Articles
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Cats can have hearing loss due to increasing age or chronic ear infections, or they may be born with a defect. Deafness in cats can present some challenges, but overall they can have healthy, normal lives. It is possible to teach your cat household routines by using hand signals and body language. It is important to take their deafness into account when considering their safety, and they must remain indoors or in outdoor enclosures.
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It can be a challenge to prevent rebound weight gain once a pet has lost some weight. Sticking to a specific number of calories, weighing food portions, and helping your pet stay physically active are a few recommendations. This article addresses several commonly asked questions about how to help a pet during the maintenance phase (after the weight has been lost).
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Feral cats are fiercely independent and survive (but may not thrive) alone, without human help. They avoid people and hide, back away, or flee when they spot humans. Lack of immunization, parasite control, adequate nutrition, and hygiene put feral cats at risk of many life-threatening problems. Trap, Neuter, and Release (TRN) programs humanely trap feral cats and partner with veterinarians to spay and neuter them.
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For most cats, a visit to the veterinarian is an overwhelming experience. This handout discusses several medications and approaches you can use to help your cat, including sedatives, antianxiety medications, natural medicines and therapies. Talk to your veterinarian about options for your cat.
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Microchips contain a unique identification number, and they are inserted with a needle under the skin between a pet's shoulder blades. The number is registered to your name, so if your cat gets lost, the number connects your cat to you. Microchips provide reliable, permanent identification for your pet.
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Motion sickness in cats is a common problem. Many cats become anxious or nauseous during travel due to a lack of conditioning and the overwhelming unusual stimuli associated with moving inside a vehicle. Signs your cat may be experiencing motion sickness may include whining, meowing, or howling; drooling and excessive licking of the lips; pacing; vomiting or diarrhea; and lethargy or inactivity. Conditioning your cat to car travel can help ease some anxiety. However, if your cat seems to need more help to stay calm during travel, speak to your veterinarian about using anti-nausea medication, anti-anxiety medications, as well as natural calming agents such as pheromones.
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Most cats settle into a new home fairly easily. They crave familiarity, so it is best to bring along many familiar objects, such as litter boxes and favored furniture. Cats must be initially secured to prevent their escape, as they may attempt to return to a prior home and could be lost or injured along the way. It is best to introduce your cat to your new home gradually and with supervision.
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Neutering and castration are the common terms used to describe the surgical procedure during which both testicles are removed to sterilize a male cat. Neutering is recommended to prevent urine marking and other territorial behavior, such as roaming and fighting with other cats, which increases the risk of contracting disease. Spaying and neutering our pets is a vital step in reducing overpopulation and crowding of shelters.
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A nutraceutical is a food or food product that reportedly provides health and/or medical benefits. In addition to diet modifications, exercise, weight loss, and medications, joint support nutraceuticals are also helpful in an osteoarthritis management program. Nutraceuticals are not subjected to the same testing and regulation as pharmaceuticals. Your veterinarian can advise you on products that have been evaluated and have yielded positive effects.
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Pet owners can greatly improve the quality of life for their cats with osteoarthritis through nutrition. Key steps to managing inflammation and joint pain include managing daily Calorie intake and increasing fat metabolism through controlled physical rehabilitation.