Cats

Does your cat seem less active, hesitate before jumping to a favorite perch, skip it altogether, or struggle to get up after resting?   You may also notice changes in behavior, such as irritability or changes in grooming habits.    Hip dysplasia could be to blame, especially in large cat breeds prone to the condition, such as Maine Coons, Persians, and Norwegian Forest Cats.  To help you better understand hip dysplasia in cats, experts shared the signs to watch for, causes, and treatment options, ranging from at-home management to surgery.   With the right plan, cats with hip problems can live happy, active lives.  

Max was just 4 months old when I adopted him from Saving Grace Animal Shelter. When we met, the little guy with a tuxedo coat appeared healthy and alert, and he got along well with the other adoptables in his temporary kitty condo. He gazed at me with those golden eyes, and I simply had to add him to my family. I brought him home, took him into the spare bedroom, opened his carrier and allowed him to cautiously explore. Once he felt comfortable in the new space, his real personality — and activity level — came out. Curious, energetic and fearless, Max dashed about like a madman, err, madcat. Pouncing on his cat toys, attacking them with his needle teeth and clawing up the curtains, Max had some serious spunk! Though my instinct was to tamp down that Tasmanian devil-like behavior, Ernie Ward, DVM, founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, says that kind of playful spirit should be encouraged in kittens. “When they’re young, kitty cats are going to be much more active and playful, just like people,” he says. “So when you see your kitten doing that, encourage it, don’t discourage it, and then try to maintain that activity as lifelong habits.”

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Bobby Flay has a ton of important jobs: chef, restauranteur, media personality and beyond. But the one closest to his heart just might be cat dad. Flay’s the pet parent to two cats, Nacho, his Instagram-famous Orange Maine Coon, and Stella, his sister. But cats have been in his family since childhood. Flay grew up in a household that, at any given time, had two or three felines, he says—and as an only child, he considered them his siblings.

WRITTEN BYJennifer Coates, DVM Veterinarian Dr. Jennifer Coates is an accomplished veterinarian, writer, editor, and consultant with years of experience in the fields of veterinary…,If you notice that your cat has a swollen leg or paw—or worse yet, all of their legs and paws are swollen—you are no doubt wondering what to do, and probably worried if they’ve broken something. Here’s everything you need to know about swollen paws and legs in cats. What To Do if Your Cat’s Paw or Leg Is Swollen The first thing to do is to check their overall well-being. If any of the following are true, see a veterinarian immediately, because you could be dealing with an emergency situation: The swelling is severe All of your cat’s legs or feet are swollen Your cat is in a lot of pain (hiding, won’t let you touch them, vocalizing, or aggression) You know that your cat has been hit by a car, attacked by a dog, or had another major trauma You see evidence of a serious injury, like bleeding, limb dragging, or an obviously broken bone or dislocated joint Your cat has other worrisome symptoms, like trouble breathing, disorientation (confusion), weakness, or extreme lethargy (tiredness) On the other hand, it’s unlikely that you are dealing with an emergency if your cat’s leg or paw swelling is relatively mild and isn’t having a big effect on their movement, energy level, comfort, and appetite. Be careful if you decide to examine your cat, as touching a swollen area may hurt them. As long as the swelling is minor and your cat seems fine otherwise, it’s okay to give it a day or two to see if it will get better on its own. But if it doesn’t, make an appointment with your veterinarian. In the meantime, keep your cat indoors, encourage them to rest, and monitor them closely. Get them to a vet quickly if things get worse.

If you have an apartment cat that likes to sleep all day near a window while basking in the sun, a cat perch may be the right choice for him. The Kitty Cot Original World’s Best Cat Perch is great for small areas as it securely attaches to any window, and doesn’t require permanent installation. The MidWest Curious Cube for Cats is also a great option for small spaces! By featuring hide-and-seek crevices, plush toys and plenty of space to lie down and relax, this portable piece of kitty furniture will become your cat’s favorite place in your home and on the go.,Cat instincts are strong tendencies that result from natural selection that drive cat behavior. These natural compulsions trace back through the evolution of each animal to the survival techniques that they once used to stay alive. “Cats need some of their own furniture that they can enjoy because it has only their smell on it,” says cat behavior expert Lana Fraley Rich, aka the Catsultant. “But, not just any furniture. It needs to be cat furniture. Our homes don’t have to look like the Wild Kingdom to properly meet our feline family’s needs, but for them to thrive instead of just survive, our kitties need environmental enrichments.” They use these cat perches and climbing trees to get away from dangers that they perceive as predators. “If a home has dogs and/or small children, the cats need to have lots of safe places, usually up high, for them to hang out and get away from the stressors—two or four-legged.” Rich says. “Tall, sturdy cat trees are a not a luxury; they are a necessity for a home with dogs or small children.” In order to make your cat as comfortable as he can be, whether you live in an apartment or family home, Chewy offers a variety of products that support his natural instincts. Consider different cat furniture options to find which ones may be appropriate for you and your pet.

If your cat eats too fast, it’s a habit you should try to break. When your cat eats too fast, she is more likely to vomit up her meal soon after eating. But that’s not the only drawback to your feline’s fast-eating habits. It can also lead to obesity, which can put her health at risk, says Bruce G. Kornreich, associate director of Cornell Feline Health Center at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, in Ithaca, New York. Obese cats increase their chances of developing a variety of serious conditions, including arthritis and diabetes, he explains. If your cat vomits after gobbling her cat food, avoid feeding her right away (even if you feel sorry for her), recommends Kornreich. In fact, you might want to wait 12 hours before the next meal to give her GI tract a rest, he adds.

Older cats are a lot like senior humans and can be less tolerant and accepting when faced with changes in the environment. To reduce stress for your old cat, introductions should be gradual. Seniors may need extra assurance and comfort during the transition. Although not all cats will get along, many will benefit from companionship, and a newcomer may just add a spark to the environment.,I have a senior cat named Bob who is now almost 19 years old. Bob arrived in my life as a very small kitten. I was shopping in a pet store when a man walked in the door and handed me a screaming little ball of fur. “I found him under a house at the construction site where I was working,” the man said. “Can you take him?” Bob has been with me ever since. Cats are territorial and take ownership of their space. A senior resident cat, like my Bob, has had a long time to claim his turf. His habits are established, and he is set in his ways. When I recently made the decision to add a younger cat to the family, I made sure to prepare for the big event. Should you face a similar situation, you can take steps to minimize any squabbling when the new cat arrives.

WRITTEN BYPet Poison Helpline Veterinarian Team Veterinarian Pet Poison Helpline®, your trusted source for toxicology and pet health advice in times of potential emergency, is available 24 hours,…,The most common holiday plants that can be toxic to cats include lilies, Christmas trees, yew, holly, mistletoe, and poinsettias. Some cause mild stomach upset, while others—like lilies and yew—can be life-threatening, so always call your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) right away if your cat is exposed.  These beautiful living additions to your holiday decorations can be tempting for your cat to investigate. If your cat licks, chews, or eats holiday plants it’s possible that they could become ill, depending on what type they ingest and how much of it. For this reason, it’s important to consider what plants you bring home around the holidays and what access your cat might have to them.

Yes! Cats can eat catnip; and for most cats, catnip provides a holistic, relaxing experience for your cat in a condensed, cost-effective, easy-to-store form. We spoke to a vet expert about what cat parents need to know about giving their cats catnip. Before introducing catnip into your cat’s diet and/or playtime, consult with your veterinarian to see if they have any recommendations for products they think your cat specifically will respond well to and if there are any they advise you to avoid based on your cat’s activity level, personality and health.