Cats

With their cream-colored fur with the darker accents, long limbs and their expressive eyes, the Siamese cat is nothing short of elegant. Often sociable and happy to “talk” to you when you come home, these graceful beauties are also people-pleasers, and are always ready to have fun whenever you are. Whether you’re a one-person fam or have an entire clan, a Siamese cat might just be the perfect family pet for you.

In This Article Malignant vs. Benign Lumps on Cats View 5 More +

These names rank among the most common amongst pet parents in the Chewy community.,You brought home a new pet snake? Terrific! Now it’s time to choose a name. Whether you’re seeking a funny snake name or something cool, coming up with the right name takes time. Here are 224 pet snake names for inspiration—have fun with this step in your snake-keeping journey!

When it comes to caring for cats and dogs, there’s nothing that’s too “out there” for some pet parents looking to give their furry friend the best possible life. A trend that’s becoming increasingly popular among pet parents who want to go the alternative route is the use of healing crystals. Proponents of these crystals claim they can help cats and dogs with everything from anxiety to skin issues to cancer. So, what exactly goes into pet healing via crystals, and what do veterinarians think of the treatments?

If you keep a kosher home, does your dog or cat have to eat kosher pet food too? The answer isn’t as simple as a yes or no. “Pets aren’t commanded to keep kosher—only humans are,” explains Rabbi Jason Miller, director of Kosher Michigan, a kosher certification agency in West Bloomfield, Michigan. But even though Jewish law only applies to humans, there are certain non-kosher foods that Jewish people are not allowed to derive a benefit from. And that’s where kosher pet food comes in. We spoke to several rabbis to get clarity on what the rules are and put together a short list of kosher cat food and kosher dog food brands to buy if you keep a kosher home.

6. Cats rarely show dental pain. “Cats hide their pain,” Dr. Carmichael says. “The most common symptom I see in cats with dental problems is no symptoms at all. It’s up to pet owners and veterinarians to be on top of cats’ dental issues and be proactive when looking for problems.” Remaining diligent involves keeping an eye out for drooling, red gums and changes in a cat’s eating habits, as well as noting any changes in your cat’s breath. “Oral health issues often have a distinct, rotten odor,” Dr. Carmichael says. “A really fishy, rotten smell.”,7. Cats can still eat after they’ve had teeth removed. If your cat is diagnosed with dental issues that require extraction, don’t be too distressed. Cats can eat wet food (and usually even dry!) without some or even all of their teeth and live a long and healthy life. “It’s more important to have a healthy and a pain-free mouth than to have a mouth full of teeth,” Dr. Carmichael notes. Plus, if your veterinarian recommends extracting teeth, those teeth are likely painful for your cat so they will feel much better once they are gone.,Reviewed and updated for accuracy on December 2, 2019, by Dr. Mallory Kanwal, DVM You may be well aware that your cat’s breath sometimes smells like cat food, but are you really familiar with what’s going on with their teeth? The inside of a cat’s mouth is a mystery to many pet owners (seriously, how often do you take a look in there?), but keeping up-to-date on your kitty’s dental situation is vital to maintaining their overall health and wellness. The best defense is a good offense, so here are nine fascinating cat teeth facts to give you some insight on your cat’s dental health. 1. Human teeth and cat teeth have some similarities. While a cat’s teeth look quite different from a human’s pearly whites, both humans and cats are diphyodont animals. This means that we have two successive sets of teeth. The first set—the deciduous or baby teeth—fall out when we’re young. Then, a permanent set comes in. However, a cat’s dental timeline is a bit more accelerated than a human’s. “Cats are born without teeth, but their baby teeth start coming in when they’re about 2 weeks old,” says Dr. Dan Carmichael, a board-certified veterinary dentist at NYC’s Animal Medical Center. “Then, the baby teeth start falling out at around 3 months to make room for the permanent teeth.” If properly cared for, a cat’s permanent teeth should last their entire life. BONUS FACT: Cats have 26 baby teeth and 30 permanent teeth. For comparison, humans have 20 baby teeth and 32 permanent teeth, and dogs have 28 baby teeth and 42 permanent teeth.

Thinking about welcoming a scaly friend into your family? Bearded dragons can be fantastic pets, but only if you’re able to give them the care they need.   So, how long can bearded dragons live, and what’s the secret to a long life? Here’s how to help your bearded bestie thrive.

Ovarian Remnant Syndrome in Cats An ovariohysterectomy is a surgical procedure in which the uterus and ovaries are removed from a female cat. Such a removal results in the cessation of subsequent estrus (heat) symptoms in the female. However, some female cats continue to exhibit the behavioral and/or physical signs pertaining to estrus even after such a surgery, and are found to have some ovarian tissue that had not been removed during surgery and was left behind. If such tissue remains functional and continues to secrete hormones, estrus behavior will continue. Such symptoms are typically seen within few days after surgery. Symptoms and Types Excessive vocalization Signs of heat (e.g., elevation of pelvis to facilitate intercourse [lordosis]) Restlessness Head rubbing Rolling around Deviation of tail Swelling of the vulva May allow sexual intercourse to take place

For one thing, there’s no nutritional value. “It has lots of empty calories,” says Dr. Sarah J. Wooten, DVM, a veterinarian at Sheep Draw Veterinary Hospital in Greeley, Colorado. Cats are obligate carnivores (meat eaters who think of rodents al fresco as fine dining), and peanut butter is “just not part of their natural diet,” Dr. Wooten says. “Plus, I don’t like it for fat cats or for those who are sick in any way. It can just add to their problems.” In the end, cats with any health issues should avoid peanut butter, Dr. Wooten says. “Those with diabetes, kidney problems, or with any kind of chronic gastrointestinal trouble, such as inflammatory bowel disease, need to stay far, far away.” These fur babies can get diarrhea, upset stomach or gas, she says. The risks of feeding cats peanut butter include the following: It can cause gut issues: “[Peanut butter is] often high in fat and sugar,” says Dr. Wooten, “and these ingredients can cause issues with their gut, which is not designed to handle foods, like peanuts.” Many brands are also high in salt, “another ingredient that can mess with their digestive system,” Dr. Wooten says, adding that too much sodium can “exacerbate heart or kidney issues.” It can lead to weight gain: Peanut butter can have added sugars, making it high in calories. And due to the food’s caloric density, weight gain is a risk, especially for indoor pets or overweight cats. It’s a choking hazard: Due to its thick, sometimes chunky consistency, peanut butter is a choking hazard for felines. Ever eat a spoonful of peanut butter and have it stick to your teeth? Your cat’s throat and mouth are small, so even a tiny amount can get stuck. It can contain additives, like xylitol: Sugar-free peanut butter varieties often contain additives such as xylitol, a sugar substitute. Although it’s up for debate if cats develop hypoglycemia or liver failure (like dogs do) from eating xylitol, it’s better to be safe than sorry and keep them away from products containing xylitol, according to Dr. Wooten and Dr. Deborah Bayazit, DVM, co-owner and medical director of Brilliant Veterinary Care in New York City.,Jump to section Why is Peanut Butter Bad for Cats? When Can Cats Eat Peanut Butter? FAQs About Cats and Peanut Butter

Have you considered fostering a pet during the coronavirus pandemic? Shelter workers say now’s the perfect time—and lots of volunteers are listening. Across the country, shelter organizations have seen a spike in new fosters. Requests to foster pets have risen an average of about 90 percent across the U.S., and some shelters have seen their fostering rates increase tenfold since the pandemic began. Shelters in places like Chicago and Southern California have been emptied, thanks to a rising wave of fosters and adoptions. The result is life-changing—both for shelter pets and for the foster parents who take them in. “COVID-19 has been horrible, but one of the huge silver linings is that it’s getting pets into foster homes,” says Michelle Sathe, public relations manager for Best Friends Animal Society in Los Angeles, California. According to PetPoint, an animal adoption software used by roughly 1,200 shelters across the United States, fosters went up 94 percent between March 14 and April 15. So what exactly is fostering? It’s taking a pet into your home on a temporary basis, caring for them and providing information about how they behave to the shelter as they seek the right forever home. Right now, shelters like Best Friends have reduced staff to comply with new safety guidelines. When volunteers step up, shelter staff have fewer animals to care for, “which means the animals in our care are getting a lot of attention and enrichment, and our staff isn’t overly stressed,” Sathe says. There are plenty of benefits for foster families, too. Studies have proven spending time with animals can ease the symptoms of depression and anxiety. And in these uncertain times, taking care of a new pet can be a welcome distraction from the bigger problems of the planet.