Cats

Common in older cats, chronic renal failure involves a gradual, irreversible deterioration of kidney function over an extended period of time. Kidneys use millions of tiny funnel-shaped tubes...

Whether your cat is indoor, outdoor or a little of each, his dietary needs will be essentially the same. As long as you are feeding him a high quality, high protein food, you will be providing him...

Feline chronic kidney disease, or chronic renal failure (CRF), is an incurable disease which causes the loss of the cat's kidney cells. The disease progresses quickly in some cats and more slowly...

If a cat's ears smell bad, it is likely that an ear infection is present. Cats have ears shaped like the letter "L." Thus, cat ears collect more dirt and debris than human ears, leading to...

Novartis' Neoral or oral cyclosporine is an immunosuppressant drug many veterinarians prescribe to treat asthmatic cats. Neoral will prevent a cat's immune system from releasing the histamines...

Low potassium in cats is relatively easy to treat, but can be an indication of a more serious health problem. According to Petplace.com, some cats with low potassium may have problems with the...

Cat flaps allow your cat to come and go as she pleases. If you have a secure and safe outdoor location for your cat to roam, a cat flap gives her the freedom to go out to do her business and come...

According to the Cat Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook, a cat's ears and sense of hearing are part of what make it unique (Reference 1). Caring for a cat's ears when it is a kitten can help it...

Fluoroquinolone Baytril, active ingredient enrofloxacin, is an antibiotic produced by the Bayer Corp. It is used by veterinarians to treat bacterial infections in companion animals, including dogs...

Norvasc is the brand name (Pfizer) of the drug Amlodipine besylate; a calcium channel blocker that is used by veterinarians to treat cats and dogs with hypertension. Though Norvasc is only...

While cat breeds including the Norwegian Forest Cat, or Wegie, and the Maine Coon have similar characteristics, including long hair, large bodies and tufted paws and ears, there are ways to tell...

Ear mites are small insects that live and lay eggs in the ear canals of household pets. The bugs are most commonly found in cats, though they can afflict dogs as well. Ear mite infections respond...

Rapid heartbeat in felines is one of the most common symptoms of any heart condition, according to cat-health-guide.org, but it can also be associated with increased stress. The normal heartbeat...

Everybody knows that cats love to climb. Unfortunately, this often means on furniture or up delicate household shelving. The good news is that with a little time and effort, and for relatively...

Feline mange typically comes in two forms: demodectic and notoedric. The type of mange that occurs depends on which mite causes the problem. Most medications that are indicated for the treatment...

Maine coons are a unique breed of cat. Thick and sturdy, yet sweet, intelligent and playful, they make wonderful pets. Like all cats, however, they don't exactly get along with birds. There are...

Cats will often have a day-long bout of diarrhea with no serious side effects. This can be caused by eating foods that are difficult to digest--such as dairy products--or by a hairball. If your...

Though kidney disease and urinary tract infections are conditions experienced by organs in the urinary tract, they are different in length of illness and severity. Kidney disease constitutes a...

Sinus infections in cats can be an ongoing problem that may be the result of an infectious disease or a non-infectious disease. There are various remedies that are both natural and medicinal,...

Just as humans experience stress and anxiety in their lives, so do cats. If you arm yourself with good information on how to recognize stress in our feline friends and how to alleviate it, you...

Cat owners know how much a litter box stinks after a few days. To avoid the smell and mess, you can toilet train your cat. It's important to keep the toilet lid up and the seat down during and...

If your cat is sick and not feeling well, she will likely show symptoms. This could be something as obvious as vomiting, or behavior that is a little more obscure like lying in a different place...

Perhaps because of their solitary nature, cats are very good at hiding pain. When they do react, humans often mistake their behavior for something else, such as hostility or aloofness....

Fleas are a common problem with which cat owners are faced, and just as great a problem is finding an effective flea control treatment that doesn't contain impossible to pronounce chemical...

From skin allergies to gastrointestinal problems like Irritable Bowl Disorder (IBD), the most effective way to combat your cat's flair-ups is by feeding it a limited ingredient diet. A limited...

Skin problems in cats are commonly the result of allergies, which can manifest in scratching, sneezing, coughing and teary eyes. The best treatment is to remove the allergen from your cat's...

Sedating a cat is sometimes necessary, as they can become anxious or skittish in certain situations. Although a veterinarian has the tools for feline sedation, another option is to employ home...

Like humans, cats need exercise to be at their happiest and healthiest. Introduce your cats to games they can play with you and toys they can play with by themselves. Just 5 to 15 minutes a day...

It's more common for a house cat to suffer from obesity than weight loss. That's why it can be troubling to see a cat losing weight all of the sudden. There are some explanations, but consult your...

Bruxism is the medical word for the grinding and gnashing of teeth not associated with eating. A cat is suffering from bruxism when it continually and forcefully grinds its teeth. This condition...

When a cat gives birth, it is recommended that you don't get involved unless absolutely necessary. Sometimes, though, a litter of kittens will come out of the birth canal in such quick succession...

Making a cat lose weight is not an easy task. It may take several months before pounds are lost in a healthy manner, but your diligence will result in a healthy and happy cat for years to come....

Cube beds create a modern, modular space for your cat to catch a nap. Overstuffed and fluffy, these items are popular among feline lovers but can be quite costly. The home made version of this...

You've been feeding a colony of feral cats since spring. You've even trapped them, had them spayed/neutered and returned them to their territory. Now the weather's getting colder and you're...

Feline dementia or "kitty Alzheimer's," is properly known as feline cognitive dysfunction or feline cognitive disorder. According to veterinarian Dr. Nicholas Dodman, feline cognitive dysfunction...

Homemade feline diets are healthier than most kibbles because kibble contains preservatives and other items (vegetables, fruit, grains) that cats normally would not eat. When making a homemade...

Himalayan cats are gorgeous long-haired cats with the body and coat of a Persian, and the colored points of a Siamese cat. Some registration societies include them in the "Persian Division" for...

Low protein diets are usually for cats with kidney disease and are commonly used for older cats. If a cat has kidney failure, they are more prone to severe muscle weakness. Kidney failure in cats...

Fentanyl patches are a specific type of transdermal patch, sometimes also referred to as a pain patch or skin patch. A pain control medication known as fentanyl is contained within the patch. The...

Like humans, our feline counterparts need exercise to live a long and healthy life. While it may seem like a challenge to get your furry friend off the couch, adding a few interesting toys to your...

Hematocrit (Hct) is the ratio of red blood cells to a given volume of blood. The hematocrit is obtained through a blood test using a centrifuge method. The result is called the hematocrit value...

Cats are territorial by nature and creatures of habit. They dislike change and, like human toddlers, they do not like to share. So, even if Fluffy looks lonely and you have decided she needs a...

Roundworms are a parasitic worm found all over the world. Roundworms include the notorious heart worm species that can attack a pet's heart, arteries and lungs. Cats can get roundworms from eating...

Overall, most cats are usually friendly, easy-going and love to be held. However, anyone who has tried to administer medication to a feline may beg to differ. They can squirm, use their claws and...

Serve your cat a natural diet if you're concerned about unnatural ingredients (e.g., soymeal and chemical preservatives) commonly found in commercial cat food. Follow a diet that emulates what a...

A sick cat is a problem for both the cat and the owner. Cats are good at hiding the fact that they are sick, but at times they display outward symptoms such as vomiting or constipation. There are...

Kidney disease can occur in any cat, but most commonly occurs in older cats. Kidney disease inevitably leads to kidney failure, which is one of the most common causes of death in older cats. When...

While some people use mothballs to keep cats out of their gardens, be aware that if you do so you're spreading a potentially deadly toxin around, one that is capable of killing a cat.

Rimadyl is used to treat arthritis and post-surgical pain in dogs. Rimadyl is an NSAID--a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug. Its generic name is carprofen.

Most often when a cat has a stuffy nose, the animal has an upper respiratory infection or allergy. In most instances, it is safe to treat the condition at home. If your cat doesn't respond to home...