Results tagged “cat health” from Face Kitty

Yes, cats can get the flu.

Keep your pet healthy with supplements from Only Natural Pet Store

In the last couple of years, a hyper-virulent virus has been hitting shelters and other high-density housing of cats [catteries, rescues, veterinary clinics, pet stores]. And while nicknamed “cat flu”, it is most commonly caused by Feline Herpes Virus-1 [also known as Feline Virus Rhinotracheitis], or Feline Calicivirus. And then, there was also the startling news recently of a documented case of the H1N1 virus in a cat.

How is cat flu spread?

Much the same way a cold is spread in humans – from cat to cat contact, and from contact with the nasal and eye discharge from an infected cat.

Most kitten vaccines for feline distemper (panleukopenia) also include rhinotracheitis and calicivirus. There is also a vaccine for virulent calicivirus, but it is unlikely to protect against different strains. Like human flu viruses, feline calicivirus often mutates, making older vaccines ineffective. Vaccination does not prevent illness, and infected cats can still shed these highly contagious viruses; but vaccines are thought to minimize symptoms and reduce viral shedding. Fully vaccinated adult cats are still susceptible; in the case of virulent systemic calicivirus, adults actually fare worse than kittens.

Because fleas cause illnesses that can kill your cat (see my previous post called sickness in cats from fleas) its a good idea to check your cats regularly. Unless you check, you may not even know your cat has fleas until it's too late.

I thought my vet was crazy when he checked Neo for fleas, because

5. Brush your cat's fur weekly if not more often. Regular brushing or combing catches loose fur and massages the scalp. You'll notice a reduction in fur balls and loose fur around your home.

4. Check for skin irritations, fleas and ticks when you brush. Early detection of these things can prevent bigger problems later. SOme skin irritations are the first signs of bigger problems like allergies, and diseases.

3. Feed your cat high quality food and treats from your vet. Grocery store and lower quality cat foods contain too many starches, sugars and grain products which leads to an unhealthy cat and unhealthy fur. If you switch to high quality canned or raw cat food you'll notice a difference in your cat's health and in his fur.

2. Let your cat move around while you are grooming him. He knows where his body needs to be groomed. He may have some hard to reach places like at the base of the tail and the top of his head.

1. Try several combs and brushes, even the vacuum cleaner! Neo likes it when I use one of those adhesive lint rollers on him after I comb him, it lifts up all the loose fur.

Finally, good food for cats, feline organic pet food in can and dried food from Halo, Purely for Pets. Halo, actually guarantees that you'll notice a difference in your cat's health after using their products. Amazing.

The ingredients list is very impressive, butcher quality meats, vegetables and whole grains. No fillers or preservatives, and nothing that can hurt your cat. But what would you expect from Ellen DeGeneres? She's always been an animal activist and now she's a co-owner of Halo, Purely for Pets Holistic Pet Food. She even feeds this to her own pets.

The best way to keep your cat healthy is to feed him good quality cat food. Its just like for people, people can't eat only candy, chocolate and soda and expect good health. Too often cat food manufacturers fill their cat food with fillers and by products, and so little nutritional ingredients. Then you feed this to your cat and your cat gets fat, or develops diabetes, or heart disease.

So check out their line of cat food and compare it to what you are feeding your cat now.

Any amount of milk is too much milk. It is just a myth that cats need milk. In the wild, cats don't normally take down a cow so their bodies weren't designed to ingest milk. As a matter of fact, milk will cause obesity, diabetes, urinary tract disorders, diarrhea, gas and other illnesses. The only exception is orphaned kittens who are younger than three months. Even then, you aren't supposed to use cow's milk because it is too hard on their bodies.

I know, I know, it goes completely against what everyone believes about cats. You always see pictures of cats, especially kittens drinking milk. But just because it tastes good, doesn't mean it's good for them - think antifreeze - lots of cats are attracted to the taste of antifreeze, but antifreeze kills cats.

I know people who feed their cats milk everyday and the cats seem to be doing fine, but I am sure that the cats would be doing much better if they weren't addicted to milk. Yeah I said addicted, they gotta have their fix of milk everyday. Milk is too high in carbs. For cats, milk is not about nutrition, milk is about the carbs and the taste. It's a treat, but everyone knows that if you eat treats everyday, you will eventually develop some side effect - obesity, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, etc. If you want to give your cat a treat, give them cat treats, not cow's milk.

Thinking about herbal treatment for cats? There are so many theories and so many people selling stuff that is toxic to cats that it's really a buyer beware market. The problem is that there are no regulations and no real evidence to show what works and what doesn't. Its a bit of a risk, but if you are concerned about your cat's health, herbal treatment for cats might be the way to go. But first, always ask a vet, if your vet is not into herbal treatments, refer to this list of vets who practice alternative medicine. Some safe herbal treatment for cats include:

-Acidophilus - to restore intestinal health and maybe even correct diarrhea and constipation in cats.

-Catnip - it doesn't work for all cats, usually unneutered males like it the most because it resembles female cat urine.

-Topical Epsom Salts - don't let your cat lick it because it caused diarrhea! But it has been helpful to draw out infections from nail beds and soothe itchy paws.

-Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids - for a shiny coat and tests are showing that they help relieve cats of allergies.

-Glucosamine and Chondroitin - are used to treat arthritis in cats with much success.

-Milk Thistle - for when your cat's liver is under stress from some form of poisoning - but make sure you see your vet, cats have very sensitive livers.

Of all the herbal treatment for cats I've researched over the years, these are the only ones that are proven safe for cats. But please, please, talk to your vet before giving any herbal treatment for cats. Your vet can alert you to harmful reactions and write it in your cat's medical chart for future reference. If your vet is not into herbal treatments and you are, then maybe it is time to get a new vet

If you see the symptoms bloody stool in cats, you need to collect a sample of the stool and get to the vet for a complete exam. Your vet is going to ask you a few questions so be prepared by taking stock of what could cause the blood.

Twelve questions your vet will ask you about symptoms bloody stool in cats:

1. Did your cat eat any bones or chew on other non-food items such as wood?

2. Did your cat eat any spoiled food? (did you leave the soft food out too long in his food dish?)

3. Have you changed his diet recently? (this includes treats, hard and soft food, and water or other liquids)

4. Has your cat eaten any people food? If so, what did he eat?

5. Has your cat been bitten by or playing with another animal?

6. Has your cat experienced any injuries to the anal area? (like a pelvic fracture, or a fall, or an anal temperature probe?)

7. Has your cat been rubbing his anus on the floor or carpets?

8. When did you first notice the blood in his stool?

9. Has your cat been straining or constipated? (your cat could have hemorrhoids)

10. How many times has your cat defecated in the past 24 hours?

11. Are there other symptoms your cat has? (such as vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, drinking a lot of water, and lethargic?)

12. Have there been any changes in the cats environment? (are you renovating? did you move the litter box? a new kitten in the house?)

Basically the bottom line is this, if you see the symptoms bloody stool in cats, put the stool in a plastic bag and get your cat and the stool to your vet as soon as possible.

Other posts I think you might be into:

12 cats that will be extinct by 2020

See a 400 lbs African Lion hug and kiss his rescuer!

Woman gets tackled by a lion at a Photoshoot!

These ringtones will drive your cat crazy...

What can be causing the symptoms bloody stool in cats? There are several possible causes so it is really important that you take a sample of the bloody stool and your cat to the vet right away.

Symptoms bloody stool in cats could be caused by:

1. Parasites - yep, worms, round worms, tapeworms, get your cat treated right away, parasites kill your cat slowly and painfully.

2. Allergy to food - if you've recently changed your cat's diet or if your cat has been on the same diet for a really long time, allergies can develop and cause intestinal bleeding.

3. Polyps

4. Cancer - cats can get cancer.

5. Colitis - a very painful condition caused by poor diet.

6. Damage to the bowel - could be caused by your cat eating something or a bite from another animal.. or lots of stuff..

7. Blood clots - a dark tar-like blood indicates a problem higher up in the intestines of your cat.

8. Constipation - what are you feeding your cat?

9. Diarrhea - again, what are you feeding your cat?

10. Treating your cat like a little dog. Cats have a completely different physiology from dogs so if a product says it's safe for cats and dogs, then you need to stop giving it to your cat. There is a lot of misinformation about cat health out there and it is leading to many loved family cats suffering needlessly.

If you see the symptoms bloody stool in cats, it isn't good. Take a sample of the stool and your cat to the vet right away.

Other posts I think you might be into:

12 cats that will be extinct by 2020

See a 400 lbs African Lion hug and kiss his rescuer!

Woman gets tackled by a lion at a Photoshoot!

These ringtones will drive your cat crazy...

Herbal treatment for cats' illnesses seems like a good idea, but beware of the risks. The truth is, most herbal remedies sold for cats are formulated for dogs and are actually toxic to cats. Cats can become really sick or even die with prolonged use.

Pretty scary huh?

It seems that cats process toxins and chemicals very different than dogs do, so even if it says it is safe for cats, you need to look out for....

The final word on supplements. Do cats need supplements? or is this just something that health conscious humans think their cats need?

There are basic requirements that your cat needs daily to live a healthy life. Good quality proteins and amino acids are essential, especially taurine, without it, your cat will likely die or suffer serious medical conditions such as heart disease.

Then there are vitamins and minerals that cats need in the proper ratio and in the proper form. And of course, Essential Fatty Acids - yes cats need fish oil too! Maybe that's why they like fish so much!

So with all these requirements, how do you know if your cat is getting enough? The bottom line is talk to your vet about it. So here are some guidelines for answering the question, do cats need supplements?

Ok folks, serious stuff here. For the second time in recent months, Hartz is performing a voluntary recall of one of their cat related products.

According to the press release, Hartz believes that there may be concerns with bottles of Vitamin Care for Cats within a certain lot; they may have Salmonella.

Salmonella is a serious health concern for cats. If you give your cat the Hartz Vitamin Care for Cats, you might want review the bottles for lot code SZ 22771, UPC number 32700-97701. According to Hartz, this effects 739 bottles. If you can't find the lot code or UPC number on your bottle, you should stop using the product just in case.

If your cat is exhibiting symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, nausea or fever; you should contact your vet right away.

Kudos to Hartz for reacting very quickly on this one. You can call them at 1-800-275-1414 if you have any questions or concerns.

Source FDA

Too many treats and too much sleep everyday can lead to Feline Diabetes!

People and cats are turning into couch potatoes together. A study out of the UK finds that cats are getting too fat and lazy because their humans feed them too much and don’t let them get enough exercise. Then they get sick and you have to take them to the vet regularly, buy medications and new food… it all adds up.

But after a long day working…