Cats

The following may contain Chewy links. PetMD is operated by Chewy. What Does It Mean if a Cat Is FeLV+? Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is an infectious disease commonly found in cats. Fortunately, with the commercial development of a vaccine, it has become less common over the past few decades. However, despite being preventable, it is still diagnosed fairly often and poses significant life-threatening risks to the affected cat that are ultimately fatal. The disease is not contagious to humans.  The virus is transmitted from cat to cat mainly through saliva, but also via blood, urine, feces, milk, and sexual contact. This often requires prolonged repeated exposure, and so things like sharing of food bowls and litter boxes as well as mutual grooming often pose a risk for transmission. Although rare, contaminated needles and blood transfusions can also serve as routes of transmission. An infected cat can transmit the virus to her offspring through the placenta. Kittens are at an increased risk for infection, as are outdoor and stray cats. Some cats with FeLV may not show signs until several months or years into the disease, but as your cat’s health progressively declines, you may notice the following: Lethargy Lack of appetite Weight loss Vomiting and/or diarrhea Fever Inflammation of the gums and/or throat Pale gums Adopting a FeLV+ Cat Given the prognosis of the disease, most cats with FeLV are, unfortunately, surrendered to a shelter if not euthanized. Other FeLV+ cats found in the shelter might have been lost, or are local strays that became infected. Most shelters will test for FeLV, but others may not, given limited resources and funds. Therefore, it’s important to ask the shelter staff the following questions before adopting: Has this cat been tested for FeLV and, if so, by what method? (This is important because some tests may offer a false positive or other tests can be used to determine severity of infection.) What is this cat’s past medical history (if known), including any diagnostics or other treatments given, such as baseline bloodwork? What is this cat’s current medical history? Is this cat on any medication or undergoing any treatment? How long has this cat been diagnosed with FeLV? Was this cat a stray, or was there exposure to the outdoors? If so, is this cat able to adapt to living indoors? Is the cat litter–box trained? Is there any in-house low-cost testing or discounted medical care to help with the associated costs of FeLV, including future treatments? Because FeLV+ cats do have a terminal condition, they often are overlooked in the shelter. However, though they have a shorter lifespan, their remaining years can be worthwhile, with many good experiences and memories. FeLV+ cats still have plenty of love to offer. Treatment Options for FeLV+ Cats Most likely, your cat was diagnosed through a simple test, often performed bedside in the shelter or clinic, looking for viral particles within the blood. It is often recommended to repeat this test and/or send out a blood sample to a diagnostic laboratory for confirmation. You can work with your veterinarian to run this test once your cat is adopted. Be sure to get your veterinarian’s recommendation as to which test would be best to confirm the diagnosis. Certain tests, such as the IFA, can be used to determine the severity and stage of infection, as end-stage disease often affects the bone marrow. Unfortunately, even with a confirmed positive, there is no cure. Treatment is aimed at managing and preventing secondary symptoms and complications attributed to the disease. It’s important to note that throughout your cat’s life, more frequent treatment(s) may be needed, more at some times than others. Medications such as steroids, chemotherapeutics, and even blood transfusions may be needed. Remember that if your cat requires a blood transfusion, it is extremely important that the blood type be checked first.  Dental disease is a complication associated with FeLV; therefore, talk with your veterinarian about performing dental cleanings and do your best to keep up with daily tooth brushing and at-home dental care. Products such as Healthymouth Toothpaste and Feline Greenies dental treats can be helpful. Cost of Caring for a FeLV+ Cat The cost of caring for a FeLV+ cat varies because the disease varies. Given the amount of care and monitoring needed, however, it is often higher than what you might expect, especially since some cats require more extensive treatments (such as blood transfusions and chemotherapy) than others. Of course, any cat can become sick and require medical care, so it’s important to be fiscally responsible when adopting. One factor to consider is that pet insurance typically excludes from coverage cats previously diagnosed with FeLV, as this would be considered a pre-existing condition (unless the cat had insurance prior to diagnosis). Long-Term Management of FeLV+ in Cats Special management needs to be considered when bringing an FeLV+ cat into your home, especially if there are other cats in the home. Given the high likelihood of disease transmission, it is recommended that the FeLV+ cat be isolated from the others for life, and that the other cats in the home be vaccinated against FeLV, though that doesn’t always provide enough protection in such cases.  A FeLV+ cat should be kept indoors, not only for its protection but for the protection of others. Your vet should examine the cat twice yearly, if not more frequently, including doing bloodwork. The cat should also be examined by the vet at the first sign of any irregularity in behavior or health, as even minor infections can be significant if not treated quickly and aggressively. Be sure to talk with your veterinarian about the benefits and risks of giving additional vaccines. By arranging a consistent daily routine, minimizing stress in the home, and providing a high-quality cat food, you can set your new cat up for a healthier life. Raw diets should be avoided, given the potential for food-borne disease, and periodic weight evaluations should be performed, as progressive weight loss can be an indicator for more advanced disease. Additionally, routine parasite, flea, and heartworm prevention, such as Revolution Plus, should be administered on a monthly basis.  FeLV+ Cat FAQs How long will a FeLV+ cat live? It is always challenging to predict the life expectancy of a cat. Some FeLV+ cats can live for years without any significant complications, but in the majority of cases, the disease is fatal. Most cats succumb to the disease or its complications within a few years of diagnosis. Is there a cure for FeLV+ in cats? There is no cure for FeLV, and so the initial diagnosis can be quite devastating. While there is no cure, you can add comfort and healthier years by providing your cat with a loving and safe home. Featured Image: iStock.com/Everste

Why Are Smart Cat Gadgets Worth It? As a veterinarian, I see overweight cats develop diabetes mellitus because their body mass has simply outstripped their endogenous supply of insulin.   The cost of a typical diabetic workup (very common in overweight cats) would be easily more than the cost of a few smart technology cat gadgets. More importantly, many of the incalculable costs of osteoarthritis, inflammatory diseases related to obesity and general loss of vitality could be saved or prevented. We have had many clients try these devices in our Pets Reducing for Rescues (PRFR) annual cat and dog weight loss contest and in our year-round overweight cat fostering program. Over the past 10 years, PRFR has gotten hundreds of pets to their ideal weight. We also recently completed a pilot study in conjunction with Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) in Guelph, California, to determine if a smart pet home technology ecosystem (PHTE) could improve outcomes while respecting the human-animal bond. If you have an overweight pet, Bug Ventures will work with your veterinarian to help, and rescues will win too! Please visit the Pets Reducing for Rescues Facebook page for more details. We are a veterinary-led group that will work directly with your veterinarian and their team. Image via iStock.com/sae1010,WRITTEN BYKen Lambrecht, DVM Veterinarian,Smart technology for cat weight loss? You must think I am kidding, right? This (not so) futuristic solution is actually not as far-fetched as you think. It’s a modern approach to one of the toughest challenges in pet health to date—getting and keeping cats at their healthy weight. These devices have been tested and shown to be effective, and they are getting more affordable. For the record, I’m not against simply using puzzle feeders, cat toys and hand-feeding—they work for some households perfectly well! I am addressing those households with 2 or more cats where at least one is overweight. How Cat Obesity Became Such a Prominent Issue In short, we have failed over 60 percent of our feline companions! According to the 2017 Pet Obesity Survey Results conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), 60 percent of cats in the US are overweight or obese, and that number has been increasing every year since 2005. The Global Pet Obesity Initiative Statement now defines pet obesity as a disease. We have brought these wonderfully athletic, inquisitive and incredible hunters indoors without much hunting (if any) to do. On top of that, we have completely changed the way they consume food. Factor into that the limited amount of time most of us have to actively engage in exercise and play with our feline family members, and we have a perfect storm leading to overweight cats! We now feed them cat food that is, in general, much more calorically dense and palatable than their natural diet. Most of us don’t feed the six to eight meals that their feline ancestors or feral counterparts have naturally been accustomed to. For example, a cat whose ideal weight should be 10 pounds and who should eat 180 calories per day would ideally be fed six times a day and 30 calories each time (the average mouse is 30 calories!). The American Feline Practitioners Association published a consensus statement called “Feline Feeding Programs: Addressing behavioral needs to improve feline health and well-being.” This is a wonderful leap forward in addressing not just what to feed, but how to feed cats properly using “strategies to allow these normal feline feeding behaviors, such as hunting and foraging, and eating frequent small meals in a solitary fashion, to occur in the home environment—even in a multi-pet home.” 

Cats are crepuscular creatures, which means they are most active during twilight. Outdoor kitties will prowl the neighborhood or roam around the house if they are indoor cats, which begs the question: Do cats have night vision? “Cats can see very well in low-light conditions, but this does not mean that they have night vision like the one we can get from night-vision goggles,” says Dr. Paola Cuevas, a Mexico-based veterinarian, MVZ and behaviorist with Hepper.com. “This means that in conditions where it is too dark for us to see, cats can see very well.” A common misconception about cat vision is that they can see in total darkness. However, Ceuvas says that’s not true. Cats have better night vision than the average human (and maybe even than the average dog), but some amount of light is required for a cat’s eyes to see. “Cats have several specific adaptations within their eyes to help them have enhanced night vision,” explains Dr. Kristin Fischer, DAVCO, a veterinary ophthalmologist at Animal Eye Country of the Lowcountry, in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. According to Fischer, these adaptations include: More rod photoreceptors: The increased number of rod photoreceptors within the retina are responsible primarily for dim-light vision. Because a cat’s eyes have more rods than human eyes, your feline friend sees better in the dark than humans can. Tapetum lucidum: This is a reflective structure in the eye beneath the retina that acts as a reflective layer or mirror to reflect light in the eye. The reflection of light within the eye helps stimulate more of the photoreceptors to allow improved vision in dim- or low-light conditions. It’s also the cause for what we refer to as “eyeshine” in cats (and dogs, too). Slit-shaped pupils: Cats have slit-shaped, vertical pupils that dilate very widely, creating a large opening for light to enter at night. “All of these things combine to help cats see well in the dark,” Fischer says.,Jump to section Do Cats Have Night Vision? How Your Cat’s Vision Is Different From Yours Does My Cat’s Breed Affect Their Vision? Can Cats See Better Than Dogs at Night? Why Do My Cat’s Eyes Glow at Night? Nighttime Safety for Cats

In humans, Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression that correlates to the change in seasons, says Kandace L. Nollie, LMHC, a licensed mental health counselor and program director at Chrysalis Health in Brandon, Florida. It most often occurs in winter, but rare cases can happen in the spring or summer months. While the exact cause can vary and is often unknown, it can sometimes be caused by changes in sunlight, sleep patterns and shifting levels of melatonin—a chemical known to affect sleep (which can be caused by those changes in sunlight, in and of itself). Treatments for SAD in humans may include using special lights to counter decreases in sunlight, medication and/or cognitive behavioral therapy (a common type of talk therapy), according to Cleveland Clinic.,Approximately half a million Americans suffer from seasonal depression, also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). You may be familiar with this form of depression that has a seasonal pattern, and wouldn’t wish it upon anyone—let alone your best fur friend! But wait—is that something you need to worry about as a pet parent? Can dogs and cats get seasonal depression? If your pet just doesn’t seem to be themselves come winter, it turns out that, yes, it could be because of Seasonal Affective Disorder. In fact, it’s actually pretty common: About one-third of pet parents report seeing a shift in their dog’s mental state and energy during the winter, according to veterinarian Dr. Albert Ahn, DVM, Veterinary Advisor for Myos Pet, a senior pet healthcare company in Cedar Knolls, New Jersey. “Considering there are about 90 million dogs owned in the U.S., that equates to around 30 million in total, which would suggest that it is quite common,” Dr. Ahn says. Don’t panic though! We found out exactly what you need to know about seasonal depression in pets—including the signs, when to call your vet and the not-so-scary treatment options.

Cancer in cats is a serious and fairly common condition, especially in older cats. Some cancers progress slowly, while others are more aggressive, but all require prompt veterinary care.  We spoke with two veterinarians to understand how cancer develops in cats, what signs to look for, and what to expect when it comes to diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.   If you notice any unusual symptoms in your cat, consult your veterinarian as soon as possible.  

Looking for the perfect gift for the cat mom in your life? From doing the dirty work (we’re looking at you litter boxes) to making sure their kitty never misses a meal to always having the perfect cozy lap to cuddle on, fur mamas are the cat’s meow. So treat them to something extra special this Mother’s Day with one of these gifts for cat moms that’s just as thoughtful as they are. We’ve got you covered in this gift guide with a list of gift ideas for all kinds of cat moms. Whether she’s a stylish fashionista or a meticulous organizer, an outdoor adventurer or a home decorator, these cat mom gifts will put a smile on her face—and have her furry best friend purring with pleasure.

On-trend regardless of the season? A fashion-statement backpack. Whether you’re traveling, on your way to class or taking a stroll around your neighborhood, a backpack always comes in handy to carry all the essentials—including your cat. Cat carrier backpacks are a safe, stylish and easy way to transport your cat to and from work, school, vacation, outdoor adventures or a vet appointment. And with 78 percent of pet parents admitting they take their pet with them when traveling (according to a 2023 Chewy survey), a cat backpack is practically a must-have. We’ve curated a list of our favorite cat carrier backpacks. From Millennial pink (yep, it’s back!) to bubble backpacks (because, really, these never go out of style), these cat carriers are not only comfy for cats, but they’re sure to turn heads, too.

“Even older cats can get bouts of excitement,” says professional animal behavior specialist and author Alana Stevenson, M.S. “Social maturity in male cats is between the ages of 3-5 and for females, it is 2-4 years, so your cat may look like an adult but still be young with a lot of exuberance and playful energy. This is normal, and it’s best to accept and enjoy it!” So while it may seem weird, cats running after using their litter boxes or getting the zoomies in general are normal behaviors, and there’s no need to worry. What you should pay attention to is if your cat stops using the litter box, acts like they’re trying to avoid it altogether or seems like they’re trying to hide out immediately afterward. “Using a litter box is a natural behavior for a cat. When they’re not doing it, there’s a reason and we often have to play detective to figure out why,” Ferrara says. Possible causes for avoiding the litter box include urinary tract infections (UTI), severe constipation or dry stool—all of which would make going to the bathroom painful and, thus, Kitty may begin to associate the box with the pain. “They’ll run to be as far away as possible when they’re finished doing their business,” she says. If your cat suddenly stops using the litter box or seems to avoid it, you should check in with your veterinarian to see what’s going on. Other behaviors to watch for that could be cause for concern, according to Stevenson: Scooting across the floor or focusing on their hind end: These might be signs that your cat has an itch or irritation on their bottom (or they might have a bit of… you know… stuck to their fur). Scratching outside of the box, balancing half in and half out of the box, or not covering their waste: All are possible signs that the litter box is too small or dirty for the cat, or that they may not like the litter. And as for the cat zoomies, Ferrara suggests keeping a log to see when your little predator tends to be super energetic, so you can give them some playtime when they’re the most active. “Look for patterns in the time of day, or whether it happens before or after eating,” she says. “Schedule your playtime for 15 to 20 minutes before that. This will help get the energy out constructively, before your cat finds a way on their own. It will also be more beneficial for their mental enrichment, and is bonding time with the human they love.” Love us or not, they’d probably still prefer it if we didn’t lock eyes with them when they were, you know, in the middle of something important in their litter boxes.,Q: My cat runs out of his litter box as soon as he’s finished using it. Is that normal?

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