by Margejane | Cat Behaviors
I know, I know…This is a topic that we cat lovers don’t like to think about, but by educating ourselves this may in turn actually help us to extend the life expectancy of our cats.
To begin with – indoor cats’ average life span can be 17 or more years, while an outdoor cat’s averages 2-5 years. I know that some of you reading this will think, “oh, but my cat is used to being outdoors.” So I have some questions for you – is your cat neutered? If not, he/she will do everything they can when in heat to get to another cat to mate with.
Even if kitty is neutered, the lure of the outdoors is great for many cats. Just remember, you’re the boss, not a kitty. I’d be rich if I had a nickel for every Facebook post I’ve read where a cat owner is crying because their outdoor cat was hit by a car, severely injured or killed by another animal or human – I’ve even read posts about cats being shot. It’s a dangerous world, especially so for outdoor cats.
If you’re now convinced your outdoor cat needs to be indoors so he/she can enjoy a long life expectancy of housecats, here are some ways to help make the transition from outdoor to indoor cats.
This is a good thing – your cat can now have the same lifespan of house cats! The trick is to make the indoors as much fun as the outdoors.
- If your cat has always been an outdoor cat, introduce a litter box and scratching post (preferably rubbed with catnip leaves or sprayed with liquid catnip spray) before the transition to indoor life.
- Feed kitty indoors only, then keep your cat indoors for increasing amounts of time.
- If your cat tries to run out, rattle a jar of coins or squirt the cat with a water gun.
- If it is wintertime, introduce your cat to his own nice, warm bed.
- Never ever hit or yell at your cat – you will only succeed in frightening him.
- Distract kitty from trying to get outside by throwing a favorite treat away from the door.
- Give your cat some interactive toys, a kitty jungle gym or a cat tree. If possible buy a cat perch so kitty can sit comfortably and look out the window.
Now that we’ve talked about a good way to give kitty an indoor cat’s lifespan, I’d like to go over a few other things that affect your cat ‘s lifespan. The most common cause of death in senior cats is kidney failure, cancer and disease such as FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus). Another one is hyperthyroidism and the conditions that it can cause – inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, and dental disease. There are other common diseases such as FeLV (feline leukemia virus, heartworm, high-rise syndrome, rabies, and ringworm.
Here’s a list of the life expectancy for these cat diseases:
- Kidney disease (stage III) – as long as 5.75 years. When the disease progresses to stage IV survival is only about one month. Regular infusions and special diet food can often help your cat’s life expectancy.
- Cancer – without treatment, two months. With treatment, cats can live up to a year or longer.
- FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) – an indoor well cared for FIV positive cat can live as long as 12 years, depending on how well they avoid secondary infection.
- Feline leukemia (FeLV ) – cats may live a long time after diagnosis, even 10-15 years until the virus becomes active.
- Hyperthyroidism – treated (which can be with oral medication or radiation) the life expectancy can be 3-5 years. Untreated hyperthyroidism can cause serious, potentially fatal heart problems.
- Diabetes — the majority of cats are insulin-dependent by the time they are diagnosed. The good news is that these cats can enjoy a normal lifespan if their diabetes is treated properly.
- Arthritis — thanks to modern veterinary medicine, arthritic cats can live long lives, even up to 15 to 20 years.
- Inflammatory bowel disease — this can cause painful cramping. It can’t be cured but it can be managed. Lifespan depends on the severity and complexity of the condition.
- Heartworm – heartworm in cats is often misdiagnosed as asthma. Unfortunately, there’s no current treatment and it may be fatal without any warning.
- Ringworm — this condition is contagious for 3 weeks with aggressive treatment. Proper treatment is imperative. Treatments include lime dipping (is a sulfurated lime solution that kills mites and also works against fungi and bacteria) plus oral antifungal cream and bathing with an antifungal shampoo.
- High-rise syndrome – this refers to cats falling from higher than two stories, generally from high-rise buildings or skyscrapers.
- Rabies – this disease can take months to develop. Sadly cats may only live a few days after clinical signs appear. However, rabies in cats is extremely rare, and there hasn’t been a cat to human rabies transmission in the past 40 years.
I hope this information proves both interesting and informative. Let’s all do our best to take good care of our precious felines and love them for as long as we have them.
by Margejane | Cat Food & Treats
Can Cats Eat Dog Food?
Cats cannot survive on dog food alone, and the same holds true for dogs eating cat food. Cats need sufficient vitamin A and taurine to live healthy lives. Dog food is lacking in these, as well as lacking in arachidonic acid (a polyunsaturated fatty acid present in animal fats) and adequate meat protein levels cats require. Our feline friends require sufficient vitamin A and taurine to live healthy lives. Dog food is lacking in these, as well as lacking in arachidonic acid and adequate meat-protein levels cats require.
Can cats eat human food?
Cats are carnivores. Most of their diet should be made up of protein. A raw food diet is not recommended, as, without cooking, the food can contain live bacteria such as listeria, salmonella or e-coli.
Some human foods that you can treat your cat to sparingly are cooked salmon, skinless chicken or turkey, lamb, cooked eggs or lean beef. DO NOT feed kitty raw meat or fish, fat, bones or raw eggs. Also, be sure NOT to add any spices or powders – they could be lethal! In addition, NEVER feed kitty foods such as garlic, leeks, onions, scallions, shallots or chives.
It’s okay to feed some human foods such as a little steamed carrot, broccoli, green beans or asparagus. A bit of blueberry or banana is safe. Personally, I’ve never encountered a cat who liked fruits and vegetables, but there may be some cats who do.
Speaking of safe fruits – can cats eat strawberries? Strawberries are non-toxic but do not offer much in terms of nutritional value.
Can cats eat chocolate?
A big, resounding NO because it can be lethal to cats. Cats do not like chocolate unlike we humans, who go crazy for it.) It contains an agent that is toxic to cats called theobromine. Even white chocolate contains it. This delicious food can give cats seizures, abnormal heart rhythms, tremors, and death.
Other food (or foods) cats should not eat are dairy foods—milk, cheese, etc. Cats are lactose intolerant.
On the flip side, can dogs eat cat food?
No, not in the long term, because this food is not properly balanced for a dog. For one thing, it is so high in protein it can be hard on a dog’s liver and kidneys. Cats need to eat meat as their primary food source. On the other hand, dogs require more fiber than cat food provides. There are four different types of commercial food for cats:
- Canned food contains about 60-78% of water.
- Semi-moist foods in pouches contain 25-35% water.
- Fresh pet foods are similar in water content to canned foods
- Kibble only has 3-11% of water.
So, further comparing the difference between food made for cats and food made for dogs – food made for cats tends to be higher in protein, fat and vitamins and minerals. While cat and dog foods share many of the same ingredients, cats are obligate carnivores and require more protein, fatty acids, essential amino acids plus many vitamins.
It’s pretty clear what all this information shows – cats should eat cat food, dogs should eat dog food, with an occasional fruit or veggie treat you know is safe.
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 Food & Treats, Featured
CATS WITH DIARRHEA
Cats with diarrhea isn’t a pleasant topic but it must be addressed. There are many different causes of diarrhea in cats, so the treatment varies. In simple cases of adult cat diarrhea, withholding food for 12-24 hours and providing water frequently, then feeding bland food like boiled fat-free chicken or boiled hamburger and boiled rice or plain mashed potatoes given in small amounts to start may resolve the problem.
Does your cat have smelly poop? If so, there are a number of reasons this could be happening, such as intestinal parasites such as Giardia. Giardia can cause foul-smelling feces with or without diarrhea. Other parasites such as Coccidia and trichomonas are parasites that can cause intestinal inflammation, odor, and diarrhea.
Signs of possible parasitic infection are chronic vomiting and loss of appetite, weight loss, and malnutrition. Some cats show no signs of disease.
GETTING RID OF PARASITES
De-worming can be done by either oral or injectable medication. Hookworms are blood-sucking intestinal parasites and can cause anemia and possibly death. Hookworms are intestinal parasites that live in the digestive system of your cat (or dog). They attach to the intestinal wall and feed on your cat or dog’s blood.
The eggs get ejected into the digestive tract and pass into the feces.
TAPEWORMS IN CATS
These are long, flat white worms with hook-like mouths that anchor onto the wall of your cat‘s small intestine. Cats can get infected if they digest an infected flea while grooming, and then the flea can transmit a tiny tapeworm into the cat and grow into a full-sized adult worm. If treated promptly tapeworms shouldn’t prove dangerous.
With the proper medication, the tapeworms can be killed within 24 hours, and on occasion, a second dose is required 3-4 weeks later.
HOW TO GET RID OF FLEAS ON CATS
Years ago I fell in love with a beautiful Torti cat I saw on Petfinder and decided to adopt her. To my horror, it turned out my beautiful new cat had fleas! I had never had this problem before.
I had two other cats in my apartment and I was panicking. In my case, I took the cats to the vet for flea baths and fumigated the place with Cedarcide, an all-natural non-toxic product that suffocates the fleas rather than poison them. One treatment and my home were once again free of fleas.
Cedarcide can rid your home and garden of all sorts of pests. It’s available on their website. You can also safely treat your cat’s flea problem with Flea-Ex, an all-natural, highly effective product.
You can find this and many other all-natural cat products where I shop for mine. My 17-year-old cat, who has chronic kidney disease, was not eating, but after using these all-natural products for cats with kidney disease, she started eating well the very next day, much to my amazement, has continued doing so and got a very good bill of health from a recent veterinarian visit.
If you don’t or can’t fumigate your home:
- Vacuum floors (I put a flea collar inside my vacuum which was recommended)
as well as upholstery and mattresses (I sprayed my mattress with Cedarcide, and never got another flea bite after that one treatment) and you can also spray Cedarcide on your furniture.
- Wash all of your bedding and your cat’s bedding in hot water.
NOTE: The above-recommended product, Cedarcide, is not only excellent to kill fleas, but works great on all kinds of pests, both indoors and out, and is safe around animals and humans.
UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS (URI)
The upper respiratory tract includes the mouth, nose, sinus, throat, larynx (voice box) and trachea (windpipe.) Bronchitis and pneumonia are infections of the lower respiratory tract.
DO CATS GET “COLDS?”
Cats do get upper respiratory infections (URI’s.) What is the cause of URI’s in cats?
There are two viruses that are the most common causes. They are the feline herpes virus and the feline calicivirus. These two viruses make up almost 90% of colds (URI’s) in cats. There are a few other causes, such as feline chlamydiosis, Bordetella, and mycoplasma. Cats with severe URI’s may be tested for these pathogens, as well as if large groups of cats have been exposed.
SYMPTOMS YOUR CAT MAY HAVE AN UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTION (URI)
Symptoms may include cat’s eyes watering, wheezing, sneezing in cats, runny nose, sniffling, fever (often evident by loss of appetite, oral or nasal ulcers, raspy voice or loss of voice).
WHEN TO SEND YOUR CAT TO THE CAT CLINIC (OR DOG & CAT HOSPITAL)
If your cat is eating and drinking normally, is active and acting per usual, then most likely your cat will recover on its own. I personally highly recommend the all-natural cat product on (put TwoCrazyCatLadies link here). This is not to replace veterinary care, but the products for URI work well to boost kitty’s immune system. Fortunately, most URI’s are relatively mild. A little extra care should take care of kitty for a full recovery.
Although most URI’s are viral in nature, there are times when antibiotics are required to prevent a secondary bacterial infection such as Bordetella and feline chlamydiosis. Your veterinarian can determine if this is needed.
If your kitty has stopped eating, and the cat’s eyes are watering, wheezing and/or sneezing a lot, not eating, congested so that kitty must keep its mouth open in order to breathe, please take your cat to your vet as soon as possible.
MY STORY
Many years ago I had put my two cats, Sam and Pinky, into boarding at a brand new veterinary clinic. I hadn’t wanted to do this but my then-boyfriend didn’t want anyone he didn’t know coming into our apartment while we were out of town.
We were only gone for one week. When I returned, my little cat, Pinky, had a slightly running nose and watery eyes, but she was eating and behaving fine. My large male cat, Sam, was so sick it was frightening. He stopped eating and drinking, stopped grooming himself, and worst of all stopped urinating and defecating.
He would just lie on his back with his mouth open and his tongue hanging out. I rushed him to the vet I had boarded him at, and was told that, unbeknownst to them, a woman had boarded four cats, one of whom had an upper respiratory infection. Of course, the vet treated Sam free of charge.
I had to take Sam to the vet every day, and force-feed Sam with a syringe every day. My other cat, Pinky, recovered quickly and even groomed poor Sam.
Sam eventually recovered. I bring this true story up as an example of how different the severity of UTI’s can be. I must tell you that after this experience I refused to ever board my cats again.
To this day whenever my husband and I go out of town, I have a great cat sitter care for our five cats in our home.
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.
by Margejane | Cat Behaviors, Cat Food & Treats, Cat Health
So you’re thinking your cat is overweight. But how (unless he is obviously quite fat) to be sure? By taking a BCS, or Body Condition Score. A BCS is a number assigned to a cat’s body type ranging from 1-9, with 1 being very underweight and 9 being very overweight. The ideal weight is around 5, which is the healthiest cat weight.
If your cat is at the ideal weight (5) – your cat should have a well-proportioned body; you can see the waist behind the ribs; you’ll be able to feel the ribs but they have a slight covering of fat. There should be a little paunch of abdominal fat. Now, if your cat is overweight, meaning a BCS of 6-9, you can feel his ribs but they have excess fat covering. The waist and tummy fat pad can be noticed, but it’s not obvious. There’s no abdominal tuck. In an even more obese cat, the ribs cannot be felt and have excess fat covering. You can’t see the waist and the stomach is round with prominent tummy fat. The back has extra fat also. At the most extreme, kitty’s ribs and lumbar area are covered under a heavy fat covering. There’s also heavy fat deposits on the face and limbs The abdomen’s distended and covered in fat and you can’t see the waist – kitty’s too fat to have one.
ASSESS YOUR CAT STEP-BY-STEP
Here’s how to examine your cat thoroughly:
- Feel the ribs – see how easy it is to feel your cat’s ribs. If your cat is at the proper weight it will feel like feeling pencils in a pocket.
- Check kitty’s waist – an overweight cat does not have an hourglass shape – you’ll feel it when you run your hands along your cat’s ribs – they should tuck in when your hands reach the end of the ribs and come to the waist.
- Look at the side view – when you look at your cat from the side, kitty’s stomach should tuck up back towards the hind legs.
HELPING YOUR CAT LOSE WEIGHT
It’s estimated that 50% of cats in America are overweight. An overweight cat is more susceptible to diabetes, many types of cancer, heart disease, hypertension, osteoarthritis, bladder stones, etc.
It’s a slow and gradual process to get your cat back to a healthy weight. Losing weight too quickly is unhealthy and can be dangerous.
The following are some ways to help kitty lose weight:
- Measure kitty’s food so you know exactly how much kitty is eating. Calculate how much your cat is eating now and make a note of it. Keep a record of the amounts as you gradually reduce the amount of food you feed kitty (no more than 10% – 20% per month.)
- Feed your cat several small meals throughout the day. Your kitty will feel less deprived that way even though you’re gradually decreasing the amount of food he’s eating.
- Cats need a more natural diet – high moisture, high protein, and low carbohydrate. Most of the commercial kibble is not healthy. Try to transition your cat to wet or freeze-dried foods. There are some cats that seem to do better on a low calorie, high fiber weight loss diet. Your veterinarian can help determine what’s best for your kitty. Also, ask your vet about supplementing your cat’s food with L-carnitine, an amino acid that can help kitty lose weight faster while gaining lean muscle mass.
- More exercise – get some great interactive cat toys and spend time playing with the kitty a few times a day.
NOTE: You only want your cat to lose 3% – 4% of total weight per month, equivalent to one pound a month for a 20 pound cat. Keep a record of kitty’s weight (weigh every week or 10 days) and then sustain that weight loss by continuing the healthy food regimen.
In closing, helping your cat lose the weight it needs to lose can add years of a healthy life, and helping in the weight loss journey is well worth the effort!
Recent Comments