Cats

WRITTEN BYKatie Grzyb, DVM Veterinarian Dr. Katie Grzyb received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University in 2009. She continued her clinical training at…,The following content may contain Chewy links. PetMD is operated by Chewy.  Cats are known to hide illnesses, so it can be hard to spot the signs that your cat is sick. One great signal of your cat’s overall health is the color of their gums. A healthy cat’s gums should be a light shade of pink. If your cat has dark pink or red gums, this could be a sign of an underlying health issue. It’s also important to note if there are small, pinpoint red bruises or if the redness is only around the base of the teeth or at the gumline. Each of these can mean different things and can help determine if there is an emerging illness that requires immediate assessment by a veterinarian. Causes of Red Gums in Cats Red gums are a symptom of an underlying issue that can range from mild to potentially serious. Some of the reasons your cat’s gums might be red include: Gingivitis Gingivitis is a medical condition where the gumline becomes red and swollen. It’s caused by plaque building up along the gumline. Over time, bacteria infiltrate the plaque and trigger an immune reaction. This leads to inflammation, redness, swelling, and pain. Gingivitis is often caused by poor oral hygiene, tooth crowding, or an underlying illness. It can range from mild to severe and will get worse without appropriate dental therapy from a veterinarian. Red, inflamed gums on a cat with severe dental disease (Photo credit: Sandra Mitchell, DVM) Stomatitis Stomatitis is characterized by severe inflammation that’s spread throughout most or all of the oral cavity, including the gums, tongue, palate, or lips. It often accompanies gingivitis and may be related to an immune response to the bacteria that’s trapped in dental plaque. It is often very painful and may have symptoms like lethargy, drooling, lack of appetite, and poor grooming practices. If you see these signs at home, bring your feline to a veterinarian for evaluation.   Underlying Illness Several diseases can cause gingivitis and inflamed gums, including feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline leukemia virus (FeLV), calicivirus, diabetes mellitus, or kidney failure. You might also see severe periodontal disease or ulcerations or the gums and tongue. Heatstroke Normal cat body temperatures range from 99 to 102.5°F. Heatstroke in cats can happen when their body temperature reaches 104°F. The most common cause of heatstroke is prolonged exposure to heat without good ventilation. Cats aren’t great at regulating their body temperatures. They don’t sweat and only rarely pant—two ways of releasing heat from the body. Instead, a cat will typically move to a cooler area to lower their internal temperature. If they can’t get to a cooler spot, their internal temperature can rise to the point where it could cause organ damage or even death. Obese cats, breeds with flat faces, cats that are ill, kittens, and older cats are more prone to heatstroke. Signs of heatstroke in cats include dark red gums and tongue, rapid heart rate, vomiting, diarrhea, panting or fast respiratory rate, lethargy, disorientation, drooling, or seizures. If you suspect heatstroke, take your cat to a veterinarian immediately, as this can be fatal if left untreated.   Toxins Cyanide poisoning can cause red gums, dilated pupils, panting, and vomiting in cats. Cyanide poisoning is most commonly caused by eating certain plants, fertilizers, pesticides, or a lot of apple seeds, stems, or leaves. If you’re worried that your cat has ingested cyanide, which can be fatal, take them to a veterinarian immediately. Rat poison is another common poison that may cause gum discoloration. Some rat poison contains chemicals (anticoagulants) that stop the blood from clotting, which can lead to excess bleeding. An early sign of rat poisoning is seeing small red dots on the gums, ears, or eyes. This can progress to larger bruises on a cat’s body as well as internal bleeding. This is fatal if left untreated. Take your cat to the veterinarian immediately if you think they were exposed to rat poison or if you see red spots on their gums, ears, or eyes.

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The holidays are here—yay!—and for many, there’s one extra reason to celebrate: the chance to spend this festive season with their new kitten. Across the country, thousands of pet lovers used their time in quarantine to adopt a kitten, making this holiday season the first they’ll get to spend with their fuzzy bundle of joy. Whether you’ve had months to bond with your pet or you’ve only recently brought home this new member of your family, you’ll want to make the most of your first holiday season together. To help you make the holidays with your new kitten the best ever, we talked to several experts about ways to celebrate and what new cat parents need to know about keeping their fur baby safe during this time of year. From cat-proofing the Christmas tree to unique ways to make new memories, here’s everything you need to know about celebrating the holidays with your new kitten.

Before you begin, you’ll need a few items on hand to ensure your bearded dragon’s bath is safe and stress-free:   A shallow plastic tub, storage container, or sink   Lukewarm spring or tap water (between 85–92 F)   Use a reptile-safe water conditioner, like Zoo Med ReptiSafe Water Conditioner, if using tap water to remove chlorines and chloramines ,Bathing your bearded dragon may seem unusual at first, but it’s an important part of their care routine. Whether you’re a new or experienced reptile owner, understanding how to bathe a bearded dragon properly can support your beardie’s hygiene, hydration, and overall health. 

If you’ve ever dreamed of having your own farm and bringing home rescued llamas, you may have considered the question, “What do llamas eat?”   Here’s what makes the best diet—and treats—for your pet llamas. Keep in mind that llamas are herd animals, so you’ll be feeding more than one.  

Cats are superstars when it comes to keeping their coat in tip-top condition. This is unlike dogs, who require routine baths and sometimes even appointments with a professional groomer. That said, felines do need help from time to time for various grooming-related tasks—most notably to keep their interior ears healthy, toenails the right length, and coats free of knots and matted fur. “Regular grooming helps prevent health problems and allows you to detect any issues early,” says Michelle Dulake, DVM, a veterinarian based in Los Angeles. “Clean ears prevent infections, trimmed nails reduce the risk of injury, and clear eyes can signal overall good health. Dental care is crucial for preventing tooth decay and gum disease, which can lead to more serious health issues if left untreated.”,Jump to section Why Is Cat Grooming Important? 9 Tips for Grooming Cats at Home Cat Grooming FAQs

Around the country modern day “Victory” gardens are sprouting up as the COVID-19 crisis continues to impact our lives. Victory gardens first became popular during another time of crisis, World War II, when citizens were encouraged to grow their own produce in their backyards. Today, Victory gardens are a way for new and experienced gardeners to not only enjoy some fresh air and sunlight, but also take comfort in having control over some fresh food supplies. While you will still be supplementing with produce from grocery stores (and hopefully farmer’s markets), knowing how to grow some of your own food is a valuable skill worth cultivating. Fortunately, growing vegetables is super-easy and inexpensive. Not all of the fresh produce that you can grow is good for dogs and cats. Here, we’re dishing-up specific advice on what is safe to grow for your pets. And, as dogs and cats are carnivores, fresh produce is intended as a treat, not a main part of the diet of dogs or cats. (Please see a list below of do’s and don’ts.) Small space? On a budget? No yard? No problem. Read on. Get in on this growing trend!

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When it comes to the best cat trees, you’ll want to treat your feline friend to a spot they can scratch, lounge, climb and nap at their leisure. The best cat tower will be fun and functional for your fur baby while also being durable and easy to assemble–and help spare your furniture from overly enthusiastic scratchers. We’ve rounded up the best cat towers across a range of needs—if you have big kitties or smaller cats, or loads of space or cramped quarters. These fan favorites are some of Chewy’s top-selling and best-rated cat towers and there’s something for everyone.