Cats

Have you noticed your cat’s eyes looking especially teary? It’s more common for cats than you may realize. Watery eyes in cats, otherwise known as epiphora, is characterized by excessive tearing, and it’s not unusual to see this eye problem in cats and kittens. That’s because cat eyes can be impacted a wide range of illnesses, and are also sensitive to chemicals, toxins and other substances in their environment. So what’s causing your cat’s watery eyes, and what should you do about it? We’re here to help.

Chick Days are here!   Every spring around the country, farm, feed, and home stores offer baby chicks for sale. A celebration of all things poultry, Chick Days is a great way to expand your flock or get started with raising backyard chickens. To get the most out of Chick Days, however, it pays to be strategic and know what the event usually includes (and doesn’t).   First, there is no official date for Chick Days. It generally runs from early in the year in the warmest regions all the way through early summer in the colder climates. In most cases, retailers offer mixed breeds, but they generally focus on the most popular types of chickens. And unless they’re specifically marked as sexed pullets, there’s a chance there may be roosters mixed in the batch.   If you’re new to raising chicks, Chick Days is a great opportunity to load up on the supplies you’ll need to be successful, including brooders, waterers, and heaters. Read on to learn more about getting started with chicks—so you can make Chick Days an annual event and enjoy the many benefits of raising backyard chickens for years to come.  

In This Article Overview View 6 More +

In This Article What Is Epistaxis in Cats? View 5 More +

When your senior cat suddenly starts biting, it can feel equal parts painful and puzzling. This is your longtime buddy, after all, and while the sudden shift in behavior may be frustrating, it isn’t generally a case of “grumpy old cat.”   Biting in senior cats often points to an underlying issue that deserves attention. By working with your veterinarian, you can better understand what your cat is really trying to communicate and help them feel more comfortable so you both can get back to enjoying their golden years filled with sunny windowsills, long naps, and kitty kisses—instead of painful bites. 

Urinary issues in cats are frequently lumped under the blanket term “feline lower urinary tract disease” (FLUTD). Common symptoms of FLUTD—typically referred to as lower urinary tract signs or LUTS—include changes in the following: More frequent urination Increased urine volume Urine that has an abnormal color or appearance Signs of FLUTD may also include abnormal behaviors a cat exhibits while peeing, such as straining to urinate or crying out while doing so. When a disease or cluster of symptoms can’t be linked to a specific cause, the condition is considered to be idiopathic—as is the case with feline idiopathic cystitis. Raymond Spragley, DVM, a veterinarian at Zen Dog Veterinary Care in Tuckahoe, New York, describes feline idiopathic cystitis as “a lower urinary tract disease that causes inflammation in a cat’s bladder.” In other words, FIC is a term used to describe bladder inflammation in cats that has no identifiable cause.,Jump to section What Is Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC) in Cats? Idiopathic Cystitis vs. Interstitial Cystitis What Causes Feline Idiopathic Cystitis in Cats? Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC) Symptoms Diagnosing FIC in Cats Treatment of Idiopathic Cystitis in Cats Managing Feline Idiopathic Cystitis in Cats Prognosis of FIC in Cats Frequently Asked Questions About FIC in Cats

Living and Management Your cat will require plenty of home care. Make certain to follow your veterinarian’s instructions regarding medications and follow-up evaluations. Keep track of progress, watching for signs of improvement or relapse, and report them to your veterinarian. Avoid physically moving your cat, and take steps to prevent your cat from being overly active or taking part in activities that can lead to over exertion, including exercise, until it is approved by your veterinarian. Also, it is essential that you protect your cat from active children and from other pets in the home. A quiet, closed room, or cage rest, may be necessary for ensuring that your cat has a safe space to heal and recover from its injury. Some cats can recover quickly from neck and back injuries, however, an injury to the spine can be very serious and long-lasting, even life-threatening, if not treated promptly and effectively.,It is often difficult to determine the exact location of the pain when an animal has been injured, because unfortunately, your cat can not tell you where it hurts. Your veterinarian may even have trouble determining the location. And because there are a number of reasons for neck and back pain, zeroing in on the underlying cause may take some time. Symptoms and Types Following are some of the possible symptoms your cat may show after an injury to the neck or back: Change in posture Back is curved upward The spine does not look/feel as it should Neck is stiff Your cat does not want to turn or raise its head Yelps or moans when you touch its neck or back Avoids being touched or moves away from you Moans or yelps when he moves the spine, refuses to move at all Visible trauma to areas around the spine, such as bruising, scratches, swelling Weak, lethargic Lack of coordination, cannot walk, wobbly movement (ataxia) Fever Lack of appetite (anorexia)

Normal Eating, Sleeping, and Grooming Habits Perhaps the most subtle signs of a happy animal are those that also indicate a healthy animal. A happy cat will do their routine things on schedule—they eat well (too much or too little eating can be a sign of poor health), sleep an appropriate amount (most cats will sleep close to 20 hours a day), and keep their coat well-groomed and shiny. If you’ve noticed any changes in your cat’s appetite, sleep schedule, or grooming routine, talk to your veterinarian.,Using the Litter Box Happy cats use the litter pan as expected. Cats can show stress by urinating or defecating in places they aren’t supposed to,  so a cat that isn’t using the litter box often or at all either has a medical issue or is trying to communicate that they are under stress.,Do you ever look at your cat and wonder whether they are happy? Cats don’t tend to wear their emotions on their sleeves, like many dogs do. However, cats experience the full range of emotions like any other animal, and with a little careful observation of their body language and practice, you will be able to tell if your cat is happy and enjoying life. How to Tell If a Cat Is Happy So what are some behaviors you might look for to know if your cat is happy? Here are nine signs of a happy cat: Purring Purring is one of the signs that most people recognize as a sign of a happy cat. For the most part, if a cat is purring, you can be assured that they are happy. There are rare instances, though, when a cat purrs because they are frightened or hurt, so you’ll need to take the circumstances into account. But if your cat is curled up next to you and seems relaxed, and their motor starts, you know for sure that your cat is content.

You should also never give your dog flea and tick medication formulated for a cat. Flea and tick preventatives are based on weight, age, and other criteria that are specific to an individual pet. Your dog and cat are prescribed a flea and tick formulation based on these factors. If you need help selecting a flea and tick preventative for your dog, check out our vet-recommended guide to the best flea and tick medications for dogs in 2025. If you have a cat, read up on the best flea and tick preventatives for cats in 2025. If you accidentally administered a flea and tick product to the wrong species, contact your veterinarian immediately.,So you can’t remember the last time you plucked a tick off your pup or flicked a flea off your feline? That’s great news! But just because you don’t spot these parasites today doesn’t mean you can take a backseat to flea and tick preventative care. Fleas and ticks are two of the most common pet health concerns across the U.S. These pesky parasites not only cause extreme discomfort for our furry friends, they also carry diseases. Left untreated, these illnesses can cause serious health issues for our pets—which is why prevention is key. Flea and tick preventive treatment works best when given on time, all the time. The good news is that flea and tick prevention is simple—as long as you follow a consistent schedule and work with your veterinarian to determine the best flea and tick prevention for your pet. It’s easy to forget a few simple tips throughout the year. Let’s look at the most common mistakes pet parents make, and how to avoid them.