Cats

Chickens are natural foragers and love pecking at new and exciting foods—including bananas. But while bananas are a potassium-rich snack for people, can chickens eat bananas too?  We talked to two veterinarians to peel back the truth about bananas and how this tropical fruit can fit into a chicken’s diet.  Before introducing any new food into your chicken’s diet, always check with your veterinarian. 

Brushing and combing a cat is a must for a few reasons: Regular grooming stops your cat’s fur from matting, which can be painful and cause larger skin problems. Brushing cat hair consistently means that your cat won’t swallow fur as they groom themselves—and that you won’t have to clean yacked-up hairballs Flying fur from your kitty can also be dramatically reduced, as brushing removes loose hair your cat is shedding. Grooming strengthens the bond between you and your cat. A consistent brushing routine is important for every cat—not just longhaired breeds. Shorthaired cats also need grooming, says Jacque Opp, a professional pet groomer in Bismarck, North Dakota. Brushing a cat has health benefits, too. Regular grooming stimulates the skin and distributes natural oils throughout the coat, resulting in a shinier and healthier appearance, says Sabrina Kong, DVM. “[Grooming also allows] for early detection of potential health issues,” Dr. Kong says, as it’s the perfect time to check your kitty for skin problems, fleas, or any unusual lumps.,Jump to section Why Brushing Cats Is Important Does Your Cat Need To Be Brushed? The Best Cat Brushes How To Brush a Cat Tips for Brushing Cats FAQs About Brushing Cats

From Sirius to Licorice, black cats inspire names as bold as their sleek coats. But before you get swept up in picking the perfect black cat name, you should know that black cat breeds are wonderfully unique. Black cats are often overlooked at shelters due to their fur color, so adopting one can be extra rewarding. From size, personality, and the daily care they require, there’s a black cat for every cat-lover.

4. Use Over-The-Counter (OTC) Calming Products OTC products are also a great option to help with your cat’s anxiety and don’t require a prescription from the vet. But it’s important to discuss any supplements with your veterinarian before adding them to your cat’s diet. Your vet can also help you find the best option based on your cat’s health. Some OTC products contain pheromones, which are species-specific chemical signals that can create a sense of safety. Examples include: Feliway spray Feliway diffusers including: Feliway Classic Feliway Optimum Feliway Multicat Calming wipes Calming collars,Anxiety in dogs is well-known to most pet parents, but what about the anxiety of our feline friends? Like dogs, cats can have separation anxiety, generalized anxiety, or anxiety triggered by specific events such as thunderstorms, new additions to the family, or moving to a new home. Anxiety in cats takes many forms, including urine marking, recurrent urinary tract disorders (FLUTD), overgrooming, or other compulsive behaviors.  If the behavior change is sudden and without a known cause, visit your veterinarian to rule out underlying health conditions. Otherwise, read on to learn five vet-approved ways to calm your cat.

While dog parties have become increasingly popular, it seems like we hear very little about people throwing a cat party. Yet there’s no reason our birthday cats should be any less celebrated on their big day than their canine counterparts! Especially if it’s a birthday kitten reaching their benchmark one-year birthday. “It is so important to include our pets in our rituals as they surely are important parts of our lives. I would not dream of skipping a pet birthday party,” says Sally Morgan, PT, CST, a holistic physical therapist for pets in Northampton, MA and author of “Dances of the Heart: Connecting with Animals.” When planning for a cat birthday party, it’s crucial to work around your cat’s personality. Despite the stereotype of the aloof feline, many cats love the company of people, other felines and even cat-friendly dogs. If your cat has an outgoing personality, you can consider planning a longer or larger party than you should if your pet is more the skittish type. In either case, here’s everything you need to know to throw a successful birthday bash for your special party cat.

I do not think the scent is coming from the facial glands around her mouth and lips. As you noted, the secretion from these glands is odorless to humans. Although you do not believe that the smell is coming from her perineal or anal area, I suspect that this musky smell is, in fact, coming from her anal glands. Cats have two small glands just inside their anus. These glands are similar to those used by skunks for defense, although they no longer serve much of a purpose for cats anymore. When cats become excited or frightened, they may suddenly release the contents of their anal glands. As a veterinarian specializing in cats, I’ve had many cats spontaneously release their anal glands in the exam room. The smell quickly permeates the room and is unpleasant, to say the least. I’m not sure if something is triggering your cat to release her anal glands. She is a feisty cat by your own admission, and I wonder if, when she aggressively plays, she’s expressing these glands. The smell can permeate her fur and linger for a while, making her coat smell musky. I do not know of any particular product that is designed for reducing or eliminating the smell. I do think that she should be examined by your veterinarian in case she’s one of those cats who just happen to produce an excessive amount of anal gland secretion. If that’s the case, she may need to have these glands expressed by your veterinarian on a regular basis. By: Dr. Arnold Plotnick, DVM Feature Image: momikim/Thinkstock,Q.

As you whip up an omelet for breakfast and hear your cat meowing in the kitchen, you may wonder, “Can cats eat eggs?” The short answer—yes! But there are a few things to be mindful of before sharing your plate of eggs with your kitty.  Here’s everything you need to know about the benefits and risks of feeding eggs to your cat and how to safely offer them as a healthy treat.  Before introducing any new food into your cat’s diet, always check with your veterinarian. 

As a pet parent, you likely know that some panting comes with the territory. You’ve seen your dog do it, but you might not know why they do it. Here are the most common reasons for dog panting.,Jump to section Common Causes of Cat Panting When Is My Cat’s Panting an Emergency?

Contributed by Dr. Alison Birken, owner and DVM of Victoria Park Animal Hospital. We all know the benefit of prebiotics and probiotics for ourselves, but did you know that they have the same, exact positive effects on our cats as they do for us? As a small animal veterinarian, I consistently prescribe prebiotics and probiotics, not only for my sick patients suffering with an upset belly, but also for my patients’ overall wellness and health. Commonly, my pet parents do not know the difference between the two supplements and how they can help their pets. So, let’s discuss the difference between prebiotics and probiotics and why they are so beneficial for your pet.

In This Article Recognizing the Cycle of Domestic Violence View 3 More +