Cats

Regardless of their age, cats tend to spend at least half of their days sleeping. And in their senior years, their number of rest hours only grows.   Adult cats generally sleep 12–16 hours a day, whereas senior cats can sleep as much as 18 hours a day, says Catriona Love, DVM at Heart of Chelsea Veterinary Group in Seattle.   Although this sleep schedule might seem indulgent—and even enviable to the busy pet parents who witness it—a cat’s sleeping style is different from the way people tend to sleep. Rather than sleeping deeply for hours straight, cats cycle through 20- to 30-minute bursts of deep sleep. In other words, they’re taking catnaps.  This type of sleep cycle is necessary for a cat’s natural predatory state. Instead of one long night’s sleep, potentially leaving them drowsy later in the day, they maintain their sharp, predatory eyes by resting a little at a time.  “Having more frequent sleeps allows them to be more alert and aware for more of the time when they’re awake,” Dr. Love says.   As cats enter their senior years, their body requires more time to rest and recover. Several physical factors contribute to their need for extra hours snoozing, including “a natural decrease in energy levels, age-related physical changes, and a reduced metabolic rate,” says Bethany Hsia, DVM, co-founder of CodaPet. ,Some senior cats sleep so much they’re practically professional nappers. But how much sleep is too much?   With guidance from veterinarians, we’ll walk through how to spot the difference between normal senior snoozing and potential health concerns, plus simple ways to support better rest for your cat at home. 

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Much like for humans, good dental hygiene is essential for your cat, too. Plaque build-up on your cat’s teeth can lead to a whole host of issues—from bad breath to tartar buildup to periodontal disease. Brushing your cat’s teeth can help keep the plaque at bay, and you’ll need the right equipment—namely a good toothbrush designed for pets and some cat toothpaste. We’ve rounded up Chewy pet parents’ top picks for the best cat toothbrush so you can easily pick from our list of top-rated, best-selling toothbrushes to get started on your cat’s new and improved oral health habit.

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Tapeworms are long, white and flat segmented worms that can live in the small intestines of cats, dogs and some other mammals. They contain both male and female reproductive organs and use their hook-like mouthparts to anchor to the inside of the intestinal wall. There are three types of tapeworms that can infect felines: Dipylidium caninum Taenia species Echinococcus species All three typically use other animals, called an intermediate host, to enter a cat’s body. Taenia and Echinococcus tapeworms can infect wild rodents and rabbits, in addition to house pets. When cats eat these infected prey animals, the parasite infects the cat. The most common tapeworm found in pet cats is Dipylidium caninum, also known as the “flea tapeworm.”,Jump to section What Are Tapeworms? Dipylidium Tapeworm Life Cycle Tapeworm Symptoms in Cats Diagnosing Tapeworms in Cats How To Treat Tapeworms in Cats How To Prevent Tapeworms in Cats FAQs About Tapeworms in Cats

6. Cedar Oil “Although cedar oil may repel some bugs, it can be very irritating to the skin surface. Again, I do not recommend this either,” Dr. Hutchinson says. The oil can even cause irritation when it’s not applied directly to the skin. In fact, many dogs develop skin problems simply from sleeping on a bed that is stuffed with cedar shavings. And skin problems aren’t the only concern. If enough cedar oil is ingested, like from a pet licking his skin after being treated, it can cause liver damage. Even breathing in small droplets of cedar oil may lead to lung problems. The bottom line is that while cedar oil smells great and may keep a few (though certainly not all) parasites away, you should not use it on or around pets.,7. Tea Tree Oil Like cedar oil, you should never use tea tree oil as a home remedy for fleas. Pure tea tree oil is incredibly toxic to dogs and cats—even small amounts (10–20 milliliters) have caused death. It’s best to avoid using any essential oils around dogs and cats. Even inhaling certain oils (such as from a room diffuser) can cause serious issues in pets.,Keeping bloodsuckers like fleas and ticks off your pet is a major responsibility for pet parents, as these parasites can carry diseases that can hinder your fur baby’s health. And while flea and tick medications are the most effective preventative strategies you can use, some pet parents are likely tempted to try home remedies and alternative methods for tick and flea removal. The problem is these flea and tick preventative methods don’t work. And on top of that, some can harm your pet or create other health issues. Here are 11 common home remedies for fleas and ticks that are not only ineffective but detrimental to your pet’s health.

“Happy Birthday to Spots,” the card in your email inbox reads. Along with the card came a reminder from your veterinarian that your cat is due for her first round of adult vaccinations. Tucked in with this helpful notice is another reminder that your cat still hasn’t been spayed, and that now would be a good time to do it. You had kind of forgotten about this. The veterinarian had reminded you several times during her kitten vaccines that it was time to think about spaying her, but life was busy — the kids were just starting school again, then the holidays came and went, and life really got in the way of that all-important visit. Besides, Spots is strictly indoors and there is no chance of her getting pregnant, so it really isn’t necessary, right? It might be an expense you can skip even now, can’t it?

WRITTEN BYJamie Lovejoy, DVM Veterinarian Dr. Jamie Lovejoy graduated from Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in 2012 after an undergraduate degree in Marine Biology. …,Straight or curly, long or short, whiskers are a notable part of the feline face. Most would agree that a cat without whiskers would be a strange sight indeed, but it may surprise you how important these seemingly superficial structures are to your cat! A cat’s whiskers are integral to how they interact with their environment, and they serve a variety of functions. Let’s take a look at why cats have whiskers and how they use them. What Do Cat Whiskers Do? Cat whiskers do some pretty amazing things. Here are some of the ways cats use their whiskers. Sense of Touch The main function of cat whiskers is the sense of touch. The follicles that these hairs grow from are surrounded by sensory cells. These cells transmit tactile information that’s similar to the signals our fingertips send to our brains. The sensory cells are stimulated by the smallest vibrations in the hair, allowing cats to feel not only solid objects that they brush against but even to notice air currents from movement nearby. This helps our mostly farsighted felines to: Better evaluate their environment up close Avoid threats to their eyes and face, like branches and insects Hunt better at night Be able to judge whether they can fit through small spaces Sense of Orientation Some whisker follicle cells also have proprioceptive ability, meaning that the way gravity pulls on the hair will tell a cat how they are oriented in relation to the ground. That’s very important for an animal who is always supposed to land on their feet! Communication Finally, there is evidence to suggest that cat whiskers may be involved in communicating with other cats and even observant owners. Tiny muscles around the base of the whiskers allow stressed cats to point their whiskers toward potential threats and relax them when they are content. A cat who doesn’t feel well may pull their whiskers back against their face in a grimace.

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Is Acupuncture Treatment Right for My Cat? Before an acupuncture treatment, spend time researching veterinarians in your area that offer these services. It helps to consider whether your pet will do best in a clinic setting or whether you should try to locate a veterinarian who will perform acupuncture in your home. While many cats can be treated in a clinic, they can be more comfortable if the treatment is done in their favorite cat bed or chair. When speaking with your veterinarian, it is important to give them a history of what your cat is experiencing as well as what your goals and expectations are for treatment. Acupuncture can work on many different types of cases, and the only time it may not be recommended as a treatment option is in an emergency setting. If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, bring them to the nearest animal hospital. Acupuncture may be offered in some emergency settings alongside clinical care, and you can always follow up with your veterinary acupuncturist after urgent care is given. To help you find a veterinary acupuncturist in your area, here are a few resources to help get you started: American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture International Veterinary Acupuncture Society American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association Chi University Featured Image: iStock.com/Liudmila Chernetska,WRITTEN BYKatherine Smith, DVM, CVA, CVSMT Veterinarian,Acupuncture is a treatment that has been available for thousands of years and is often used with traditional/Western medicine. Veterinary acupuncture is used for a wide variety of conditions in many pets, including dogs and cats. A veterinarian who has additional training or certification in veterinary acupuncture can help you to decide whether your cat would benefit from this treatment. It is often used for both acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) conditions, but it may not be used as a primary form of care in emergencies.