Cat Health

Ringworm is the most common skin infection in cats. It is contagious to humans. Recognizing the symptoms is critical to preventing the transmission of the infection from cat to human.

Advantage is a topical flea solution for cats that has revolutionized the way veterinarians fight fleas. Created by Bayer, Advantage allows the owner to apply a single dose of flea medication to...

Moth balls are a common household product. Though common, moth balls are harmful to cats. Other products around the house that may contain the same toxic chemicals include bathroom deodorizers and...

Decongestants should only be administered to a cat with a prescription from a veterinarian. Cats and kittens may be prescribed decongestants as a result of respiratory problems. Watch cats for...

Female cats in heat, also known as estrus, experience a period of heightened sexual arousal and display signs to male cats that they are receptive to mating. On average, an adult cat goes into...

Dry coughing in cats is sometimes just caused by hair balls. But dry cough can also indicate a serious problem. If a cat is coughing, watch its behavior and report to a veterinarian for diagnosis...

Flatulence, also known as gas, is the distension of the stomach or intestines with air that is then expelled from the body through the anus. Gastrointestinal gas comes from swallowed air or from...

It's normal for a cat to shed fur. however, if you notice that your cat is shedding an excessive amount of hair consult your veterinarian. It could be a sign of a health-related problem. It is...

Cats can stop urinating for a number of reasons; however, it's extremely important that you visit your veterinarian if you notice that your cat is unable to urinate. This can be a sign of a...

If your cat is scratching herself excessively, there may be many reasons for why she is doing so. Common problems that cause itchy skin include allergies, fleas, mites and seborrhea. In order to...

A urinary tract infection or UTI is a medical condition where bacteria becomes trapped in the urethra or bladder of animals or humans. In order to treat urinary tract infections in cats,...

Cats need fresh water, but dishes provide an environment for bacterial growth and can grow stale or stagnant. Running water is a solution. "Animals love to drink from water that flows naturally,"...

For most cats, ears demonstrating a different appearance, including folded ears, are typically a symptom or a result of a disease or condition. While some breeds have differently shaped ears, such...

Your cat can enjoy a tasty drink of water from a moving fountain, and it doesn't have to cost you a lot of money or be a hassle to put together. You can make your own DIY cat water fountain, says...

Like their owners, cats can also suffer from stress. Anxiety in cats often leads to unwanted behaviors, including aggression, litter problems and excessive grooming. According to the book, "The...

Getting your cat to take his medication can be quite tricky. Cats are slippery and can run away before you get the medication in their mouths. If you put the medication in their food, they are...

Bladder stones are one of the most common urinary problems in cats. Crystals in the urine can eventually form into stones and wreak havoc on your pet. Types of crystals that affect cats include...

Diabetes, a condition in which the body cannot produce or absorb insulin, can affect household pets as well as humans. Without insulin, the body cannot break down simple sugars (such as...

Although far more common in dogs, ear infections due to yeast can also strike cats. If not properly treated, yeast ear infections can become a recurring problem.

Allergies are one of the most common conditions that affect cats. When a cat is allergic to something, its immune system will overreact. This causes various physical symptoms---including...

Creatine phosphate is a compound that maintains energy levels in muscles; the waste by-product of this compound is creatinine. Because elevated creatinine levels are a symptom of a much more...

Veterinarian Holly Nash notes that many conditions and diseases can cause a cat to lose their hair. In her article on PetEducation.com, Nash explains that a professional diagnosis is necessary to...

Your cat has injured his leg and he is howling in pain. Perhaps you are far from home traveling with your cat, or your veterinarian's office is closed and you cannot drive to a distant emergency...

Eye infections are a common problem in cats and can spring from a number of causes. They may be the result of bacterial, protozoal, fungal or viral infections. Foreign objects and scratches are...

The medication Reglan may be prescribed for a cat for a number of reasons. The medication is used to help control stomach irritations and vomiting. Although this is a human grade medication, it...

Like people, cats can have dry skin or suffer from dandruff. Pet owners can often treat these problems holistically, with vitamin and nutrient therapies. To correct skin issues permanently, a...

Cats can develop cold-like symptoms similar to those of humans. Unfortunately, unlike humans a cat cannot tell us if she's sick. Chest congestion in cats can happen for many reasons; however, it...

There may be times in your cat's life when you need to sedate it. Moving, travel and bathing may be some of the instances in which it will be necessary to provide your cat with a sedative. There...

When a cat develops a viral infection in their upper respiratory tract, it is referred to as feline flu or cat flu. Most cases of feline flu are due to the feline herpes virus-1 or the feline...

Cats possess a dynamic range of hearing capabilities that nearly triple those of humans. Their large, sensitive ears scoop up sound as well as attract dirt and parasites. Home remedies for a cat's...

A running, mucus-secreting eye is, well, unsightly on your cat. Although commonly referred to as a "cold in the eye," the condition is almost always conjunctivitis, according to vets at the...

Many cats at some stage in their lives will develop bladder stones, which are large crystals in the urinary tract that can make urination difficult and cause other complications. Bladder stones...

Cat paws can become swollen in a number of ways. The condition can make it painful for the cat to walk or move around easily. When this occurs, there are a number of different remedies to help...

Terramycin is an antibiotic which can be used topically in cats. Prescription by a veterinarian is required for purchase. Terramycin is a safe and effective drug for feline eye bacterial conditions.

Erythrocyte pyruvate kinase deficiency (PK deficiency) is an inherited condition found commonly in Somali, Abyssinian and many short-hair cat breeds.

Many pet owners believe apple cider vinegar has health benefits for their pets. Treating some pet problems with vinegar might save money and prevent putting more stress on the animal by bringing...

Feline urological syndrome (FUS) is an overarching term that veterinarians use to describe urinary tract infections in felines. Urinary tract infections arise from various medical conditions, some...

Advantage pest control is a topical flea treatment available for both dogs and cats. Designed to use monthly, Advantage prevents flea infestations on your cat, stops fleas from biting and kills...

Cat scratch fever--also called "scratch disease," or CSD--is a bacterial infection, according to the U.S. National Center for Infectious Diseases of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention....

Home testing using "ear pricks" to measure the blood glucose level of a diabetic cat might sound difficult, and even painful for the cat. But with practice, testing your cat will become as routine...

According to the "ASPCA Complete Book of Cats," Persians are a popular breed of cat, but they are prone to several medical conditions, including conditions such as irritable bowel disease that can...

Kittens can be a lot of work. The first few weeks after birth are critical for your kitten's survival. A normal weight can determine if you are on the right track to raising a healthy cat.

Feline arthritis is a painful condition of the joints. Arthritis is caused by a number of things including age, injury, and genetics. There are a number of supplements available which can aid in...

If your feline has diabetes, you are probably aware of the care that needs to be taken to ensure your pet's glucose and ketone levels are normal, including monitoring blood glucose levels with a...

Thymoma is an uncommon tumor that is often found in older cats. They are usually noncancerous; however, the size of the mass can displace organs such as the heart and lungs. The median age for a...

The most successful treatment for diabetic cats consists of insulin therapy and specialized diets. These components work together to maintain healthy blood glucose levels. The most commonly used...

A hernia is a protrusion of an organ through its normal cavity wall. This condition in cats may require surgery to correct. Although not typically life-threatening, there may be some...

There are several conditions which can cause excessive hair loss in cats. Some conditions may be geographical or genetic. Occasionally, excessive hair loss in cats can signal a more serious...

According to "Cat Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook" (Delbert G. Carlson, DVM, et al; 2007) most cats never grow eyelashes. For those few that do, the eyelashes sometimes grow on the lids towards...

Ear infections in cats are due to a number of reasons, including bacteria, mites and particle build up. Medications can be used to treat each of these problems, though a test is necessary to...