Health

Is your cat lethargic with a reduced appetite? There are many possible causes for these symptoms, but pancreatitis in cats is one to be aware of. Find out more about this condition including its diagnosis and management. The pancreas is one of the organs in the abdomen. It has roles in digestion and also produces insulin to help control blood sugar levels after eating. Pancreatitis in cats refers to inflammation of this organ, and is a more common disease than previously thought. This guide will help you to notice possible symptoms of pancreatitis and find out more about the condition. What is pancreatitis in cats? The pancreas makes digestive enzymes which help to break down food. In a healthy pancreas, these enzymes are not activated until they have reached the small intestine. In a cat with pancreatitis the enzymes become activated while they are still in the pancreas, leading to self-digestion and inflammation of the organ. What are the symptoms of pancreatitis in cats? The symptoms of pancreatitis in cats can be more subtle than those of pancreatitis in dogs, which is a more commonly diagnosed condition. Symptoms generally include non-specific signs such as dehydration, loss of appetite, weight loss or lethargy. What causes pancreatitis in cats? The initial trigger for feline pancreatitis is not fully known and is likely to vary between individuals. There is evidence that a range of underlying causes could be responsible such as infectious disease, other inflammatory illnesses, or trauma.

If your cat is suffering from coughing fits and lack of energy, lungworms might be the culprit. Find out more about symptoms and treatment. Lungworms in cats can pose a series of dangers for your little ball of fur. These parasites travel the distance, hopping from host to host looking for perfect places to burrow into and every once in a while an unlucky cat becomes a stop on their route. Although less common than intestinal worms, lungworms are not to be ignored. Here are a few useful things to know about lungworm in cats and how you can help your cat get back to a clean bill of health. What is lungworm? Lungworms are parasites infecting other organisms and use their nutrients to stay alive and produce eggs at the expense of their host. If you are more familiar with the classic lungworms in dogs, these are not known to affect cats. In fact, cats have a different type of lungworm to contend with. There are two types of lungworm in cats: the Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (feline lungworm) and Capillaria aerophilus (bronchial capillarid that affects cats and dogs) and they can both cause lung damage. How do cats get lungworm? The more your cat is a keen outdoor explorer, the higher chance there is for lungworms to get attached to your feline companion. The little parasites usually have to travel through an entire food chain before reaching your cat’s system. Cats become infected with lungworm when they drink water or eat prey infected with the larval stage of the worm. The larvae migrate out of the intestines via the bloodstream to the lungs, where they develop into adult worms and lay eggs in the host’s lungs within 40 days. The eggs are then coughed up by the cat or passed in faeces, which may then be eaten by birds, rodents and/or snails.

Cat's kidneys play several important roles in keeping your pet healthy including removing toxins, maintaining their blood pressure and helping to produce hormones for new red blood cells. With so much to do, it’s perhaps not surprising that as cats get older, it’s quite common for their kidneys to wear out after working so hard. There are a number of causes for kidney failure, from cat kidney diseases to tumours, and these problems can be acute or chronic. Acute kidney failure in cats If your cat has acute kidney failure, it means that their kidneys are suddenly unable to function properly – this can be due to causes such as infection, or because your cat’s eaten something dangerous to them, such as antifreeze. Acute kidney damage in cats can either be permanent or reversible, depending on what the cause is. Chronic kidney failure in cats Chronic kidney failure in cats is more gradual, and usually develops over several months or even years. There are a number of reasons for chronic kidney failure in cats including infections and tumours, and unfortunately by the time it’s diagnosed the kidney damage is sometimes irreversible. In the early stages of kidney disease in cats, the healthy areas of the kidney compensate for any damage by increasing their already busy workload. However, as the disease progresses, the healthy areas start to shrink and eventually there simply aren’t enough remaining healthy areas for the kidneys to be able to perform as they should. By this stage, your cat will be showing signs of kidney failure (see below for more information). Chronic kidney failure in cats is a progressive illness that your vet will need to keep an eye on, but it can usually be managed with a combination of medical treatments and a special diet. Signs of kidney disease in cats Large amounts of very dilute urine and increased thirst As your cat's kidneys become less able to concentrate their urine, they will urinate more and drink more to replace the lost fluids.

Just like us, cats can put on a few extra pounds, especially as they get older and become less active, or if they spend every day indoors. It’s important to prevent your cat from putting on too much weight, as overweight cats can face many health implications that can prevent them from enjoying a happy and healthy lifestyle. The good news is that you can do a lot to help your feline friend to keep their weight under control. By monitoring your cat's weight and body condition, you can help to reduce their chances of developing health issues that are common in overweight cats such as diabetes, osteoarthritis, lower urinary tract problems and constipation. How to tell if your feline friend needs to go on a cat diet It can be tricky to tell if your cat is overweight, particularly if they’re long haired, and some cats are naturally stockier than others depending on their breed. Our body conditioning tool only takes a few minutes to complete, and quickly gives you a good idea about what shape your pet is in. If you’re still not sure, or you think you might have an overweight cat, have a chat with your vet. It’s important to speak to them before you make any changes to your cat’s diet if you think they are overweight, as their weight gain could be caused by an underlying illness, rather than an over-active appetite. For more information before you talk to your vet, take a look at our ‘assessing your cat’s body condition’ article. How to weigh your cat Weighing your cat at home is a simple way to monitor their weight. Simply hold your cat as you stand on a set of weighing scales, and then subtract your weight from the final figure to be left with what your cat weighs. However don’t rely on this alone, as a proper body condition check will give you a much better overall picture of your cat’s health. How to help with cat weight loss If you’re already feeding your cat a diet recommended by your vet, speak to them before you switch to another food. If you don’t it could stop your cat losing weight or even worse have a negative effect on its health. Start by cutting out all treats and titbits, including cat milk, for two weeks. You might feel like you’re being unfair but it’s the kindest thing to do in the long run if you have an overweight cat.

Hyperthyroidism in cats is a common disease which mainly affects middle-aged and elderly felines. Read our guide to find out everything you need to know about the condition. Hyperthyroidism in cats is a common disease that affects middle-aged and senior cats. Hyperthyroidism refers to excessive levels of thyroid hormone being produced by the thyroid glands located in the neck. This can have significant health implications, because thyroid hormone is involved in the normal regulation of metabolic processes in the body. Therefore, the condition can affect multiple body systems. If you are concerned that your cat might have hyperthyroidism, we’ve created this guide to tell you all you need to know about the condition, from the symptoms to watch out for to the life expectancy for hyperthyroidism in cats. What causes hyperthyroidism in cats? Most cases of hyperthyroidism are caused by a benign tumour of the thyroid gland leading to excessive thyroid hormone production. However, the tumour can be malignant and spread within the body in a small proportion of cases. You may hear the terms T3 and T4 used – with T3 referring to triiodothyronine which is the active form of the hormone and T4 referring to thyroxine which is the precursor for this. Blood levels of both of these forms of the thyroid hormone can be tested as part of the diagnostic process.

Ear mites are a common cause of feline ear problems. These tiny parasites can be extremely itchy and lead to long-term damage if left untreated. Find out what they are and how to treat them successfully. Is your feline scratching their ears more than usual? One of the most common causes for a cat’s ear discomfort are microscopic parasites known as ear mites. Read on to find out how ear mites in cats affect your pet’s health and what to do to get rid of them. What are cat ear mites? The most common type of ear mite in cats is Otodectes cynotis. These are barely-visible to the naked eye but may be seen as very small white dots. Diagnosis usually requires looking for the mites under a microscope. They get inside your cat’s ear canal, where they feed on the ear wax and skin debris. These mites can cause significant inflammation and swelling in the ear canal and are very itchy. Cats of all ages and breeds can be affected, with outdoor felines being the most susceptible to an ear mite infection.

Good digestion is one of the keys to excellent health. By digesting and absorbing the goodness from food, your cat can take in all the nutrients needed to stay in top condition.

Pamper your feline friend with a lavish cat massage that will make them feel like theyare living in the lap of luxury. There are a few things to keep in mind before you can become the resident specialist in premium cat massaging techniques. This article will give you the information you need to massage your way into your cat’s good graces. Why is massage important for your cat? We know – a massage is so good you don’t need reasons to have it. But there are also real benefits to offering your cat a massage. It’s not just a session of pampering – it has important consequences for the health and vitality of your feline friend. A cat massage improves circulation, promotes low blood pressure, supports joint mobility and it combats cat anxiety and stress like nothing else. So flex your fingers and get ready for all those lovely purrs of joy. If you are not sure where to start, we put together a short guide for all your cat massage questions. How to massage a cat in 3 steps The first thing you need to do before you start your cat massage is to wait to be approached. When you notice your cat starts rubbing against you, it means she’s relaxed enough to enjoy 5-10 minutes of quiet massage heaven. Start by talking to your cat. Change your voice, sing their favourite cat song or make any sounds you know puts your cat at ease. The key is to keep a calm and soothing voice. Then you can use our three-step CAT technique – Circle, Activate, Tap. 1. Circle: move around in circles Start your cat massage by lightly stroking your cat from the neck to the base of their tail by using an open and relaxed hand. This technique is also known as effleurage and it helps your cat get in a relaxed mood, warm-up the muscles and stimulate blood circulation. Once you feel the back muscles have eased up, move onto your cat’s shoulders. Using your thumbs, rotate your fingertips clockwise or counter-clockwise to make slow circles around her shoulder blades.

Did you know that eight out of ten cats over the age of three have tooth and gum problems? Just like our own teeth, your cat’s teeth accumulate plaque and if this isn’t kept under control, it can lead to tartar and even periodontal disease. You know how important it is to look after your teeth, so make sure you give that same care and attention to your furry friend’s cat dental care. Dental disease in cats Warning signs of dental problems Cats accumulate plaque on their teeth just like we do. If left, this hardens to form tartar, which irritates the gums causing gingivitis and can ultimately lead to tooth loss. If your cat has severe dental disease and it’s not dealt with, the build-up of the bacteria in the mouth can lead to further complications such as heart and kidney issues. So what signs do you need to look out for and how can you help to keep your feline friend’s teeth in tip-top condition? The first unusual thing you’ll probably notice is your cat’s bad breath – it can be hard to ignore! This is a sign of advanced dental disease. Other symptoms include reddened gums, yellowish-brown tartar on teeth and drooling. Have you noticed your cat dropping food from their mouth, chewing only on one side or losing weight because they’re unable to eat?

Most cats take real pride in their appearance, spending almost half their waking hours preening themselves to perfection. Being independent creatures, cats are keen to look after themselves, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t lend a hand in their pampering routine. Grooming your cat plays a big part in caring for your pet and regular maintenance will mean your cat looks great and feels great too! As well as helping to keep your cat looking beautiful, regular cat grooming allows you to spend quality time bonding with your pet, and gives you the opportunity to check their body condition and spot any unusual signs of health problems, such as lumps or bumps.

If you’ve witnessed your kitten have a shut eye more frequently than not, you’ve naturally got some questions about your cat’s sleeping patterns. Find out how much sleep our dear feline friends need to feel refreshed and ready to play with their favourite owner. A cat’s sleeping habits can easily puzzle anyone less familiar with the feline lifestyle. For the best part of the day, a cat will act like the retired elderly on a well-deserved holiday, constantly on an all-day snoozing diet. If your cat’s always-off mode makes you feel like the world’s most boring housemate, you’ll be happy to know this is not personal. Cats sleep a lot, naturally. If you’ve been wondering ‘how long do cats sleep?’ and ‘why do cats sleep so much?’, we unpacked some of the amazing facts surrounding their siesta habits to help you better understand your kitty’s unconventional take on sleeping schedules. How long do cats sleep? Cats sleep on average 15 hours a day, with some sleepy kitties getting in up to 20 hours of shut-eye each day.

Hernias in cats are quite uncommon but they can still occur, and if they're caught early enough they generally aren't serious. Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about hernias in cats and what you should do if you think your kitty has one. Hernias in cats are quite uncommon but they can still occur, usually either as a result of trauma or most often they’re congenital (meaning they’re born with it). A hernia usually comes about as a result of a muscle defect or damage which allows internal organs and tissue to pass through. There are three different types, categorised by the location of the hernia itself. When caught early on, usually cat hernias aren’t serious, however they may become fatal if they’re left untreated. Keep reading to find out about the different symptoms, types, causes, diagnosis and how cat hernias are most commonly treated. Symptoms of hernias in cats: • A squishy protrusion on your cat’s body • Sickness and vomiting • Lack of appetite • Blood in the urine • Lethargy • Depression Types of cat hernias There are three common hernias that occur in cats and kittens, and they are categorised by the part of the body in which they appear. They can range from complicated – which generally means that surgery will be required, to uncomplicated – most commonly these don’t require any surgery and can simply be pushed back into place. Keep reading to find out more about the different types of cat hernias and how they occur. 1. Inguinal hernia This type appears in the groin when the intestines are able to push through the inguinal canal. Generally, this is the most uncomplicated type and in many cases will not result in surgery as most often it can simply be pushed back in. In some more severe cases the intestines may become trapped in the muscle wall, which can be life-threatening as blood flow is cut off to the tissue, resulting in tissue death. This is typically one of the more uncommon types of cat hernias and is usually found in pregnant females.