Cats

Why Is My Cat Drinking So Much Water? There are several common reasons why your cat might be thirstier than usual: Kidney Problems The most common reason older cats begin drinking and urinating excessively is because their kidneys are starting to decline. The kidneys are responsible for filtering the blood and producing urine. As cats age, their kidney function decreases. As a result, some of the water in the bloodstream isn’t filtered properly, so more fluid is turned into urine. This then causes dehydration. This is normal to some degree, but it may also signal underlying kidney disease, also known as chronic renal disease (CRD) or chronic kidney disease (CKD). This is a progressive disease, and it is better to catch it early on. If you notice your older cat drinking and urinating more, especially if they are losing weight, not eating as well, or showing changes in their personality, it’s time to schedule an appointment for an exam and possibly a kidney screening. Hyperthyroidism and Liver Disease Other diseases or conditions that may cause increased drinking include hyperthyroidism and liver disease. These are more common in middle-aged or senior cats. Cats with hyperthyroidism usually seem hungry all the time and lose weight, while cats with liver disease usually have less of an appetite. Diabetes Diabetes is also a very common cause of drinking and peeing more in adult and senior cats. With diabetes, the pancreas is not secreting enough insulin to control the blood sugar. As blood sugar levels rise, the cat will become thirstier and will need to urinate more often. This is most commonly seen in overweight, young to middle-aged cats that primarily eat dry food. You want to get a cat with diabetes diagnosed as early as possible so it can be treated aggressively. Delaying therapy can lead to severe and potentially life-threatening consequences. Urinary Tract Infections Urinary tract infections (UTIs) may also cause a cat to drink more water. UTIs are most common in younger to middle-aged cats. Affected cats often urinate small amounts frequently as opposed to the large, heavy urine clumps seen with the other conditions. Cats with UTIs may be restless and uncomfortable. If you see these signs, take your cat to a vet right away, especially if he’s a male, as this may be a medical emergency.   Medication Side Effect Some medications, such as steroids and diuretics, may also cause a cat to drink more. If your cat is prescribed a new medication, ask your veterinarian if increased thirst is a known side effect. Changes in water intake caused by a medication should go away as soon as your pet is off the medication as ude kidney disease, diabetes, or Cushing’s disease.instructed by your veterinarian.,Why Is My Cat Peeing So Much? Cats that drink a lot of water will go on to urinate more often. This is partially due to how the body processes water. If a cat is drinking a large amount of water, then a higher volume will then be processed through the kidneys, leading to a larger output of urine. ,It used to be that you could fill your cat’s water bowl once a day. But now you’re filling it two or three times a day, and your cat comes running to have a drink every time you turn on a faucet.  What is going on? Is drinking more water normal for older cats? Or is there a medical condition you need to worry about? Here’s why your cat might be drinking more water than normal and when you should consult with your vet.

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Thinking about adding chickens to your yard this year? Not all chicken breeds are created equal.  There are lots of things to consider when deciding what types of chickens are best for the size of your backyard. Discover some commonly kept types of chickens to decide which breed is best for you. 

There are several reasons why a cat may choose to drink running water from a faucet instead of the water in their bowl: Evolution has taught them not to trust standing water They really don’t like their water bowl or where their bowl is placed Water from the faucet just plain tastes better,My cat drinks from the faucet all the time. Why do cats like water from a faucet? Is this normal?

As winter sets in, so does cabin fever—that restless, stir-crazy feeling that often comes with the season. With cold weather driving us all indoors, our pets may be experiencing those winter blahs, as well. So what’s a pet parent to do? Steal some inspiration from your own hobbies and consider cat and dog puzzle toys for your pet. Here’s how these interactive toys can help your fur family.

I talk to my dog. I also talk to all the other dogs at the dog park. I may not be a “normal” person in all respects, but I don’t think this is one of my questionable character traits. I think it’s totally normal to talk to animals—and not just to ask if they want to play fetch. From the time I was a little kid, I talked to my dog. I could tell him anything, and he wouldn’t judge me or tell me what I should do. As I’ve grown up, the contents of the conversations have changed, but I still turn to my animals to say things that I can’t or don’t want to tell another person. Sometimes we just need to say what’s on our minds, and cats and dogs lend a willing ear. There is no need to hold back what we say for their sake. Pets Can Recognize Human Emotion Some people say that talking to my pets means I am anthropomorphizing them, or assigning human characteristics to non-human entities. I disagree. Dogs and cats have evolved side by-side with humans for tens of thousands of years to understand human emotion. Much of that is probably based on our body language, but the tone of our voice also tells our furry family members how we feel. Those clues tell our dogs and cats what we need from them. I don’t think that my dog knows what I’m telling him, but he knows the way my voice sounds when I’m sad, tired, or frustrated, and he tries to make me feel better. There were many nights during veterinary school when I put my head next to my cat to listen to his purr as I cried to him about feeling overwhelmed. Talking to my pets helps me feel better and, bigger picture, it’s a way to strengthen our bond. On the flipside, your dog will learn to understand more words than just “sit” and “dog park.” Be consistent when you are talking to your pet with the intention that they learn the meaning of what you say or take an action as a result of the word. For example, “off” and “down” might mean the same thing to you when your puppy jumps, but you might also use “down” to mean a laying position. That can be confusing for your pup, which can slow down the training process.

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…,CBD has taken the pet world by storm; however, scientific research on the impacts of CBD on dogs and cats is still in its infancy—especially for cats. Let’s look at what cat parents should consider before giving their cats CBD oil or CBD cat treats. What Is CBD? CBD stands for cannabidiol, and it’s the second most common active ingredient found in the cannabis plant. While CBD is present in all cannabis plants, it’s primarily derived from the hemp plant—which a recent study defines as, “Cannabis sativa with a total THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) less than 0.3% dry weight in leaves and buds.” It is also important to note, that legally, a hemp plant cannot contain more than 0.3% THC or else it is considered a Schedule I controlled substance (illegal narcotic). Unlike hemp oil and hemp seed oil, CBD is extracted from the stalks, leaves and buds—not just one part of the plant.

Image via iStock.com/w-ings By Cheryl Lock It’s no secret that most cats love to climb, jump and perch—basically any action that gets them off the ground. That’s why cat parents usually have a cat tree or two in their array of cat supplies. But cat trees aren’t the only options for pet parents. Among cat hammocks, window perches and wall perches, there are plenty of unique cat tree ideas you can use to give your kitty a lift. Why Do Cats Like to Be Up High? “Domestic cats descend from the African wild cat, [who] are known to be excellent climbers,” says Dr. Cheryl Kolus, DVM, KPA-CTP, behavior center manager at Fort Collins Cat Rescue and spay/neuter clinic. “Cats are both predator and prey, so high places provide safety,” says Dr. Kolus. Besides safety, having access to high areas can help keep the peace in multicat households, says Marilyn Krieger, a certified cat behavior consultant and author of “Naughty No More!” “One way that cats demonstrate their social position in their flexible hierarchies is by where they position themselves in relation to each other,” Krieger explains. “Even cats who are the only kitties in their household have the instinctual need to exhibit their status.” If your home has multiple pets or small children, or is just a busy place in general, adding vertical space—like a cat hammock or cat perch—can help your cat avoid the fray, if he is so inclined. “Plus, for many cats, climbing and jumping on and off things is simply fun and good exercise,” says Dr. Kolus. Traditional cat trees are the common product people use to allow their cats to jump and perch, but there are tons of other alternative cat tree ideas too. “Cat trees are great, but you can also add vertical space in other ways and even give your cat a super highway so he can access different parts of your house,” Dr. Kolus says. Hammocks for Cats A cat hammock is a great alternative to the traditional cat tree. It allows your cat to not only jump but also relax and swing—which some cats really enjoy. If you’re going with a cat hammock, Dr. Kolus suggests using caution for older or disabled cats that might easily lose their balance. These cats may find themselves in an awkward position that’s hard to get out of. For a sturdier cat hammock option, consider the Petstages Easy Life hammock cat toy. Window Perch for Cats Cat perches provide a versatile option that can be configured in multiple ways, depending on your space and what you’re trying to achieve. They’re also a great option for people who live in apartments or smaller homes and don’t have the room for traditional cat trees, Krieger says. If you are looking for cat tree ideas that will provide your cat with extra height, you can try a cat window perch. A cat window perch operates essentially like a cat shelf that you can attach to a window in your home, like the Oster sunny seat window mounted cat bed. Another option is the K&H Pet Products deluxe kitty sill, which can be set up on a window sill in your home to create a lofted hangout for your kitty. It will also provide your cat with a vantage point for monitoring the activities of birds and creatures outside. You can even find a cat window perch that has cat scratchers built right in, like the K&H Pet Products EZ mount window scratcher kitty sill cradle, which will allow your cat to lounge or get all his scratching out. Wall Perch for Cats Another alternative cat tree idea for creating vertical space for your cat is to create a climbing maze using wall-mounted cat shelves. “Climbing mazes with lots of shelves are great for providing mental and physical stimulation, and they also help to eliminate boredom,” says Krieger. You can use Katris blocks—like the Katris Mix & Match Blocks “Z” shape cat scratcher or the Katris Mix & Match Blocks “I” shape cat scratcher—to create a climbing tower. The Katris blocks can even be mounted to your wall—using the Katris cat scratcher wall mount kit—to create a climbing maze or vertical safe space for your feline family member. How to Decide Which Elevated Cat Hangout Is Right for Your Cat There are certain things to be on the lookout for to ensure your cat stays safe when jumping or climbing. To start, any products you permit your cat to climb or jump off should be sturdy or well-anchored. “For items like cat trees that have multiple levels, look for those built in a step-wise fashion so that it is reasonably easy for the cat to jump or climb from one level to the next,” says Dr. Kolus. Extra safety precautions should be taken for senior cats or those with physical disabilities, she adds. “For instance, they should be able to simply step up or down between levels instead of having to jump, and perhaps items should not be too tall to avoid the chance of a dangerous fall.” With multiple cats, it always helps to provide two exits from a cat perch; that way one cat can’t stop the other from moving away when they need or want to. Krieger also warns of perches or shelves with slick varnish, which may cause cats to slip and fall when jumping. “The surfaces can be easily changed by safely securing sisal, cat beds or carpet on them,” she adds. Keep Your Cat’s Comfort and Needs in Mind While the alternatives to cat trees are sure to be tons of fun for most cats, every cat is an individual. Owners should consider what types of climbing surfaces their cat enjoys as well as their cat’s physical abilities when deciding which alternative cat tree idea to try, says Dr. Kolus. “Adding vertical space can be very enriching for cats, increase physical activity and enhance both physical and mental health,” says Dr. Kolus. “It can also be very important for providing additional territory, whether you have one cat and a small apartment, or even if you have a larger home but with multiple cats.”

In the human world, weighted blankets have been deemed a dreamy sleep solution by many who suffer from insomnia or anxiety. Full of tiny beads that provide a potentially comforting weight, these wildly popular blankets (the U.S. reportedly spends more than $220 million on them per year!) are now a nighttime necessity in numerous bedrooms across the country. But what about those bedrooms where pets also slumber? Are weighted blankets safe for dogs and cats? To prevent this question from keeping pet parents up at night, we consulted some experts on the matter. If you share your bed with your fur baby and are considering purchasing a weighted blanket, here’s what you need to know before betting cozy.