Understanding Cat Health

If your cat is expecting, her nutritional needs have changed. Pregnant cats have greater calorie and protein requirements than their non-pregnant counterparts, so learning about what to feed a pregnant cat is key. Step in and make some changes to your pregnant pet’s diet to give her the support she needs during this life-changing time.

Has your cat’s hacking and coughing left you asking, “What are cat hairballs?” If so, read on for some answers to your most common cat hairball questions. Cat hairballs are not a mystery, and they are just what you might imagine: a collection of cat hair that your cat has swallowed, largely by licking her body during the natural act of grooming. In addition to dead hair, hairballs also contain digestive juices from your cat’s stomach.

Cat scratch fever, sometimes referred to as cat scratch disease, is one of a handful of illnesses known as zoonotic diseases that can (although rarely do) spread from animals to humans. Around 40% of all cats carry the cat scratch fever bacteria — Bartonella henselae — at some point in their lives, usually during kittenhood, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

For first-time cat owners, the vomiting might be a bit of a surprise. But don’t worry: It’s often perfectly normal. Cats throwing up is just another part of the deal for most cat lovers, and most of them would agree the benefits of owning a cat are worth the occasional clean-up. But if the cleaning isn’t so occasional for you or you just want to keep close tabs on your furry friend's health, you’re probably wondering, "Why is my cat throwing up and what should I do about it?" Find out more below. 

If you have a cat with worms or suspect your cat is experiencing the symptoms of worms, you’re probably frustrated and perhaps a little scared for your feline. After all, these pesky parasites are detrimental to your cat’s well-being and health when they make themselves at home in your pet’s digestive system. Rest assured, today’s worm treatments for cats are quite effective, and your little furry friend will be back to feeling good in no time flat.

Tiny kittens are truly adorable. They’re fuzzy, they’re affectionate and they trip every nurturing trigger in us. Good kitten health doesn’t happen by accident: it starts in utero — and that’s where you come in. If you know how to tell if your cat is pregnant, you can keep mama kitty safe, comfortable and well nourished during her pregnancy and beyond.

Noticing flaky skin, sometimes referred to as cat dandruff, in your feline’s fur? Cat dandruff can be frustrating for the cat and worrisome for her human counterpart. However, it is treatable once you determine its source.

Not sure how to give a cat a pill? You're not alone. Pet owners often dread administering prescriptions to their feline friends, since cats are notorious for spitting out pills or unleashing teeth or claws.

There are many potential causes for cat urine crystals to occur in your feline friend. Sometimes the crystals are triggered by dehydration and can be remedied by simply increasing her daily water intake. However, urinary crystals can also be a sign of more serious issues, such as a bladder infection.

Since cats do so much to help our stress levels, it's important to remember that cat stress is a real concern and that your cat can get stressed out based on various factors.

While many people choose to spay their cats to help decrease the chances of a pregnancy and extra kittens running around the house, if your cat isn't spayed, she will eventually go into heat. If you have an adopted cat and you're not sure how old she is, you may not know if she's already had her first heat or when to expect the next one. While a cat's heat cycle can be a little confusing, once you learn to tell when your cat is going into heat, you can better anticipate when the next one will come.

Cats and humans share many similarities. Both are mammals and both use different parts of their bodies for sensory processing, for example. Another similarity between cats and humans is that both species sneeze from time to time. You may know the basic reasons why humans sneeze. But why do cats sneeze?