Cats

Having accurate records of your pet’s medical history and vaccinations is essential, and you don’t want them to become lost or destroyed in an emergency. Anderson recommends storing photocopies of the documents or a USB with a digital version in a waterproof container.   Gather these suggested medical records for your emergency kit:  Vaccination records  Rabies vaccine certificate  Current prescriptions  A note of your pet’s feeding schedule and medical needs  Contact information for your vet  Medical history outlining any surgeries, procedures, or noted allergies  For dogs: the most recent heartworm test result  For cats: the most recent FeLV/FIV test result ,Emergencies often have a surprise element, but that doesn’t mean they have to catch you off guard. A little prep—with your pets in mind—can go a long way in minimizing the impact.   “A pet’s first line of defense in emergencies is a well-prepared [pet parent],” says Susan Anderson, ASPCA senior director of disaster response.  Whether it’s severe weather, like a tornado or hurricane, or an event like a fire, a well-equipped pet emergency kit can be a lifesaver. Here are the essential items to include in your kit, based on expert advice. 

Bringing a kitten into your home is an exciting, joyous occasion. But as these tiny feline companions wriggle their way into our hearts, they also bring with them a flurry of questions, especially for first-time kitten parents. Among the most frequent is “Where should kittens sleep at night?” Generally speaking, kittens should sleep in a cozy, warm place where they feel safe and protected. However, the specific location might vary depending on the kitten’s age, health and personality, as well as the pet parent’s preferences. We spoke to vet experts to uncover the purr-fect spots for your kitten to catch some Z’s during the night.

In This Article What Is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) in Cats? View 6 More +

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You may not be seeing any live fleas on your cat. However, fleas often leave evidence behind, and these specks may be what we call “flea dirt” (a more pleasant term than flea… um… poop). Fleas bite your cat, ingest blood, digest it and then eliminate on your cat. Flea dirt looks like little grains of pepper, as if someone has briefly sprinkled the pepper shaker onto your cat. Comb some of these specks off the cat with a cat flea comb, collect it on a tissue or paper towel, and then add a drop or two of water. If these specks appear to “bleed,” then this is digested flea blood, and your cat has fleas, even though you cannot see them. There are many safe, effective monthly cat flea treatment products (for example, Advantage, Frontline or Revolution) that you can purchase from your vet. This will easily solve the problem. P.S. You mention that your cat drinks “plenty of water.” If her thirst has always been like this, that’s fine. If she is drinking more than normal these days, I’d also have the vet check it out. A 13-to-14-year-old cat is at increased risk for disorders that cause increased thirst, like chronic renal failure, hyperthyroidism and diabetes.,Q.

Don’t be fooled by the professorial-looking Springer Spaniel on the cover. This collection of poetry has something for everyone, from serious, deep lyricisms that make dogs envious for thumbs to snap with to hilarious short anecdotes that’ll make you and your pup roll on the floor with laughter. “I am Dog, Hear my Growls,” “Hamburger Helpless” and “Do Not Go Gentle” are just a taste of the playful titles penned by R.D. Rosen. Make sure to have your beret and drum ready when you read this book; a poetry jam is sure to ensue!,Calling all pet-loving bookworms! We’ve got the next batch of must-read pet books to kick start your spring. Whether you’re into cat books that’ll make you roar with laughter, or dog books to inspire you with tales of courage and bravery, you will definitely find a book worth reading on this list.

Q: I’ve noticed that my bearded dragon bobs his head whenever he sees his reflection in his tank. It’s almost like he’s bobbing his head to music! Why do bearded dragons bob their heads? Is this normal?  A: Yes! Head bobbing is a normal, common behavior in bearded dragons. Generally, it means a bearded dragon is expressing excitement, asserting dominance, or attracting a mate.  We talked with experts to learn more about this natural bearded dragon behavior. 

Reviewed and updated for accuracy on December 2, 2019 by Dr. Hanie Elfenbein, DVM, PhD Bringing a new kitten home and watching them adapt to family life is fun and exciting. But before the new addition is allowed to roam the house freely, you’ll need to do some kitten-proofing. So where do you start? Kittens can get into tons of trouble if you haven’t checked your home for certain safety issues. Here are some tips to make sure your kitten can enjoy their new home safely. Kitten-Proofing Checklist Check for these safety hazards and take the proper steps to make your home safe for your kitten.     Stow away dangling or exposed electrical cords that are tempting for kittens to chew and pull on. Wrap up the cords in protective tubing or covers that are made for pet-proofing. Keep toilet lids closed, as kittens can drown in toilet bowls. You can use the same toilet lid locks that are designed to keep children safe. Put a gate across open stairways where kittens can tumble and fall down the stairs. Pull up and secure any dangling blind cords or curtain cords because kittens can get twisted up and strangle or ingest the string. Blind cord wraps and wind-up devices can keep them out of reach. Make sure every garbage can has a lid, preferably one that locks. Any trash is bad for kittens to get into, but bones and string (even dental floss) are especially bad because they can cause intestinal problems for kittens. Secure sewing, knitting and crocheting materials like needles and thread. Kittens may poke themselves or eat the thread, which can knot up inside their intestines and cause a blockage. Pick up rubber bands, as kittens see them as fun toys, but they can wrap the intestines around themselves. Put away plastic wrap and plastic bags. Kittens can eat these or become trapped, tangled, strangled or suffocated. Check for Styrofoam from food or drink containers or packages (especially packing “peanuts”) which the kitten may chew and eat. Do a safety audit of potential cat toys or those that you might have already bought. Many cat toys have parts that can be easily removed and swallowed. Make sure that the toys you give your kitten or that you leave out are kitten-safe. Use kitten-safe holiday decorations and put away unsafe holiday items. Dangerous decorations for cats include tinsel, small, sharp and/or glass ornaments, holly and mistletoe, Christmas lights, candles, gift wrap and string, etc. For more information, see our holiday safety article. Always locate your kitten before opening and closing furniture. Reclining chairs, sleeper sofas and pullout beds like daybeds have mechanisms that can injure or crush a kitten that has crawled inside. Remove indoor plants that may be toxic to your inquisitive kitten. Store away all cleaning products and other chemicals and place child locks on cabinets. Check open refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, ovens, washers, dryers for inquisitive kittens before shutting doors and/or turning on these appliances. Here’s a handy list of products you might need to get: Electrical cord covers or tubing Toilet lid locks Stairway pet gate Blind cord wraps Garbage cans with locking lids Kitten-safe toys Cabinet child safety locks Featured Image: iStock.com/AlbinaTiplyashina

Do Cats Blink to Protect Their Eyes? A cat’s third eyelid can also extend upward to protect their eyeball from trauma. For example, when a cat moves through tall grass, or when a cat is capturing prey, their third eyelid elevates to avoid scratching their cornea. One school of thought is that the membrane of this eyelid is thin enough for cats to be able to see through it, which gives them an advantage when hunting prey. Featured image: iStock.com/tzahiV,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…,Most of a cat’s day is spent sleeping, so naturally their eyes are completely closed during that time. But what about when they’re not napping? Do cats blink like we do? How can you tell if your cat is blinking or squinting, or if something is in their eye? When your cat blinks, does it mean something else is going on, or that your cat is trying to communicate with you? Do Cats Blink to Clear Their Eyes? Cats do indeed blink, just like their human counterparts, though their eyelid movements and biology differ from ours in many ways. Cats have both upper and lower eyelids that cover and protect their eyes. When a cat blinks, both upper and lower eyelids move toward each other, but they don’t usually completely close like ours do. Instead, it may look like your cat is squinting. Cats also have a third eyelid, called a nictitating membrane, that helps with tear production through special glands located in the membrane. The nictitating membrane is pink and located in the inside corner of the eye, under the upper and lower eyelids. This membrane is very thin and can move very quickly. When a cat blinks, partially closing their upper and lower lids, the nictitating membrane moves diagonally across the eye very quickly. It’s unlikely you’ll be able to see the membrane moving. Instead, it may simply look like your cat is squinting. These three eyelids work together to protect your cat’s eyes, but blinking in cats doesn’t serve the same purpose it does in humans. When we blink, our eyelids spread tears to keep the eye surface moist and remove debris. Cats, however, don’t blink to remove tears. Instead, their tears evaporate after particles are removed from the eye. This allows cats to get the benefits of blinking without ever fully closing their eyes.

On one side of Bobby’s fully stocked walk-in pantry, you’ll find a well-organized assortment of his favorite items, including chickpeas, capers and anchovies (his secret go-to ingredient!). On the other side of Bobby’s walk-in pantry is, well, more of the same—but with a feline twist. It is full of an aesthetically pleasing assortment of Made by Nacho cat food, toppers and treats. This, obviously, is Nacho’s side of the pantry. “Not everybody has to share a pantry with their cat, but I’m happy to,” Bobby says, “because Nacho’s the best.” And Nacho loves his side of the pantry so much, he’s often found sitting on the top shelf, keeping an ever-watchful eye on his impressive collection of food and treats. “If you know anything about cats, they always like to be in high places,” Bobby says. “This is basically as high as he can get.”,Ah, your pet’s pantry: that dedicated space in your home where you keep all your pet’s food, treats, supplements, medications and more. For some of us, the pet pantry is a well-organized closet or cabinet in our kitchen where all our pet’s items are meticulously placed and stored away. For others (raises hand), it’s organized chaos, where bags upon bags of treats are haphazardly tossed atop a bag of dry food shoved in a random cabinet. Celebrity chef Bobby Flay, cat dad to Nacho and Stella, definitely keeps a well-organized pet pantry. We got an exclusive tour as part of our new “In My Pet’s Pantry” series—where we get the scoop on celebrity pets’ favorite things and how their famous parents organize it all—and can we say #goals! It’s mainly dedicated to the kitty connoisseur in the family, Nacho, who even has his own cat food line, Made by Nacho. With shelves expertly stacked full of his eponymous food, Nacho just might have the most impressive pantry of any celebrity pet. But would you expect anything less from a cat whose dad’s own pantry is a chef’s dream?