In one week alone, eight cats were injured after falling from high rises when warming weather in 2015 resulted in more people leaving their windows open. In fact, cats fall from windows so often that veterinarians have given it a name: “High-Rise Syndrome.”
Topics: Cat Safety, pet safety tips, Summer Pet Safety Tips, Cats Falling, High Rise Syndrome, Feline High Rise Syndrome, Falling Cats, High Rise Syndrome in Cats, Cats Falling from Heights, Cats, Blog
Nearly one in five lost pets goes missing after being scared by loud noises, according to the ASPCA. Considering 4th of July fireworks and the uptick in summer thunderstorms, it’s no wonder that summer is the time of year we all start to notice more lost cat posters adorning neighborhood poles and street signs.
Add in the fact that cats tend to spend more time outside in the summer months along with the increased likelihood that something will spook them, and it all equates to an unfortunate flight risk.
Topics: Cats, Lost Pet, Blog, Cats outdoors at night, Outdoor cats, Cat Tips, Missing cat, Cat Predators, Lost Cat, Cat enclosure, What to do if you cat is lost, Cats Hiding, Lost poster
Rising temperatures mean rising health and safety risks for our pets. You’re likely (hopefully) to be seeing lots of warnings regarding the dangers of heat and cars for dogs, but you may be wondering if your cats are at risk of heat stroke.
The answer is a firm yes(ish).
Read MoreTopics: Safety, Cats, Heat Exhaustion, Summer, Heat Stress, Heat Stroke, Danger, Pets, Prevention, Brachycephalic, Persian, British Shorthair
A few people recently asked whether it was normal for a cat to pant. We figured that if there's a few people asking about panting, then there’s likely a whole lot more that have wondered, too. So here’s the “skinny” on panting in cats…
Read MoreTopics: Cat Health, Cats, Cat Tips, Cat Stress, Pain, Diabetes, Urinary obstruction
Earlier this year when we asked for topics that you all wanted advice and insight on, quite a few people asked us (some variation of) this question… How often should my cat “go?”
It’s an important question, and one that — of course — has a not-so-straightforward answer.
As with many things about cats, there are several factors that will influence the answer. These factors include, amongst other things…
Read MoreTopics: Cat Health, Cats, Cat Tips, Litter Box
Pills and capsules tend to be the mainstays of medicating cats and dogs. But what if your pooch or kitty is difficult to “pill?”
Lots of dogs and many … most? … cats can be quite “unaccepting” of such forms of medications. So much so that a joke about the trials and tribulations of giving a cat a pill became a bit of a viral sensation. So what are you to do when Fluffy or Fido need meds?
Read MoreTopics: Cat Health, Dog Health, Dogs, medication, Cats, Dog Tips, Cat Tips
You return home from the pet food store or your vet’s office with a case of your pet’s food only to realize something that you hadn’t realized when you first picked up the case… one (or several) of the cans is dented! You recall hearing something about Botulism and dented cans and wonder if the food in the dented can(s) is safe to feed to your dog or cat.
Read MoreTopics: Cat Health, Dog Health, Dogs, Cats, Dog Food, Cat Tips, Pet food, Cat food
Summer is long over, fall is getting on and and winter is near, so now is the time of year that many people (understandably) start turning up the heat in their home. While we all want to be more comfortable as winter’s chill approaches and sets in, it’s important to recognize that turning up the thermostat or lighting the wood stove can have an impact on your cat’s breathing, too.
Central heating systems can circulate and recirculate dust, dander, and other respiratory irritants, especially when we first turn them on after a long, hot summer. Similarly, wood/pellet stoves and fireplaces create smoke and other respiratory irritants. And all of these common means of home heating will also dry out the air within the home. Whether or not your cat has feline allergic bronchitis (more commonly called “FAB” or “kitty asthma”), all of these factors can have a direct irritating effect on your cats’ breathing system. And, if they do have FAB (which they may have and haven't yet been diagnosed with it), the simple act of heating your home can cause a significant enough flare in their symptoms to necessitate a trip to your veterinarian, or even the Animal ER.
Topics: Cat Health, Cats, Blog, Cat Tips, Feline Asthma, Asthma in cats, FAB, Respiratory problems, Winter pet hazards, Coughing
Thanks to advancements in medicine and nutrition, as well as important improvements in the way we view and look after our cats, our feline friends are living longer, fuller lives these days. However, as cats progress into their senior years, it’s common for many of them to develop joint pain and problems, such as arthritis.
A study found that roughly 30% of cats over the age of 8 suffer from arthritis — and eight isn't very old for a cat! Another study found that 90% of cats aged 12 and over showed radiographic (x-ray) signs of the arthritis — that's 9 out of every 10 cats over the age of 12! These are very significant numbers, especially when we also take into account that the pain and suffering that these cats are experiencing often goes undetected and therefore untreated, even by the most caring and attentive of cat owners. (Here are some things you can look for to help you determine if your cat might be suffering in silence from the pain of arthritis, or any other painful condition.)
Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do to help improve the comfort, mobility, and quality of life for your cats with arthritis. Many of the things you can do to help your cat are inexpensive and easy to implement. Of course, many cats will also benefit from a pain management protocol involving safe and effective medications, supplements, and complimentary treatments (e.g. acupuncture, etc.) determined by your veterinarian. Read on to see what you can do to help your arthritic cat — regardless of their age.
Read MoreTopics: Cat Health, medication, Cats, Pain, Arthritis in cats, Mobility, Aging, Cat-friendly products
You see, whatever problem you’re bringing your cat to the vet for, or even when it’s just for a routine wellness check-up, that urine your cat is so cavalierly disposing of (even if on your carpets or laundry) could actually be the thing that helps your vet diagnose the underlying problem or, in the case of a wellness check-up, confirm their good health. In many situations, the importance of a urinalysis and/or a urine culture cannot be overstated. And since my super-intelligent friend and colleague, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus of The Animal Medical Center in New York City, wrote a great post on this very topic, I’ll leave it to her to explain all the information and value that we vets and pet owners get from a few simple urine tests.
Topics: Cat Health, Cats, Urine marking, Wellness Check-up, Vet Exam, Cat Tips, Urinary obstruction, Cat Litter, Veterinary visits, Urine sample, Collecting a urine sample, Blood in urine, Urine analysis
Please do not ask emergency or other specific medical questions about your pets in the blog comments. As an online informational resource, Preventive Vet is unable to and does not provide specific medical advice or counseling. A thorough physical exam, patient history, and an established veterinary-patient-client relationship is required to provide specific medical advice. If you are worried that your pet is having an emergency or if you have specific medical questions related to your pet’s current or chronic medical conditions, please contact or visit your veterinarian, an animal-specific poison control hotline, or your local emergency veterinary care center.
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