Kitty Train

Cat training tips for healthy and happy cats

Health Care

Maternal Aggression in New Mother Cats

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Maternal Aggression in New Mother Cats

Do you have a cat who is a new mother to some cute kittens?

Is she acting a little strange?

Of course she is. If it was you, wouldn’t you be acting a little strange?

Maternal Aggression in Queen Cats

Queen cats, which seems like a fitting term for these females, often become protective after giving birth.

Many times, their protectiveness crosses the line into being aggressive.

They might display this aggressiveness at everyone but their kittens. That includes you, other humans, and any other pets in your household.

This defensiveness is natural. It’s in their DNA. It comes from survival hormones that were developed out in the wild.

Why is My New Mother Cat So Aggressive to Me?

New mother cats are surging with hormones and she’s just days removed from the confusing and intense discomfort of delivering a litter of little cats.

She is still confused and not feeling one hundred percent. But her instincts are telling her one thing — protect those kittens from everyone and everything.

She may or may not be aggressive towards you. It’s natural and it will pass. Don’t take it personally.

What About the Dad Cat? Will She Be Aggressive to Him?

As much as we would like to think that the father of these kittens has some kind of affection for this group and wants to get in on the parenting — he doesn’t.

The queen knows this. It’s all up to her and she isn’t going to let any other cat get involved because she can’t trust them.

Common Behavior Traits of New Mother Cats

A new queen will often display certain behaviors.

Here are some common actions you might notice, they are normal for a new mother.

She Has No Tolerance for Other Cats

During the first few weeks after giving birth, she may not want any other cat sniffing around her babies. She may growl and hiss and swipe at any cat, even if that cat was previously her best friend.

She Might Not Want You Around Them Either

It might take a couple of weeks before she will agree to you touching her babies. Her hormones are still raging and she may be confused about whether or not you are a threat to those kittens. So just respect her wishes. She will return to her normal self soon enough.

She is Now a Teacher

The momma cat’s job is to teach and socialize her kittens. She will groom them and nudge them around. But she may also discipline them too. That’s how they learn what is acceptable and safe and what isn’t.

She Will Communicate With Them Vocally

It doesn’t take long before kittens wander away from the mother. They are curious about their environment. The momma will often meow in an effort to call them back, or at least remind them of where she is.

She May Move Them Around

You may have set up a great, comfortable area for her and her kittens only to see one morning that she has moved her family to a different spot during the night. A group of kittens produces a scent that can be noticed by a wild animal. Out in the wild, the momma cat knows this and may think it is safer to move to a new nesting spot every day or every other day. Your cat may have this urge too, even though she is perfectly safe in your home. If she wants to change sleeping spots, just let her.

If your new mother is exhibiting these types of behaviors, don’t worry about it.

These protective feelings are the strongest in the first three or four weeks following the birth of the kittens. This is also the time that those kittens are at their most vulnerable stage.

Maternal Behavior Problems in Cats

There are four typical behavior problems on the new kitty mom spectrum.

The first is some cats display some aggressive maternal instincts which cause problems.

The second behavior problem is the new mom that shows a complete lack of compassion or caring for her new brood.

The third problem is when the mother develops abnormal traits that places
her kittens in danger.

And the final problem is excessive maternal instincts which is when a female has not actually given birth, but is confused and thinks that she has.

Aggressive Behavior Problems

This is the most common issue people see with their new queens.

When a cat has kittens, the mother will naturally and instinctively know what to do and care for her kittens.

Sometimes she will be overly protective in the first three or four weeks. This can lead to her hissing, growling, and lashing out at humans and other pets in the home.

It’s a little disturbing to the owner who just wants to comfort the new mom and her kittens but feels shut out.

Just hang in there and your relationship will get back to normal soon.

Lack of Maternal Behavior

Some moms have a lack of maternal behavior — they don’t know what to do or maybe don’t even care.

They don’t have that natural instinct necessary to take care of the litter. Whatever this instinctive trait is, they are deficient in it.

This is a serious situation. Here is what to look for:

  • She seems to have abandoned her litter
  • She will not nurse them
  • She doesn’t seem to care for them at all
  • She doesn’t lick and clean them
  • She lets them walk away when they are just days old
  • She carries them around too much and seems confused
  • She gets too aggressive with them

A well-adjusted queen knows how to take care of her litter. She generally doesn’t need our help.

But if your cat isn’t adjusting well during that first day or two, you will have to step in and take charge.

Highly Abnormal Maternal Behavior

Once in a while, a new queen may have experienced tremendous hormonal changes or is dealing with a lot of stress or feels threatened.

This can lead her to endanger the lives of her litter. She is confused. She may take her new aggression and fear caused by people or other animals and redirect it at her kittens.

She may attack her kittens. She is dangerous to them.

If you notice any behavior like this, you will need to separate the kittens from their mom in order to protect them.

Excessive Maternal Behavior

This behavior is when a female cat is experiencing a false pregnancy.

She thinks she is a new mom, but she was not pregnant and has not given birth.

And no, this is not a rare occurrence. It’s a hormonal imbalance that makes her act like a new mother.

If there are kittens nearby, she may actually steal one, thinking that it is hers.

She may mother or attempt to nurse an object, often a stuffed toy, that is the same size as a kitten.

She might even start lactating.

This problem goes away after a few weeks and her hormones come back into alignment.

Strange Behavior in New Cat Mothers

When our cat has kittens, it can be an exciting time for us.

These biological events, however, are confusing, uncomfortable, and terrifying for the mother cat.

Her physical and mental state changes for a couple of months. She is going to act differently.

She is going to be protective, probably over-protective, of her litter for several weeks.

She will be hypersensitive to potential threats. That includes anything unfamiliar to her.

She may even be aggressive and unapproachable for a while.

These biological forces produce short-term behavioral changes, but as the weeks go by and the kittens get older, these traits will disappear.

It’s during the first three to four weeks when those kittens are so vulnerable and need to be looked after, that the mom’s behavioral changes are most acute.

Maternal Behavior Issues and What To Do About It

So you have a litter of kittens in your house, how can you help your queen?

You mostly just need to be attentive and supportive.

Tips On How To Help Your New Mother Cat

Be Hands-Off Unless You Have to Step In

Your momma cat is usually capable of doing all the work, you just need to supervise and make sure everything seems okay.

If something doesn’t seem right, especially during those first few days, you will need to step in and take charge.

What you need to watch for initially is to make sure that her reaction and behavior to her kittens are compassionate and motherly. If she is ignoring them or too aggressive to them, you may have to intervene.

Give Them a Great Nesting Spot

You want to provide her with a quiet and safe spot for her to care for her new brood.

You want her to feel as little stress as possible from outside forces. You want her to feel comfortable and safe from other cats or pets.

In fact, you may want to give her more than one option, because it’s common for moms to move their kittens from one spot to another.

Give Her Everything She Needs

Make sure that she has food and water and her own litterbox very close by.

She won’t have to worry about traveling downstairs to get to the litterbox or running into another cat along the way.

Make her area totally self-contained so she doesn’t have to leave it for any reason.

Keep Your Other Cat Away

This might be difficult to do but keep your other cat away from the new mom.

Obviously, your other pets are going to be very curious as to what is going on in the other room, but your new mother is going to be overly protective of those kittens and she doesn’t want any other pet snooping around.

Protect the Kittens From Wandering Off

A low gate set up in a doorway is a great way to allow a mom to leave the room for a minute if she wants to.

And it will still be high enough to prevent her kittens from wandering away.

If you have other pets, a low gate is not an option. You may have to keep a door closed for a couple of weeks.

Be sure to check on them often and make sure one hasn’t gotten himself into some type of trouble.

Don’t Freak Out

Your mother will probably become more vocal than she usually is. She will be communicating with her new kittens.

She will be cleaning them, nursing them, taking care of them, and socializing them. Some behavior might seem a little rough, but it is probably natural and okay.

If she shows unusual aggression to one or more kittens and you are worried about their health, you might need to separate them and begin hand nursing and cleaning them yourself.

She will be more defensive than usual. Don’t take it personally. It’s just instincts and hormones. She will turn back to her normal self in a few weeks.

Resist the Urge to Pick Them Up

During the first few days, your queen probably doesn’t want anyone touching her babies.

Even though she loves you, she might not appreciate your interruption. Try to avoid handling them too much at first.

And the mother may not want to be picked up during this time as well. Give her time to heal and return to normal.

It will be important for you to socialize your new kittens after a while so they become unafraid of people.

If your queen is still overly protective, you may have to lure her out of the room with treats or food so you can bond with her kittens.

What Happens Next?

As the weeks go by, your new mother’s hormones start to go back to normal.

She is feeling better and more like her old self. She is nice to you again.

Your kittens are older and stronger. They are weaned. They don’t need constant attention. They are pretty cute and awesome.

Now you just have to figure out what you are going to do with all these little cats….

NOTE: This article (and any other article on this site) is not written or intended to be pet medical or pet healthcare advice. Do not rely on this article to be professional or veterinarian advice. The authors of these articles are not doctors, nor are they veterinarians. This article is to be regarded as general information only. The only pet health advice you should depend on for your situation is the guidance you receive from your own vet, doctor, and staff you have contact with within your city. Please phone your vet with any concern you have with your cat.

Mother cat and her son

Feline fear aggression – behaviors and what to do about it.

Human Food Cats Can Eat

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Human Foods That Are Safe for Cats

So you want to give your kitty a little treat off your plate.

But you may be wondering, “Is this okay for her to have?”

Let’s look at some common foods and discuss if they are okay to give to your cat.

Human Foods You Can Give To Your Cat

Usually, but not in every case, properly prepared and cooked food that is okay for humans is generally safe for felines too.

Many fruits are okay as long as you take off the peel and remove any seeds.

Many vegetables are okay, too, but vegetables should be cooked. Many raw vegetables are just too hard and difficult for a cat to chew.

A little cooked beef, pork, fish, chicken, or turkey is fine. But you must take out any bones.

Surprisingly, some dairy items will upset a cat’s stomach. Many cats are lactose intolerant. Some cats can’t eat any dairy. Others enjoy a little yogurt, but can’t tolerate milk.

Why You Don’t Want to Give Your Cat Human Food

There are three reasons why you don’t want your cat to eat human food regularly.

  1. Your dry or wet cat food is scientifically designed to provide the minerals and vitamins your kitty needs to be nutritionally balanced and healthy. If she fills up on one item that you give her, she will not be getting everything she needs in her diet.
  2. If your cat starts eating human food, she may start to not like her regular dry or wet food anymore. And anyone who has to struggle with getting their feline to eat knows this can be a problem. Dealing with a finicky eater can be frustrating.
  3. While most prepared human foods are not dangerous to a cat, moderation is important. Too much of any one item can make a feline sick.

Human Foods Okay for Cats

If you want to give table scraps or share your meal with your cat, be careful.

The first time you give him a certain food, do so in just small amounts so you can monitor how he handles it.

Cats are small, they don’t need to eat much. Sometimes they just want a little taste. Sometimes a couple of licks is all they really want.

Think about each item before you give it. It needs to be a safe food. And it should be a soft food too.

Watch how your kitty behaves after eating. Look for loss of appetite, signs of discomfort, diarrhea, or vomiting.

Human Food Your Cat Can Eat

Fruits You Can Give to Your Cat

  • Apples (in very small pieces)
  • Bananas
  • Blueberries
  • Cantaloupe
  • Honeydew
  • Mandarin Oranges
  • Watermelon

Vegetables You Can Give to Your Cat

  • Asparagus (cooked)
  • Broccoli (cooked)
  • Carrots (cooked)
  • Corn – including a little corn silk and cob
  • Cucumber (small pieces)
  • Green beans (cooked)
  • Peas (cooked)
  • Potatoes (cooked)
  • Pumpkin (cooked)
  • Spinach (small pieces)
  • Squash

Meat and Fish You Can Give to Your Cat

  • Beef (cooked and no fat & small pieces – not raw)
  • Chicken (cooked and skinless – not raw)
  • Ham and Pork (cooked and no fat & small pieces – not raw)
  • Deli Meats
  • Turkey (cooked and skinless – not raw)
  • Liver (cooked and small pieces – not raw)
  • Salmon (no bones – should be cooked a little)
  • Tuna (no bones and not every day)

Dairy Products You Can Give Your Cat

  • Eggs (cooked not raw)
  • Yogurt (some felines can tolerate it)
  • Cheese (small pieces – some cats can tolerate it)

Bread and Pasta Your Cat Can Eat

  • Bread (baked – no raw dough)
  • Rice (cooked)
  • Pasta (must be cooked – not uncooked)
  • Couscous (cooked)
  • Oatmeal (cooked)
  • Tapioca (prepared)

Safe Human Foods for Cats

IMPORTANT NOTE: This list is by no means exhaustive.

While it’s impossible to list all the foods safe for cats, below is a list of things you should avoid. Some are either poisonous, unsafe, potentially unsafe, or simply ones to avoid.

Human foods can be dangerous to cats. A few are actually toxic.

Other items will often upset your cat’s digestive system and give them a bad night. So why give it to them?

If your kitty pesters you for a taste of something — such as dairy — maybe you can let her have a taste of it.

Watch her and monitor how she reacts. For example, many cats can’t handle milk, especially fatty milk, but you may give in and let her try a tiny bit. See what happens.

Common Foods That Are Bad and You Should Avoid

  • Chocolate — Cats should never have chocolate. It is toxic to them
  • Grapes or Raisins
  • Onions or Garlic or Chives — Even cooked should be avoided
  • Alcohol
  • Uncooked Grains or Pasta
  • Raw Green Tomatoes or Raw Green Potatoes
  • Milk and Dairy Products — Some cats can tolerate some dairy; others cannot
  • Sugar and Artificial Sweeteners Like Xylitol
  • Chewing Gum
  • Raw Eggs — cooking kills Salmonella or other bacteria
  • Raw Meat or Raw Chicken — cooking kills Salmonella or other bacteria
  • Most Raw Seafood — cooking kills Salmonella or other bacteria
  • Tuna — can contain mercury, so just occasionally
  • Bones
  • Raw Bread Dough or Other Uncooked Dough
  • Dog Food
  • Any Other Non-Cat Pet Food
  • Caffeine or Coffee or Energy Drinks
  • Nuts and Especially Macadamia Nuts
  • Mushrooms
  • Avocado — some cats can handle the fruit, but not the pit or peel or seeds
  • Turmeric
  • Baby Foods
  • Human vitamins
  • Other pet vitamins
  • Rhubarb Leaves
  • Salt

Don’t give them anything you wouldn’t eat.

If it is raw or spoiled — don’t give it to them.

You wouldn’t eat the peels from fruits, don’t give it to them to eat either.

Common Questions About Human Foods and Cats

Can My Cat Eat Dog Food?
No. Don’t encourage your cat to eat dog food. It doesn’t have the nutrients a feline needs. It has the nutrients dogs need. And they are not the same thing.

Can Cats Eat Banana?
Yes. If she wants a piece of banana, it is fine. But no peel.

Can My Cat Eat Eggs?
Raw eggs are not allowed. Cooked eggs are okay.

Can Cats Eat Yogurt?
Maybe. There are a variety of different yogurts these days. Some cats can tolerate some of them.

Can Cats Have Milk?
No, they shouldn’t. Milk upsets most cats’ stomachs. If your kitty is committed to getting some, you can give him a little and see how it affects him.

Can My Cat Eat Cheese?
It’s possible. Even though it is a dairy product, some cats can handle a little bit of cheese.

Can Cats Eat Chocolate?
No. Never.

Can My Cat Eat Catnip?
They can eat some. You usually can’t stop them. If they eat too much, they will throw it up.

Can Cats Eat Grass?
Many cats want to eat grass. Since they can’t digest it, they will usually throw it up shortly after swallowing it.

Can Cats Eat Peanut Butter?
Yes. A little bit is usually fine.

Can My Cat Eat Popcorn?
Yes. Most cats find popcorn to be a fun food to either taste, eat or play with. Give them just the fluffiest, fully cooked pieces. Don’t give them unpopped kernels. Don’t let them eat from your bowl.

Can Cats Eat Apple?
Yes. But don’t give them any peel or seeds. And make sure the pieces are small and manageable.

Can My Cat Eat Raw Chicken?
Nope. It has to be cooked. Never raw.

Can Cats Eat Avocado?
They can, but not any peel or pit, just the fruit and in moderation. It upsets some cat stomachs.

Can My Cat Eat Bread?
As long as it’s cooked, they can have a little.

Can Cats Eat Blueberries? How About Strawberries or Raspberries?
Soft fruits such as these are fine. No stems or leaves though.

Can My Cat Eat Tuna?
Most cats love tuna. I mean, they really love tuna. Tuna has mercury in it, and in a small animal, that mercury can build up quickly. Only give tuna occasionally. Some cats like it so much, they may turn up their nose at their regular food, so be careful.

Can Cats Eat Ham?
Yes, as long as it is cooked and in small pieces with no unnecessary fat.

Can a Cat Eat Spinach?
Yes, a little is fine as long as she hasn’t had any calcium-related issues before. Steamed or cooked spinach is easier to digest.

What About Rice
Yes, as long as it is fully cooked. Brown or white rice are both fine.

Can a Cat Eat Peas?
Steamed or cooked peas are fine for felines. They have protein and are actually in some prepared cat foods.

What About Melons?
Some cats like various melons such as cantaloupe or honeydew or sometimes even watermelon. They contain nutrients and water so they are fine.

Should a Cat Eat Oatmeal?
As long as it is fully cooked, oatmeal is fine.

What About Broccoli?
Steamed or boiled broccoli is good for kitty. Raw broccoli is a little tough. Felines can use the nutrients just like humans can.

Should a Cat Eat Carrots?
If your cat wants to play with a long raw carrot, that is fine. If they want to eat it, it needs to be cooked and softened up first.

What About Pumpkin?
Yes, pumpkin is just fine for a cat who wants some.

What About Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes?
Potatoes and sweet potatoes need to be ripe and fully cooked. Unripe potatoes can be unhealthy for your kitty. And any stems or leaves need to be taken off first too.

Human Food Cats Can Eat

In conclusion, although there are plenty of foods in your kitchen your cat can eat, some of those foods may cause digestive upset.

If you can’t remember if a food is harmful to felines, just don’t give it to her. Only give treats you know are totally safe.

Why risk it? As long as you’re giving your kitty good quality cat foods, he doesn’t need discards from your plate.

And if you do give out scraps, just remember to do it in moderation and don’t do it so often it becomes a habit or upsets your cat’s regular eating.

What To Do If Your Cat Eats Something Bad

There are foods that can be toxic to cats.

There are foods that one cat can eat with no problem, but that same food will make other cats sick.

Small quantities of some food will not affect some cats, but a larger amount of that food will make some cats ill. Sometimes gravely ill.

A small taste of something will almost never require taking your pet to the veterinarian. Consuming a small amount of something may lead to an uncomfortable night for your pet, but it won’t be an emergency.

That said, if your cat eats human food that he has never had before, you should monitor his condition.

Symptoms you don’t want to see include diarrhea, sustained vomiting, increased drinking, muscle tremors, heavy breathing, disorientation, or a seizure.

If you see anything unusual, don’t wait — call your veterinarian or your closest animal hospital and discuss what is going on.

They will want to know what your pet ate and how much of it he ate.

Good luck and enjoy your kitty.

DISCLAIMER: Foods and how they may affect your cat may vary. The food recommendations and advice presented above are not to be taken as feeding, safety, or health advice for your pet. You should ask your veterinarian who knows your cat for advice before giving any human food to your cat. This article was not written to be taken as medical or pet health advice. Do not consider the information in this article to be professional or veterinarian advice. The author of this article is not a doctor. The author is not a veterinarian. The author is not a food expert. The article on this page is to be read and considered as general knowledge only. The only pet health advice you should put your trust in is the guidance and advice you receive from your own veterinarians and their staff once they have seen your pet. Please contact a local veterinarian or an animal hospital professional as soon as you can if you need assistance.

Young cats eating in the kitchen

Tips on getting your cat to like you more.

Human Foods Not for Cats

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Human Foods Cats Should Not Eat

It’s easy to do.

You’re eating. Kitty is on the floor next to you. She seems interested in what you’re eating. You think, “Why not give her a little taste.”

She will smell what you offer. Usually, she will turn and walk away.

Sometimes she will try some of what you’re having. She might like it. She might not.

Either way, the odds are whatever she ate isn’t going to kill her. But, there are items you should never let your cat eat. They could make her sick. Or even worse.

Why You Shouldn’t Give Human Food to Cats

In most cases, it isn’t that the food we eat is dangerous to cats. Yes, there are some things that are bad for cats, but most items we eat aren’t going to kill your kitty.

However, if you give your cat human food, he may become dissatisfied with his regular cat food, which is designed to give him the nutrients he needs.

And if you give her too much, it may take away her appetite and she won’t eat enough of her special food. So she won’t get the daily requirements of vitamins and minerals she should be getting.

Felines are finicky eaters and you don’t want to upset their routine. You do not want to give them a reason to not eat what they should eat.

If you have found a daily diet routine they are happy with, stick with it. Don’t confuse them by replacing their regular meal with something else.

Human Foods Are Not Meant for Cats

If you do want to give your cat a human food “treat” once in a while, do it at times other than mealtime.

And maybe give it to them in a place that isn’t where they are normally fed their meals.

Think about what you are giving them. Make sure it is not a prohibited item.

If you can’t remember what is good or bad for felines, then maybe just don’t give it.

Human Foods Unsafe for Cats

To start with, don’t give your cat anything you wouldn’t eat.

This includes raw foods that you wouldn’t think to eat raw.

This includes spoiled foods you wouldn’t eat.

This also includes peels from fruits.

Grains and pasta should be cooked to increase digestibility.

And while you and I can eat raw vegetables, felines have a hard time digesting them, so if your kitty likes vegetables, cook them first.

Here is a list of items you should not give your feline because they can pose a health risk.

Human Foods Not to Give to Your Cat

Chocolate

Chocolate is toxic to cats.

Any kind of chocolate is bad, but dark and unsweetened chocolate is the worst.

There are three substances in chocolate that cause problems — theobromine (which is a bitter-tasting stimulant), methylxanthines (which can also be in beverages) and caffeine.

Fortunately, the vast majority of cats aren’t attracted to chocolate, but you should still never offer it to them or leave some lying around.

Symptoms of ingestion include diarrhea, vomiting, rapid breathing or trouble breathing, rapid heart rate or palpitations, muscle tremors, overall weakness, or seizures.

Grapes and Raisins and Currants

The ASPCA doesn’t have conclusive medical proof of the toxicity of grapes and raisins to cats, but there is enough anecdotal evidence (and we know they are hazardous to dogs) that they recommend you keep them away from your cat.

Although they don’t affect every cat, there is no reason to risk your kitty’s health by giving either raisins or grapes, or related fruits to them.

They can lead to kidney failure in dogs, and there are instances of this happening to cats too.

Symptoms include vomiting, hyperactivity, diarrhea, abdominal pain, decreased urination, reduced appetite, lethargy, and even kidney failure.

Onions, Garlic, Chives & Related Root Vegetables

All members of the onion family are toxic for cats in large doses.

This includes onions, garlic, chives, leeks, shallots, and scallions.

These foods can be harmful when eaten in big quantities or a smaller amount of a concentrated form such as garlic powder or onion soup mix.

And it doesn’t matter if these root vegetables are raw, cooked, dehydrated or powdered.

If you have a sauce or a chicken broth that includes a small amount of garlic or onion, it may or may not cause problems for your cat. It will depend.

A small amount of an onion or a clove of garlic may result in some minor stomach upset.

But eaten in a larger quantity or on a regular basis can damage a feline’s red blood cells, lead to anemia, weight loss, lethargy, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or darker urine.

Alcohol

Alcohol is toxic to our cats.

Cats absorb alcohol very quickly. If your kitty takes one sample lick, it isn’t going to hurt her.

But even a small amount, such as a teaspoon or a tablespoon can lead to problems. Multiple teaspoons of hard liquor can be fatal.

You don’t want to leave alcoholic beverages open or leave any spills left on floors, counters or tables.

Symptoms of ingestion may include intoxication, disorientation, digestive upset, tremors, and vomiting.

Alcohol poisoning can cause liver damage or brain damage or even lead to death if the amount consumed is large.

Raw Green Tomatoes and Green Potatoes

Green tomatoes and green potatoes are members of the Solanaceae plant family. They can contain Glycoalkaloid Solanine which is toxic and can lead to gastrointestinal issues.

The stems and leaves of these unripe tomatoes and potatoes are particularly potent.

Ripe tomatoes and potatoes are fine. The amount of GS in them is very small.

Milk and Cheese and Dairy Products

Kittens drink mother’s milk for a few weeks after they are born. But many of them become lactose intolerant as they get older.

Cats often are attracted to milk and dairy products, but those products may not be good for them. They may lead to indigestion, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Their digestive systems are often not built to handle dairy products from cows, goats, or sheep.

These dairy products include milk, cream, cottage cheese, and cheese.

Certain items, such as lactose-free milk, or low-lactose cottage cheese may be fine for some cats. If your cat can tolerate some dairy and really likes it, maybe the occasional small amount will be okay.

Xylitol and Sugar and Sweeteners

Your cat doesn’t need sugar. And she doesn’t need any artificial sweetener either.

Xylitol is a sweetener used in plenty of sugar-free foods including chewing gum, candy, baked goods, and diet foods.

Consuming Xylitol can increase your kitty’s insulin levels too high, and thus cause a dramatic drop in blood sugar.

Don’t let cats eat gum or foods that contain this sweetener.

The symptoms can include vomiting, lethargy, loss of coordination, and seizures.

Raw Eggs

Eating raw eggs can be hazardous. Consumption of raw eggs can lead to Salmonella or E. coli poisoning.

Raw eggs also have an enzyme — Avidin — that can lead to skin condition problems and coat problems by blocking the absorption of biotin.

Eggs should be cooked. Cooking takes care of both the Salmonella and Avidin issues.

The symptoms of salmonella poisoning usually are diarrhea and vomiting.

Raw Meat and Fat Trimmings

Like eggs, eating raw meat can lead to Salmonella or E. coli poisoning.

Even though a wild, feral cat may eat raw meat on a regular basis, it doesn’t mean that it is a safe practice or a good thing to do.

Meat that is uncooked may contain Salmonella and E. coli and parasites.

Cooking meat minimizes the risk of food poisoning or parasitic infection.

Raw meat consumption can lead to vomiting, diarrhea or Salmonella or E. coli.

Raw Seafood

Should a cat eat raw fish?

A cat may like fish, but raw fish isn’t safe.

This includes sardines, anchovies, tuna, herring, clams, and mussels.

Properly cooking kills the bacteria the raw fish carries such as Salmonella. Just cook it.

Cooked Tuna

Almost every cat really likes tuna. And enjoying this tuna once in a while is fine.

Tuna is not an everyday food, however. It doesn’t fulfill the dietary needs of a house cat.

It also can contain too much mercury for an animal or human to eat too often.

Just make sure tuna is cooked, not raw.

Liver

Liver is like tuna. Cats usually like it, but they shouldn’t have it too often.

It’s a good source of protein and other nutrients. But it doesn’t provide a wide range of vitamins and minerals.

And eating it too much can lead to an imbalance of vitamin A.

Bones

There isn’t any reason to give a cat a bone.

A cat can damage his teeth or swallow a piece of bone that can get stuck in his throat or injure the digestive tract.

Even if a bone is too big to swallow, your cat can break off a piece small enough to swallow and create a problem.

Raw Bread Dough or Yeast Dough

Uncooked bread dough or pizza dough isn’t good for any pet.

If a pet eats dough, it will expand in its stomach and can cause pain and a serious digestive issue.

Besides the expansion, raw dough containing yeast will ferment in the stomach and release alcohol. And alcohol isn’t good for felines.

Cooked bread is okay, but it contains no nutritional value.

Dog Food

Dog food and cat food are different products.

Cats need different nutrients than dogs do. And they won’t get it from dog food. Dog food is formulated just for a dog’s needs.

Cats will normally taste dog food (if you also have a dog) once in a while. It’s okay. It won’t hurt them.

But a steady diet of dog food will lead to malnutrition. It’s not what you want.

If you notice your kitty nibbling from Fido’s bowl too often, you may have to come up with a solution.

Caffeine – Coffee and Tea and Energy Drinks

Foods or drinks that contain caffeine are bad for cats. They shouldn’t consume them.

One little sip isn’t a problem, but slurping more than that is not.

Things to avoid are brewed coffee, tea, coffee grounds, tea bags, energy drinks, sodas, chocolate, or even some medicines.

Caffeine can result in restlessness, rapid breathing, muscle tremors, heart palpitations, hyperactivity, high heart rate, or seizures.

Nuts

Nuts are great for humans. They possess plenty of protein and healthy fats.

But nuts aren’t designed for cats. Cats don’t have the teeth to break them up well.

And Macadamia nuts are actually bad for cats. Never let them eat Macadamia nuts.

Too many nuts or too much nut butter can lead to diarrhea and vomiting.

Mushrooms

It can be difficult to tell which mushrooms are edible and which are not.

If you know that your mushrooms are edible, your cat can have a small amount.

But if there are wild mushrooms in your yard, they may contain harmful toxins and you should stop your kitty from eating any.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a plant extract that cats can’t eat. It upsets their stomachs. It leads to vomiting.

Turmeric is in a variety of foods and supplements these days.

Avocado

For some cats, the fruit of an avocado is generally okay.

But the fruit can be mildly toxic to some.

However, the peel, pit, and seeds need to be kept away.

If your kitty wants to get into your guacamole, you can either let him and see what happens, or you can simply keep it away from him.

If your cat can’t stomach avocados, it may end up with diarrhea or vomiting.

Other Items to Keep From Your Feline

Here are five other items you should not let your kitty near.

  1. Baby food
  2. Human or other pet vitamins
  3. Rhubarb leaves
  4. Salt
  5. Tobacco

How To Stop My Cat From Eating Human Food That is Bad for Them

How do you stop your feline from eating stuff that is bad for her?

First, you make sure that she likes her current food routine. If she is happy with her foods, she is less likely to stray.

Second, you prevent her from noticing and getting to foods that are poisonous or bad for her health.

Preventing Cats from Eating Dangerous Foods

Cats are curious — don’t give them hazardous things to investigate.

Don’t leave hazardous things on a counter.

Keep all hazardous foods well out of reach so they can’t get to it.

Keep an eye on all your ingredients while you are preparing meals or cooking.

Don’t leave cooked food uncovered on a counter while you eat.

If your kitty is active, make sure food isn’t left in the sink either.

Make sure that poisons are in cabinets your kitty can not get into.

Don’t start feeding your pet table scraps without thinking about what you are feeding them.

Make sure that house guests know they shouldn’t offer table scraps either.

What To Do If Your Cat Eats Something Bad

If you think your cat has eaten something either poisonous or bad for her health, you need to watch her carefully.

It’s important to know what she ate and how much of it she ate.

A small taste of something will usually not require a veterinarian visit, but if you don’t know how much she ate, you will have to monitor her symptoms.

Even if you don’t see any symptoms yet, it’s good to call your vet and get their input on what to watch for. You’ll also find out if they are open and where to go if you need to make an emergency trip.

Many foods in small amounts will give your feline some temporary discomfort, but she will not have to go in.

If you notice serious problems, take her to your veterinarian or animal hospital immediately.

Serious symptoms include sustained vomiting, diarrhea, muscle tremors, increased thirst, trouble breathing, seizures, or disorientation.

So it’s important that you don’t hesitate to contact a veterinarian if you suspect your cat has been poisoned by something you have given her or she has found herself.

Human Foods Poisonous for Cats

Your cat has instincts, but she is mostly dependent on you to provide for her and to keep her safe.

You are responsible for providing a safe environment.

You want to make sure she is provided with a balanced diet that will lead to a healthy life.

If your kitty loves some of these risky foods, maybe you can give her a little taste once in a while.

If a food isn’t poisonous, such as dairy, you can let her have a small sample and monitor how she does. Just be careful.

DISCLAIMER: This article is not intended to be medical or healthcare advice. Do not consider this article to be professional or veterinarian advice. The authors of this article are not doctors. They are not veterinarians. The previous article is to be read as mere general knowledge only. The only pet health advice you should put your trust in is the advice and guidance you receive from your own veterinarians, doctors, and staff you have contacted and who have seen your pet. Please contact a local veterinarian or an animal hospital professional if you need assistance with your pet.

Adult cat with a cabbage and other vegetables

Human foods that are okay for your cat to eat.

Cat Bites

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Are Cat Bites Dangerous?

Yes, they can be.

We don’t want to think that a quick bite from our fluffy pet can be harmful to us, but it certainly can be.

If it happens to you, you should take it seriously.

Why Are Cat Bites Serious?

These injuries can be serious because they often cause infection.

Cats have a lot of bacteria in their mouths. They also have sharp and narrow teeth which can inflict deep puncture wounds. These punctures potentially allow bad bacteria to get deep into joints or tissue.

Once bacteria is inside a person, it can infect and spread fairly quickly.

These small but deep wounds may not bleed much or look bad at first, so owners sometimes think they are not serious.

But don’t make the mistake of ignoring them.

Try to clean the wound as best as you can. These types of small but deep wounds can be difficult for a person to clean.

Studies show that about half of these types of bites lead to infection.

You should call your doctor and describe what happened.

Pay close attention to the wound area. If it gets swollen, red, feels warm, or is painful, or if you feel any flu-like symptoms or run a low fever, you should go to urgent care.

They will examine you and most likely prescribe antibiotics. It’s not uncommon for people, especially children, the elderly or health-vulnerable individuals to be hospitalized.

Cat Bite Infections

Why can a cat bite get infected so easily?

When a cat bites, its long and thin fangs can puncture the skin and leave bacteria underneath the skin.

The small hole in the skin can close and heal over quickly, but the bacteria is left under the skin where it can thrive, multiply and spread.

Dogs have bacteria in their mouths too, but when they bite a person, the pressure of the bite is spread out over several teeth. And those teeth are less sharp than a cat’s teeth.

So when a dog bites, the wound is over a greater surface area, but it doesn’t go as deep. A cat bite can be more like getting a shot with a needle. One or two deep punctures.

Cat Bite Infection Diagnosis

Pet bites can be serious. Very serious.

Whenever you receive a bite, even if it is just a small nip, you should immediately and thoroughly wash the area and determine if the bite was serious or not.

But even a small hole in the skin can lead to an infection. You need to be cautious.

Infection from Cat Bites

A cat bite infection can’t be diagnosed immediately, but signs will usually develop within 24 to 48 hours.

Many of the symptoms will appear near the area of the bite.

Swelling and inflammation are two examples of how the body responds to bacterial infection. These are warning signs that your body is fighting back.

The location of the bite may be important. A deep bite over a joint, such as your wrist, may lead to a serious situation more than one in a fleshy area, such as in your forearm or upper arm.

Cat Bite Infection Symptoms

If you develop an infection due to a bite, there are two types of symptoms you may experience.

There are symptoms that will occur right near the bite area, such as redness. And there are other symptoms that may affect your body in general, such as fever.

Bite Area Infection Symptoms:

  • Redness of the skin
  • Swelling
  • Pain or tenderness
  • A warm feeling in the surrounding skin
  • Fluid or pus draining out
  • Any puffing up or growth of anything that looks like a pimple
  • Loss of sensation or numbness near the area
  • Red streaks
  • Any type of unusual odor

General Symptoms Often Caused by an Infection:

  • Fever or chills
  • Stiffness in a finger or hand
  • Headache
  • Swelling in any part of the body
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sweating
  • Muscle weakness or fatigue
  • Lower than normal blood pressure
  • Rapid heartbeat

Two Symptoms To Really Watch For

The first symptom you will usually notice is redness of the skin around the wound. And if the redness spreads out at all away from the wound, it could be a really bad infection.

The second sign to really watch for is the temperature of the skin around the wound. If the skin there is warmer than the rest of your body, that means your body is sending antibodies there to fight infection.

If you only focus on one or two things, these are what you should focus on.

If you experience these symptoms, you should call a doctor. They will move forward with further diagnosis and treatment.

Infections can run the gamut from just slight discomfort to a serious condition requiring hospitalization.

If you have a weakened immune system or haven’t been keeping up on your tetanus shots, you should act more aggressively. Don’t wait to call your doctor.

Cat Bite Treatments and Healing

If your cat bites you, you should first try to determine the severity of the situation.

Slight scrapes of the skin are generally not serious, while deep punctures can be.

However, if a wild or stray animal bit you, then consider any wound to be serious.

How to Treat a Cat Bite if it Seems Minor

If her teeth didn’t break the skin, you are not at risk.

Scratches that are just at the surface of the skin have only a slight risk as long as you can clean it well.

If you have a minor wound:

  1. Wash your hands first.
  2. Visually inspect the area to see how bad it is.
  3. Use soap and water to thoroughly wash the area.
  4. If the wound isn’t bleeding, don’t be afraid to press on it to possibly help flush out any bacteria that might be in it.
  5. Apply an antibiotic ointment if you have one.
  6. Cover the area with a clean bandage.
  7. Pay close attention to the wound area and your own general health for the next 48 hours.
  8. If you have a wound that is worse than minor, or if it was a stray or wild cat that bit you, you will need to do each of the previous steps, but you may also need to focus on stopping any bleeding by applying pressure.
  9. Once you have it cleaned and dressed, you may also try to keep the wound elevated above your heart to help prevent swelling.
  10. Then you will want to call a doctor.

Your Doctor Knows How to Treat Cat Bites

Treatment for animal bites varies based on the location and severity of your injury, along with your overall health.

Your doctor will ask you the specifics as to what kind of animal bit you and then examine the wound area.

She will rewash and clean the area and possibly take away any damaged skin or tissue.

If necessary, stitches may be used to close the wound.

She will look for any signs of infection and probably prescribe an antibiotic to help prevent one from occurring.

You will discuss your tetanus vaccination history and she will probably give you a tetanus shot if your last vaccine was more than five years ago.

Your doctor will probably already know your overall health history, but if you have any condition that weakens your immune system, make sure she knows about it.

A blood test or X-rays may be ordered to diagnose any spread of infection. If oral antibiotics aren’t sufficient, intravenous antibiotics may be recommended until the infection clears up.

When it seems necessary, your doctor will schedule a follow-up visit to ensure that your wound is progressing.

In the days following your visit, you will need to monitor your situation for any symptoms of worsening infection. If anything gets worse, you should call your doctor right away.

If your wound is deep and it came from a wild animal, there is potential for exposure to rabies. That would be a whole different discussion and course of action.

What About Tetanus?

Because most people in the United States keep current on the tetanus vaccine, tetanus infection is rare.

Children get multiple shots when they are very young. An adult should get a tetanus shot at least every 10 years.

If you don’t remember when your last tetanus shot was, there is no harm in getting one earlier.

Doctors will often recommend a tetanus vaccination if they see a patient with a possibly contaminated animal wound, and that person hasn’t had the shot in the last five years.

There is no cure for tetanus.

Tetanus is a severe infection that can cause symptoms such as lockjaw, high fever, difficulty swallowing, body stiffness or spasms, or even convulsions.

What About Rabies?

The virus rabies is uncommon in cats in the United States. The vast majority of people who get bitten do not need rabies shots.

If you know the owner of the pet that bit you, ask the owner for that pet’s vaccination records.

The cat can be isolated and monitored for signs of illness for 10 days. If the cat remains healthy, then there is no danger of rabies to you.

If your biter was a stray, report it to animal control. They will try to find it and test it.

If the animal can’t be found, your healthcare provider may start the treatment of rabies vaccine shot series.

Your doctor can’t wait to see if you develop symptoms. Once you develop symptoms, it will be too late. It’s usually fatal.

Cat Scratch Fever

While its name sounds silly, cat-scratch fever is a medical condition.

It is spread by an animal scratch or bite.

It is not generally serious, but it can be a long-lasting condition.

Cat Scratch Fever Symptoms Can Include:

  • Swelling at the bite site
  • Tenderness or blistering at the bite site
  • Fever or chills
  • Headaches
  • Rash
  • Sore throat
  • Nausea or vomiting or lack of appetite
  • Fatigue

Cat scratch fever symptoms begin a few days or a few weeks after the incident.

The symptoms can last a few months or several months.

The condition is cured by taking antibiotics.

How to Prevent Getting Bitten

So how does one prevent getting bit in the first place?

Tips to not getting bit include:

  • Teach your kitten that biting is not allowed and that you don’t like it.
  • Train your cat to enjoy playing, but that your hands and fingers aren’t toys.
  • When you bring home a new pet, select carefully.
  • When pets are fighting, don’t put your hands in the way.
  • Don’t disturb your pet when he is eating, unless you know it’s okay.
  • Be sure your kids know how to be gentle with your pets.
  • Be careful when grooming, cutting nails, giving medications, or doing any procedure that may scare your kitty.
  • Keep up on your pet’s vaccinations.
  • Don’t approach strange cats you see outside.
  • If a friendly cat approaches you on the street, be careful when putting your uncovered face, fingers, hand, or arm near their mouth or claws.

What To Do Going Forward

Cat bites can be serious.

Be careful. Do what you can to change how you interact with your pet.

Don’t bother them when they don’t want to be touched. Don’t tease them.

Don’t unintentionally train them to bite your hand or fingers as a form of play.

Make sure they have their rabies vaccines.

If you get bitten, carefully investigate the wound and the situation to determine if it is superficial or if it is serious.

Clean and treat the wound. If you need to call your doctor — do it. If you aren’t sure if it’s serious — call anyway.

If you see any sign of infection, call your doctor or go to urgent care or even an emergency room. Don’t wait until the weekend.

DISCLAIMER: The previous article is not intended to be medical or healthcare advice. Do not consider this article to be professional or medical advice. The authors of this article are not doctors or veterinarians. The previous article is to be taken as mere general knowledge only. The only medical advice you should trust is the advice and guidance you receive from your own doctor or the doctor and staff you have contact with in your town. Please contact local healthcare professionals if you have received any bite from any animal, pet or otherwise.

Bites from cats like these can be dangerous

Tips for cats returning from the veterinarian.

Cat Rabies

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Cat Rabies – What Is It?

Rabies is a serious viral disease.

It can infect any warm-blooded animal. This includes cats, dogs and people.

In the United States, rabies is reported in cats more than any other domestic species.

It affects the brain and spinal cord of its victim. And it’s often fatal.

Rabies occurs in most countries. Some lucky countries are rabies-free.

In the US, every state but Hawaii sees cases of it.

How is Cat Rabies Transmitted?

The rabies virus exists inside a mammal’s body. It doesn’t survive long outside it.

Transmission of the virus occurs when an infected animal bites another mammal and the infected animal’s saliva is introduced through the bite wound under the skin of the bitten.

The main source of infected animals include foxes, raccoons, skunks, bats and wild, stray, unvaccinated dogs or feral cats.

Unvaccinated cats who roam outside and might be exposed to these types of wild animals are most at risk.

Symptoms and Signs of Cat Rabies

The symptoms of cat rabies can vary and they will depend on what stage your cat is in.

Most cats will not show signs immediately, it will take time.

Most cats will also not be infectious themselves at first either.

Common Signs of Rabies Virus Infection Include:

  • An increase in meowing
  • Loss of appetite
  • Dilated pupils
  • Excessive drooling
  • More restless
  • More lethargic or suddenly shy
  • More aggressive or agitated
  • Increasingly nervous or irritable or excited
  • Apparent weakness
  • Seems disoriented
  • Experiencing seizures
  • Limping
  • Appears somewhat paralyzed
  • Eventually enters into a coma

There is an incubation period from when the bite occurs to when the infected animal begins to show symptoms.

Incubation times vary and can even extend to almost one year, but from two weeks to eight weeks is common.

Signs seem to show up slower in bites that are less severe, when less saliva is released into the wound, and depending upon where the wound is.

But once signs start to occur, the virus can move fast. A kitty can die within two weeks of first showing signs.

Diagnosis of Cat Rabies

Diagnosing rabies cannot occur in a live animal. There is no good test your vet can run on a live animal.

This is because the only good diagnostic test is done on the animal’s brain.

Cat Rabies Prevention

Preventing your pet from getting this virus is fairly simple — keep her vaccinated and away from wild animals.

Both of these steps are easy to do.

In some areas, rabies vaccinations are mandatory for your kitty; in other places it is just highly recommended.

If you let your pet outdoors, you really need to have him vaccinated. It not only protects his health, but if he were to bite someone, you will need to prove that he has a current vaccination, otherwise he could be quarantined or put down and tested.

Many owners simply never let their cat outside.

For those owners, this settles the issue.

Feline Rabies Treatment

What is the treatment for rabies?

The bad news is there is no accepted treatment and no real cure for rabies once symptoms appear. And the disease will result in death.

If rabies is suspected, your kitty has to be placed in quarantine.

Your veterinarian’s office will have to notify the animal disease regulatory authority.

Cat Rabies Post-Bite Treatments

In theory, you can treat a bitten and potentially exposed cat with a post-bite vaccination if that cat has not been previously vaccinated.

If this post-bite, anti-rabies serum vaccination is given early enough, it could interrupt the progression of the rabies virus.

This serum, if taken right away, could stimulate the bitten cat to begin developing antibodies to the rabies virus.

But it’s risky.

Because there is no way to test to see if a live animal has or doesn’t have rabies, there is no way to tell if a post-bite vaccination series worked or not.

So while you think your kitty is fine, he could still be carrying the rabies virus and could infect you or a family member. It’s too risky.

If there is a strong probability that your pet has been exposed through a bite, you can either strictly quarantine her for several months, or you may opt to euthanize her. Both are horrible choices. But there is no good path.

Cat Rabies Vaccines

Most states require rabies vaccinations. They are regularly given to kittens usually at three to four months of age.

And revaccination will be recommended at specific times in a cat’s life too.

Should My Cat Be Vaccinated?

Yes. Vaccinations work. They’re important.

Rabies vaccines are safe. But as with any type of vaccine, a pet may show some type of allergic reaction.

If your cat shows some pronounced sign after getting his shot, such as breathing difficulties or something else that looks serious, this could be an allergic reaction that you should call your veterinarian about.

What to Do

Here’s what to do if you come in contact with a potentially rabid animal.

Stay back from any suspicious animal. This includes a strange dog or cat that is acting unusually or any wild animal.

Protect you and your pet from getting bitten or scratched.

Don’t try to capture or touch an animal that is acting strangely or unusually.

If you think you got bitten, see a doctor right away.

If you think your pet got bit, call your veterinarian.

Contact your local animal control department regarding the animal that bit you or your pet. It will be their job to identify and capture the animal.

If your cat is up to date with her vaccinations, she maybe will just be given a rabies booster vaccine shot right away. It will be your job to closely monitor her health and attitude. It’s possible she may need to be quarantined for a period of time.

Even if the animal that bit you or your pet had rabies, it’s possible that there was no rabies virus in the saliva or that the saliva didn’t penetrate under the skin.

Rabies is serious.

Be cautious.

NOTE: The content in this article is certainly not to be considered professional, medical, health or veterinarian advice. This content is solely for general information purposes only. So be sure to consult with a licensed veterinarian in your state before starting, or deciding to not start, any treatment program.

Twins have their feline rabies shots done

Got a cat that bites? Get your cat to stop biting you.

Cat Ringworm

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What is Cat Ringworm?

Ringworm is the most common fungal infection of the skin and hair.

Don’t worry — it is not any type of worm, it is just a fungus that lives on the skin.

Caused by bacteria known as dermatophytes, it can be called feline streptococcus, cat scaly dermatitis, cat dermatitis, or cat fur disease, depending upon which part of the body the infection is occurring in.

Are Some Cats More Susceptible To Getting It?

Kittens, older cats and longhaired cats are the most susceptible to ringworm infections.

This is because when your kitty grooms himself, he is doing an important activity which will help him remain infection free and healthy.

But long hair or other coat characteristics protect these fungus spores from being removed by typical daily grooming.

And our older cats can’t or won’t groom themselves like they used to.

Kittens are used to be groomed by mom, and it sometimes takes them some time to develop a good, effective grooming routine, so they are probably the most susceptible group for ringworm.

Other factors, such as compromised immune status, already having an illness, poor nutrition or living in a crowded condition can predispose a kitty to acquire ringworm.

Cats who live with other cats are more likely to get it too. It’s hard to isolate the fungus. Cats in shelters can spread it easily.

Genetics may play a role as well.

Cat Ringworm Symptoms

Clinical signs of cat ringworm can be similar to other common skin infections.

The classic signs include seeing one or more areas of hair loss with mild or moderate crusting of the skin.

Sometimes, you may notice that your kitty’s coat seems thinner than normal. And sometimes cats will develop an itchy rash.

You may see reddish, thick, scaly, raised or flat sores on her skin when you move her hair to the side.

Cats will sometime show only one of these symptoms.

An Infected Cat May Present One or More of These Signs:

  • Mild to severe crusting and scaling of the skin.
  • Subtle or dramatic hair loss in one or several areas.
  • The appearance of blackheads, usually on the chin.
  • Darkening of the skin or skin that looks sore in some areas.
  • Skin redness in the area of hair loss.
  • Itchiness that may be mild or extreme.
  • Hair loss from apparent over-grooming in one or more areas.
  • Nail infections that may appear greasy or crusty.
  • Patches of fur has become thick, dry, coarse or falls away.
  • Repeated scratching or rubbing or when your cat keeps biting herself.

How is Ringworm Diagnosed?

If ringworm is suspected, your veterinary practice can test for the presence of the zoophilic fungus that causes this problem.

Your vet will take hairs plucked from the affected area of your kitty and place them into a fungal culture medium and conduct the test.

Ringworm is common. This test, along with the visual evidence, will allow your vet to confidently confirm your cat’s situation.

How Does a Cat Get Feline Ringworm?

Ringworm is the most common infectious kitty skin disease.

A cat can get infected when she is exposed to infected spores. This happens through either direct contact with an infected pet, or even some contaminated object.

These infected spores are small. They are so small they can even be on dust particles or even blown through the air.

If these spores can reach your kitty, they stick on cells on the hair shafts and skin.

If they stay on long enough, they start digesting the keratin protein on the hair and this starts the infection process.

The nearby hair becomes brittle and loose. Bits of hair and skin scales, contaminated with spores, break off and fall.

These spores can remain on the floor or furniture for months, and can infect other cats or even humans.

A cat’s defense against these spores is grooming and sunbathing. Good groomers are less inclined to acquire an infection.

Long-haired cats like Himalayans and Persians may not groom as efficiently, so they may not be able to remove the sports. They may be more at risk.

Can I Get Ringworm?

It’s possible. Ringworm can be transmitted from cats to humans. Owners do often get it.

If a person is medically compromised in some way, they are more likely to get it.

Because ringworm spores get spread around their living space, it’s common for owners to develop ringworm lesions too.

Cat Ringworm Treatment

How to Treat Cat Ringworm in Cats and Kittens?

There are two goals when treating this situation:
1. The kitty needs to be treated and cured.
2. The environment needs to be decontaminated.

Cats that test positive need treatment.

Fortunately, feline ringworm is a pretty simple form of a skin affliction and is generally treatable in the early stages with topical treatment and/or an anti-fungal drug.

Since these cases are curable and not too harmful, treatment plans may vary somewhat for each cat.

Most treatment plans involve clipping the hair, the application of topical therapy or medicated shampoo, oral antifungal medication, and cleaning the living environment.

And the environment includes any other pets that live with you too. You should probably test, and probably treat, any other cats in your home.

Most cats will have some or all of their coat clipped. This removes infected hairs and cuts down on the shedding of infected hair and spores. It also makes it easier to the antifungal shampoo to work.

Topical therapy generally involves shampooing. This helps removed spores and crusty skin and hair from the coat and keeps them from falling off too.

Cats may be bathed twice a week. It can be a challenge, but the shampoo needs to stay on your cat’s fur for a certain length of time, the longer the better.

Ointments and creams can work too, but they are easily groomed off and aren’t practical to apply over large areas.

And as long as your cat is over eight weeks old, most cats will be prescribed an oral medication too.

Cats usually show improvement in within two to four weeks of therapy. But treatment may extend much longer than this.

Decontaminating the Environment

Ringworm spores are spread easily and can exist in the environment for up to a year or two.

Steps You Can Take:

  • Quarantine your cat while you are treating him (if possible)
  • Thorough and repeated vacuuming
  • Daily wiping of hard surfaces
  • Daily washing of cat beds and blankets
  • Smooth surfaces may be disinfected or scrubbed
  • It’s a good time to get rid of old cat rugs, fabric toys or blankets
  • Items that can’t be cleaned or disinfected should be discarded or put away
  • Dust daily with a disposable cloth product, like a Swiffer broom
  • Try to vacuum and clean your heating ducts and vent plates as well as possible
  • If you have heavy drapes, they should be cleaned too

It sounds like a lot of work. And it is. But you want to rid your home of these troublesome spores.

Just do the best you can.

What To Do Now

If you are concerned that your kitty has ringworm, if she is showing the symptoms, you should make an appointment with your veterinarian.

Don’t worry, this condition isn’t dangerous.

But it is not healthy, and it involves some effort to get rid of it.

NOTE: The content in this article is not meant to be considered pet health, medical or veterinarian advice. This content is just for general information purposes only. Be sure to consult with a professional veterinarian for treatment information or before undertaking any treatment option.

Cats Can Get Feline Ringworm

Feline rabies information

Cat Arthritus

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What is Cat Arthritis?

Cat arthritis is a degenerative joint disorder that causes strong inflammation throughout one or more joints.

It generally affects areas such as the tail joints or near the spine, but other joints — hip, knee, shoulders, ankle or elbow — are often affected as well.

Cats with feline arthritis will typically experience swelling in the joints. It can be uncomfortable or even painful.

Feline Arthritis Symptoms

It’s hard to tell if your kitty has the beginning of arthritis, because it can develop gradually and you may not notice the changes in her.

But an arthritic cat may eventually have several symptoms you can notice. They may be subtle, you may have to be observant.

Clinical signs include loss of appetite, weight loss, change in overall attitude, less grooming, going outside the litter pan, or less desire to jump on and off objects.

A cat suffering from arthritis may experience pain and discomfort, and you may be able to tell if yours is experiencing it.

For example, these symptoms can lead to a decrease in movement and what looks like awkward mobility when standing up, lying down or moving around.

They may appear stiff or become more lethargic than usual. They just don’t seem to be as energetic as they used to be.

Most affected cats will not limp. But you may notice that they are less inclined to jump, or the height they are willing to jump is significantly less than it used to be.

In extreme cases, you may notice a joint is swollen, looks red or a even a little misshapen. But because cats can usually live with it due to their small size and natural agility, it’s hard for the typical owner to notice irregularities like this.

How Does Cat Arthritis Start? Why Does it Happen Anyway?

Feline arthritis begins when their body begins to put too much pressure on their little tissues that make up their joints, cartilage and surrounding bone.

The joints and the normal cartilage cushion support their bones and they have to work hard to support an active little animal.

These little joints start to not function properly and they can begin to thicken, wear down or even tear.

Once these joints deteriorate, the neighboring bones will experience stress, and they may slowly wear away. This results in bone damage, inflammation, and pain when adjacent bones rub together.

Over time, and as a cat gets older, these joints can lead to permanent bone or joint deformity and problems with movement and getting around.

How is Feline Arthritis Diagnosed?

If your veterinarian suspects your kitty has feline arthritis, they can diagnose it by completing a thorough medical exam which will probably include x-rays.

However, a totally confident physical diagnosis, even by an experienced vet, is difficult in a cat patient.

Cats are tough to examine. Because first, they are so small.

Second, your cat probably does not like being manipulated, handled and examined by a vet. He may pull away or just remain immobile when the vet tries to examine him. They don’t always give respond or give clues as to what is uncomfortable.

Due to these obstacles, to diagnose osteoarthritis in cats, veterinarians will often simply rely on the cat owner’s observations that their pet is not moving around as well as it once did.

If you think you see symptoms in your cat, call your vet, discuss the situation and make an appointment.

Cat Arthritis Treatment

Treatment options are somewhat limited. It is a progressive disease, but it can be managed.

If your vet suspects your cat may have arthritis, they will recommend a course of treatment.

Treatment Options May Include These

  • Encourage weight loss for overweight cats
  • Increase exercise
  • Elevate food and water bowls
  • Use a lower-sided litter box
  • Provide various soft bedding options
  • Give anti-inflammatory and possibly steroid medication
  • Change and improve diet
  • Make it easier for them to access favorite resting spots without them needing to jump
  • You may start a special diet designed for arthritis-affected cats.

A diet high in protein and fiber, but low in fat may help. By increasing the amount of fiber in her diet, she will be able to move better and protect her joints better too.

You may need to change any human food you give them too. Your vet will help you design the proper diet.

Treatment can include supplements or vitamins too.

Some vitamins can help stimulate the maintenance of joint cartilage. These vitamins include calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin C, niacin, biotin and potassium.

Maybe these nutrients can help stimulate the production of collagen and cartilage as well as prevent further damage to the bones.

Supplements that contain antioxidants may help prevent oxidative damage to the cells.

Taking all of these steps will help improve your cat’s flexibility, slow down further joint damage, reduce his discomfort and make his overall life easier and better.

What To Do

Remember, if you suspect your kitty is developing arthritis or seems to show symptoms of any type of distress or discomfort, scheduling a visit with your veterinarian is the best first step.

You’ll receive some good information and find out what to do next.

NOTE: Any content in this article is not to be considered medical, health, professional or veterinarian advice. This content is only for general information purposes. Be sure to consult with a licensed veterinarian before beginning, or deciding to not begin, any treatment option.

Feline arthritis affects plenty of older cats like this one

 

The rabies vaccine – make sure you get it.

Cat Diabetes

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What is Cat Diabetes

Feline diabetes is one of the most common ailments that affect cats.

Similar to human diabetes, feline diabetes is essentially a condition in which either low insulin production or insufficient insulin response leads to consistently elevated blood sugar levels.

While it can start early in a young cat’s life, cat diabetes occurs more often in older pets than it does in younger ones.

And it occurs more often with females than with males.

How is Cat Diabetes Diagnosed

This condition is usually diagnosed and confirmed by blood tests and urine tests.

Symptoms of Feline Diabetes

The symptoms of diabetes can vary between cats, but many cats will show a loss of interest in food. Others will put on weight. And some will do both.

Feline diabetes symptoms may include muscle issues such as weakness or cramps, a general overall lethargy, increased vomiting and more infections.

Severe symptoms such as seizures, unusually slow walking and dramatic lack of appetite can be alarming and worrisome to the owner.

If you notice this type of changes in your kitty’s behavior, you should contact your veterinarian.

Cat Diabetes Treatments and Control

There is no simple cure for feline diabetes.

But you can take steps to control the situation.

It begins with diet and nutrition. Some diabetic cats are obese. Some are not.

Either way, you start by sticking to a regular feeding schedule. You feed your kitty at the same time each day.

If you have always left dry food out 24-hours-a-day so she could eat whenever she wants, this will be a change.

The type of food will probably change too. Most diabetic cats need a high protein, low carbohydrate diet.

This helps control their insulin levels and helps them to feel better.

Sometimes these high-protein foods are only available at a veterinarian or through a prescription. They generally cost more than regular cat food.

Since you most likely will be trying to cut back on calories, you may need to cut back on those extra treats you love giving him too.

As they start their new diet, they will often lose some weight. That is good too.

After weeks or months, once they have become accustomed to their new food and mealtimes, you can gradually increase the amount they get to an amount that makes them happy.

Drinking a lot of water is important too.

Do whatever you need to do to increase their interest in drinking.

Leave out multiple water dishes or different cups or invest in one of those machines that constantly circulates water to interest him into drinking more.

Give your cat plenty of attention and help them to be more physically active. Play with them more. Make them get more exercise.

Besides a change of diet and exercise, your vet may prescribe supplements, medicine or insulin. They may suggest other options too.

Get Started

If you think your cat is showing symptoms of diabetes, contact your vet to look into it.

It’s a difficult condition to control, and symptoms can progress quickly, but it’s up to you to monitor them and take care of them.

There are treatment options that can help you improve your cat’s condition and make them feel better and live better.

Once you start treatment if your cat is not responding well to those treatments, for example, if he is not eating at all, it is important you get back to your veterinarian and explore alternative treatment options.

NOTE: Any content in this article is not to be considered medical or veterinarian advice. This content is strictly for general information only. Be sure to consult with a professional veterinarian before starting, or deciding to not start, any treatment option.

Cat diabetes is a problem for some older adult cats like this one

Read about cat arthritis now.

List of Common Cat Diseases

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List of Common Cat Diseases

Every cat will have a health problem eventually.

Some problems can be minor and temporary, others can be major and long-lasting. Some even fatal.

Typically, cats don’t have as many health problems as dogs do, but you will still likely encounter one or more during the life of your kitty.

Feline Leukemia

Leukemia is a dangerous disease among cats. It is characterized by the growth of tumors in the bone marrow.

Feline leukemia is diagnosed by an examination of a cat’s lymph nodes.

The bone marrow is where your kitty produces healthy white blood cells which allow him to combat disease, infection and injury.

Cats with leukemia can be more susceptible to developing an additional serious infection than an otherwise healthy kitty.

Respiratory Disease and Infection

Upper respiratory diseases are one of the most commonly known cat issues.

It’s not the most serious ailment, some vets will say it is similar to a human cold.

Feline upper respiratory infections occur when there is an explosive growth of bad bacteria and viral agents around the respiratory tract.

These infections can be bacterial or viral and can be transmitted through direct contact with the eyes or nose from an infected cat to another or through saliva from their mouths.

These bacteria and viruses normally stay in the throat or lungs, but can spread to other parts of the body, causing inflammation or other issues in other organs.

Cat Arthritis

Feline arthritis is a common disease.

The most common form of cat arthritis is called rheumatoid arthritis. It can eventually affect about 50% of all cats as they grow older.

This condition is caused by excessive production of cytokine, which is a protein, in the cat’s immune system.

Most cat owners can understand arthritis, as a version of it occurs in humans as well.

Skin Infections

Feline skin infections happen often.

They are usually limited to the skin surface, but they might spread to the throat or lungs, and can even cause pneumonia.

These infections are be transmitted to other cats in your household too. This is done through scratching or coughing.

Most owners don’t think about it, but it can be important to isolate your sick kitty from healthy ones.

Kidney Disease

Cat kidney disease is something that is common among aging cats. And it can affect cats of both sexes.

The condition develops as a cat kidney’s filtering system fails to do its job.

Cat kidney disease can be painful.

Symptoms can include difficulty in urinating, blood in the urine, changes in urination consistency or volume, abdominal pain, weight loss, swelling in the legs and feet, fever, difficulty in walking, vomiting or overall lethargy.

Yet it is hard to diagnose kidney disease just through observation until it has reached an advanced stage.

It can cause permanent damage to the kidneys and internal organs. It can eventually be fatal too.

Finding and treating this condition early is important. It can help reduce complications and allow for a longer and happier life.

Urinary Tract Infections

Cat urinary tract infections can occur. They often aren’t serious.

However, like a lot of other conditions, they should be checked out and your vet can decide whether or not treatment is necessary.

What To Do

Cat owners can often treat their pets themselves. There is a lot of information online that can help the owner with their situation.

But veterinarians know how to diagnose cat issues and treat them with diet or drugs.

Many drugs prescribed for and used by humans are not suitable for cats. They can have serious side effects.

Professional practitioners have experience working with medications and may prescribe the right product to prevent negative side effects.

They may also recommend over-the-counter products or prescription treatments.

There are medications to help alleviate pain, reduce inflammation or just make your kitty feel better if she has been infected by a virus or other issue.

Other products will help your cat get relief from inflammation, itching or help control pain or discomfort that occurs as a result of a viral infection.

Vets may also suggest dietary supplements to help slow a disease’s progression or reduce the symptoms and hopefully slow down a disease’s progress.

While many cat issues may seem minor at first, they can be serious and should not be simply ignored.

While it can be hard, your veterinarian should be able to diagnose the situation and help treat your cat. If left untreated, a disease can turn serious.

Your vet can suggest appropriate treatment and advise on what you should do to prevent your kitty from getting worse.

Once detected, many diseases can be treated effectively so she can continue to have a comfortable and healthy life.

If you are concerned about your cat’s health, talk to your veterinarian at once.

If you suspect that something is wrong with your cat or he might have an ailment, contact your veterinarian. Set up an appointment.

Follow your veterinarian’s advice as best you can. Help your cat have a longer and healthier life.

Cats like these can get different diseases or health problems

Information about cat diabetes.

How Old Is My Cat in Cat Years

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How Old is My Cat in Cat Years?

Trying to figure out how old your kitty is?

Wondering what stage of life he or she is in on the average cat lifespan?

Cat Years to Human Years

Since the average pet lifespan is much less than the average human lifespan, pet owners often like to translate a pet’s age into human years, so they can get a better understanding as to how old their cat or dog is in relation to a human.

How Old is Your Cat? – Cat Age Chart

Cat Years:    Human Age Equivalent:

1                           15
2                           24
3                           28
4                           32
5                           36
6                           40
7                           44
8                           48
9                           52
10                         56
11                         60
12                         64
13                         68
14                         72
15                         76
16                         80
17                         84
18                         88
19                         92
20                         96

How This Cat Age to Human Age Chart Works

Kittens develop really fast. They grow up much quicker than humans.

At the end of their first year, they are the equivalent of a 15-year-old boy or girl.

This continues into their second year too. The pace is just a little bit slower though.

Once a feline has hit their second birthday, they are the equivalent of a 24-year-old man or woman.

Then as they settle into adulthood, each year of their life is equal to about four years of a human.

I Thought That There Was a 7 to 1 Year Formula?

People used to think that you multiplied your pet’s age by seven, and that was how old they were in people years, but that formula has fallen by the wayside and isn’t used any longer.

Stages of a Kitty’s Life

Birth to 6 Months – Kitten
6 Months to 3 Years – Young Adult
3 Years to 7 Years – Prime
7 Years to 11 Years – Mature
11 Years to 15 Years – Senior
15 Years and older – Geriatric

What Impacts the Average Life Span?

Unlike dogs, where different breeds can have much longer or shorter life spans than other breeds, most breeds of cats are similar when it comes to their life span.

While there can be some slight differences, for example, you could make the argument that Siamese tend to live a little longer than the average feline, the majority of cats are all grouped together on the same chart.

Lifestyle is a major contributor to how long a kitty will live.

Indoor cats who regularly see the veterinarian routinely outlive feral or other mainly outdoor cats. Indoor kitties are less exposed to outside dangers – other animals, fleas and ticks, cars or bad humans.

Can you guess the age of this cat in human years

Helping a shy cat to like you more.