Cats

When your cat has a lump on their stomach, some of the most common reasons include the following…,Jump to section What Is This Lump Under My Cat’s Skin? How Will the Vet Diagnose the Lump On my Cat? What Are the Treatment Options for a Cat’s Abdominal Lump? What Can I Do To Prevent an Abdominal Lump? Frequently Asked Questions

While your chatty co-workers certainly don’t make it easy to stay productive, neither does your dog pawing at your legs in the middle of a conference call. Working from home can bring about a unique set of problems for pet parents. But you can rest assured that it is possible to get all your work done—with a bonus of belly rubs. Keep up your productivity, pet parents, with these working-from-home tips below.

It’s up to all pet parents to research and determine the best food choices for their dogs. And yet, that measure of control disappears when well-meaning friends, family members or even strangers give our dogs something to eat. This is particularly challenging during the holidays, when a bevy of human goodies that can be harmful to our pets are in such ample supply. And our dogs make it oh-so-easy for others to slip them table scraps. Whether at the dinner table, in the kitchen or at a backyard picnic, they can be relentless with their begging and pleading. More often than not, they win out. Rather than putting one more thing on your plate (literally and figuratively) by having to remain on your guard during the gathering, I would make a brief but polite announcement to your guests. This can be done in the invitation or once everyone has arrived, something along the lines of: “For those who have not yet met Daisy, she can be relentless when it comes to asking for table scraps. Unfortunately, she’s on a restricted diet, so if she asks for anything you’re eating, please don’t give in.” That’s what New York-based commercial and film actor Haas Manning does for his 4-year-old Doberman Pinscher, Diesel, who has a particularly sensitive stomach. After food allergies caused him to lose hair, break out and scratch, Diesel endured a dietary process of elimination that ultimately determined lamb to be the best meat for him. All was well until—without Manning’s knowledge—one of his nephews fed the Doberman some chicken. It was only when Diesel started scratching behind his ears in the days following that the actor tracked down the cause—and the culprit. With experiences such as that one fresh in mind, Manning ensures that all guests know plain and simple that his pup is not OK eating human food—not even “once in a while.” Calling Diesel a “Velcro dog” because he sticks so close to his papa, Manning says that fortunately, he’s able to keep close tabs on his sidekick, as Diesel is rarely out of his sight. For anyone who starts begging you to feed your begging dog, I encourage what longtime dog lover and pet parent Robin Arnold does: have sanctioned, healthy treats on the ready. The Greenwich, Connecticut, resident often brings her 6-year-old Standard Poodle, Jimmy, on visits to schools and hospitals. Packing treats that Jimmy likes, she instructs any child who wishes to feed the therapy animal to do so with an outstretched arm, open palm and an Arnold-approved goodie. The poodle, who features regularly in Arnold’s Instagram, is an angel around kids, but since that is not the case with every dog, Jimmy is helping little ones practice a safer way to engage with a pet. Those who want to treat your pooch to something from their plate have good intentions. They may not know a little bit of turkey or chocolate could do your pet harm. Ease your worries and avoid awkward mid-meal conversations by making house rules clear from the start. Include a brief explanation about why feeding your dog human foods can be a no-no, and then allow guests to indulge their desire to treat your pet by having approved dog-friendly snacks on hand. After all, pups should be able to embrace the spirit of the day and give thanks for their blessings, too.,Q:

Can You Prevent Neurological Disorders in Cats? The nervous system, especially the brain, can react to abnormalities elsewhere in the body. This is why it’s very important to keep your cat’s preventive care up to date. Yearly (or biannual) physical exams and age-appropriate lab work is recommended so you and your vet can manage syndromes such as chronic kidney disease, hypertension, hepatitis, and diabetes. These can have neurologic consequences including stroke, seizures, decreased mental ability, and difficulty walking/weakness. It’s also important to follow vaccination and preventive medication guidelines because viral and parasitic diseases can have neurologic implications. Follow your veterinarian’s guidance for medications, because some flea and tick preventatives that are safe to use in dogs are toxic in cats, leading to potentially fatal tremors and seizures. Certain antibiotics can also cause neurologic damage if used outside of the veterinarian’s recommended dosing and duration.   Featured image: iStock.com/shironosov,Veterinary neurologists are specialists who specifically examine and treat diseases of the nervous system. Your cat may never need the care of a neurologist, but it’s helpful to understand neurological disorders in cats so you know what signs to look for and when such a specialist should become involved in your cat’s care. What Does a Cat’s Nervous System Do? The cat’s nervous system, which is similar to that of people and all other mammals, includes a brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Although your cat will never win a Nobel Prize, their relatively well-developed brains allow for executive functions like decision-making, memory, and emotional/behavioral control. You can also thank your cat’s nervous system for your cat’s unique personality. A cat’s muscles are also controlled by their nervous system. This allows coordinated movement and gives cats special dexterity for hunting and catching food.

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While some cats are known for their zany behaviors and off-the-wall antics, others may prefer relaxing on the couch and spending quiet time with their owners to their peer’s rough-and-tumble lifestyle. While breed alone cannot determine a cat’s personality, some are known for their peaceful nature and homebody tendencies. We’ve asked Joan Miller, chair of outreach and education for the Cat Fanciers’ Association Chair, to share the top ten most docile cat breeds.

5. They’re Stressed or Anxious As with humans, cats are affected by stress. One way cats express stress or anxiety is by changing their sleep patterns. If they’re suddenly sleeping more than usual, it could be a sign they’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious about something in their environment. Cats can become stressed or anxious for many reasons, such as when new family members come into the house or if feeding times change. 6. They’re Sick Certain illnesses and diseases can also make your cat sleep more than usual. These include: Hyperthyroidism Diabetes Kidney disease Heart disease Liver disease Cancer Take your cat to the vet right away if you notice any other changes, such as loss of appetite or weight loss. 7. They’re Injured Cats are agile creatures, often jumping from high places or running around at top speed. The downside is that this type of vigorous activity can sometimes result in muscle strains and torn ligaments. To rest and recuperate from these injuries, your cat might sleep more. Your cat might also sleep more if they have a wound or infection because their immune system is working overtime. It’s also not uncommon for cats to develop arthritis and joint pain as they age. To relieve their discomfort, they may become lethargic and sleep more. A vet visit might be in order if your cat is lame or stiff. Your vet can diagnose the problem and come up with a treatment plan to help reduce pain and improve mobility so your cat can get back to napping. Always take your cat to the vet as soon as possible when you notice signs of injury or that your cat is in pain. They can examine your pet and, if necessary, prescribe medication or suggest physical therapy to promote healing.  Is My Cat Sleeping Too Much? If your is cat sleeping more than usual or if you notice any other behavioral changes with their sleeping habits, contact your veterinarian for advice. If your vet finds something wrong, they may suggest dietary changes, extra exercise, medications, supplements, or behavior modification training. But the fix could also be as simple as giving your kitty more toys and playtime!,WRITTEN BY Nicole Zittritsch, LVT, BSc, MPH Veterinarian Technician,Cats, like other animals, need a lot of sleep to stay healthy. But sometimes it might seem like your cat spends more time asleep than he does awake. Why do cats sleep so much? And what factors affect your kitty’s sleeping habits? Here’s what to know about all those catnaps. How Many Hours a Day Does a Cat Sleep? Cats sleep between 12–16 hours a day. To humans, who need about seven hours of sleep during adulthood, that seems like a lot of time spent snoozing. But when you think about it, it’s not too surprising that cats spend so much time resting. Hunting and exploring are energy-consuming activities. As predators, cats need a lot more rest than humans so they can remain alert and focused. The amount of time spent sleeping can depend on a cat’s life stage. Kittens are still growing and developing, so they’re likely to need up to 20 hours of sleep per day, while adult cats need 15 hours or less. It’s common for senior cats (those at least 10 years old) to spend more time asleep than younger cats, as they’re typically less active due to health issues or mobility loss. 7 Reasons Why Cats Sleep Ultimately, how much a cat sleeps varies from pet to pet. Breed, diet, and lifestyle make a difference in how much cats sleep, along with age. For example, cats who lack mental stimulation often become lethargic and sleepy as a way of filling the time. Here are some common reasons your cat sleeps so much. 1. They’re Taking Catnaps It’s believed that cats don’t really sleep for long stretches; rather, they take frequent catnaps that last 15–30 minutes. Catnaps allow your cat to rest his body and mind without falling into deep sleep. These catnaps allow felines to still react quickly to potential threats in their environment. 2. They’re Conserving Energy Cats use a lot of energy when they hunt, play, or explore their environment—so it makes sense that they need to conserve energy by sleeping more. Your cat will be ready to tackle whatever activity he wants when he wakes up from a nap, whether that’s darting up a cat tree or chasing an interactive toy.

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Hair, hair—everywhere! Sound familiar? You probably have long-haired cats in your house—ones that leave tufts of fur on the comforter, in their favorite spots on the couch, and all over the pair of pants that didn’t make it into the laundry basket (not that we’re calling you out or anything). And we haven’t even talked about the dreaded hairballs that await unsuspecting bare feet. Unless you’re in the market for a hairless cat, you’re going to face this kind of thing on a daily basis. But with a regular pet grooming routine, the hair-raising problems that plague long-haired cats and their owners will soon disappear. We’ve enlisted the help of Sarah (Miller) Thomas, Certified Feline Master Groomer at Wil-O-Paw Animal Hospital in Coloma, Michigan, to give us some expert tips on caring for long-haired cats.

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