets distributed via fungal spores on skin and hair that’s been shed. Ringworm is very common in kittens under the age of one as their immune systems are still developing. It also affects long-haired cats more, because the fungus gets trapped in the longer coat and is harder to remove. Symptoms of ringworm in cats Sometimes ringworm in cats can be hard to detect as symptoms may be very mild. If your cat displays symptoms, it’s likely to include of the following:

If your cat is suffering from coughing fits and lack of energy, lungworms might be the culprit. Find out more about symptoms and treatment. Lungworms in cats can pose a series of dangers for your little ball of fur. These parasites travel the distance, hopping from host to host looking for perfect places to burrow into and every once in a while an unlucky cat becomes a stop on their route. Although less common than intestinal worms, lungworms are not to be ignored. Here are a few useful things to know about lungworm in cats and how you can help your cat get back to a clean bill of health.

Ear mites are a common cause of feline ear problems. These tiny parasites can be extremely itchy and lead to long-term damage if left untreated. Find out what they are and how to treat them successfully. Is your feline scratching their ears more than usual? One of the most common causes for a cat’s ear discomfort are microscopic parasites known as ear mites. Read on to find out how ear mites in cats affect your pet’s health and what to do to get rid of them. What are cat ear mites? The most common type of ear mite in cats is Otodectes cynotis. These are barely-visible to the naked eye but may be seen as very small white dots. Diagnosis usually requires looking for the mites under a microscope. They get inside your cat’s ear canal, where they feed on the ear wax and skin debris. These mites can cause significant inflammation and swelling in the ear canal and are very itchy. Cats of all ages and breeds can be affected, with outdoor felines being the most susceptible to an ear mite infection.

Good digestion is one of the keys to excellent health. By digesting and absorbing the goodness from food, your cat can take in all the nutrients needed to stay in top condition.

Pamper your feline friend with a lavish cat massage that will make them feel like theylives in the lap of luxury. There are a few things to keep in mind before you can become the resident specialist in premium cat massaging techniques. This article will give you the information you need to massage your way into your cat’s good graces.

Most cats take real pride in their appearance, spending almost half their waking hours preening themselves to perfection. Being independent creatures, cats are keen to look after themselves, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t lend a hand in their pampering routine. Grooming your cat plays a big part in caring for your pet and regular maintenance will mean your cat looks great and feels great too! As well as helping to keep your cat looking beautiful, regular cat grooming allows you to spend quality time bonding with your pet, and gives you the opportunity to check their body condition and spot any unusual signs of health problems, such as lumps or bumps.

Although your cat is beautiful, they are so much more than a pretty face. Not only do they have a stunning coat, but they’re biologically designed to look after them. Their rough tongues act like mini brushes, removing dead hair and distributing oils through their coat. They’re also smart enough to know that when these biological grooming aids are not enough – for example, if they get fur-balls or tangles – you can be counted on to help.