Posts tagged “Water Fountain”

In This Article When Is It Time To Put a Cat Down? View 4 More +

Yes, cats can get depressed. According to Dr. Carlos Siracusa, DVM, ACVB, director of Ryan Hospital’s Companion Animal Behavior Medicine Service and associate professor of clinical behavior medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, there’s no clinical feline depression diagnosis that’s equivalent to human depression outlined in the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). But cats can be depressed in that they can appear subdued and reluctant to engage in social interactions.,Jump to section Can Cats Get Depression? Signs of a Depressed Cat Cat Depression Causes How to Cheer Up a Depressed Cat When to Go to the Vet FAQs about Cat Depression

In moderation, strawberries make a “fun, perfectly acceptable treat” for cats, says small animal vet, Dr. Sarah Wooten, DVM, CVJ based in Silverthorne, Colorado, adding, “as long as they like them and they don’t cause problems. Here’s a look at the health benefits of strawberries: Strawberries are a good source of fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants (vitamin C, folate, manganese, potassium and polyphenols). Strawberries have less sugar than many other fruits, making them a better snack, says Dr. Wooten. For comparison, strawberries have 7 grams of sugar per cup, while mangoes have 23 grams of sugar per cup and watermelon has about 10 grams of sugar per cup. Strawberries are hydrating, with a 91 percent water content. They should never, however, replace water.,Jump to section Benefits of Strawberries for Cats Downsides of Strawberries for Cats How to Feed Strawberries to Cats Cat-Friendly Recipe with Strawberries FAQs About Cats and Strawberries

WRITTEN BYJennifer Coates, DVM Veterinarian Dr. Jennifer Coates is an accomplished veterinarian, writer, editor, and consultant with years of experience in the fields of veterinary…,Hyperthyroidism is the most common hormonal disease that affects cats. It’s almost always caused by a non-cancerous overgrowth of thyroid tissue, which leads to an overproduction of thyroid hormone. The important thing to know is that hyperthyroidism is not a death sentence! Most hyperthyroid cats do very well and can live another 5 years or more when they receive appropriate treatment. However, some cats continue to have health problems or even develop new ones as time goes on. Monitoring the quality of life for a cat with hyperthyroidism is very important, so you’ll know when to talk to your veterinarian about additional treatment or euthanasia. What Is the Life Expectancy of a Cat With Hyperthyroidism? After diagnosis, a cat’s life expectancy depends on many factors. One study found that cats who were treated with methimazole followed by radioactive iodine (I-131) typically lived for another 5.3 years. This is impressive, considering that cats who develop hyperthyroidism are usually 12-13 years old at the time of diagnosis. The reason cats can live long and happy lives after being diagnosed with hyperthyroidism is in part due to several good treatment options: Anti-thyroid medications—Methimazole interferes with the production of thyroid hormone. The right dose will usually bring a cat’s thyroid hormone levels back to normal. This drug is designed to be given orally, but it can be reformulated into a gel that is absorbed through the skin of a cat’s ears. Many pet parents find it easier to rub gel on their cat’s ears than try to give them pills every day. Low-iodine cat food—Cats need iodine to make thyroid hormone. Feeding a cat a therapeutic food that has very low iodine levels is an easy way to manage hyperthyroidism. I-131 therapy—Radioactive iodine (I-131) given by injection kills off abnormal thyroid tissue. I-131 therapy can cure a cat of hyperthyroidism. Your cat will spend a few days in the hospital, and you’ll be given instructions on how to safely care for them and handle their litter and litter box while they continue recovering at home. The surgical removal of abnormal thyroid tissue used to be a popular form of treatment for hyperthyroidism in cats, but I-131 therapy has largely replaced it because it is safer and more effective.

A litter box is a necessary accessory to any home with a cat. Just because you have one (or many) feline-reliving stations positioned around your home, however, doesn’t mean that they have to be an eye sore. We spoke to several cat experts and interior decorators to get the scoop (pun intended) on how to spruce up your cat’s litter box area so that it doesn’t clash with your home décor.

Reduce Conflict Between Your Cats Conflicts between multiple cats or the introducing a new cat may cause inappropriate urination. If your cats got into an altercation in or near the litter box, they may choose to avoid the box rather than take the chance that another fight will happen if they use it. Separate your cats for a while to let the tensions fade, and then try gradually reintroducing them. One cat may also be guarding the litter box. Make sure you have several litter boxes spaced out throughout your house so one cat can’t prevent access to all the boxes at the same time. You may also consider an uncovered litter box so that your cat is always aware of their surroundings. This will help make them feel safer and less anxious.,While it’s understandably upsetting to find cat pee around the house, cats aren’t being bad when they “go” outside the box. They are simply behaving in a way that addresses their needs at the time. There are numerous reasons why a cat might pee outside the litter box, including health issues, anxiety, or bullying from other pets in the home that needs to be addressed. With a little investigation (and possibly a trip to the vet’s office), you should be able to determine what needs to be done to stop your cat’s inappropriate urination. Here are the top 10 ways to stop your cat from peeing outside the cat litter box. Consult Your Veterinarian If your cat has started to pee outside the box, the most important thing you can do is make an appointment with your veterinarian. Urinary tract infection, hyperthyroidism, feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC), bladder crystals or stones, arthritis, diabetes, and kidney disease are just some of the common health issues that can make cats urinate outside of their litter box. Your veterinarian will ask you questions about the issue and when it started, then they will perform a physical exam, urinalysis, and perhaps some other diagnostic tests to determine if the problem is medical rather than behavioral. If your cat is given a clean bill of health, your veterinarian can then help you address environmental or behavioral issues that may be playing a role.