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DO CATS UNDERSTAND KISSES?

10/13/2022

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DO CATS UNDERSTAND KISSES?
As humans, we have our own ways of displaying affection. Whether it’s a cuddle, hand-holding, cooking, or kissing, we’re not afraid to show our love to those that matter most to us. 

Although these actions are commonplace to us, they can look pretty strange to other species that have their own ways of communicating. Our feline friends are just one case in point. 

We may love to give our cats the occasional kiss, but do they understand what it means?
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DO CATS LIKE KISSES?

We get it - cats are cute. Sometimes, a head scratch or a cuddle isn’t enough. We want to be as close to them as possible! But do they understand and appreciate the gesture? 

Well, first off, all cats are different. While some cats tolerate (and maybe even love) your kisses, not all cats are so accepting.

Remember: like humans, each cat has its unique personality, so don’t feel too disheartened if your cat isn’t a huge fan of human kisses. After all, it must be pretty intimidating to have a big human getting so close to your face, right? 


However, most cats will allow a small kiss on the head from their humans, and although there’s limited research into the subject, it seems likely that they understand the gesture.

​Even cats that don’t like kisses probably get what you’re trying to do. It may just be that that specific display of affection isn’t right for them. 


Cats show their love differently to us (we’ll explore this more a little later), but they can still appreciate our own displays of affection.
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IS IT OKAY TO KISS CATS?

Although no specific rule forbids owners from kissing their feline friends (that’d be a bit mean, right?), your main priority should be your cat's emotions.

If your cat appears happy and accepting of your kisses, it’s okay to give them a small kiss on the head from time to time. 


However, there are also some pretty clear indicators that your cat isn’t as welcoming of this affection. If your cat is showing any signs of distress, don’t use kisses as a way to show your affection.

Here are some clear signals that your cat may not enjoy your kisses: 
  • Poofy fur 
  • Ears bent backward
  • Hissing 
  • Swatting 
  • Moving away from your face when you go to kiss them

HOW TO KISS CATS (THE SAFE WAY)

Before you go in for a kiss with a feline friend, you need to know how to do it safely - for both you and your cat. Here are a few things you should know about kissing cats.

Never Kiss a Cat on The Lips 


Cats need their space, too. For example, a kiss on the lips can feel incredibly invasive for any feline, and this display, no matter how affectionate the cat, may trigger your cat to react negatively. 

Also, cats can sometimes carry parasites and bacteria in their saliva - this is especially true for kittens and any cat that hasn’t been having its regular checks and injections. 

For the safety of you and your cat, lip kisses should be avoided. A small head kiss should suffice! 

Discourage Children From Kissing Cats
 

Kids love to be up close and personal with animals - after all, it’s in their nature to be loving and curious.

However, some children can be heavy-handed in their approach, which can cause some animals, including cats, significant distress. 


Some cats may also have less tolerance for children. You should discourage your child from kissing a cat on the lips and educate them on the signs of happiness in cats so that they can show their affection in a welcoming way. 

Never let your child attempt to kiss or hug a cat that is showing signs of distress. This puts your child at risk of significant harm. 
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Don’t Kiss Unfamiliar Cats 

Although it may be tempting to kiss your friend's super cute cat on the lips, don’t attempt it. Not all cats appreciate this closeness.

Just because your own feline friend enjoys your kisses doesn’t mean all cats will feel the same. Unless a cat's owner gives you permission, don’t attempt to kiss an unfamiliar cat - even on the head.

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HOW DO CATS SHOW AFFECTION?

HOW DO CATS SHOW AFFECTION?
Cuddles and kisses may be the universal human sign of affection, but this isn’t the case for cats. There are plenty of ways that our feline friends show their favorite humans affection, including: 
  • Grooming You: Licking your hands, feet, or even your clothing can be a display of affection. 
  • Bunting or ‘Booping’: If your cat has ever rubbed its head affectionately against your ankle, it’s bunting or booping you. This is a clear sign that your cat loves and appreciates you. 
  • Purring: This infamous sign of affection is the most common, and it’s a way for your cat to show you that they’re happy and content in your presence. 
  • Meowing: Cats meow at all sorts of things, but if they’re following you around the house and meowing for your attention, they’re probably pretty happy (or hungry). 
  • Upright Tail: If a cat is happy and ready to receive affection, its tail will usually assume an upright stance. If their ears are upright and they’re meowing or purring, they’re probably inviting you to give them some fuss.
  • Rolling: Cats have all sorts of ways to display their affection, and another way they like to do it is by rolling. If your cat likes to drop to the floor and roll in front of you, they’re probably feeling happy. 
  • Gifting: This may sound cute, but we usually don’t appreciate it. If your cat has a tendency to bring in birds, mice, or other prey, it’s made an effort to bring you a gift and show its love.
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FINAL THOUGHTS ​​

Cats and humans aren’t built the same. Aside from the obvious differences between our species, we also show affection in different ways.

While your cat may understand the reason behind your kisses, they probably don’t appreciate them all the time. Always ensure your cat is comfortable with receiving affection before you go in for a kiss!
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WHY DO CATS STICK THEIR TONGUE OUT?

10/13/2022

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WHY DO CATS STICK THEIR TONGUE OUT?
Any cat owner has probably noticed that their cat sticks their tongue out from time to time. In fact, any cat owner probably has about 500 photos in their camera roll of it happening - it is seriously cuteness overload to see.

And hey, hundred and thousands of people must agree, #TongueOutTuesday doesn’t trend on Instagram each and every week for no apparent reason. 


However, most cat owners still wonder exactly why it happens. Are they just sticking their tongue out at you playfully? Is it just a harmless thing, or is it a sign of an issue? I think every cat mom and dad instantly worry whenever they see something they may not understand.

​Those pawrental instincts are pretty strong - after all our pets are family. I know that I class my kitties as my babies, and I’m sure you feel the exact same way. 


So in this article, we’ll have a look at some of the main reasons that your feline friend may be popping their tongue out of their mouth.
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​WHY YOUR CAT STICKS OUT THERE TONGUE

There are actually lots of reasons why your cat can stick their tongue out. So we’ll take a look at some of the more common reasons now.

Reason 1: Blepping

What in the world is a blep? A blep is when your cat has stuck their tongue out for whatever reason, be it eating or grooming, or something else, and has just forgotten to pop it back where it belongs. How adorable. 

Blepping is generally no cause for concern, so you can just revel in its absolute adorableness guilt-free.

The only time to really worry about your cat blepping is if they seem in immediate distress, or if it never really used to happen but has started to happen 24/7. 


Blepping is literally just a case of your cat not realizing that their tongue is still out.

They may forget to pop that tongue back into their mouth because they’ve been startled, or their mind has wondered while eating or smelling something.

However, if your cat is particularly old, it can be a sign of cat dementia. 


If the behavior is new and fairly excessive, though, you may want to get it double-checked at the vets. 

Reason 2: They Are Sleeping Or Relaxed

You know how sometimes when you’re really chilled out and having a snooze you can wake up with your mouth gaping wide open, drooling a little, with your tongue hanging out your mouth? Well, kitties can have this deep relaxed, and drooly sleep too. 

When your kitty is asleep her muscles will relax and this can cause their mouths to open agar slightly and when that happens their tongues can roll out too.

If you’re really lucky you might even get to witness them dreaming and making adorable little sleepy sounds while their tongue is out. 


This is very rarely a cause for concern, so you can get that camera out and record the cuteness unveiled before your eyes should you wish. 

Reason 3: Something Is Stuck To Their Tongue

I have two long-haired very fluffy cats, so finding hair in every crevice possible isn’t something uncommon for me. And it won’t be for them either.

Cats have this tiny hook-like structure on their tongue so getting a bit of their hair stuck on their tongue happens fairly frequently. 


So your feline friend may be popping out their tongue trying to get rid of the hair. We’ve all had hair in our mouths at some point, and I think we can all agree that it’s not exactly a pleasant experience. 

Reason 4: Your Cat’s Breed Is Predisposed To It
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Reason 4: Your Cat’s Breed Is Predisposed To It

Certain cat breeds are more prone to a poking-out tongue than others. Most brachycephalic (short-nosed or flat-faced) cats will poke their tongues out more than others.

Breeds such as Persian kitties, Himalayan cats, and Burmese felines will often be seen with their tongue hanging out their mouths. 


Basically, what this means is that their anatomy isn’t quite right for keeping their tongue inside their mouths all the time.

You’ll find cats with malformed jaws or a few missing teethies will also roll their tongue out of their mouths. 


Reason 5: Your Cat Has Motion Sickness, Is Stressed, Or Is Anxious
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If you notice your cat's tongue comes out more when they are traveling in the car, perhaps to go to the vets, for example, it could be because they are feeling a little motion sick.

Unlike dogs, cats don’t tend to be too keen on traveling in a car and it can make them feel pretty anxious and stressed which can cause motion sickness. 


Reason 6: Your Cat Is Nauseous

Cats are more like us than you probably even realize. And yes, they can get nauseous too. Sometimes when your cat is feeling sick they’ll flicker their tongue or lick their lips excessively. 

There are lots of different reasons why your cat may be feeling nauseous. If you’ve changed their diet recently, this could be the reason.

They may have overeaten or eaten too quickly. They may have licked something they don’t like the taste of, they could have hairballs, or they may just have allergies.

You’ll probably be best checking with your vet if they get nauseous quite often. 


Reason 7: They’re Hot
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If you notice your cat panting, you may think that it’s normal, since dogs pant all the time. But a cat panting isn’t normal.

If they’re sticking out their tongue and panting heavily then you’ll need to find them a cool place and some water immediately. 


If this continues and they become distressed, or collapse, take them to the vet immediately as these are signs of heatstroke.
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FINAL THOUGHTS

For the most part, a cat occasionally sticking out their tongue is no real cause for concern. Most of the time, they’ve just become distracted and forgotten that it’s not back inside their mouth. 

However, when it happens all the time, it can be a sign of an issue or problem, so I would advise speaking to your vet if it continues or if you are concerned.
​​
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WHY IS MY CAT SHAKING?

10/13/2022

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WHY IS MY CAT SHAKING?
Something which often concerns cat owners everywhere is seeing their cats uncontrollably shaking. This can make you worry about your cat’s health, and not knowing the source is even more worrying.

This shaking will either be isolated in a single area, most commonly; the head, tail, or the legs, or it can be the whole body trembling instead.

There can sometimes be a very simple explanation for why a cat is shaking, but there is also a chance that this shaking is actually a sign of an underlying issue which is something you will want to know as soon as possible.

No matter what the cause of the shaking is, it is something that you will want to sort out as soon as possible.

So, if your cat is shaking, and you want to know why so you can help out your cat, keep reading!

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REASONS WHY YOUR CAT COULD BE SHAKING

REASONS WHY YOUR CAT COULD BE SHAKING
There are quite a few different reasons why your cat could be shaking which are all quite different from each other.

​For example, it could be a behavioral issue, but it could also be a reaction to the environment they are in, or it could even be a reaction to a medical issue which you will want to get sorted as soon as possible.


This section will go over how to identify what the reason is for your cat shaking and how to cope with this, so read carefully!

Hypoglycemia

One of the most common explanations for why your cat could be shaking is that they are suffering from hypoglycemia.

Hypoglycemia means that your cat has a deficiency in their glucose levels, this means that their blood sugar levels could be dangerously low which will result in the shaking or shivering which you have noticed. 


This shaking could either be a sign of the disease, or it could just be a milder version of this and your cat has simply not eaten in too long.

This is actually quite a common issue for kittens specifically. This is because the very small body of kittens are not always able to fully work out how to process the gluten in their system, leading to symptoms of hypoglycemia like shaking.

This is why it is so important for kittens to have a nutritious diet, as well as making sure they have a warm diet to stay in so they will not develop the symptoms of hypoglycemia.


If you are dealing with an older cat who is displaying symptoms of hypoglycemia like shaking, you can solve this by giving them some drops of either maple syrup or honey once every 6 hours.

This is a good way to calm down their shaking as it will help raise their blood sugar levels.

If you want to make the process more effective, you can put the maple syrup or honey directly onto the gums of your cat as this will help the sugar get to their bloodstream much quicker.


If after this you recognize that your cat is still shaking as well as still not eating as they should, this is when you will want to contact your vet. They will hopefully be able to do blood tests to work out the problem.

Fear Or Anxiety

Similarly to us humans, cats will feel anxiety and get scared and this will lead to them shaking just like it can for humans.

Cats are also capable of developing their own phobias which will then develop into anxiety which can affect cats severely.


There are some common fears and phobias which you will want to make more bearable for your cat, this can include thunder and fireworks which can be too loud for your cat to deal with.

This will be worse for cats because they have a higher sensitivity when it comes to vibrations than humans can do, and because of this and their powerful hearing, loud events like this can be very difficult for the cat.


There are other situations where your cat can get anxious and shake, for example, your cat may have experienced a traumatic event, or may suffer from separation anxiety.

There are signs of this anxiety outside of the shaking, these include the cat hiding quite often, or suffering from diarrhea.


If your cat seems to be anxious more often than not, this is an issue which you will want to get a vets consultation for.

Irregular Body Temperature

Another one of the most common reasons for a cat shaking is that they are not in their standard body temperature.

The normal temperature for a cat’s body is between 100.5 Fahrenheit and 102.5 Fahrenheit.

If the cat is going over this temperature, this is a sign that they could have a fever, and if it is under this range, they may be suffering from hypothermia. Both going over and under can lead to the cat shaking.


Hyperthermia will be when the cat’s body temperature is unnaturally high and this can happen in an environment having a high temperature like a hot car. 

A fever is often a symptom of having a higher body temperature and if you are not able to regulate the heat of your cat, they could suffer from heat exhaustion or heatstroke.

But just like a high temperature can affect the cat, so can a low temperature with hypothermia also being a serious issue. You can help this by giving your cat a regulated heat source, or blankets to raise the temperature.

If your cat has either too high or too low temperature to an extreme degree, you will want them to see a vet as soon as possible.
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HOW TO HELP YOUR CAT STOP SHAKING

All of the reasons we have mentioned can be the source of a cat shaking, and occasionally it is not these reasons, but usually it will be one of these.

​If you want to help the cat, use the advice we have provided in each section, but if you are not getting results you will want to closely look after your cat until they can get to a vet.
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WHY DOES MY CAT DROOL WHEN I PET HIM?

10/13/2022

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WHY DOES MY CAT DROOL WHEN I PET HIM
Cats are funny little things. I’m a firm believer that if someone says that they’re not a cat person, this is simply because they’ve never had one. To have one is to love one - they’ll win you over in seconds.

Unlike man’s best friend, the dog, you have to earn the right to see the softer and loving side of our feline friends.

They don’t show their personalities to just anyone, it’s usually reserved for their owners who they trust. 


It is also our canine companions that we often associate with big and adorable slobbery drooling faces, but you may be surprised to learn that just like dogs, and even humans, cats are susceptible to drooling from time to time.

Particularly when they’re having a good cuddle and a pet, that leaking saliva can sometimes be seen dangling from underneath their chin. 


When you see this, you may be wondering why it’s happening. After all, it’s not something cats are known for doing.

​And as pawrents, we reserve the right to worry over every last little thing - they are our babies! Well, worry no more, because, throughout this article, all of your wonderings, worries, and questions will be answered. 

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DO CATS DROOL? ​

Yes! Lots of animals drool, it’s a pretty common thing, think about it, even most humans are prone to a bit of drool when their head hits the pillow.

All drool really is, is excess saliva which is a liquid part of digestion. This part of digestion pours out through our salivary glands and collects in our mouths.

Drool is just when 
too much saliva collects in your mouth while it’s open and thus escapes. For humans, drool is most common during sleepy slumber, but for our feline friends, it is slightly different. 


When it comes to drooling pets, you probably automatically picture a slobbery dog.

That’s because dogs actually have four pairs of salivary glands so there’s a lot more saliva trying to find its way out of their mouths.

However, surprisingly cats actually have even more salivary glands than dogs. Cats have five.

​They do not tend to produce anywhere near as much drool as their canine counterparts, though.

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WHY DO CATS DROOL?

A small amount of drool is a pretty normal thing for your kitty cat. They may drool for many reasons that are similar to humans.

They may drool when they’re pretty peckish or when they are flat out with their mouths hanging open wide. 


An excessive amount of unrelenting drool though is probably a good indicator that there is some sort of problem or issue.

These problems can range in severity from the drool being caused by emotional stimuli to issues such as inflammation or an inability to swallow food.

​If your little furbaby does seem to be drooling a little too much, I would recommend taking them to see the veterinarian.

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WHY DOES MY CAT DROOL WHEN I PET THEM?

WHY DOES MY CAT DROOL WHEN I PET THEM?
A cat drooling while they’re getting a good old fuss is another story. Strong emotions can cause your kitty to start drooling.

They often drool when they are upset or afraid, but it’s more likely in this case that they are extremely happy. 


Chilled-out and relaxed cats often equal drooling kitties. Being incredibly relaxed and happy can cause a physiological reaction such as drooling.

​So if your cat drools when you’re giving them cuddles, it is probably because they feel very safe, and secure, and are just 
really loving those cuddles.

DOES DROOLING MEAN MY CAT IS POORLY?

One thing I think all pet owners can relate to is hating watching their little fluffy babies in pain. Having a sick kitty can sure be a worry.

So does drooling mean that your cat is sick? It really depends on the amount of drool. If it’s a little bit here and there there’s probably no immediate cause for concern. 


If your kitty seems to be drooling fairly often, or in particularly large amounts, then it can be an indication that your pet is sick.

Drooling is a common symptom of dental diseases, oral cancer, and other kinds of mouth infections.

​Dental disease tends to be the most common culprit with a whopping 85% of kitties over 3 years old having some form of gum or tooth disease.

If you notice the excess saliva contains blood or has a foul odor then it’s likely dental disease is the issue at hand. You’ll want to make an appointment with your vet, as soon as possible, if this is the case.

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CAN ANYTHING ELSE CAUSE CAT DROOL?

There may be a few other reasons why your cat is drooling, some more worrisome than others.

​For example, your cat may drool should they have a viral respiratory condition that causes ulcers in your kitty’s mouth. 


It could be a case of your cat eating something that they shouldn’t have.

A foreign body may have got lodged in their mouths and the excess drool is to help wash it out as such.

It could also be something stuck in their belly and the drool is part of their efforts to sick it back up.

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FINAL THOUGHTS

There can be lots of different reasons why your cat is drooling. If it’s only a little bit here and there, it’s perfectly normal.

They are most likely drooling in their sleep or when they’re feeling hungry much in the way that we humans do.

If they’re only drooling when you're petting them, it is most likely that you’ve cuddled them into a relaxation coma, and they are simply snoozing away very, very happily. 


However, if your cat is drooling excessively, you may want to take a quick trip to the vet. This is because excessive drooling can be a symptom of something a little more serious.

​And I would always advise it better to be safe than sorry. Catching something early is always the better option, so I would advise just making sure that they are okay.
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WHY ARE MY CAT'S EARS HOT?

10/13/2022

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WHY ARE MY CAT'S EARS HOT?
Cats aren’t able to tell us when they’re feeling unwell, so it’s up to us to recognize the symptoms. That can sometimes mean we start worrying about things that are actually perfectly normal.

Cats are warmer than humans, and their ears can heat up as they regulate their body temperature. Hot ears are rarely a sign for concern.

​However, a change in behavior as well as hot ears might be an indication of an infection or illness.


Read our guide to learn more about why your cat’s ears might be hot.

CATS ARE NATURALLY SLIGHTLY WARMER

Enjoying a snuggle with your cat only to notice that their ears feel a little warm? It might seem a little alarming, but the first thing you need to know is that cats are naturally slightly warmer than humans. 

The average human body temperature is 98.6°F, with anything over 100.4°F being a concern. Cats are slightly different. They have a typical body temperature range between 100.5°F and 102.5°F.

​So, a temperature that would be a fever for humans is actually perfectly normal in a cat!


Cat ears aren’t protected by much in the way of fur or fat, so the temperature has a tendency to fluctuate.
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YOUR CAT IS COOLING DOWN

It might sound slightly contradictory — heat as a result of cooling — but this is how cats keep themselves comfortable.

Ears play a key role in how your cat regulates their body temperature. Their ears are filled with blood vessels that can dilate and constrict.

​When your cat wants to cool down, these vessels dilate, allowing the blood to travel quickly. Without much fur or fat, the heat can be quickly released, and the body cools.


The opposite happens when they want to get warm. The vessels constrict, so less blood passes through, and the body stays warm.

On a hot day, or if your cat has been lying in the sun, then their ears are likely to be warm as they maintain body temperature.
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YOUR CAT HAS AN ALLERGY

YOUR CAT HAS AN ALLERGY
Allergies are surprisingly common in cats, and can result in symptoms such as itchiness, sneezing, vomiting, and runny eyes. Allergies can be caused by insects, foods, dusts, pollen, and molds.

If you’ve noticed your cat has hot ears, itchy skin, and red patches, then they might be suffering from an allergy.

​Pay close attention to when these symptoms appear, in case there is a common cause. If you think your cat is suffering from an allergy, speak to your vet.

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YOUR CAT HAS A FEVER

Hot ears can be an indication that your cat is suffering from a fever. This doesn’t automatically warrant a reaction, as the fever might be a sign that your cat’s immune response is kicking in.

​If this is the case, then they’re likely to find a cool place to lie down, as their body fights off the infection.


The ears aren’t the best way to monitor a cat’s temperature — as mentioned above, they use the ears to cool down. Instead, check the underarms and stomach.

​If these are warm as well, then your cat might have a fever. If it persists for two days, contact a vet.


The most effective way to check a cat’s temperature is with a rectal thermometer. Anything above 104°F, and you should contact your vet.
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YOUR CAT HAS EAR MITES

Ear mites are incredibly uncomfortable for a cat. An ear mite infection can cause your cat to rub and scratch at their ears more, bringing the temperature up.

Ear mites love to eat the oils that are found in a cat’s ears, leading to an intense itch and inflammation.


Cats with ear mites will often rub their head against the furniture, and scratch their ears more than usual. If you suspect your cat has ear mites, take a look inside their ears.

​Black and grainy ear wax or a darker discharge indicates an infection. 


Ear mites need to be treated, so take your cat to the vet.
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YOUR CAT IS STRUGGLING WITH AN EAR INFECTION

Ear infections are quite common in cats, and they’re most frequently caused by mites. However, yeast and bacteria, as well as trapped foreign objects, can also result in an ear infection.

Hot ears aren’t a common symptom of an infection, and they’re more likely to be a side effect from itching and scratching.

​Other symptoms to look for include troubles with balance, a bad odor from the ears, and excess ear wax. Your cat might also struggle with chewing, and opening their jaws.


If your cat has an ear infection, then it will need to be treated by a vet. An untreated ear infection can lead to hearing loss, and even deafness.
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​​MY CAT HAS HOT EARS — WHAT SHOULD I DO?

The first thing to do when you notice your cat has hot ears is to stay calm. It’s unlikely to be a serious issue, and it might be that you’ve simply never noticed before how warm their ears can get. 

If it’s a hot day, then warm ears are probably a result of your cat getting comfortable.

​You can help your cat cool down further by providing them with lots of fresh water, creating cool spaces within the house, and stroking them with a damp cloth.


If you’re still feeling worried, then check for other symptoms. Hot ears alone aren’t a sign of illness.

However, if your cat is scratching or rubbing their ears a lot, then they might have an infection, or an allergy. Check for other symptoms, and contact a vet if you’re concerned.


If there are no other symptoms, keep an eye on your cat's temperature over the next few days. You’re likely to notice it fluctuates naturally.
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FINAL THOUGHTS

Cats are naturally warmer than humans, and as their ears are used to regulate body temperature, then you might notice they feel hotter than the rest of the body.

​This is rarely a sign for concern, unless accompanied by other unusual symptoms. Check for itching and redness, if you’re worried about your cat’s temperature.

​
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HOW TO TELL IF CAT NEEDS GLANDS EXPRESSED

10/13/2022

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HOW TO TELL IF CAT NEEDS GLANDS EXPRESSED
We love that our cats are relatively independent creatures; it’s one of the things that gives them such unique personalities.

But, whether they want it or not, sometimes they need our help. When they’re ill, for example, human intervention is crucial to getting them on the road to recovery.

Of course, besides the odd flea infestation, illness in cats is rare, but one particularly unpleasant kitty ailment you may run into down the line is a clogging of the anal glands.

Thankfully, though, it’s pretty clear when our furry children are having this issue.

Even though cats aren’t quite as transparent with their illness as dogs, there will be some pretty clear signs that something’s not right and that their glands may need to be expressed.

​Here’s what you should be looking for.

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SYMPTOMS OF FELINE ANAL GLAND ISSUES

Cats often display idiosyncratic, sometimes hilariously silly behavior, especially if they’ve come down with a severe bout of the zoomies, but if you ever notice any of the following behaviors or symptoms, it’s time to be concerned.

Scooting

We often associate this behavior with dogs, and truth be told, cat owners can go their entire lives without witnessing one of their feline friends scooting, which is why it should be taken seriously when it does happen.

For the uninitiated, scooting is when a cat or a dog drags their bum along the ground by splaying out their hind legs and using the front legs to pull themselves forward. It’s a silly pose, but in many cases, it’s no laughing matter.

It’s a sign that your cat has an extraordinary itchy anus — Sort of like when a bear rubs its back against a tree, but in this scenario, the itch is localized to the bum.

The reason your cat’s anus is so itchy all of a sudden is that their anal glands are blocked.


Obsessive Licking Of The Anus

To reduce irritation, your cat may also lick their anus furiously.

Now, we all know that cats lick their nether regions on a daily basis as a part of their normal grooming regime, but if they seem to be focusing on that area more than ever, consider it a red flag.


If this is the case, keep observing your cat. If they engage in other activities only to wind up licking their rear end again, it’s a sign that whatever’s going on down there has grown severe enough to become a major distraction.

Bad Smells

Cat toots can be toxic, but - praise be - cats tend to be rather polite with their gas, expressing it elsewhere, so a bad-smelling cat is something of a rarity.

In fact, almost any time a cat has a lingering foul odor, it’s typically a sign that they’ve been somewhere that shouldn’t or that there’s a health issue going unnoticed.


Swollen, blocked, or infected glands are just one of the possible causes of a smelly cat.

Missing The Litter Box

Most cats miss the mark every now and again, and, to be fair, it’s usually because they object to some aspect of their litter tray.

Perhaps you’re trying out new litter that the cat doesn’t feel comfortable with, maybe it’s already quite full of cat poops and peeps, or maybe the litter box is too close to a noisy appliance, like a tumble dryer.


But if everything seems A-okay with their toilet tray, it’s time to consider the possibility of gland issues, especially if their defecating outside their litter box coincides with any of the other symptoms on this list.

Sore Or Swollen Anal Glands

Cats aren’t shy of showing off their bums, so, much to our chagrin, we often get a good look at what’s going on back there.

​Should you notice any peculiarities on either side of the rectum, i.e. redness or swelling, it’s a dead giveaway that something’s up with their anal glands and that the glands might need expressing in the near future.


Where are the anal glands of a cat, you ask? Well, if we imagine that your cat’s bum is a clock face, you can expect the glands to rest at about 4 and 8, so just to the side and down of center.

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WHAT ARE CAT ANAL GLANDS FOR?

WHAT ARE CAT ANAL GLANDS FOR?
Cat anal glands serve one duty, to express a stinky, milky liquid during defecation that marks out the territory of the pooping party, letting all other fluffy poopers know that this area is strictly out of bounds.

However, these glands can become overfull with glandular fluid, and much like pores in human skin, blocked by gunk and swelling. Consequently, the fluid can’t get out, and the glands become impacted, often causing constipation.

If the problem persists, bacteria quickly builds in and around the glands, leading to infection, which is when things get very, very itchy for our feline family members, and we’ll begin noticing one or more of the aforementioned symptoms.

​​

WHAT’S THE INITIAL CAUSE OF CAT ANAL GLAND ISSUES?


If there’s an addressable cause, remedying it can sometimes alleviate the issue without the need for manual expression.

​Your veterinarian may also prescribe your cat pain relievers to help them cope while the glands recover, or antibiotics to speed the process along.


However, it’s quite possible that the only solution will be regular manual expression of the glands.
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How Are Anal Gland Issues Treated?


If there’s an addressable cause, remedying it can sometimes alleviate the issue without the need for manual expression.

​Your veterinarian may also prescribe your cat pain relievers to help them cope while the glands recover, or antibiotics to speed the process along.


However, it’s quite possible that the only solution will be regular manual expression of the glands.
​

FINAL THOUGHTS

If you notice any of the red flags discussed in this post, I’d recommend booking an appointment with your veterinarian immediately, as the issue is unlikely to resolve itself, and will get progressively worse, leaving your fluffy child irritable and in pain — Healthy bum, happy cat!
​​
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HOW HOT IS TOO HOT FOR CATS?

10/13/2022

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Cats are our lovable little guys that always seem to pride themselves on their self-reliance.

While the exact details are a little different depending on how clingy your cat is, our feisty feline friends generally prefer to live life at their own pace.

This often means that we can miss when our cats are uncomfortable or not well. But when your cat starts to act strange or seems like it’s uncomfortable, or even in pain, you have to act fast.

One of the things that often worries people is how hot or cold their cat should be when looking after them.
What temperature is ideal for them? What do they do when they are too hot? What temperature is too hot for them? What happens when they get too hot?

Well, that’s what we’re going to answer for you here!
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In his guide, we’re going to show you how cats stay cool during the hotter times of day or year, as well as what temperature they should normally be most of the time.
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HOW HOT IS TOO HOT FOR YOUR CAT

Now, we would love to be able to give a simple and clean answer that covers virtually every cat.

However, the temperature that a cat should be at can vary massively, depending on the breed, their age, their size, their general health, what environment they are normally used to, and even their temperament!

Body Temperature

However, one consistent thing we can measure is the internal temperature that cats usually have.
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If the outside or environment temperature is too close to or above the cat’s internal body temperature, then you could find that the cat is going to be much more uncomfortable or ill.


What Is Considered Hot For Cats?

Generally speaking, a cat that is older than 4 weeks old should have a body temperature of around 99.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit (or 37.5 to 39.17 degrees Celsius)

Any temperature around or above 90 degrees is likely to make your cat feel uncomfortable, where their normal bodily functions will struggle to keep them cool.

Above 90 degrees, you may even start to see your cat pant like a dog to remain cool. However, no matter how morbidly cute this little act might be, it is also an indication that your cat is too hot to be healthy.

Other Factors That Affect How Hot Your Cat Is

Outside of simply air temperature, what else can cause cats to feel too hot?
Well, in the same way, that humans tend to suffer in high heat, high humidity can also hamper your cat’s ability to cool off.

Humidity is the measure of water that is in the air in an evaporated or microscopic form.

In higher humidity, the body cannot lose heat as effectively as it would in a less humid environment, even if the air temperature is technically lower.

This is because water is a very good and excellent conductor of heat energy, and retains and holds on to that temperature for a while.


(Interestingly, it is also why sweat is an effective way of cooling down for humans)
When the temperature and humidity in the air are high, it stops the body’s ability to lose heat by sweating, creating that clammy heat that hits you in certain parts of the world for people.

Cats face the same problem, they can only sweat through their paws!
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DO CATS LIKE HOT TEMPERATURES?

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It’s hard to say what an animal does and doesn’t ‘like’, exactly.
However, cats generally do prefer warmer temperatures than humans do.
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They can certainly survive warmer temperatures than people, that’s for certain! Cats surviving at 90 degrees Fahrenheit with little to no discomfort certainly beats out many people’s comfortable range!
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HOW TO TELL IF YOUR CAT IS TOO HOT

So, as we’ve established, the temperature is probably the most accurate way to tell how hot your cat is.

However, considering that taking your cat’s temperature is about as easy as herding… well, cats, that isn’t going to be an easy option for you.

Fortunately, there are a few changes in behavior that cats show when they start to approach their max temperature that you can pick up on with a keen enough eye.

Panting

As we’ve already established, and you’ve probably noticed, cats do not normally pant, especially not in the way that dogs normally would.

So, if you have noticed your cat panting in that way, you can be pretty confident that your cat is visibly uncomfortable, as they try to get cooler air into their lungs to cool down faster.

Change In Appetite

A slightly less noticeable, but still useful change in behavior, is if your cat’s feeding habits change.

Cats tend (though not always) to have pretty big appetites, at least for their body size.

If you notice that your cat is visibly eating less than they normally do, then you can bet that something is up with them.

Even if they aren’t too hot, it can often be a sign of some underlying illnesses that are ruining their appetite.

More Saliva Than Normal

On a slightly more unsightly note, your cat producing more saliva than normal, or dribbling more than normal, could also be a sign that they are too hot.
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Similar to how panting reduces heat in cats and dogs, excess heat can be absorbed by saliva.
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WHAT THIS MEANS

There are a few reasons, why your cat could be too hot, even when the air temperature isn’t that high.
  • Cats tend to lose their ability to regulate their body heat as well as they get older or become overweight.
  • A darker coat of fur retains heat for longer.
  • Some other underlying illnesses.

FINAL THOUGHTS

In short, your cat being too hot is never a good sign for anyone.

If the air temperature or humidity is too high, spray some room temperature water around to help slowly and safely keep them cool.
​

If this doesn’t work, take them to your vet as soon as possible.
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DO CATS SMILE?

10/13/2022

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DO CATS SMILE?

CAN CATS SMILE? ​

Yes, cats can smile - however, evidence suggests that our feline friends may use their eyes to do it. 

Psychologists from the United Kingdom suggest that our furry friends may actually use their eyes to form the ‘slow blink’ - AKA, the cat smile.

So, if your cat has ever narrowed its eyes when looking at you, there’s a good chance it's been giving you the cat equivalent of a human grin.

​If you narrow your eyes and return the sentiment, it’s believed that they’ll know you’re smiling back at them, too. 


However, some cats DO seem to look like they’re grinning - is this a smile? 

Well, some breeds may just have the right mouth shape to look like they’re displaying a grin, even when they’re not. 

The slow blink is a pretty powerful form of feline communication.

​The study even discovered that when strangers performed the slow blink at a cat, it was more likely to approach the stranger and accept their hand. 


So, if you want to build a bond with your feline friends, perfecting the art of the slow blink may be the way to go!

​HOW TO TELL IF A CAT IS HAPPY

​HOW TO TELL IF A CAT IS HAPPY

The cat smile (aka the slow blink) is just one way that our feline friends communicate with us. There are plenty of other indicators to suggest that your cat is feeling happy.

So, if you want a few more signs that your cat is in good spirits, look out for the following: 


Pointy Ears (And Other Ear Signals) 

If your cat's ears are pointing straight to the sky, it’s a good indicator that they’re feeling happy.

In fact, the positioning of a cat's ears can tell us a great deal about how they’re feeling. 


Although point ears are a sign of happiness, if the ears are positioned straight up and slightly forward, they are normally on high alert and paying close attention to their surroundings.

It is also common to see if your cat is hunting or playing  - they’ll want to absorb as much auditory information about the situation as possible! 


If their ears are flat and positioned sideways, they’re likely feeling nervous or frightened. This is not a good time to smother your cat with attention, as their fear could lead to aggressive behavior.

Instead, give your cat some privacy, and respect their space. 


If your cat's ears are low rather than flat and facing outwards, it indicates that they could feel unwell.

Cats are masters of disguise, especially when it comes to feeling unwell, but this could be a key indicator that something’s up. 


Kneading

Kneading is another sign that your cat may be feeling super happy and affectionate.

Kneading, affectionately known as ‘making biscuits,’ is often accompanied by purring and closed eyes. 


The kneading motion stems from kittenhood when young kittens would nurse on their mothers.

Unless accompanied by signs of nervousness or agitation, this super cute motion gives you the all-clear to go in for a cuddle or some head scratches. 


Purring 

Purring is arguably the ultimate tell-tale sign that your cat is feeling happy and willing to snuggle up close with you.

Although purring is usually an indicator that your cat is happy, it can also mean other things. 


For example, some cats purr when they are nervous or in pain. Some cats even purr as a way of smiling!

​However, if your cat is purring and making attempts to gain your attention, they’re more than likely feeling affectionate and seeking out a bit of quality time with their favorite human. 


Meowing 

One of the most notable ways that cats communicate with us is through meowing. Cats can meow for all sorts of reasons. However, cats can be chatty when they’re happy.

If your feline friend is following you around and making a point to meow at every available opportunity, they’re probably just seeking attention in the most obvious way they know how to. 


Flattened Fur 

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If your cat is feeling nervous or agitated, you may see it become a little ‘puffed up.’

You’ll usually see this if you look at your cat's tail, which can quickly puff up and resemble something that looks more like a toilet brush than a tail. 


However, if your cat's fur isn’t puffed and sits mellow and comfortably on their skin, they’re probably feeling neutral.

If this is accompanied by purring, a slow blink, kneading, or any other sign of affection, your cat is probably feeling calm and content. Feel free to give them a bit of fuss - they’ll probably appreciate it!
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THE FLEHMEN RESPONSE ​

Some breeds have naturally smiley faces, but for others, what looks like a smiley face can actually be the Flehmen response. 

Cats have a super strong sense of smell. Sometimes, specific odors (especially if they’re right in pheromones) can encourage the Flehmen response.

​This happens when your cat moves the scent to the roof of its mouth to analyze it. 


When this happens, your cat will usually squint their eyes, curl their lips, and even tilt their heads - although this may look like a happy behavior, it’s simply your cat analyzing its surroundings! 

Although your cat isn’t likely to attack you if you try to give it attention in a Flehmen response state, it’s probably not going to reciprocate the affection if it’s busy checking out its surroundings. 
​
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Camera - Daisy The Cat

10/12/2022

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I don't know what's up with my human the last while, but she keeps shoving her tapping mini flat box in my face. It seems like she wants me to do something, but I don't know what. She doesn't always do it, but sometimes she is weird.

She mostly does it when I play, eat, cuddle, sleep or hunt. Oh wait, that is always! Okay, so I guess she always does it! She does it the most when I play in bags or boxes! It is awkward to play while a tapping box is in your face and makes an annoying clicking sound the whole time.

When I try to do something, my human distracts me with this box thing. Sometimes I try to dig a hole, attack flowers, or hunt, but when I see the box, I don't know what she expects of me and try many tricks to entertain mommy.

Sometimes my servant is just in my way! I don't always like to please her. She is supposed to please me or serve me food. I like it when they are my servants. She can use this time to move the stick so that I can catch my fake mouse.

When she has this box, she follows me everywhere! Inside, outside and sometimes in between the
bushes to see what I am doing. I kind of like the attention! I like it when Mommy and Daddy are close to me.

Humans are very nosy and curious creatures. They don't like to miss out on anything and always
watch us doing everything! My kind only follows humans around when we want food or treats. It is too much work to watch their every move.

I always get confused and try to figure out what the box is supposed to do. It doesn't do anything else. It makes a bright light and a clicking sound. Then I figured it out. When the box makes a clicking sound, I am supposed to attack and kill it! 

I need to concentrate and wiggle my bums to jump now! Bye
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Garden Service - Daisy the Cat

10/12/2022

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Garden Service

I don't like the man that visits the garden. I don't know him well, but he is scary. I love to play outside. While he is here, I am not allowed to play outside. I always tried to sneak past him when he opened the gate. So now I'm not allowed outside with him anymore.

I always try to watch him through the window to see what he is up to, but sometimes he goes around the corner, and I can't see him anymore. I wish I could be outside to see what he is doing. I beg Mommy to open the door, but she ignores me.

While he uses the scary noisy grass eater, I try to hide away! I hate things that make noise! What if he eats me? My humans won't survive without my love and cuddles. The tree chopper is scarier and makes even more noise!

The garden visitor likes to mess everything up. He always interferes with my garden and rearranges everything. He picks up my toys and puts them on a pile. He digs up the collections that I steal from inside and takes them back in, and he destroyed my graveyard!

As soon as he is gone, I can't wait to go outside! I meow at my humans non-stop until they open the door. When the door opens, I hurry to go outside! I need to inspect the whole garden to see what has changed. Why do humans always need to change things?

I smell every plant and roll in the garden to feel if it is any different. When the garden man is gone, I love to inspect the garden. I like to smell every piece of grass! I love to play with all the new plants and flowers. There are certain plants that I don't like, but he removes them for me.

I am still frustrated with my graveyard that is gone. I made a pile of trophies, and now they are gone! I guess I am going to have to start over again. Mommy hates my graveyard, but it makes me proud of my hunting skills.

Oh, I need to go now, there is a yummy bird in the tree! Meow
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Why Is My Cat Throwing Up Undigested Food?

10/11/2022

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Several cat owners might put their feline under the "pukey" category. However, recurrent vomiting in a cat is not something that should happen or something that happens normally.

So, what should you do if your cat is throwing up undigested food?
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​Why Is My Cat Throwing Up Undigested Food?

Vomiting is regarded as a vaguely defined side effect. It can be linked to a variety of health issues. If your cat throws up undigested food, this could indicate a more serious disease.

Hairballs, internal blockage, pancreatitis, consuming food rapidly, bowel problems, digestive problems, pathogenic organisms’ infections, intoxications, aggravation, distress, or even anxiousness are examples of such symptoms.

​Before trying to seek a veterinarian's assistance, it's critical to understand the reason that your cat is throwing up its food and how you might be able to treat it.
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​What Should I Do If My Cat Is Vomiting Undigested Food?

Regular puking, which is anything that happens several times weekly, is certainly an issue. If your feline is puking its undigested food, try feeding it puzzle toys or smaller portions more often.

When you see that your cat is puking undigested food multiple times in a day or week, and when it is doing so in tandem with other side effects like decreased appetite, loss of weight, fatigue, or diarrhea, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Your veterinarian will begin with a medical examination, assessing your cat's heart rhythm and gently massaging its belly.

Once they have carefully examined your pet, they might also need to do a few tests, such as testing a fecal sample, doing some blood testing, and taking some X-rays.

Tiny indications of parasitic infections can be detected in a stool specimen. The blood tests that will be performed on your pet are to ensure that there is no evidence of hepatic or kidney damage, along with red blood cell and erythrocyte levels.
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An X-ray examination will look for any fluid retention that might be blood, as well as any enteric gas aspects that may indicate blockages.

​How To Treat Your Cat

Based on the conclusions of your veterinarian, your cat might require medical attention for fluid therapy and therapeutic interventions, or it might only need home therapies and oral meds.
​

In case your veterinarian discovers that your cat has a GI tract blockage, then your little one might need an operation to remove the blockage.

​What Is The Distinction Between Vomit And Regurgitation?

Vomiting is not always vomiting; it can sometimes be regurgitation and making the distinction between the two can guide your veterinarian and assist them in making the right diagnosis.

Regurgitation is frequently confused with puking; however, in contrast to food that your cat has vomited, regurgitated food is that which has not sat in the stomach to be absorbed with the help of gastric acid.

So, when we say that a cat regurgitated its meal, we mean that it has only spit the food that was in its mouth or esophagus.

Meals, fluids, as well as other consumed objects, end up coming back up before even getting to the stomach, with no abdominal work occurring.

Regurgitation is a passive activity that does not involve sounds or puking: the cat simply brings down its head and water or its meal falls to the floor. It usually happens in 2 hours from the moment it has eaten or drunk something.
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​Likely Reasons Your Cat Is Vomiting or Regurgitating Its Food

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It Is Eating Too Quickly

Several cats eat too fast, so they keep regurgitating undigested food. Try to feed your cat with a food puzzle toy to teach them how to eat more slowly.

Food puzzles are one valuable resource and there are many food puzzles available that arouse the cats' predatory and scavenging urges.

These puzzles are perfect for cats that frequently vomit their meals as they slow down the time they spend chewing their food, preventing them from eating too fast and becoming ill as a result of it.

Food Allergy

As previously noted, several cats could eat too quickly or even have a food allergy. If your cat is prone to throwing up or has a bowel sensitivity, it might throw up partly digested or undigested food.

If your veterinarian has ruled out every other health problem and believes that it is the meals it had that it is throwing up, they might recommend that you try a bowel-friendly cat food product.

If your cat is still throwing up this bowel-friendly food, you might need to introduce it to a rigorous dietary plan with hydrolyzed protein.

Hairballs

Cats are inherently fastidiously clean animals that spend a significant amount of time grooming themselves. While grooming, tiny hook-like formations on your cat's tongue catch hair, which will then be ingested.

A large percentage of this hair goes through the gastrointestinal tract without any mishaps, but occasionally hair remains in the stomach and creates hairballs.

Hairballs can lead to a cat vomiting up undigested food. Even though a cat throwing up a hairball occasionally is common and not a reason to worry, hairballs are not supposed to show up frequently or cause pain or difficulty for your cat to pass.

Get some food supplements to prevent future hairballs and get your cat used to you brushing them and collecting all the dead hair so that they can avoid ingesting hair when grooming themselves.

Nutritional And Dietary Modifications

If your cat's eating timetable changes, if it skips its breakfast or you feed it earlier than usual, it could regurgitate undigested food.


The same goes for any changes in its diet and nutritional intake. If you get them a new can of food with different nutritional properties, their digestive system could react, and your cat could regurgitate or even throw up.

Gastritis

If your cat has a habit of getting into stuff they don't need to, they will probably end up with an irritated stomach and start vomiting undigested food as well as blood.

Contact your veterinarian for advice in this case.
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​The Bottom LinE

There are many reasons why your cat is throwing up its undigested food, but you should never ignore any such incident.
​
The best thing to do is contact your veterinarian and ask for some advice before acting on it. So, be wise and take good care of your little pet!
​

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Why Is My Cat So Clingy?

10/11/2022

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Generally, cats are known for their low-maintenance tendencies. So, when your cat becomes clingy it can sometimes be a shock to the system. 

Apart from providing your cat with meals, they are usually pretty self-sufficient. From bathing, using the bathroom, and even relaxing, a cat will have no getting about its needs. 

Having said that, despite their independent nature, there are a few instances where your cat can become needy. 

For the most part, signs of your cat becoming overly clingy is a clear indication that something is up. Although, the precise problem can differ from cat to cat. 

With all this in, this article will be exploring all the possible reasons why your cat is so clingy. 

Let’s get straight into it!
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​Cat Clinginess Explained

It is without a doubt that cats can form an emotional attachment to their owners. Although, unlike dogs, or any other animal, cats aren’t particularly expressive in showing their affection. 

Therefore, when a cat starts to get overly clingy to the point where it is disturbing your everyday life, then there is cause for concern. 

Cat clinginess can sometimes be the result of anxiety issues, new household situations, or even health problems. Although, with the right care and action you can help reduce these potential issues. 
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​Signs Your Cat Is Clingy

New cat owners may find the distinction between a clingy cat and a normal cat hard to decipher. Therefore, below, you will find some common signs your cat is being overly clingy. 

  • The cat scratches or meows loudly when they’re away from you. 
  • The cat follows you around. 
  • The cat will be near you at all times. 
  • The cat will not drink or eat without your presence. 
  • The cat rubs up against you. ​​

​5 Reasons Why Your Cat Is Being So Clingy 

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Below, we will be looking into the five most common reasons behind your cat’s clinginess. 

1. Separation Anxiety

Cats can sometimes become overly clingy due to separation anxiety, or any other nervousness-related issue. 

While cats don’t typically experience separation anxiety as commonly as other animals, some sensitive cats can get anxiety through a manifestation of clinginess. 

To avoid separation anxiety in your cat, you’ll want to pander to them while they’re young. In most cases, it occurs as a result of feeling insecure or unprotected in their earlier lives. Frequent contact will help prevent this issue from arising. 

Like all animals, cats can benefit from lots of love and affection. Even if you’re out running errands, it’s recommended to keep your fur baby cuddled up and cozy, so they won’t miss you while you’re away. 

2. Health Problems

Cats can go to great lengths to conceal any injuries or sickness; however, not all domesticated cats will do this. On the contrary, some cats are quite expressive about it which can be translated into the form of clinginess – they’re looking for safety and help in their owner. 

If you think your cat’s clinginess is due to health problems, then you need to look out for signs of illness. 

Lack of appetite, seizures, weight loss, and lethargy are all common symptoms found in cats suffering from illness. If you’re concerned, look for these symptoms to determine if the clinginess correlates. 

Clinginess in older cats is extremely common as they begin to develop cognitive deficits. This includes your cat losing its coordination, hearing, sight, and other abilities. Here, clinginess takes the form of guidance. 

Although, having said that, not all clinginess is a cause for concern. For instance, female cats tend to become more clingy when first pregnant. 

Regardless of this, if you believe your cat to be experiencing health concerns, the best thing to do is seek professional advice and guidance from a veterinarian. 

3. Stress

Cats are routine animals. Any sudden stressful changes in their home environment can cause your cat to become clingy to regain a sense of normalcy. 

Whether there is a new visitor in the house, a storm happening outside, or a firework display taking place, your cat may look to you for protection. 

When determining whether or not your cat’s clinginess is caused by stress, the best way to do so is to understand the times at which they are clingy. 

If you notice infrequent and random bouts of clingy behavior, it is likely due to a common stressful event happening in the house. 

4. New Family Member

In some cases, the introduction of a new family member can cause your cat to become clingy from stress. 

As previously mentioned, cats detest change in their routines. Thus, a new family member is a huge shift in their routine that can cause your cat to become stressed and feel less appreciated. 

This is a much easier cause to detect in your cat. For instance, suppose your cat experienced a 180 change in behavior after meeting a new family member. 

In these cases, they are more likely to become clingy as a result of feeling less appreciated and more stressed due to a new family member. 

5. Boredom
​

While clinginess can be a sign of some serious health-related issue, sometimes, it can simply be a sign of boredom. 

Cats crave mental stimulation. Without it, they are forced to receive this mental stimulation elsewhere. 

If they’re bored, you can cling to them in the form of touching or trying to play with you in some way. 

Final Thoughths

Unlike dogs, cats generally aren’t overly clingy animals; therefore, when they are it can sometimes be concerning.

Whether they’re experiencing separation anxiety, health-related problems, stress, or even boredom, knowing what is triggering your cat's clinginess is beneficial for both you and your cat.

​Hopefully, this guide has informed you on why your cat is so clingy – so you can stop worrying and start enjoying some quality time with your furry pet. 

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Can Cats Get Hiccups?

10/11/2022

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There’s no doubt that cats make our lives happier. Whether you own a little fluff ball of joy or you just like to google cat videos, they can instantly turn a frown upside down.

Entertaining, loving, and often moody, it’s no surprise that we attribute human emotions to our feline friends. But, we mustn’t forget that they are another species. Cats are unique and act in very different ways to humans and other animals for that matter.

That being said, if you’re a cat owner, you’ve probably found that your cat has some human-like characteristics, such as being sensitive, smart, outgoing, and friendly. 

But, can the same be said about physical traits? Do cats cough like humans? Do they sneeze like humans? Well, they certainly do many things similarly to humans, such as coughing and sneezing (the latter being super cute). 

So, cats must also hiccup, right? Well, the truth is, yes, cats can get hiccups, and like humans, they can come on at any age. However, they are more common in kittens. 

Let’s find out more about cats and hiccuping with our fun guide below. We will discuss why cats may hiccup, what they sound like, and look at ways which could help stop this annoying body “malfunction” for your cat.

​Can Cats Get Hiccups? 

If you have heard your cat making some unusual noises which sound a bit like hiccups, they probably have hiccups. Just like us and other mammals, cats experience these involuntary contractions of their diaphragms, too.

Although cats can get hiccups, it’s more common in kittens. In the grand scheme of things, though, hiccuping is quite common and usually nothing to worry about. It’s very similar to when humans get hiccups. Yes, they’re annoying, but eventually, they will pass. 

Hiccups occur when the diaphragm and the muscles between the rib cage start to suddenly contract with force. Then, the glottis, which is a small flap that acts as protection of the airway whilst wallowing, closes, trapping any air inside.

​This is all involuntary, so once the process starts, there’s not much you or your cat can do about it.


Because of these involuntary movements, it is believed that the nerve that runs to the diaphragm is irritated, leading to hiccups. 

Now, let’s discover what a cat’s hiccups sound like.

​Cat Hiccups: What Do They Sound Like?

All of us have experienced, or at least heard someone else with hiccups. That sound is like nothing else. After all, it is named after the “hic” sound you make as your epiglottis closes and traps air, making you hiccup immediately.

In cats, however, the sound of a hiccup is rather different from a human. Most of the time, a cat’s hiccup is closer in sound to a “chirp” or a “gulp.”

If you want to hear a cat hiccuping, check out this video. As you can see, it's because the cat has been greedy and eaten too much, too quickly. Anyone else thinking of Garfield? Too much lasagna!

​What Causes a Cat to Hiccup? 

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In most cases, hiccups are caused by the diaphragm contracting involuntarily, whilst the glottis simultaneously closes. As we mentioned above, this, in turn, is typically caused by irritation to the nerve that runs to the diaphragm.

But, this involuntary action must occur for some reason. In cats, there are plenty of reasons why they may suddenly experience the onset of hiccups. The same applies to humans. The most common reasons tend to be:

  • Eating too quickly
  • Overeating 

Cats don’t tend to chew their food properly every time. Therefore, they end up swallowing additional air. This can then lead to spasm within their diaphragm.

Hairballs are another common reason for hiccups in cats. As a cat’s throat attempts to dislodge the fur ball from within, it can often become irritated, leading to hiccups. 

If you notice that your cat has been hiccuping for an extended period of time, it could be a sign of something more serious, especially in older cats. Prolonged hiccups may be a symptom of asthma, heart disease, a tumor, or parasites. It could also be because of food allergies or foreign body ingestion. 

If you are concerned, take your pet to the veterinarian immediately for a thorough checkup 
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​What is the Normal Length of Time of Cat Hiccups? 

In a healthy cat, the usual span of hiccups should never be longer than a day. Most of the time, the hiccups will disappear on their own.

If you find that your cat gets hiccups regularly after eating, it is probably because of overeating or eating too quickly. However, you should still monitor them closely to ensure nothing too serious is present. 

If the hiccups last for longer than a day and become frequent, get your furry friend checked out by a veterinarian. 

​Can You Stop Cat Hiccups?

If you have ever experienced hiccups, someone has probably tried to scare or shock you to get rid of them. But, we do not recommend going down this route with your cat. Instead, simply offer them some water.

The best method is to try and prevent the hiccups from occurring in the first place. Try to slow your cat’s eating habits. You can do this by using a puzzle feeder, or an automatic feeder. You can also try to push their wet food to the bottom of their food bowl.
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Once your cat starts to eat more slowly, there is a lower risk of them ingesting extra air and suffering from hiccups. 

And, you can also try to prevent hairballs by regularly brushing your cat (whether they like it or not). Try to make this a routine and after some time, you and your cat may start to enjoy the relaxation of it. 

​In Summary

Cats can get hiccups but, most of the time, they are completely harmless. On rare occasions, though, prolonged hiccups can be a sign of more serious health issues.

Keep an eye on your cat’s hiccups to see if they are the result of a greedy cat or something possibly more serious.
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How Much Do Kittens Sleep?

10/10/2022

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Bringing a new kitten into your home is always an extremely exciting time, but first-time cat ownership can also leave you brimming with questions, especially when it comes to figuring out how exactly to best take care of your new family member.

​But don’t worry, it’s not too difficult to learn how to care for your new kitten, just make sure you always seek advice if you need it!


One of the most popular questions about kittens is how much do kittens sleep? When we think of kittens, we often picture them curled up and asleep, but is this always true? Learning how much sleep your kitten needs is essential to taking good care of them.

So, if you’re unsure about how much sleep your new kitten needs, then read through our guide to learn everything you need to know about kittens and their sleep patterns!

​Do Kittens Sleep At Night?

Much like when you have a baby, it’s probably best to be somewhat realistic about whether or not your kitten is going to sleep overnight, of course, you would hope that they would simply get comfortable and sleep in the night just like we do, but the reality is that your kitten might find themselves awake in the night whilst you’re asleep. 

It’s also actually quite common for younger kittens to be awake during the later hours, so if you find that your kitten is awake overnight, then there’s no need to panic too much. 

Kittens do sleep a lot, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that this is done whilst you sleep too, so it's likely that there will be a period of time where you’re asleep and your kitten is actually wide awake!

In fact, dusk and dawn are probably your cat’s most active hours, and when you factor in that your cat is in an entirely new environment, you have to give them some time to settle into your routine and sleeping hours!

​How Much Should My Kitten Be Sleeping?

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The reputation of kittens sleeping for large amounts of the day is actually true, so don’t worry if you think that your kitten is sleeping too much, as they need that sleep in order for them to grow!

How much your kitten sleeps will depend on how old they are, as younger kittens will tend to sleep much more than a kitten that’s a few months old will, so don’t be too surprised when your young cat begins spending less and less time asleep. 

Typically, your kitten will spend anywhere between 16 to 20 hours sleep per day, so you’ll quite commonly find them asleep somewhere warm, but if you feel like your cat is exceeding that amount of sleep and you’re concerned, then don’t be afraid to take them to the vet, because even if nothing is wrong, at least you’ll be able to rest easy knowing that everything is okay. 

Between being a newborn and two weeks old, a kitten will average about 22 hours of sleep a day, and then from three weeks to a month, your cat’s senses will begin to develop, which is why they’ll tend to sleep a lot less. It’s at this point that they’ll sleep for around 18 hours a day, which is similar to an adult cat. 

It is worth noting that if your cat is asleep that you don’t disturb them too much, as this can have a detrimental effect on their health if it’s done repeatedly. 

So to recap, don’t be surprised if your kitten ends up spending a lot of the day and night sleeping, as it’s quite natural for them to sleep for anywhere up to 20 hours a day! But if you do feel like your kitten isn’t getting enough sleep you take them to the vet and get them checked over!
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​What Should I Do If My Kitten Isn’t Getting Enough Sleep?

If you feel like your kitten isn’t sleeping enough, there are a few things that you can do to help boost their sleep, but a visit to the vet should also be the first thing you do. 

If the vet has given your kitten the all-clear but they still aren’t sleeping enough, then thankfully there are a few ways to help ensure that they’ll get the sleep they need. So try some of these steps to help your kitten sleep:

  • With kittens being as sleepy as they are, then it means that they can’t really just sleep when you want them to sleep. But, you can help by creating a routine for your kitten, and sticking to it, you’ll help bolster their sleep! 
 
  • Ensuring that your cat has a comfy place to sleep is important, keep it warm and cozy and the chances are your cat will love it! 
 
  • You can help to tire your kitten out by playing with them whilst they’re awake, just be sure not to overdo too much, so if your kitten seems exhausted, then let them get some sleep. 
 
  • If your kitten isn’t sleeping through the night it could be due to hunger, so try feeding them their dinner a little later on in the day. 
 
  • Sleep toys are a good idea, a toy or blanket that smells like their mother or their previous home is a good way of getting them to sleep as they adjust to their new home. 

It is important that no matter how tempting it is, you don’t let your cat sleep in bed with you, as you may accidentally injure them if you move in your sleep!

​Conclusion

Overall, it’s common for your kitten to sleep for most of the day and the night, especially when they’re still very young, and if your cat is struggling to sleep, then you can follow some of our helpful tips to help them out!
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Do Raccoons Eat Cats?

10/10/2022

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When you first bring your new cat home, whether it’s a kitten or an adopted, older, cat, it can always be slightly nerve-racking when it comes to deciding whether or not you should allow your cat to venture into the outside world.

​A lot of cats love the freedom they get from being able to explore their surroundings, especially as they’re naturally curious animals. 

However, as an owner, it can be terrifying to think that your cat is out there and having to fend for themselves in the wide world, as you won’t be able to protect them if there’s something out there that could hurt them. 

It’s important to know the potential dangers to your cat before you decide whether or not they can explore your neighbourhood. One of the risks to your cat is raccoons. And some people even say that raccoons will eat your cat!

Will a raccoon eat a cat? Are they dangerous to your pet? Read through our guide below to find out more!

Are Raccoons Dangerous To Cats?

Typically, a raccoon shouldn’t be a danger to your cat, and it’s unlikely they will actively try to hurt, attack, or eat it. But, it doesn’t depend on the situation in which your cat and the raccoon find themselves.

​Raccoons are really scavengers, and will tend to survive and thrive off eating rubbish and thrown away food, and aren’t really an animal that will go out of their way to hunt, especially a difficult animal to catch like a cat. 

But, a small kitten might just be seen as potential prey to a raccoon, and even to older cats, a raccoon still poses plenty of danger. If you want to know more, then find out why below.

​Why Is A Raccoon A Threat To A Cat?

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Raccoons and cats are similar in the way that they’re both nocturnal animals, so both of these species are much more active in the nighttime.

​But, whilst your cat gets to enjoy the comfort and warmth of your home, raccoons have to survive and fend entirely for themselves, and are wild creatures, so they won’t stop looking for food if they're hungry! 

When it comes to a raccoon’s senses, they’re extremely sharp, so if you’ve thrown away a load of leftovers, there’s a good chance that a raccoon will be finding its way to your home in order to try and find something to eat, so you should be careful when you place stuff into your trash cans, and should ensure that you have a way of securing them and keeping them shut overnight, just in case a raccoon happens to come sniffing!

Alternatively, pet food is another thing that can attract a raccoon to your backyard, so if you feed your cats outside of your house you should be careful you don’t leave any laying around in the nighttime!

Territory
Once a raccoon finds its way into your garden, this is where the problems will begin to arise. See, cats are naturally incredibly territorial, so if your cat likes to roam outside, it probably views the backyard of your house as its own domain, and a wild raccoon coming around looking for food will undoubtedly anger your cat! 

Although it depends massively on your cat’s personality, it is likely that your cat might decide to protect its territory against the trespasser and attack the raccoon, which will then lead to a nasty fight. So whilst a raccoon might not attack your cat, your cat will probably attack the raccoon!

Size
As everyone knows, a larger fighter is almost always going to be a smaller fighter, and it’s absolutely no different when it comes to a fight between your cat and a wild raccoon. 

Although your cat will more than likely be the better fighter due to its sharper instincts and reflexes, a raccoon is much too big for your cat to take on in a fight and win successfully.

Thankfully, it is unlikely that a raccoon will go as far as killing a cat in a fight, with most fights lasting a few quick moments before one of the parties gets deterred by the premise of a full-blown fight. 

But, as you’ll find out below, a raccoon doesn’t have to kill your cat in a fight for it to be considered dangerous. 

Illness
If there was a fight, then there’s a good chance that both your cat and the wild racoon endured some bites and scratches, which might seem fine at first, but in reality this is where the real threat from raccoons comes from.

You see, raccoons are known to carry a varied number of diseases and parasites that could cause some serious harm to your cat, and in some circumstances, could even be fatal. Most notably, some raccoons can be found to be carrying rabies, which is an incredibly bad disease for your cat to have, and will lead to them being put down. 

So, if you know that your cat has been in a fight with a raccoon at all then you should immediately make a visit to the vet, otherwise there is a high risk that you cat will contract one of the of the nasty diseases from the raccoon and their wound will become infected, and without proper care, then they’ll likely die. 

Raccoons don’t do most cats as prey, and most mature cats will understand the sort of threat an animal like a raccoon poses. But, they are wild and unpredictable, and also opportunistic predators, so they might attack a kitten unprovoked.

Overall though, raccoons are simply looking for scraps, so they’ll likely just be looking to find their scrap foods, and then disappear!

​Summary

Raccoons might not want to eat your cat, but they can cause a dangerous infection if they fight, so you should watch out!
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Can Cats Have Autism?

10/10/2022

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Cats are one of the most loved animals in the world. Alongside dogs, these furry friends have been kept as pets for thousands of years, with the Ancient Egyptians worshiping them as Gods (some of us still do that!)

Cats and humans have a lot in common. We both love affection and companionship, and a quick (or long) cuddle with your cat can ease stress in both you and them.

Because we spend so much time with cats, it is easy to look for human characteristics in them and human-like connections. And, whilst cats seem to have the same kind of moods as us, such as being content, happy, and, of course, moody, it’s important to remember that they are unique animals.

The behavior of cats can be linked to humans, but sometimes this behavior can seem a little different to other cats. 

Many pet owners have wondered if their cats have autism, due to how they act. Of course, the autism spectrum is wide and varied, but the behaviors found on this spectrum can often be exhibited by cats. 

But, can cats actually have autism? Research into autism has mainly been centered around human behavior but experts and cat owners have noticed similarities between cats and people with autism. 

Read on as we discover whether cats have autism and the behavior that is attributed to this developmental disability.

Autism: What is it?

Autism represents a wide range of different conditions, caused by variations in the brain. Most of the time, these conditions are signified by issues involving someone’s social skills, nonverbal communication, speech, and behaviors that are repetitive.  

The autism spectrum is wide and there can be a significant difference in the severity and type of issues experienced. One person’s autistic symptoms may be hugely different from someone else, however.

The clinical term for autism is “autism spectrum disorder” but many experts prefer to call it “autism spectrum.” This is because some people with autism only experience very slight issues, whereas others require extensive care for their entire lives. 

Because it is a developmental disability, autism tends to affect a person’s thinking, problem-solving abilities, and ability to learn. As for physical appearance, there are rarely any physical characteristics that show someone is autistic. This is why it has been so difficult to diagnose autism throughout the past, and even today.

Because it is challenging to diagnose people with autism, it can cause issues for those who are not diagnosed with it early in life. They may not know why they think or behave differently from others and because there are no physical clues to the condition, others do not know the person has autism. 

There is a wide range of behaviors that can be present in someone on the spectrum. Some of these can be found in cats. The main behaviors include:
  • Wanting to be left alone and avoiding eye contact
  • Not wanting to be cuddled, touched, or held
  • Having difficulty relating to others
  • Repeating the same actions time and time again
  • Having trouble adjusting to changes in routines
  • Having an interest in others but not being able to play or communicate with them effectively 

​Can Cats Have Autism?

Generally speaking, cats can not have autism. Nevertheless, they can be diagnosed with certain conditions and can have special needs. 

Special needs in cats usually stem from physical disabilities or physical issues attributed to old age. For example, a cat who is missing a leg is classified as one with special needs. 

Other examples of special needs in cats include:
  • Deafness
  • Blindness 
  • Entire immobility 

As well as physical impairments, some cats with special needs have mental impairments. Whilst most of these conditions are from birth defects, some occur after an accident or a serious illness. 

You may also be wondering if cats can have down syndrome. Well, some have been found with symptoms of this condition, such as wide-set eyes, unusual facial features, behavior that is not common in others, and issues with vision and hearing. 

If you believe your cat has any of the symptoms mentioned above, you should visit the veterinarian to find a cause. Therefore, you can start to care for your furry friend properly going forward. 

​Cat Behaviors That are Similar To Autism

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Many cat owners have noticed autistic-like behaviors in their pets. Maybe you have seen your cat getting obsessed with catching certain items or animals. Or, your cat likes to spend most of its time alone (although this is quite normal for most cats).

Maybe your fur ball gets spooked easily by bright lights and noises or is easily overstimulated. Try to show affection and they get spooked by this as well?

Cats tend to like having a routine and are generally an intelligent species. Therefore, changing their routine can have an effect on their behavior and is not necessarily a sign of a deeper issue.

Cats may also make unusual sounds from time to time. Therefore, many cat owners start to think their feline may have autism. However, cats tend to make different sounds for a variety of reasons and these can differ from one breed to another.

​All of these are similar behaviors to those who are on the autistic spectrum, but are also typical behaviors found in cats. Therefore, it is hard to conclude that cats can have autism.

​Nonetheless, if you have noticed that your cat is acting differently or very strangely, you should call your vet for a wellness check.

​This can often put your mind at ease but, if issues are present, your veterinarian can identify them and help you in caring for your special needs cat in the future.

​In Summary

A cat’s typical behavior can easily be attributed to autism. Although further research is required, experts do not believe cats can have autism but, if they are acting differently, you should get them checked out by your vet for clarification on any possible issues.
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How Long Do Tabby Cats Live?

10/10/2022

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Cats are one of the most popular pets in the country. Many Americans have taken these cute animals into their homes and one of the most popular domesticated cats is the tabby cat. If you're the owner of one of these beautiful cats you might be wondering how long they live.

In this article, we will look at how long tabby cats can live and what factors affect their lifespan.
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What Is A Tabby Cat?

Before we begin we should define what we mean by a tabby cat. A tabby cat isn't a particular breed of cat but is the term used to describe any type of domesticated cat that has a particular set of patterns on its coat.

These patterns are characterized by an M-shaped mark on the cat's forehead as well as a variety of stripes, dots, lines, and flex across its body.


Many different breeds of cats can have tabby markings and being a tabby has no direct relation to how long the cat will live. A cat's lifespan is affected by many other factors instead.

Tabby cats will have a similar lifespan to other cats that have different colored fur and markings. As a general rule of thumb, this is around 14 to 16 years. Some cats can live longer than others and may make it to nearer 20 years of age.

​What Factors Affect a Cat’s Lifespan?

Many factors will affect how long a tabby cat will live. Let’s look at some of these factors in turn.

Breed And Genetics

​Some breeds of cats will naturally live longer than others and any tabbies of these breeds will likely live longer than tabbies of other breeds. Some of the breeds with longer lifespans include the British Shorthair, Burmese, Savannah, and Siamese.

All of these breeds naturally have better health and generally suffer from fewer health issues. It’s not unusual for some cats of these breeds to live for up to 25 years!


In contrast, some other breeds will not live as long. For example, breeds such as the Manx and Selkirk Rex have an average lifespan of only 8 to 14 years old and this will also be true of any tabby cats of these breeds.

Indoor Cats Versus Outdoor Cats

​This is one of the major factors in how long a cat of any breed or markings will live. 

Domesticated cats that live their life indoors have a much higher chance of living a long and healthy life. Cats that live outdoors or have the option of going outside unsupervised will, on average, live much shorter lives than purely indoor cats.

The outside world is full of dangers that can seriously injure or even kill cats. Some of these dangers include cars, dogs, or even fights with other cats. This is especially the case if they get into a fight with a feral cat that may have a variety of diseases.

If you want to give your tabby cat the best chance of living a long and healthy life, you should keep them indoors. If you do let them outside, this should be in a supervised environment such as a catio or cat-proof enclosure.

Some cats can even be leash-trained and taken out for walks in cat backpacks, so even indoor cats can still enjoy some fresh air.


Proper Care And Nutrition
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Like any pet, or even any human, a cat’s lifespan and health are also going to depend on whether they get proper care and nutrition. You need to look after both the physical and mental needs of your tabby to ensure they live as long as possible.

You should make sure that your tabby is registered with a local veterinarian and that you take your cat to all of their regular checkups, including any dental ones. Cats need a variety of vaccinations when they are younger so ensure that all of these are given as and when they’re needed.

Cats can be very greedy and demanding when it comes to food and it can be tempting to spoil them, but only give them veterinarian-approved food. A few treats here and there will not harm your cat but don’t overdo them. You should also make sure that your cat always has some clean and fresh water to drink.

Although cats aren’t as time-demanding and energetic as dogs are, they still need mental and physical stimulation.

​Consider getting a cat tree or perch for your tabby to climb (and sharpen their claws on) and take the time to play with your cat. Tabbies need mental stimulation and there are plenty of toys designed to make your cat think while they play.


Life Cycle of a Cat

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Cats are generally categorized into four different life stages. Let’s take a look at these.

Kitten

Cats are considered to be kittens from their birth until around one year of age. If you have a tabby cat from a young age you will find that kittens of three to six months are full of playful energy and will need lots of attention and mental stimulation.

​You should play with them frequently and introduce them to a variety of toys.


Young Adult

The young adult stage covers the ages of one to six years old. Cats will begin to play less during this time and will approach their sexual maturity. You should consider getting your tabby fixed during this stage, especially if their behavior is a little wild.

Mature Cat

This covers cats that are seven to ten years old. Cats can begin to become more sedentary and put on weight more easily. This is the stage where regular veterinarian checks start to become even more important.

Senior Cat
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This is the final stage of a cat’s life cycle and starts at 11 years old. Keep up the vet visits and follow any instructions given about diet and care.

​Final Thoughts

In this article, we discussed how long tabby cats live. On average, they will live for 14 to 16 years.
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How Long Does A Cat Hold A Grudge?

10/10/2022

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As much as we all try to be the best possible pet owners for our feline friends, situations can and do arise where we worry our cats will hold a grudge. 

Maybe your cat is being standoffish with you after you’ve returned from vacation, or perhaps you’ve accidentally tripped over them or stepped on their tail (it happens). 

Regardless of why you feel your cat may be upset with you, you’re probably eager for the dynamic to return to normal, which begs the question: how long does a cat hold a grudge?

​Cats And Short-Term Memory

Cats have a short-term memory span of about 16 hours. This means that generally speaking, cats don’t remember small slights or accidents after the 16-hour mark. 

So, if you’ve done something minor to upset your cat, such as making a loud noise and accidentally scaring them, you can expect them to return to their normal, affectionate self within a few hours - 16 hours at the most.

Things Cats Forgive And Forget Quickly

Here are some examples of things that your cat is likely to forgive you for quickly: 
  • Picking them up. If you pick up your cat, they may let you know that this kind of interaction is unwanted with a scratch or a bite, and they might give you the cold shoulder for a few hours. However, this type of incident is usually quickly forgotten about.
  • Excessive petting. Similar to picking up your cat when they don’t want it, petting your cat excessively can lead to them reacting out of annoyance, and this can extend to a few hours of avoidance or general grumpiness. This is especially true if you touch some of your cat’s more sensitive or vulnerable areas like their belly or the pads of their paws.
  • Sleep deprivation. We all know how annoying it can be to have our sleep disturbed. If you interrupt your cat’s nap time, expect some grumpiness for a while. However, this is a minor transgression that is typically forgiven quite quickly as long as you let your cat go back to sleep and leave them be.
  • An accidental hit/kick. Accidents happen. Flinging out an arm or walking around without watching your feet can result in accidentally hurting your cat. Naturally, this is very unpleasant for your pet, and you probably feel awful about it, but as long as your cat doesn’t seem to be injured, try not to worry too much. Cats are sensitive to their emotional environment, so they can usually tell when there’s anger or malice behind an action and when something is an accident. Because of this, they will most likely forgive you for this one within a day.

​Prolonged Avoidance After Traumatic Events

While cats will typically forgive their owners for unintentional upsets within 16 hours, or 24 at most, there are some things that our feline companions won’t forgive so easily. The following things are likely to result in your cat holding a prolonged grudge against you:
  • Stepping on their tail. As we mentioned earlier, your cat will probably understand that you stepping on their tail was an accident, but they may still hold a grudge. The tail is a very sensitive area for felines and they depend on it for balance and mobility. Therefore, if you accidentally hurt your cat’s tail, they might feel threatened and avoid you or behave aggressively for a few days.
  • Punishments. Most experts in cat behavior will tell you to refrain from punishing your cat in any way because they can perceive it as a threat and become avoidant for anywhere up to several days after such an incident.
  • Abuse. It should go without saying, but being violent or aggressive with your cat is abusive. If you abuse your cat, they will avoid you, become anxious, and develop behavioral problems.

​How to Tell If Your Cat Is Upset With You

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If you’re not sure whether your cat is mad at you, here are some telltale signs that you have some reconciliation to do:
  • Avoidance or aggression. If your cat is running away or hiding from you, or giving you the cold shoulder when you try to be affectionate, they are probably upset and holding a grudge. Similarly, if your cat lashes out physically, they are likely feeling scared and annoyed after what happened.
  • Looking annoyed. Cats have expressive eyes and faces. If your cat is fixing you with a haughty, irritated look, it’s possible that they’re holding a grudge.
  • Body language. Tail switching, a puffed-up tail with an arched back, and flattened ears are all signs of an unhappy cat.
  • Bathroom issues. If you’ve done something to upset your cat, they may start urinating or defecating outside of the litter box, either due to anxiety or in protest.

​Getting Your Cat To Forgive You

After upsetting your cat, you probably feel sad and guilty, but don’t be tempted to overcompensate by getting in your cat’s space to give them affection since this could backfire. Instead, sit somewhere accessible with your cat’s favorite blanket or toy near you. This will encourage your cat to approach you. 

Other ways to get back in your cat’s good books is to give them their favorite food and speak softly to them while still giving them space so they know you’re not ignoring them. 

After a few hours, try approaching your cat gently and offering a treat or a toy. By this point, they may be ready for love again. 

Final Thoughts

Most of the time, cats will hold a grudge for a maximum of 16 hours due to how their short-term memory works. However, in some cases, such as if you step on their tail or punish them, cats might hold a grudge for several days. 

Signs your cat is holding a grudge include aggressive or fearful body language, avoidant or aggressive behavior, or bathroom problems. 

You can speed up reconciliation with your cat by giving them space, speaking softly, and giving their favorite food, treats, or toys as peace offerings.
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Do Male Cats Have Nipples?

10/10/2022

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When it comes to cat ownership, there are often a lot of questions that can be raised by prospective or first-time cat owners, especially when it comes to the more niche stuff, like a cat’s anatomy. 

In fact, one of the questions we see asked rather frequently is regarding a cat’s nipples, and whether or not male cats have nipples. Although it might sound rather strange at first, it’s a very valid question to ask, especially if you’ve never spent much time with a male cat before. 

So, if you’re a new cat owner, you’re thinking of owning a cat, or perhaps you just have some questions about a cat’s anatomy, then here’s our guide to everything you need to know about a cat’s nipples!

​Do Male Cats Have Nipples?

It might shock some people, but the answer to this question is actually yes! Male cats do indeed have nipples. 

The nipples of a cat are developed whilst they are in the early stages of growth as they reside in the mother cat’s uterus, and much like most other animals that have nipples, their nipples are formed long before the sex of the cat is determined, which is why both male and female cats have nipples!

A male cat’s nipples are much less pronounced than a female cat’s nipples, which might be why you’ve never seen a male cat’s nipples before, but it’s worth noting that a female cat’s nipples aren’t especially large either!

​Why Do Cats Have Nipples?

It might be obvious as to why cats have nipples, but just in case you’re still not sure, allow us to explain!

Cats are mammals, which means their babies grow inside of them and are then birthed, which means that these babies (called kittens) then need to be fed by their mother, which is done through the milk produced by the mother, which the kittens take through the nipple.

Unlike female cats, male cats can’t actually produce any milk at all despite having mammary glands, which means that when it comes to feeding a litter of kittens, it’s all up to the mother cat to do her job and ensure that her young are fed and healthy!

How Many Nipples Can A Cat Have?

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Mother cats (which are called queens) often give birth to numerous kittens at once, so it’s important that they’re able to feed them all when they need it, which is why they have so many nipples!

Typically, a cat will have 6 or 8 nipples on average, but it’s not impossible for a cat to have more or fewer nipples than others, so don’t worry if you notice that this is the case with your cat!

​Despite this, what is interesting is that cats will always have an even number of nipples and that the variation in their number of nipples is actually completely random, and isn’t down to anything to do with their gender, breed, health, or age! So it’s totally random for each cat!

​Where Are A Cat’s Nipples?

​No matter whether your cat is a male or female, their nipples will always be in two rows, that will run parallel to one another on the underside of the cat’s abdomen, and how close they come to the pelvis depends entirely on how many nipples your cat has, it’s not impossible for your cat’s nipples to run all the way from the front to back!

​Can You Tell If A Cat Is Pregnant By Its Nipples?

Unsurprisingly, male cats can’t get pregnant, so their nipples will be no indication at all as to whether or not they are pregnant. 

When it comes to female cats, the answer is somewhat complicated. At first, no, the nipples will provide no sign or indication that your cat is pregnant.

​However, if you believe that your cat is pregnant, then from week 3 onwards you’ll be able to tell as their nipples will be enlarged. 

In addition to their nipples being slightly enlarged in comparison to normal, you will also notice that your pregnant cat’s nipples will also change their color slightly, becoming either darker or even pinker.

This change usually happens at the same time as the enlargement too, so you’ll soon be able to tell whether or not your cat is pregnant!

Why Are My Pregnant Cat’s Nipples Leaking?

If you notice that your pregnant queen’s nipples are leaking then at first it can be extremely concerning, however, there is absolutely no need to panic at all!

​If the nipples are leaking just a little bit of milk, all it means is that the queen’s body is just increasing the production of milk in anticipation of the arrival of her kittens!

​Does Leaking Nipples Mean The Kittens Are Due Soon?

A cat’s pregnancy is on average around 9 weeks long, and it's between days 60 and 70 that the kittens are usually born, and whilst leaking nipples definitely isn’t a sign that the kittens are due to be birthed anytime soon, you will notice the queen’s nipples becoming much larger and more prominent as the birth draws nearer. 

It’s also completely natural for milk to start flowing from the queen’s nipples a couple of days before the birth, so this is a sign that your queen might be ready to be giving birth soon if you do notice it. 

In addition to milk flowing, there’s a good chance that your queen will begin licking around her nipple area if they happen to leak. Again, there’s nothing to worry about, as it’s completely normal, all she is doing is grooming and cleaning herself, so it’s completely natural!

​Summary

So to summarise, yes, male cats do have nipples. We hope you’ve enjoyed this small guide to a cat’s nipples and anatomy! 
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Can Cats Get Lice?

10/10/2022

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We all know that cats can get fleas from their environment if preventative measures are not taken, but what about lice? 

Since lice can live in human hair, you might be wondering whether they can also affect your furry friend. 

This guide has all the information you need about cats and lice, including whether cats can get lice, the symptoms of lice infestation in cats, and what you can do about this pesky problem.

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CAN CATS GET LICE? ​​

Here’s the answer to the question you came here to ask: yes, cats can get lice.

With that being said, let’s clear up one myth: cats can’t get lice from humans, and humans can’t get lice from cats. Many cat owners panic when they find out their cat has lice, or when they themselves get lice, because they’re worried about inter-species contamination. 

Cats and dogs can only be affected by certain species of lice, and these lice can’t survive on humans, so you can breathe a sigh of relief in that respect. 

​SYMPTOMS OF LICE IN CATS ​

Although you can’t catch lice from your cat, a lice infestation can be very uncomfortable for your feline friend, so you should still look out for signs and symptoms so that you can get the infestation treated quickly if it occurs. 

Some telltale signs that your cat may have lice include: 

  • Black ‘dots’ jumping in your cat’s fur, or tiny white spots (eggs) in the fur 
  • Patches of hair loss 
  • Unusually aggressive or frequent scratching 
  • A generally ‘moth-eaten’ or ragged appearance 
  • Agitation and restlessness 

HOW TO TREAT A CAT FOR LICE ​​

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So, you’ve discovered that your cat has lice. What now? 

If you think your cat has lice, the best thing to do is take them to the vet as soon as possible.

Let the receptionist know what the problem is (they should ask you, anyway) before you make your appointment so the vet practice can ensure that your cat doesn’t come into contact with any other animals and potentially spread the lice. 


The vet will thoroughly examine your cat and assess the severity of the lice infestation, which is something that is difficult for the untrained eye. After evaluating the nature of the infestation, the vet will prescribe an appropriate form of treatment. 

Treatment for lice infestations in cats is usually an insecticide applied directly to the skin, typically on the back of your cat’s neck where they can’t lick it before it dries. 

Additionally, your vet will recommend a suitable preventative treatment plan moving forward to ensure that your cat doesn’t get lice again. This is usually also a topical insecticide which needs to be applied monthly, every 3 months, or sometimes every 6 months depending on the specific product. 

Sometimes, lice infestations can be difficult to diagnose through a physical examination, especially if only a few lice are present.

​If your vet isn’t able to come to a diagnosis based on observation alone, they may want to take a skin culture. The sample can then be looked at under a microscope to identify the presence of lice. 


PREVENTING LICE INFESTATION IN CATS ​

Whether your cat currently has lice or not, it’s very important to take preventative measures to avoid this kind of infestation in the future. 

Here are some things you should start doing today to protect your cat against lice: 
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​Regular Preventative Treatment

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As we mentioned earlier, your vet will recommend preventative treatment moving forward to stop future lice infestations. However, you shouldn’t wait until you have to take your cat to the vet for lice before you start this treatment.

Cats should have at least one routine check-up per year, starting at the age of nine weeks, so you should discuss preventive flea, lice and worm treatment with your vet at your cat’s first appointment.

​If you have multiple cats, it’s vital to make sure that all cats are up to date on their treatment to avoid the possibility of lice spreading from one to another.
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Washing Bedding
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In addition to living on skin and in fur, lice can jump around and multiply in your cat’s bedding, so it’s important to wash this on a regular basis, even if your cat is receiving preventative lice treatment, to be on the safe side.

​Experts recommend washing your cat’s bedding every other week. It’s also a good idea to vacuum the bedding between washes and supplement your cleaning routine with some pet bedding spray.
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​Frequent Grooming

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Most cats can benefit from grooming to some extent, but this one is particularly important if you have a long-haired cat breed. Grooming won’t actually prevent lice, but it will help you to notice changes in your cat’s fur and skin earlier, which is key to quick and effective treatment if lice are discovered.

Grooming also helps to prevent matting, which can make lice harder to spot, so grooming your cat on a regular basis is one of the best ways to monitor for the presence of lice.

​Careful Monitoring
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This tip ties into our previous suggestion about grooming, but even if your cats are regularly treated to prevent lice, it’s important to stay alert for the symptoms of lice.

​Keeping a watchful eye on your pets will help you to notice any issues early, increasing the probability of successful treatment. 
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FINAL THOUGHTS ​

Although cats can’t get lice from humans, and humans can’t get lice from cats, discovering that your cat has lice can be distressing because of the discomfort it causes your pet. 

Luckily, there are plenty of effective treatments for lice in cats, including preventative treatments to stop infestation from occurring. A visit to your local vet will soon get your feline friend on track to being lice-free again. 

Make sure to monitor your cat for symptoms of lice, including scratching, hair loss, restlessness, and visible lice or eggs. You should ensure that your cat is up to date with their preventative lice treatment, wash their bedding regularly to stop lice in their tracks.
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How Often Do You Take A Cat To The Vet?

10/10/2022

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When it comes to cat ownership, there can be a lot of questions raised, especially if you’ve never owned a cat before, and simple things such as how often to feed them and how to litter train them can go from being the simplest of tasks to a complicated one!

One of the more popular questions we get asked about caring for our feline friends is how often should I take my cat to the vet? It’s understandable that people want to make sure that their cat is visiting the vet enough, and is being checked regularly to ensure that they are healthy, but the dilemma is often about how often you should visit!

​So, if you’re wondering how often you should take your cat to the vet, then read on through our simple guide in order to learn everything you need to know!

​How Often To Visit The Vet

Cats are quite expressive animals, so you’ll soon know if something is wrong, but even if your cat seems completely fine and healthy, it’s still a good idea to take your cat to the vet at least once a year.

​This will allow your local vet to give your cat a basic health check to ensure that there is nothing minor that might be missed or unnoticed until it develops into a bigger problem. 

​If you allow your cat to roam around outdoors, you might also need to pay a visit to keep them up to date with their core and non-core injections, and they may need additional ones too, as this will help to protect them from the conditions and things they might come across during their adventures outside your home. 

​Your Cat’s Age And The Vet

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The age and maturity of your cat also plays an important role in determining how often you should take your cat to the vet as well, so check the guidelines below to see how often your cat visits the vet:
  • Kittens: If you have a kitten, aged between 6 to 16 weeks, then you should make sure that your kitten visits the vet at least once a month. This is mainly so that they can receive all of the vaccinations they need, but it’s also a great time for you to discuss things such as spaying or neutering, and microchipping your cat.
  • Adults: Once your cat is an adult, between the ages of 1 to 7 years old, then you shouldn't really need to have to take them to the vet too often, as long as they’re healthy that is. So you should just be sure to take them for an annual checkup to ensure that everything is going well and that there are no underlying problems. A typical annual checkup will include things such as a full physical check, some blood tests, as well as some other forms of testing too.
  • Seniors: If your cat is getting older, and is into its senior years, which is from 7 years old and beyond, then they would probably benefit more from visiting the vet around twice a year. Cats do have quite long lifespans, but two checkups a year will ensure that any developments with health issues or age-related problems will be caught in enough time which means they can be treated easily before they become problematic.

​How To Know If I Should Take My Cat To The Vet?

If your cat is healthy, then there should be no reason for you to take them to the vet for just a regular checkup more than once a year.

However, if you have any concerns about your cat’s health for whatever reason, then you should absolutely take them to the vet.

Unless it’s an emergency, where your cat has eaten and swallowed something they shouldn’t have, or if it has been hit by a vehicle, then you’ll probably have to book and schedule an appointment with your vet before your cat can be seen.

​There are a few things you should look out for with your cat that might be a sign that they need to visit the vet:
  • Coughing and sneezing: This could be a sign of a respiratory infection, such as feline herpes, or even feline calicivirus. These are both highly contagious but can be solved easily if you contact your vet. 
  • Changes in appetite and drinking: If your cat isn’t eating or drinking enough, or is eating too much, then you should definitely schedule an appointment.
  • Changes in activity, grooming, or sleep: If your cat is sleeping too much or too little, there could be something wrong. If your cat is less active it could be a result of an injury. And a lack of grooming could be a sign your cat is ill, and has something such as gum disease.
  • Vomiting and weight loss: If your cat is losing significant amounts of weight or is vomiting, then you should take them to the vet as soon as possible as there is something severely wrong.
  • Avoiding the litter box: If your cat is avoiding the litter box, is straining to urinate, or isn’t eliminating at all, it could be a sign of an undiagnosed health issue, so you should take your cat to the vet.
  • Shivering: If your cat is shivering regularly, then it could be a sign of something such as hypothermia, so you should try to schedule an appointment with your vet as soon as possible in order to get them checked out.

​Summary

Overall, taking your cat to the vet is something that you should ensure you do at least annually, this will mean that your cat is kept healthy and happy, so be sure to look after them!
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Tanning with Mommy - Daisy The Cat

10/4/2022

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Tanning with Mommy

I love to be outside! I can play in the sun. There is fresh air and lots of space to play! There are sunny spots, shade for when it gets too hot, and there is even cold water outside. Oh, and there are bugs and birds as well! But there are never really humans outside.

It is spring! My favorite month! I mostly enjoy it because there are more bugs. And also because I can play outside more often. It isn't too cold anymore. When it is winter, I just want to stay under the blankets. When it is spring, I can still be outside. Because there is a lot of shade to rest in when it gets too hot. Spring has more flowers, grass, and bushes to play in

My servants are always indoors, busy working, cleaning, or doing other human stuff. They don't know what they are missing out on. Humans like to overcomplicate things. They are always busy! Furry friends of my kind like to take things easy. We do what we feel like when we feel like it! For example, eating, playing, hunting, sleeping, and repeating.

I am not sure what is happening, but I am confused! Suddenly Mommy is outside with all the stuff that we sleep on. With my blanket, the spongy thing they rest their head on, and water in that see-through breakable thing, that I sometimes accidentally tip over. Come on, Tipping things over is fun! Okay!

She opens my blanket on the grass for me to play on. She then places the pillows neatly with water next to the blanket on top of a small piece of wood. You won't believe what happened next. She sat on the blanket outside to watch me play. She then rubbed her skin with oil, placed her head on the spongy thing, and fell asleep.

Humans don't ever sleep outside. They always try to make those monies! Out of confusion, I get onto Mommy's sticky, oily skin and talk to her to ensure she is still alive. Otherwise, I will starve! But she doesn't respond. Who would feed me during the day? So I kept tapping her nose with my paw until she opened her eyes. At least she was only sleeping! I didn't know that servants could sleep in the sun too.

While Mommy is sleeping in the sun, I spend my time walking over her body, cuddling, and playing with the blanket. I don't know what else to do! I am too distracted to play, and I know I shouldn't be hunting or catching birds in front of Mommy. Otherwise, she shouts at me! I tried to tip over the see-through water thingy, but Mommy woke up every time. I know I shouldn't tip over things, but it
is fun.


I am going to take a nap with Mommy, Cheeoow!
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​I love my Daddy - Daisy The Cat

10/4/2022

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​I love my Daddy

Mommy adopted me when I was a kitten, and I love her a lot as well. She has always been around.
Mommy only met Daddy when I was a teen. I don't really accept anyone in my life. I like people, but
only to a certain point. When I met Daddy, I loved him a lot from the start. I knew that he loved me
as well. We understood and accepted each other immediately.

A while after I met Daddy, I visited Daddy alot. I loved it when we played at his place! He has a big
house and a yard with lots of space, grass, trees, and bugs. It is the best house ever! Eventually, we
moved in, and it is now also my home. Daddy and I are best friends now. He loves me and others of
my kind as well! He is a cat lover, or should I say a cat servant. Mwahaha!

I like to play with Daddy a lot! He always plays with me. Sometimes we play with my toys. I also love
to play by chasing and attacking his hands or feet. He also plays hide and seek! Mommy trained him
to play it, and he is a quick learner. How cool is that? Daddy also follows me outside to see what I am
doing. Mostly we end up playing afterward!

Daddy always brings home toys to play with. Sometimes he brings paper bags, boxes, and toys on
strings home and plays with me with them. The other day he bought home a small red dot that runs
on the wall! Sometimes it just disappears and reappears, but it is alot of fun to play with!

Daddy loves to cuddle a lot! Especially at night before we go to bed! I love cuddles and sleeping on
top of him. We always get into bed, watch TV, and then cuddle until we fall asleep. I don't like it
when Daddy moves around or gets up while I sleep. Sometimes when I bite him softly, he usually
lays still. Dad also gives me my favorite food. He is the best Dad ever!

I am going to attack his feet now!
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Locked out of the house - Daisy The Cat

9/23/2022

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Locked out of the house
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I got locked out of my own house. Can you believe that my own servants kicked me out? I am so upset at them right now! I hate it when they lock me out. I like to have the choice to be inside or outside. I don't get kicked out of the house often, but when I do, I ignore my humans for a few days!

As I stare into the window and meow, I see mommy spraying that stinky stuff in the house to kill the bugs. I prefer to be outside anyways because the spray stinks, but I like to have the option to go in when I want to. The better option is not to spray that stinky stuff at all. My servants never listen!

I understand they want to kill the bugs, but I have much better options. I can kill them myself! It is actually really easy for our kind. All I have to do is watch their behavior! When they sit still, I wiggle my bums, get out my sharp nails, run as fast as possible, and catch them! Sometimes I eat or kill them, then my servants can clean the mess I made afterward!

I wish I could come inside now, but I have to wait outside until all the stinky spray is gone! I Meow and scratch at the windows and doors to be sure that Mommy hears and sees me! I'm begging her to come in, and she says she is sorry, but I don't believe her. If she felt sorry for me, she would open the door for me to come in and help kill the bugs!

Mommy still loves me because she left me water, food, and toys outside to play with. I just wish I could come in now to get attention from my servants. Finally, Mommy is busy cleaning up her mess now. She is wiping down all the big objects and mopping the floors. I wish I could help her mop! I am great at it! I always sit on the ropes while Mommy moves the stick around. It goes quicker that way!

Finally, Mommy opens the doors and windows. I rush inside to see what Mommy has done! The house is clean and doesn't stink of bug spray anymore.

The only sad thing is that all th bugs are gone now! No more hunting bugs in the house anymore, It’s all Mommy’s Fault. I guess I am going to spend more time outside catching bugs now.

Now that I have a choice, I am going to go play outside again!
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Hide and Seek - Daisy The Cats

9/23/2022

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Hide and Seek
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I love to play hide and seek in different types of ways. Hide and seek is my favorite game to
play with my humans. It is fun, active, and adventurous. I can play indoors, outdoors, with or
without my humans. I can hide in cupboards, boxes, and under objects.


My favorite is to play hide and seek with my humans, they hide away as well. They are
always fun to play with! They open all the empty cupboards, drawers, boxes, and bags to hide
in. They also open the windows and doors so I can hide inside or outside.


Some people think I can’t play Hide and Seek, but I am a pro at hiding. So let me explain to
you how the game works. My humans run around the house and hide somewhere, then I will
sneak up to them and try to find them. It is easy to find them! They aren't too good at hiding
but don't tell them I said so.


After I find them, I tap them with my paw, run away and hide somewhere. Sometimes behind
the pillar, under objects, in boxes, in cupboards, or in shoes. But I'm not going to tell you all
my secrets. When they find me, I run away and hide somewhere else. Sometimes I will give
them a chance to hide again.


While my humans are busy working, I tap them with my paw and try to play Hide and Seek.
They don't always want to play because they are trying to make monies to buy my food.
Sometimes I keep on tapping, running away, and hiding. My hiding skills are too good. When
my humans take too long to find me, I fall asleep in my hiding spot.


I like to play hide and seek outside as well. My humans always struggle to find me while I am
outdoors. I have the best camouflage skills. I mostly like to hide at night while it is dark
because humans don't have night vision. It makes it more difficult for them to find me to get
me inside. 



Hide and seek is a great game to play! You should try it sometime!
I'm going to go hide in my secret place now! Cheoooww
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