Cats

Jump to section What Does It Mean When a Cat Rubs Against You? Should I Worry if My Cat Is Rubbing Against Things All of the Time? How Do You Get a Cat To Stop Rubbing Against You?

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By Stacia Friedman Cats grind their teeth for many reasons. “It often occurs when a cat is in pain due to an underlying medical issue,” says Dr. Alexander M. Reiter, head of dentistry and oral surgery at University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.   Pet parents may notice cat teeth grinding as chattering or clicking sounds, or see their cat working his lower jaw from side to side. Learn the causes of cat teeth grinding, treatment options and lifestyle changes you can make to keep your cat in optimum health. Causes of Cat Teeth Grinding Diseases of the oral cavity are often to blame when cats grind their teeth. Dr. Reiter says that the primary causes of feline tooth grinding include: tooth resorption (or disintegration), inflammatory gum disease, ulcers, cancer and abnormal alignment of the teeth. “If your cat makes a chattering sound with its lower jaw, the problem could be feline tooth resorption, which causes severe pain,” says Dr. Reiter. “The bony substance of your cat’s teeth is called dentin. When tooth resorption occurs the dentin of one or more teeth erodes, eventually leading to breakage and possibly the loss of the entire tooth, including the root.” The cause of tooth resorption is not known and it affects almost 75 percent of cats over five years of age. Besides tooth grinding, another sign of tooth resorption is loss of appetite. “Owners are usually the first to notice changes in their cat’s eating behavior. Your cat may be hungry and walk toward the bowl, but the food falls out of its mouth because it is in pain,” says Dr. Reiter. “Another sign of oral pain is drooling.” When the lining (mucosa) of your cat’s mouth is inflamed by ulcers, swollen gums (gingivitis) or other inflammatory disease, the pain may lead to grinding of teeth. Additionally, tooth alignment may be a cause of teeth grinding in cats. “Abnormal tooth alignment, also known as malocclusion, creates friction or grinding between the upper and lower teeth, especially in Persian cats,” says Dr. Reiter. “They are bred to have short faces which leads to teeth that out of alignment. The problem also occurs in some Siamese cats. Their long pointy faces may lead to upper canine teeth that point forward too much. We see this in young Siamese cats between five and eight months.” “In other cats, we sometimes see fangs that appear longer than normal, also known as extrusion,” says Dr. Reiter, “As a result, the cat’s mouth has difficulty closing and this may cause grinding.” Health problems outside the oral cavity can also lead to teeth grinding in cats. Abdominal diseases like pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, and gastrointestinal ulcers can make cats essentially “grit their teeth” to get through the pain. Brain and behavioral disorders are other possible causes of feline teeth grinding.

Before bringing your new kitten home, make sure you’re well-stocked on the essentials to ensure a smooth, safe, and most-comfortable welcome. These must-have supplies include everything from the basics, like food and water bowls, a litter box, and a collar with an ID tag, to items that’ll help keep your kitty happy and healthy, like toys, scratchers, and cat trees. Download the checklist.,It’s exciting introducing your kitten to their new home and watching them play with their new toys. But as they cuddle up on you or scamper off to explore their new world, your new-parent mind might wonder things like: “Did I kitten-proof the house enough? Did I buy everything they’ll need? When should they get their first vaccination?” While you may feel prepared to take on the incredible journey of raising a kitten, equipping yourself with the right resources and tools can certainly help make for a smoother and more comfortable experience. And we have just the printables to assist you in your thrilling journey as a pet parent. From a new kitten checklist to a vaccination tracker, here are six free printables to either download to your phone or print and attach to your fridge (because that’s what we would do).

A bioactive terrarium is more than just an enclosure—it’s a self-contained, living ecosystem for your pet. These enclosures help recycle waste, improve air quality, and give reptiles, amphibians, and insects a more natural home.   While they take a little extra planning up front, bioactive terrariums often make long-term care easier and more rewarding. This guide covers what a bioactive terrarium is, what you’ll need, and how to set one up, step by step. 

Spooky Cat Names   Boo Be careful with this one—you might end up scaring your friends when all you’re really doing is calling your spooky cat. Cobweb You wouldn’t want an actual cobweb hanging around your house, but a cat named Cobweb is actually pretty cute in that dusty corner. Ghost What’s one surefire thing associated with Halloween? Ghosts. Halloween Basic? Maybe—but if you love Halloween, who cares? You can even give your new pet the nickname “Hal” or “Weenie”—it’s a perfect Halloween cat name either way. Jack Short for jack-o’-lantern, Jack is a festive choice for an orange cat. Patch This name would be even more purr-fect if you found your new furry friend at a pumpkin patch! Pumpkin Pumpkins are sweet, round and plump—just like your new kitten will be after indulging in some cat-friendly Halloween treats. Sheets Cut out a set of eye holes in an old bed sheet and voilà, you’ve got yourself a spooky costume—or a great new spooky cat name. Spider These creepy-crawlies lurk in dark corners all year round, but somehow they’re acceptable in October.,Aside from made-up monsters, the animal most associated with spooky season is your standard housecat. (Especially black cats.) So it’s natural to search for Halloween cat names for your newest furry family member. We’ve got you covered with a supernaturally comprehensive list of 109 Halloween names for cats, perfect for the frighteningly cute feline who’s stalked their way into your heart.

If you are the pet parent of a house cat who only moves to perform basic life functions like eating and going to the litter box, then we need to talk about his cat care and cat nutrition. Unfortunately, obesity trends in the United States today are on a serious upswing for both humans and pets, and eating too much of the wrong foods is not the only culprit. Lack of exercise turns those extra calories into extra pounds quicker than you would like. For dogs, it can seem easy to help them lose weight by cutting back on treats and walking them outside more often. But to get an overweight house cat to reach a healthy cat weight can seem like a daunting and difficult task, especially if they are used to free-feeding and lying around all day. Here are some cat care and healthy cat diet tips to help get your kitty back into shape:

Most felines use the cat litter box properly. Sometimes, however, problems crop up. Maybe you adopted a cat who doesn’t use the litter box. Or you discovered your usually well-trained cat pooping outside the litter box. The first step always is to check with your veterinarian to ensure there are no health issues causing your feline friend to avoid the cat litter box. If your veterinarian says there is no medical reason for your cat’s inappropriate litter box use, it probably is a behavioral issue. As a certified behavior consultant (through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants), I spend a great deal of time analyzing situations to figure out why problem behavior is happening. With pets who are not using the cat litter box properly, I have found the problem usually falls into one of just a few categories—and the solutions can be pretty simple and straightforward. Below are eight common cat litter box problems and possible solutions.

Jump to section How Many Teeth Do Cats Have? How Many Teeth Do Kittens Have? Do Cats’ Teeth Fall Out? How to Keep Your Cat’s Teeth Healthy FAQs About Cat Teeth