cat health.
Miss Claeson, Flickr Amy D. Shojai is a certified animal behavior consultant and the award-winning author of 23 pet care books, including "Complete Kitten Care" and "Complete Care for Your Aging Cat." Many cat owners discover wads of wet fur -- hairballs -- late at night when they step on them with bare feet. Cats seem to instinctively choose to decorate the most stainable portions of the carpet. It's normal for cats -- especially those with long fur -- to experience hairballs once in a while. Cats spend up to 50 percent of their time awake grooming, and swallow fur in the process. What doesn't end up in the litter box comes out the other end as nasty cigar-shaped hairballs. But ...
Aschaf, Flickr Ear mites are a common affliction for household cats. As part of a Paw Nation series providing background about the medical problems your pet may suffer, we spoke to Dr. Louise Murray, vice president of ASPCA's Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital in New York, to get some insights about the condition. What are the signs that my cat has ear mites? Itchy, itchy ears. You'll also see, as the condition becomes more severe, large amounts of black, fungal-like discharge in the ear. How common are ear mites? Ear mites are very common in cats. How serious are ear mites? Initially, ear mites in cats are mostly just uncomfortable. Ear mites aren't generally life-threatening, but they ...
Getty Images Amy D. Shojai is a certified animal behavior consultant and the award-winning author of 23 pet care books, including "Complete Kitten Care" and "Pet Care in the New Century: Cutting-Edge Medicine for Dogs & Cats." Cats get the short end of the health care stick. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, cats visit the vet much less frequently than dogs. It's not that felines are healthier (although cats do hide illness better) but many cats hate the vet so much their owners find it easier to just skip it. But even healthy cats need well exams once or twice a year. Cats are adept at protecting themselves from stranger danger. What's familiar is safe, while ...
As spring arrives, balmy weather and blooming nature will lure pets and their owners into the great outdoors. But the season also brings unwanted guests: fleas, ticks and other pests. While there are differing points of view on the best and safest choices for protecting your pets, if you want to go the all-natural route, there are many options to consider. To welcome in the warmer months, our friends at Zootoo rounded up some of their favorite all-natural flea and tick products to help your pets stay pest free all season. Dr. Harvey's A potent spray with a mild, pleasing scent, the Herbal Protection Spray from Dr. Harvey's helps prevent pests from making a home in your dog's fur, ...
Alamy Amy D. Shojai is a certified animal behavior consultant and the award-winning author of 23 pet care books, including "Complete Care for Your Aging Cat" and "Complete Care for Your Aging Dog." For centuries, people created fanciful stories to explain puzzling animal antics. Many of these myth-understandings about cat and dog behaviors linger on, even though modern veterinary and behavior experts have uncovered scientific explanations for these issues. Here we lay 12 common myths to rest. Myth 1: Dogs and cats enjoy being hugged. People are by nature touchy-feely creatures. Dogs and cats on the other hand, grab and hold prey, and "hug" during mating or fighting. Pets may enjoy ...
As pet owners work to keep their resolutions to stay healthier in 2011, the start of a new year can also be an ideal time to promote wellness in your cat's life. Just like their humans, felines can benefit from more exercise, better eating habits, and increased hydration. Our friends at Zootoo rounded up five great health and wellness products to help your cat thrive all year long. Petco To discourage cats from drinking water from unclean sources, try the Automatic Cat Water Fountain from Petco. This easy-to-use product provides a continuous stream of fresh water for cats to lap and helps break bad habits, such as guzzling from dripping faucets. And at a retail price of under $15 ...