Solid Advice For Pet Owners

Cats are just as susceptible to digestive issues as humans, but without the ability to communicate with us, their symptoms can get worse very quickly. The most common digestive issues in cats are diarrhea (fast moving bowels) and constipation (slow moving bowels), both of which can be caused by a range of factors including a change in diet, increased stress, eating foreign objects – and in more serious cases, infections or parasites. Both conditions are often accompanied by vomiting or your cat refusing to eat. However, in some cases, like humans, digestive issues can be chronic. Cats can also be prone to gastroenteritis, irritable bowel syndrome and even pancreatitis. It’s essential to have the right information and support to best manage your cat’s digestive health. Get a professional opinion Whether you think you know what is wrong with your cat, or your cat is just generally fussy, ‘waiting to see’ is never the right course of action, because simple infections can develop into serious issues if left unattended. In addition to monitoring their eating and toilet habits, consult a vet as soon as you notice any change. Don’t attempt any home remedies, force your cat to eat or change their food again – this could make the situation worse. If you have more than one cat, and one cat gets sick, limit their interaction as much as possible in case the condition is contagious. Make sure your cats have separate bowls to eat and drink from and have a litter box for each cat.   Photo by Eric Han on Unsplash

Urinary issues, although reasonably uncommon in cats, can be very serious. While your cat may be stoic, or like humans, expect the issue to go away on its own, their inability to communicate means that it’s important for cat owners to know how to spot a potential issue. The most common problems are blockages in the bladder or a cat urinary tract infection. Crystals or small stones in the urine can be the cause, and these can develop as a result of dehydration, irregular bathroom habits or a more serious disease. These crystals can irritate the lining of the urinary tract, blocking the regular flow or urine, causing toxins to build-up. When this starts to happen, you may notice that your cat tends to cry out or vocalize when urinating, because of the pain. Other signs can be straining to urinate, urinating outside the litter box or even pacing anxiously, crying constantly or even hiding. If you notice any of these signs, don’t just wait for the issue to pass. Particularly if this is affecting a male cat, contact your cat’s vet urgently, because a urethral infection can infect their kidneys. Courses of treatment may include an initial examination, a course of antibiotics and may even require the removal of the stones in critical cases.   Photo by krakenimages on Unsplash

Diabetes is a serious medical condition which, like in the case of humans, can seriously affect your cat’s quality of life. Simply put – diabetes is a condition caused by a lack, or deficiency of insulin, which is the hormone which regulates how sugar is used in the body. The biggest issue when it comes to feline diabetes is that sugar is not properly absorbed into the cells and tissues in the body. Particularly if your cat is a regular eater, who maintains a stable weight, the presence of diabetes is often marked by significant weight loss – even though your cat is eating and drinking the same amount. Increased urination is also a tell-tale sign It’s important to make sure you have a plan, and the resources to look after your cat with diabetes. After the initial diagnosis, your cat will require regular visits to the vets, as well as treatment to address their insulin absorption. This treatment will come in the form of one to two insulin injections per day, which are administered under your cat’s skin. While you may be a little squeamish, and wary of hurting your cat – this is vital for their immediate and long term health and the vet will make sure that you are trained as to how to perform the injections correctly. As a general rule, it is important to ensure that your cat has eaten at least half of their allotted portion when the insulin is administered. In most cases, you will not be required to do home blood tests, unless directed by your vet. If you are, a helpful tool to invest in is a blood glucose monitor, which requires a tiny sample of your cat’s blood to check their glucose levels. Most cats who have a healthy diet, adequate access to healthcare and treatment have a positive prognosis and can even go into partial remission. However, it’s important to monitor your cat’s water intake, eating habits and ensure that they are engaging in regular exercise. If you believe your cat may have diabetes, please seek the advice of a vet urgently.   Photo by Paul Hanaoka on Unsplash

Cats can be highly susceptible to allergies and intolerance. These can be derived from environmental factors, as well as aversions to certain foods. While many of these allergies can be seasonal, some may persist throughout your cat’s life, and will need the relevant care to minimize the impact on your precious pet’s physical health and overall well being. The most prevalent symptoms include sneezing, wheezing and skin irritations, and the cause must be treated in order to give your cat some relief. Dust, mound and pollen are the most common allergens for cats, and while they are primarily linked to the summer and spring seasons, their effects can be diminished by making sure your house is clean. Regular dusting and keeping a dry, moisture free home is the first step. If you find that after this, your cat is still sneezing for an extended period, seek the advice of your vet, as your cat may need a feline antihistamine. When it comes to food allergies, you have to be a bit more careful. While some allergies are developed from when your cat is a kitten, others develop later in life. It’s best not to handle these yourself, as you may aggravate the symptoms further. The best course of action is to take your cat to the vet immediately, and make sure that you can supply the vet with as much information about the food your cat is eating, their feeding schedule and when the symptoms are most prevalent. Usually, vets will place your cat on a diet which individually eliminates one ingredient at a time, in order to figure out which foods trigger particular symptoms. These symptoms may include inflamed skin or itching. If this is the case, your vet will advise on the best course of action to manage these symptoms. This may involve switching to a hypoallergenic food option.   Photo by Ludemeula Fernandes on Unsplash

Whether you’ve just taken home your first precious kitten, or you’ve always owned cats, it’s important to make sure you’re ticking off all their needs. As we all know, cats are complex animals and keeping them content isn’t always easy. Here’s a basic guide to the essentials when it comes to looking after their physical, mental and emotional well-being. Make playtime mandatory Make time each day to play with your cat. Stimulation is very important for cats, especially when they are young and developing. Cats are hard-wired to hunt, eat, clean and sleep. Playing helps to channel those hunting instincts and is an important part of your cat’s health and quality of life. Invest in some toys and play with them every day. Provide a scratch pad Cats need to sharpen their claws. So it’s up to you whether they do this on your furniture (or curtains), or on a designated scratch post or pad. Scratching is an important (and inevitable) exercise for cats and if they get into the habit of scratching their claws on the wrong surfaces, it will be a tricky one to break. If the scratching surface you provide is not being used, it might be uncomfortable or unsuitable for your cat, so try different options. Keep things clean Look after their litter boxes. Make sure they’re kept in a clean, private area and that the box is emptied once a day. As a general rule, you should always have one more litter box than you have cats to ensure they can always find a clean, quiet place to do their business. Also – remember cats are extremely proud animals. They don’t like to be watched while in a compromising position in the litter box, so make sure you give them enough privacy. Handle with care Picking up an adult cat by the scruff of the neck is a big no-no. When cats are very young, their mothers often pick them up and carry them this way, but as cats get older and heavier, this can be damaging. Picking your cat up by the scruff should only be done in emergency situations, for very short periods – and always support their rump. Rather pick up your cat with both hands – one hand holding the cat under the chest, just behind their front legs. Use your other hand to support the back legs and bottom. But remember, sometimes cats just don’t want to be picked up, so always read their mood and don’t force anything. Don’t string them along We’ve all seen depictions of cats playing with and chewing on string or yarn. This can actually be a choking hazard and is very dangerous. If swallowed, it can make your cat quite sick – causing blockages in the stomach and serious digestive problems. So keep your sewing and knitting safely packed away, out of reach, and invest in safe toys. Risky business While cats are incredibly agile and adventurous, they shouldn’t be encouraged to test the limits. If you live in an apartment at or above second floor level, keep windows closed or fit a screen or gate over them.   Photo by Koen Eijkelenboom on Unsplash