Cats

There’s no universal answer about when to introduce a new friend to the household after one cat dies, but two to four months—ideally longer—is a good starting point to give other cats time to adapt, says Blass. “I don’t think rushing into it is a good idea,” she says. “Cats need time to adjust to something new or different. It’ll be a more successful acquisition if the cat has already gotten through some of the challenges of losing another pet.” Watch out for shifts in dynamics if you have multiple cats at home, as the loss of one beloved pet can upset the relationships among the group. For example, if the deceased cat was a leader in your home, creating harmony within your group of pets, the other cats may start to act up or chase each other. Conversely, if the previous cat was a bit of a bully, the surviving cat or cats may actually be more comfortable and calm. All of this should be taken into account when considering whether and when to bring a new cat into the mix. “It’s a delicate decision,” says Blass. But if you do go forward with getting another cat, be sure to do a gradual introduction: Keep them in separate rooms at first, she explains, so they can get used to each others’ scent. “I caution people to take their time and create that positive association without visuals at first,” Blass says. (Read more about how to introduce cats, according to a vet.) It’s natural to have complicated or conflicting emotions when you bring a new kitty into the home. The loved one you lost “will always have a special place in our heart, and another will create new space in your heart,” says Aslanian. “They aren’t there to replace each other.” You also need to heal after losing a furry best friend, and “everyone grieves differently,” she says. “There is no timeline that’s correct or wrong. When we love, we grieve deeply when it’s lost.” To help both you and any existing grieving pet cope with the loss, Blass says simply spending quality time with your pet can make a big difference. Try: Sitting quietly with your cat Brushing them Snuggling Playing with a new toy Giving them some extra attention in another way they enjoy “It’s as much for you as it is for them,” Aslanian says. “You need to go through a process so that you can move forward, too, and you can include your cat in that.” (Find more ideas about how to mourn and honor a pet after a death.) You may want to consider speaking with a mental health professional, such as a therapist (bonus points if they are also a cat lover), to help you process the loss or joining a pet loss emotional support group, says Aslanian. “You can also think about how you can continue to love your old cat symbolically,” she adds, “by volunteering at a local shelter, making a donation in their name, or going to places they loved and writing them a letter.” Remember, too, that not all cats are destined to get along, grief or no grief. A senior cat who’s used to the company of adult cats might react poorly to a new kitten, for example. Find out if your household is ready for another cat.,Jump to section When to Get a New Cat After One Dies Can Cats Sense the Death of Another Cat? Do Cats Miss Other Cats? Cat Grief Symptoms Other Tips for When One of a Bonded Pair Dies

Here are 10 common species of snakes that are worth considering if you want to add a new pet to your family.,Some snakes can be good housemates—but not all snake species make good pets. Before you bring a snake home, it’s important to research what they need to thrive. Like other pet reptiles, they require a habitat that will mimic the conditions of their natural environment. To help you narrow down your options, we talked to veterinarians to bring you this list of the best pet snakes—expert-recommended species that are relatively easy to keep and handle.

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WRITTEN BYSandra C. Mitchell, DVM, DABVP Veterinarian Sandra Mitchell is a 1995 graduate of the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine. Since graduation, she has worked in many fields…,It might be alarming to come across a purplish spot on your cat’s skin, especially if you weren’t even aware they had been injured. Read on to find out how to identify a bruise on your cat, what causes bruises, and when the situation needs immediate veterinary care. What Does a Bruise on a Cat Look Like? Bruises on cats are not commonly seen—in part because cats do not get them often but also because they can be hard to see with all the fur. To figure out if your cat has a bruise, carefully part the fur and look at the skin. In the veterinary hospital, the staff may shave the fur to see the skin better. A bruise on cat skin will look much like a bruise on human skin: a reddish, purplish spot under the skin caused by a pooling of blood. These bruises may be quite large (sometimes called ecchymosis) or very small (often called petechiae). The bruise may be located anywhere on the body, including on the thinly haired areas like the inside of the ears or on the mucus membranes in the mouth.

Did you know that there are herbal cat supplements that can promote good health and happiness? If you’re hesitant to feed your cat supplements that contain synthetic ingredients, you can always opt for natural herbal pet supplies. Natural pet care can be used for a number of health issues and can help boost your cat’s mood, leaving your feline healthier and happier.

Life on the streets can be hard for any cat—but for newborn kittens, who need a safe shelter and frequent feedings to survive, it can be especially dangerous. So when Orphan Kitten Club (OKC), a non-profit focusing on neonatal kittens based in San Diego, heard about a litter of kittens in Southern California who had been found without their mother, they sprung into action. First, they took in the kittens, and gave them names based on Nepalese foods:

Seven hours a day in a large room that has a bed, a bathroom, a window and lots of cat toys sounds pretty good to me, and I’d bet your cat agrees. My cat is free to roam all over my average-size one-bedroom apartment and seems to spend about 15 hours a day in one specific spot in the living room, right by the front door. Of course your cat will also want a bowl of water and maybe some cat food, if she’s the snacking type. That being said, my cat hates closed doors with all the passion she can store in her little fur body. Lots of door scratching and meowing ensues when we have house guests who appreciate privacy while using the bathroom. Does your cat object when it’s time for her to go to her room? If so, consider your reasons for the restriction. • Does she not get along with another pet? Help improve their relationship with supervised together time. You can also do things like feeding them on opposite sides of a closed door; they’ll get used to each other’s scents and sounds while not being able to act out aggressively. • Is she soiling the house or being destructive with her claws? Ensure she has her own cat litter box to use (one litter box per cat, plus an extra is recommended) and that it’s kept clean. A change in cat litter type could help, too. • Invest in a cat scratching post or climbing structure. Discourage inappropriate scratching with double-sided sticky tape on impacted surfaces and a compressed air blast when you catch her being bad. Trim her claws regularly. Ask your vet about adorning her claws with plastic caps. • Don’t worry. If the worst thing your cat can complain about is a door that’s closed for a third of the day she’s got it pretty good.,Q.

4. Foreign Bodies Cats are curious, and some will put just about anything in their mouths … and then swallow. If those objects are small or at least partially digestible, they can travel through the gastrointestinal tract without incident. But in a worst-case scenario, they become stuck somewhere along the way.  Gastrointestinal foreign bodies typically cause poor appetite, vomiting, and discomfort in cats. A veterinarian who suspects that a cat has swallowed something inappropriate will usually take abdominal X-rays to look for evidence. The foreign body may be obvious, but more frequently vets can only see hints that there is something in there that shouldn’t be. Sometimes, removing a gastrointestinal foreign body can be done with an endoscope. But in other cases, exploratory surgery is necessary to remove the object and repair the damage it has done.,5. Inflammatory Bowel Disease Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) causes symptoms that are seen with many gastrointestinal problems: vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and/or poor appetite. But because IBD can only be identified with a biopsy, it can be challenging to diagnose. IBD can be caused by some combination of immune dysfunction, food allergies, bacterial overgrowth, metabolic disease, food intolerance, parasites, environmental stress, and/or genetics. Often, a cat’s symptoms are mild and/or intermittent to begin with but can get worse with time. Treatment for IBD often involves feeding a hypoallergenic diet and, if that is insufficient, suppressing the immune system. A veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics, corticosteroids, chlorambucil, and other medications depending on a cat’s response.,Whether it’s the hairball you stepped on this morning or the diarrhea you had to clean up this afternoon, gastrointestinal (GI) problems have a way of getting a cat parent’s attention. But GI problems are more than just inconvenient—they can be signs of serious trouble. Here are some common GI problems in cats and what to do about them.

With proper care, tokay geckos can grow to be up to 16 inches long and live 10 years or more, with proper care.  Tokay geckos can get stressed easily and are known to bite and become aggressive.  They are solitary lizards, so it’s best to keep them alone in their habitats.  Tokay geckos require extra attention and are best for those who can provide advanced care. ,Tokay geckos are one of the largest geckos in the world. With thick skin and spots all over, they can camouflage themselves and be hard to see in their environment.  These geckos make great pets for advanced reptile enthusiasts; they can be tricky to handle and care for. 

[video] Proper Application of Cat Heartworm Prevention Medication