Health

Letting a cat become pregnant and have kittens may hold some appeal for some people. They may want to allow their children to witness the “miracle of life” or think they may enjoy being by their cat’s side as she goes through a pregnancy and delivers her babies. Sounds good? Well, life is more complicated

Metacam is often discussed on our cat boards, with concerned members wondering whether it’s a safe choice for their cat. This guide explores Metacam and its use in cats, including side effects and risks, so that cat owners can make an informed decision about this pain relief medication for their cat. What is Metacam? Metacam

Some people will tell you that cats are good at hiding their pain. This is only partially true. Your cat cannot verbalize her pain. She can’t let you know with words when it hurts, nor can she say where it hurts or what kind of pain she’s feeling. That doesn’t mean you can’t tell she’s

The liver is the largest internal organ in the cat (and in humans, too!) and has many important functions. You can read all about what the liver does in cats and the related potential health problems in our article Article: Liver Disease In Cats . These health issues include things like liver cancer, inflammation of

What Is Feline Idiopathic Cystitis? Idiopathic Cystitis literally means: bladder inflammation without a known cause. It is a common affliction in cats and some experts estimate it can affect up to 10% of pet cats. Young to middle-aged cats – both males and females – are usually the ones getting the dreaded FIC diagnosis. With

Most owners think of cats as resilient creatures and don’t think much of some vomiting or increase in sleep time. Add to that the fact that cats are good at hiding their pain and it’s easy to see why sometimes cats develop liver disease which goes unnoticed until it becomes very serious. As responsible owners,

Vets bustle in and out of the exam room, talk about symptoms and prescriptions and rarely have time to really explain or listen to your concerns. That’s fine if there’s an emergency elsewhere in the clinic, but otherwise an appointment should allow time to consult about general question on aging, seasonal queries about fleas or

Cats are famous for being clean animals. Not only do they regularly groom their coat, they also bury their feces and urine so that predators and prey won’t be able to smell their presence. This instinct is part of what makes cats such appealing pets in an urban environment. We can keep our kitties safely

So, your vet suggested a cone. Confused? Scared? Not sure how your cat will deal with this? Don’t worry. We’re here to guide you through everything you need to know about cat cones and how to use one to help your cat get better. What is a cat cone? This is a simple apparatus shaped

For many cat owners, the promise of natural treatment for their cats sounds alluring. Medications are rightfully associated with potential risks and side effects so why not go for something natural? Wouldn’t that be much safer for Kitty? A homeopathic remedy or herbal supplement may or may not be effective, but surely “it can’t hurt

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can infect all warm-blooded animals, cause disease and spread in the environment. According to the CDC, there are more than one million reported cases of salmonella infections in humans every year in the US. Thousands are hospitalized and a few hundred never recover and die from the infection.

It’s time to find out the answer to a common question we get asked on the forums: When to spay or neuter a cat? The answer may surprise you. One of the most important things we do for our cats is getting them fixed. That means spaying females and neutering males. There are a multitude

Our elegant feline friends usually keep their mouths shut. A cat that opens his or her mouth for no apparent reason is a sight that alarms an attentive owner – sometimes with good reason! Why is Kitty’s mouth hanging open? It could be a harmless form of behavior called “the Flehmen reaction” or it could

Cats can usually go through pregnancy and labor without to many problems. However, if the cat is under a year old, or you have an older cat that has gone through multiple births, there could be problems ahead. This article will give you tips on how to tell what a normal pregnancy is, and what

When cat owners face behavior problems, such as litter-box avoidance or aggression, changes to the cat’s routine and various training techniques are usually suggested. However, there are times when behavior modification techniques are not enough. They fail to work because the cat, either due to its genetically-encoded temperament, or due to life circumstances that cannot

There is more than one effective way to take care of your cat’s teeth. Dental treats, pet toothpaste and dental toys are just a few of the options our members often discuss on the forums. Important note before we proceed: Please remember that your cat may already suffer from some form of tooth and gum

Just what is a probiotic? When feline (and human) health is concerned, Probiotics is the name given to a group of supplements containing live bacteria or, in the case of many pet supplements, fermentation products. These supplements help keep the digestive tract healthy which in turn, keeps the rest of the body healthy too. It

Fleas – if your cat ever goes outdoors or comes in contact with animals that do, you are probably familiar with these pests. Given the right conditions, these tiny brownish insects can quickly multiply and turn into a horrible infestation.Many cats are allergic to fleas. For them, even a single fleabite can trigger an acute

If there could be one thing you could do to save your cat’s life in an emergency, would you? 53% of cat people say they would be willing to give their cat CPR but how do you do it? There are classes to teach you basic first aid for both cats and dogs. Finding a

It’s the perfect picture. A cat owner is sitting on a chair with their cat curled up in their lap. Unfortunately, a closer look reveals the owner’s red eyes, and blotchy skin. Does getting close to your furry family member result in itchy, watery eyes and sneezing? Many cat owners are allergic to their pets,

So, you have a very pregnant cat on your hands and you have everything that you need for the birth ready. Now, how to tell when the kittens are really going to pop out? The gestation period of cats is an average of 64 days from the time of mating. Do you know when your

We have a special a guest blog post today by veterinarian Dr. Kristopher Chandroo, DVM. You may already be familiar with Dr. Kris’ posts here on TCS. Dr. Kris will be hosting a special guest forum next week! The topic will be Kidney Issues in Cats and you’re all welcome to prepare your questions. Guest

Cats tend to throw up stuff every now and again. If you share your life with a cat, you probably know the picture and the soundtrack, too: your cat meowing loudly in a low-pitched tone, heaving and retching pitifully until some intermediate wet mass comes out of her mouth. Scary as it may seem to

Dealing with feline pregnancy can be challenging in its own right, but it’s only the beginning. The real challenge often comes after the birth. Just like with humans, newborn kittens are extremely fragile, and there are a number of things that can go wrong. If you are caring for a pregnant cat, please read this

One of the questions often asked on our cat forums is, how can I give a pill to my cat? Unless you find a super-tasty pill your cat happens to love (like the one shown in the picture here), you need to know how to properly administer a pill. Technically speaking, the procedure itself is

Veterinary care for your cat can be very expensive with bills running in the hundreds and sometimes even the thousands of dollars. Owners are usually prepared for the predictable annual costs of a routine checkup and vaccinations, but what do you do when your cat has a medical emergency or comes down with a serious