by Margejane | Cat Health, Featured
Catnip, scientifically known as nepeta cataria, is a perennial herb that is a member of the mint family. The plants can grow up to 3 feet tall. Cats are attracted to a chemical compound that is called nepetalactone; this is found in the leaves and stems. This is a stimulant that causes a cat to experience a “high” when it is sniffed. The cat will remain on this “high” for about ten minutes.
From personal experience with my own five cats, I must say that their individual reactions after sniffing the leaves vary quite a bit. Several of my cats actually enjoy eating it, while one of my cats loves to roll in the dried leaves sprinkled on newspaper until she is virtually covered in it!
When a cat eats catnip, it has a sedative effect, but it doesn’t affect a feline until a kitten is several months old. Only about 50% seem to be affected by it – it’s believed that their sensitivity is an inherited trait. Although it’s safe for cats, they may vomit and have diarrhea if they eat too much of it. It’s recommended that cats can have a little every day, up to a tablespoon.
It’s great for indoor kitties because they get to enjoy the health benefits of a small number of greens that outdoor cats get to enjoy during their escapades (although I always strongly recommend that cats be kept safely indoors). Keep in mind that too frequent feedings of the herb may desensitize kitty and he’ll no longer respond to it.
If you’ve decided that you’d like to treat your cat occasionally, you can buy it at the store or you can grow it yourself. The seeds are tiny and black and grow well in a small pot of soil with light watering and some sunshine. Make sure the pot you use has good drainage. Your plant should show some growth within five to ten days after planting the seeds.
Planting outdoors – The seeds can be sown outdoors only during the spring. If you are planting the seeds directly outdoors you need to sow them as soon as you’re sure any threat of frost has passed. Bury seeds 1/8” deep and 15” apart. The plants will take 5-10 days to start growing under ideal circumstances and up to 20 days in colder soil. Start harvesting leaves in 12-15 weeks. Of course, you’ll need to cover them with protective netting, because cats will be attracted to the plants.
If you have the plants and want to root them in water, remove the lower leaves and then stand them up in the water. Change the water on a regular basis and you should see roots beginning to grow in a few days. Once there are strong roots, transplant each plant into a small pot of sterile potting soil. Water twice a week.
Helpful hints: if you are trying to train your cat to use a scratching post, sprinkle a few spoonsful of catnip on the post. You can also purchase the herb in liquid form and spray the post. It’s a good idea to have flat scratching pads in addition to a scratching post and put the leaves or spray on it. The cats should hopefully be attracted to it and start using the scratching post and pads. From my personal experience, I can tell you this can really work. My cats all started scratching where they should using this technique and my furniture is all fine.
MAKE TOYS – I’ve written about this, but here goes again…cut off the tips of old socks and fill them with catnip, then sew shut. Your cat will love them!
I hope this information helps you, my wonderful cat lovers. Have fun with your kitties!
by Margejane | Cat Food & Treats, Cat Health
What is FIV in cats?
FIV typically causes a cat’s immune system to weaken. It is comparable to HIV in humans, however, only cats get FIV. The most common means of transmission is a deep bite wound from an FIV-positive cat to another cat. Other means of transmission are via blood, in utero and from milk from an infected mother cat.
It’s very rare for cats to get FIV just by being around infected cats or sharing food or being touched by someone who has touched an infected cat. FIV negative and FIV positive cats can live together without the infection being transmitted.
While FIV positive cats are more susceptible to infections such as dental disease, ringworm, and upper respiratory infections, the cat’s life expectancy is normal.
TESTING FOR FIV – A blood test called an Elisa test, also known as a Snap test is done by your veterinarian. A cat can test positive 2-4 weeks or up to 8 weeks after exposure. Kittens less than 6 months old may have a false negative. It’s best to test kittens older than 6 months old.
IF YOU HAVE AN FIV POSITIVE CAT:
- Keep your cat indoors only
- While I strongly advocate keeping all pet cats indoors for their own safety, it is absolutely imperative that you keep FIV positive cats indoors. These cats have an infectious disease and you don’t want to infect other cats. Even if your cat cries and cries to go out, eventually kitty will adjust to being an indoor cat.
FEEDING – do not feed kitty any raw foods, as uncooked foods may contain pathogens or parasites that can wreak havoc on an immune-compromised cat.
VACCINATION – vaccinating FIV positive cats is controversial because vaccinating may encourage the virus to activate. Unless required by law, if your cat lives indoors only and no other cats live outdoors, then forgoing vaccination is reasonable.
In summation: discuss the best ways to help maintain your cat’s health with your veterinarian.
FELINE LEUKEMIA VIRUS (FeLV)
Feline leukemia is a transmittable RNA retrovirus. In short, retroviruses are enveloped viruses that belong to the viral family. Retroviruses are a type of virus that uses a special enzyme called reverse transcriptase to translate its genetic information into DNA. The DNA can then integrate into the cell’s DNA. This virus can severely inhibit a cat’s immune system and is one of the most common causes of disease and death in domestic cats. Every newly adopted cat should be tested because symptoms don’t appear right away.
Cats with feline leukemia have drastically abnormal numbers of white blood cells, either higher or lower than normal. This causes severe infections and tumors. Leukemia in cats is contagious to other cats and ultimately fatal.
HEARTWORM
Cats can get heartworm when mosquitoes carry infective heartworm larvae enter a cat’s body when a mosquito feeds. The larvae migrate from the bite wound through the body of the cat, then they mature until they reach the heart and blood vessels of the cat‘s lungs as adults.
Cats with heartworm cannot be treated in the same way as dogs with heartworm, because the drug of choice used to treat dogs, Melarsomine, is toxic to cats. Therefore, heartworm in cats is managed with corticosteroids such as prednisone or prednisolone for their anti-inflammatory effects.
COMMON HEARTWORM SYMPTOMS:
- Labored breathing
- Rapid breathing
- Decreased appetite
- Lethargy
- Weight loss
- Coughing
Other symptoms may include fainting or seizures or fluid accumulation in the abdomen. One symptom that cats (but not dogs) may have is intermittent vomiting not related to eating.
Treatment for heartworm often continues until the adult worms die and are cleared from the lungs. This is a two to three-year process.
PREVENTING HEARTWORM DISEASE
In heartworm endemic areas cats should receive preventive medication beginning at 8 weeks old. While it‘s best for cats to live totally indoors, there is no 100% guarantee a cat won’t get heartworm.
ASK YOUR VET – if your cat has been screened for heartworm disease, or should be on preventive medication and if so, how should it be administered? What symptoms should you look out for?
RINGWORM – signs of ringworm include red lesions on the cat’s chest, head, a ridge of the back of forelegs. There can be scaling, crusting, thickening and reddening. Hair loss on the tail or back is also a symptom. Ringworm is contagious – exposure to contaminated bedding or grooming utensils are ways to contract heartworm.
HIGH-RISE SYNDROME – this one was new to me! It’s the phenomenon of cats falling higher than two stories and also refers to injuries from these falls.
DIABETES – there is a surprisingly large number of cats developing diabetes mellitus. Diabetes is the inability to produce enough insulin to balance blood sugar (glucose) levels. An untreated diabetic cat can be vomiting, have a loss of appetite, experience motor function problems, dehydration, coma and possibly death.
If you notice that your cat is increasingly thirsty, urinating more frequently, is less active, losing his appetite, lethargic, having difficulty walking, vomiting, please see your vet as soon as possible.
Treatment of diabetes may include oral medications, insulin, dietary changes. An overweight cat may be placed on a diet. Cats who get proper treatment for their diabetes can enjoy a normal life expectancy.
We all love our cats. They are part of our family, loving us and being loved. Cats trust us to take good care of them. The best way to honor that trust is to provide them with a warm and loving home and taking them to the vet for both regular checkups and vet care when they are sick.
by Margejane | Cat Health
Discover what to do if your cat is constipated, the symptoms and above all, the treatment of a health problem more common than you would imagine. It is one of the most common health issues that cats experience.
Ad adult cat should defecate every day. The stool should be formed but not too hard, brown in color, and should be passed without difficulty or discomfort. Sometimes a buildup of feces can occur in the cat’s colon. Constipation causes difficulty and discomfort when the cat tries to defecate. This is a problem that you must deal with as quickly as possible. Keep reading and find out what to do if your cat is constipated.
Symptoms of Constipation in Cats
To start with, it is essential to be aware of the behavior of your furry partner on a daily basis. When you clean your cat’s litter box, examine the contents…is the stool normal looking? Is there no stool or too little, both in quantity and size of the stool? Is it very loose, extra smelly or yellow in color? There could be many reasons.
Cats with diarrhea may need to see the vet. Consider if you have recently changed foods, or if there is undue stress in the house. Sometimes cat diarrhea can be remedied simply by feeding a bland diet of boiled chicken and brown rice, but if this continues for more than another full day, contact your vet.
I have been fostering kittens who initially were having many bowel movements a day (kittens do poop more than cats) which were liquidy and yellow. In their case, a regimen of doxycycline solved the problem. Do not medicate your cat without consulting with your vet first.
Some symptoms to consider – is your cat eating and drinking less? Is kitty vomiting or hiding? Crying or straining while trying to defecate? Severe untreated constipation can result in fecal impaction, and in the worst cases may even necessitate surgery. Fortunately, this condition can often be remedied with an enema.
Some things that may cause constipation:
- Lack of hydration – many cats simply does not drink enough water. You can encourage them to drink more by adding a little clam or tuna juice to their water. The body cannot function properly if dehydrated.
- A diet that is low in fiber and high in carbohydrates,
- Obesity can be a problem.
- Pain in any part of the body, which makes it difficult for kitty to assume the correct posture to defecate.
- Household changes – moving to a new home, adding a new pet; these changes can cause undue stress and the cat may not use the litter box as often as needed.
- In summation, the most common causes of feline constipation are dehydration, disease, a dirty litter box, pain when defecating, stress at home.
If you observe any of the above symptoms, you should take your cat to your vet promptly. Once at your vet, he/she may ask questions to help determine the cause, such as:
- How often is the litter box cleaned?
- Have you changed litter brands?
- Is your cat drinking less water?
- Is the stress at home, such as a new pet?
- Is your cat physically able to get into the litter box easily?
- Is your cat on any medication?
- Any diet change?
Your vet may suggest a few remedies for simple constipation, such as:
- Feed your cat high moisture content-canned cat food. Stop dry food.
- OTC (over-the-counter) products may help: such as Laxatone – this edible petroleum helps to lubricate kitty’s digestive tract. If kitty won’t lick it off your fingers, try putting a bit on its face or the tops of its front paws; kitty has to lick that off when grooming.
- Metamucil may be recommended. The fiber may help generally 1-4 tips in food every 12-24 hours. Consult with your vet first.
High fiber doesn’t always work – it depends on the problem. Once the cause of your cat’s constipation is determined, your vet can then advise the most effective form of treatment.
by Margejane | Cat Accessories, Cat Health
There was a time not all that that long ago when a cat’s lifespan was such that an 8-year-old cat was considered to be a senior. Today, this is no longer the case. The life expectancy of cats has increased considerably thanks to better nutrition, living safely indoors, and better veterinary care. Indeed, a cat’s lifespan indoors averages 13 to 17 years, and many cats even live into their 20’s!
CARING FOR YOUR SENIOR CAT
Contrary to popular opinion, growing older is not a disease. Some older cats are more susceptible to different conditions, and some older cats are perfectly fine.
A cat’s lifespan is generally longer if the cat is kept safely indoors. The basic needs of your cat are fairly simple. You love your cat and you want your cat’s lifespan to be long. First, a comfortable sofa bed in a cozy, pleasantly warm area of your home is essential. A litter box that is kept clean and is easily accessible, preferably with lower sides. Clean water and quality cat food (ask your vet for a recommendation)is necessary…in general, the best food is grain-free food that has high moisture content.
AS a rule, a grown cat is fed twice a day unless otherwise instructed by your veterinarian. Kibble should be given at your vet’s discretion, as it may be detrimental to a senior cat’s health. I always add L-Lysine to my cats’ wet food once daily, as it boosts a cat’s immunity. You may need to keep food and water in more than one place, and sometimes a second litter box is advisable.
Be sure to see your veterinarian regularly. On average twice a year for a healthy cat is recommended. I can’t emphasize this enough. A complete physical exam can assure you your cat is healthy, or detect any issues hopefully before they become serious.
Make life easier for your senior cat. Purchase pet steps so your cat doesn’t have to (or can’t) get on your bed. Create box steps so your cat can reach its favored spots.
For the safety of both you and your senior cat, keep a quality night light on.
A SENIOR CAT’S SPECIAL NEEDS
Just like humans, cats are individuals who can begin to experience age-related physical changes as they age. It is most likely that some cats may encounter these changes between 7 and 10 years of age, and most do when they reach 12. Here’s how a cat ages when compared to a human:
CATS HUMANS
1 yr old 16
2 yr old 21
3 yr old 25 10 yr old 53
12 yr old 61
And a 15-year-old cat is 73 in human years!!
• As your cat ages, there can be many physical and behavioral changes. An older cat is less effective at grooming itself which can result in matting, inflammation and skin odor. An older cat’s skin is thinner and less elastic and is more prone to infection. It also has reduced blood circulation.
• An older cat’s immune system is less able to fight off infection and disease.
• Hearing loss is common in older cats.
• Arthritis is common in older cats
• Hyperthyroidism – Hyperthyroidism is fairly common in cats 13 years old and older. It is quite uncommon in cats 10 years old and younger, with only 5% becoming hyperthyroid.
What is hyperthyroidism? Hyperthyroidism is the overproduction of thyroid hormones by the thyroid glands.
Signs of hyperthyroidism may be subtle and then increase in severity as the disease progresses. Signs include weight loss, increased appetite, increased thirst, and urination. If treated properly and early, a cat may make a full recovery.
TREATMENT FOR HYPERTHYROIDISM
There are 4 treatment options:
1. Radioactive iodine therapy
2. Medication
3. Surgery
4. Dietary therapy
In RADIOACTIVE IODiNE THERAPY, it is injected under the skin and concentrates in the thyroid gland, destroying overactive thyroid cells.
MEDICATION – Methimazole is used to treat hyperthyroidism in cats.
SURGERY – removal of the thyroid gland (thyroidectomy) has a good success rate and most likely is a permanent cure.
DIETARY THERAPY – prescription food that is iodine-restricted can help, but the effects of long-term iodine restriction is still being studied.
It’s important to note that cats with hyperthyroidism on this diet CANNOT be fed anything but their prescription food.
CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE
kidney disease (CKD) is the persistent loss of kidney function over time. CKD occurs in cats of all ages, but is most common in older cats and occurs in approximately 3 out of 10 geriatric cats.
Kidneys perform a variety of vital tasks:
• Eliminate protein wastes
• Balance body water, salts, and acids
• Produce quality urine
Kidney disease impairs kidney function.
There are two types of kidney diseases:
1. Chronic kidney disease – here kidney function declines slowly. Mild signs of chronic kidney disease do progress as kidney disease worsens.
2. Acute kidney disease – if a cat suffers an injury to the kidneys, it may become very seriously ill and stop urinating completely. Death often follows.
Early signs of mild kidney disease include frequent thirst and urination. Sometimes the cat owner doesn’t realize how much kitty is drinking, but if the litter box has an unusually large amount of clumped litter (if you are using clumping litter) or large pools of urine, that warrants a trip to the vet as soon as possible.
Signs of severe kidney disease may show:
• Vomiting
• Weight loss
• Increased urination and thirst
• Decreased appetite
Your cat may sleep more and groom less.
There are risk factors that can initiate kidney disease, such as infection, kidney stones, blockage of the urethra (the tubes leading from the kidneys to the bladder), cancer, polycystic kidney disease (polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is an inherited condition in cats.) It causes multiple cysts (which are fluid-filled pockets that form in the kidneys.) These cysts are present from birth, and at first, are quite small but increase in size over time and eventually, they may impair kidney function.
If you suspect your cat may have CKD, take him to your vet as soon as possible.
A frequent question is: “What is the life expectancy of cats with chronic kidney disease?” The cat’s lifespan can vary depending upon how well kitty responds to treatment in the initial stage of the illness, and the quality of follow–up care. Treatment is encouraged – many cats do have a good quality of life and can live as long as four more years. From my personal experience, I can tell you that my 17-year-old cat has had CKD for about 2 years now and got a good bill of health at a recent vet checkup.
1. Because senior cats are harder to find homes for, you’re saving a life and giving a senior cat a loving home.
2. Senior cats are calmer and more relaxed and less likely to get into trouble.
3. Senior cats tend to be good about using a scratching post and not your furniture.
4. Senior cats are good at using the litter box.
5. Senior cats have longer and better attention spans and are easier to train.
6. A senior cat’s personality is already developed, so you know what you’re getting and if he/she is a good fit.
7. Senior cats seem to be very thankful for being adopted.
by Margejane | Cat Health
Hello Fellow Cat Owners,
A cat that pees in the house is not only terribly upsetting, but it can make your home stink like a dirty litter box. Stopping this behavior can be extremely frustrating. I know from personal experience – I had a cat, Boots, who would spray anything and everything. I tried pheromone plugins, a spray bottle with cat repellant – everything, but nothing worked. It was truly a nightmare.
I’m happy to say that this problem can now be resolved with CAT SPRAYING NO MORE. CAT SPRAYING NO MORE will show you simple, highly effective methods to stop this dreadful habit once and for all.
Get it here without further delay
by Margejane | Cat Food & Treats, Cat Health
I had given my cats one of those commercial brands of cat treats until I read the label – full of unhealthy fat, preservatives, and in a nutshell, nothing good. We’ve probably all done that. I am sure you, my valued readers, want the very best for your cats, so I have searched for and found five all-natural, healthy and delicious (for cats) homemade cat treats. Easy to make and kitty will probably love them. I hope you’ll have as much fun making them as I have chosen them for you.
NOTE: if you make tuna treats, please be sure not to give too many dailies, and do not make these all the time. Tuna does contain mercury; in small amounts it’s okay, but not as a constant.
CHICKEN CAT TREATS
- 1 heaping cup rolled oats
- 4 ounces cooked chicken, chopped into small pieces
- 2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 heaping teaspoon dried catnip
- 1 large egg
Put oats in a food processor until they are flour. Put the remaining ingredients in a food processor until well combined. Put into a bowl.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Roll out ¼ teaspoon-sized portions into balls, then flatten using your finger. Place evenly on the baking sheets.
Bake 15-17 minutes or until golden brown and dried out on top. Let cool completely. Store in fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
YUMMY CAT TREATS (GRAIN FREE! NO BAKING REQUIRED!)
- 1 cup low sodium skinless, boneless canned sardines in water, drained
- ½ cup canned pumpkin
- (NOT pie filling, get pure pumpkin puree)
- 1 tablespoon fish oil
- 1 tablespoon kelp (available at health food stores)
Mix all ingredients and roll into balls. Put into containers and separate each layer with waxed paper to keep them from sticking together. Treats keep refrigerated for 3-4 days.
CHICKEN & SPINACH CAT TREATS
Note: You can use salmon or tuna in place of chicken. Whenever possible choose organic.
- ½ lb. boneless & skinless chicken thighs, steamed
- 1cup spinach leaves
- 1 cup quick-cooking oats
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon catnip
- ¼ cup flour (I prefer whole wheat or rice flour)
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Steam the chicken thighs until cooked through. You can use chicken breasts, salmon or tuna if you prefer. Let the chicken cool for 20 minutes before step 2.
- Place chicken, oats, spinach leaves, egg, and catnip in blender or food processor, and pulse on low until the mixture blends together. It should be slightly chunky but smooth, like wet sand.
- Place the mixture into a bowl and add the flour. Knead the dough until it is not sticky, then put it on a work surface dusted with flour.
- Use a rolling pin and create a rectangle of dough approximately ½ inch thick. Create small shapes with a cookie cutter.
- Put the kitty treats on a cookie sheet lined with parchment and bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool until room temperature. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator. It should last about 5 days.
POTATO AND TUNA PATTIES
- 1 small potato, peeled
- 1 can tuna in water, drained
- 1 egg
- Coconut flour, if needed
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Boil or microwave potato until well-cooked and tender, about 5 minutes.
- In a medium blow, mash the potato with a fork.
- Add drained tuna and egg and mix until well combined and easy to mold. If the mixture is too moist add a little coconut flour, a teaspoon at a time.
- Shape mixture into bite-sized patties and place onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until slightly browned and crispy. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
SALMON AND CARROT CAT TREATS
- 1 can salmon, drained
- ½ cup carrot slices
- Coconut flour if needed
- Steam the carrots until mushy.
- In a blender, combine the salmon and carrots and process until well combined. Add coconut flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, if necessary to make the mixture moldable.
- Form the mixture into bite-sized balls and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Freeze until firm. Store in the freezer in an airtight container.
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