Posts tagged “Water Fountain”

You’re cuddling up with kitty when you notice a dark spot on her nose. It wasn’t there before, so immediately you wonder, “Do I need to take her to the vet?” Learn if a dark spot on a cat’s nose is normal and what signs to watch for if it’s something that requires a vet’s attention.

Our feline friends are known for their meows, purrs, hisses and growls. These cat sounds reflect everything from contentment and calm to worry, fear and anger. Sounds and cat body language communicate their emotional state of mind. If you listen closely, you’ll be able to understand what those seemingly random cat noises are all about and what your cat is saying to you.

WRITTEN BYSandra C. Mitchell, DVM, DABVP Veterinarian Sandra Mitchell is a 1995 graduate of the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine. Since graduation, she has worked in many fields…,Your cat shows up for breakfast, meowing and rubbing against you, as always. But when they look up, you immediately notice a problem. Your cat’s eyes are red and irritated, with a greenish-yellow discharge coming from the corners. What is happening? How much of an emergency is this? This is an extremely common scenario with cats. Here’s what you need to know about red eyes in cats, including other symptoms you may see and how it’s treated. Types of Red Eye in Cats There are a few things to check if you’re concerned there might be something wrong with your cat’s eyes. First, is it one eye or both eyes? An injury will usually affect only one eye, whereas bacterial and viral infections are more likely to affect both. Is your cat able to open their eye(s)? If not, this is a sign of a more serious problem. Where is the redness? Is it the tissue that’s red and swollen? Sometimes, the membranes around the eye (called the conjunctiva) can be so swollen you can’t even see the eye itself. Is the inflammation on the whites of the eyes? This is where blood vessels run through the whites and make the eye look bloodshot. Is there a “membrane” (called the third eyelid) covering the eye? This is a whitish structure that comes up from the nose side of the eye at an angle to help protect the eye when it’s sore. When it is raised, the eye can have an alarming appearance. Does the entire eyeball look swollen? The more swollen and redder the eye is, the more pressing the concern. Is there any discharge? If so, what color is it? Bloody discharge can be a sign of a serious injury, while yellow or green is more common with infection. Thicker discharge is often seen if there is mucus buildup, whereas a thinner discharge often happens with excess tearing.

Got troubles? Dozens of studies (including this and this) have proven what you probably already know from first-hand experience—pets are just great listeners. It’s likely you chat them up from “good boy” to “good night” on a regular basis throughout the day, but have you taken advantage of their capacity for listening by sharing what’s really on your mind? “Loneliness is a huge thing right now in America,” Conlon says. “Yes, we have social media, but that actually lends to the problem; now you’re looking at Instagram and seeing people’s perfect lives and thinking, that’s how their life is and that’s how mine should be.” Replacing those scrolling sessions with some quality chats with your pet can make a huge difference. Sit, stay, lie down and just talk to them. Whether or not they understand exactly what you’re saying is up for debate, but when you think about it, does it really matter? Both you and your pet are making a connection that’s satisfying to both species.,There’s no doubt that we love our pets. Most of us can hardly remember what our lives looked like before they moved in and took over. But we’re also so busy, bustling and on-the-go that we can miss opportunities to have more meaningful moments with them. Perhaps now’s the ideal time to make that change. If circumstances are leaving you stressed and anxious, a bit of furry (or feathery depending on your pet pal) therapy can go along way to help you get centered and find some calm. “The thing with pets is that they’re consistent,” says Prairie Conlon, LMHP (Licensed Mental Health Professional) and Clinical Director of Therapetic, an online tele-health platform. “Whether you’re moving, changing jobs, get a new boyfriend or girlfriend, they’re always there. The consistency can be really grounding for people.” That’s especially true in these times of social distancing, she adds. “One of the things I’ve been telling clients is to reframe things. How about you look at this from your animal’s perspective? How is your dog feeling about the quarantine?” Chances are, she says, that your pet loves spending extra time with you. “So, let’s look at it from that perspective: This is amazing!” When it comes to your mental health, pets really can be some of the best medicine. Here are five science-based ways to connect with your pets AND slow your roll.