Anyone who’s ever had to give a cat a dose of medicine, you know that it can go sideways quickly. While no cat enjoys the process, some might be more cooperative depending on how the drug is given. For example, some cats tolerate taking pills easier than liquid, while others make the pill-giving process into… Continue reading Is Your Pet’s Medicine Safe?
Tag: cats
Using Flea and Tick Products Safely on Your Pet
Flea bites may be more than an itchy annoyance to some dogs and cats. They can cause flea allergy dermatitis — an allergic reaction to proteins in flea saliva. And a pet’s constant scratching can lead to permanent hair loss or other skin problems. In severe infestations, fleas feasting on your pet’s blood can lead… Continue reading Using Flea and Tick Products Safely on Your Pet
Keep Your Cats Away from Lilies
Cats are curious creatures by nature. They love to play, jump, and roam around the house or yard, but sometimes their inquisitive personalities get the best of them. They’re just drawn to that beautiful bouquet of stargazer lilies on your kitchen table or the colorful cluster of daylilies in your springtime garden. Lilies are extremely… Continue reading Keep Your Cats Away from Lilies
COVID-19 and Animals
Coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 in people, is a large family of viruses. Some coronaviruses cause cold-like illnesses in people, while others cause illness in certain types of animals, such as cattle, camels, and bats. Some coronaviruses, such as canine and feline coronaviruses, infect only animals and do not infect humans. According… Continue reading COVID-19 and Animals
Is My Dog or Cat a Healthy Weight? Questions to Ask Your Vet
Pets, like people, can be obese. Here are some tips from the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on how to recognize whether your furry friend should go on a diet. Your 8-year-old chocolate lab is putting on weight, and you know she should probably lose a pound or two. But when she looks at… Continue reading Is My Dog or Cat a Healthy Weight? Questions to Ask Your Vet
Keep Calm and Measure Cats’ Blood Pressure!
The International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM), the veterinary division of International Cat Care, is highlighting some concerns about high blood pressure in our feline companions. Hypertension is a well-recognized condition in older cats, yet probably remains significantly underdiagnosed. The consequences can be severe, with target organ damage typically affecting the eyes, heart, brain and… Continue reading Keep Calm and Measure Cats’ Blood Pressure!
Keep Your Dogs and Cats Safe From Holiday Hazards
This holiday season, while you’re busy decorating, cooking, and wrapping gifts, remember to watch out for holiday temptations for your pets. FDA veterinarian Carmela Stamper tells how to keep your animals safe. Stocking Stuffers and Pet Treats If your dog received a stocking full of pet treats, make sure he doesn’t gobble them all up… Continue reading Keep Your Dogs and Cats Safe From Holiday Hazards
“Food Puzzles” Can Boost Your Cat’s Wellbeing
The effect of “food puzzles” on cats is a relatively new area of study and a group of veterinarians and cat behavior consultants in the USA provide a welcome addition to the peer-reviewed literature with a state-of-the art review in the August 2016 issue of Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. A release from the… Continue reading “Food Puzzles” Can Boost Your Cat’s Wellbeing
Prevent Heartworm in Pets Year Round
If you’ve been to a veterinarian’s office, chances are you’ve seen the photos on the wall of worms growing from the heart of a dog or cat. Although these images may be unsettling, the message is clear: Heartworm disease is fatal to pets. The good news: You can protect your pet from this disease. “It’s… Continue reading Prevent Heartworm in Pets Year Round
“Wings of Rescue” Flies Shelter Pets to Loving Homes For Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate everyone you love the most…including our furry friends! And one organization’s dedication to saving the lives of pets—on Cupid’s Day, and every day—proves that when it comes to unconditional love, the sky’s the limit. Overcrowding in animal shelters is a huge problem across the U.S., so much so… Continue reading “Wings of Rescue” Flies Shelter Pets to Loving Homes For Valentine’s Day
Fish-Flavored Food May Be Unhealthy for Cats
Fish-flavored food may be causing an increasing number of cases of hyperthyroidism in cats, according to new research. The finding was published in the American Chemical Society’s journal Environmental Science & Technology Hyperthyroidism is a hormonal disorder that can cause weight loss, hyperactivity, aggression, vomiting and other symptoms in cats. No one knows for sure… Continue reading Fish-Flavored Food May Be Unhealthy for Cats
Pet-Safety Tips for The Holidays
Pet safety is important all year round, but you need to be especially wary at holiday time, when cats see interesting objects (plants, tinsel) they want to explore. Here, from the Pet Poison Helpline, are some things you should keep away from your pets. When decorating for the season, consider your pets. Holiday decorations such… Continue reading Pet-Safety Tips for The Holidays
Cold-Weather Safety Tips for Your Pet
Winter is coming, and just as we prepare ourselves to face the cold weather, we should make sure our animal companions are safe and warm for the whole season. What do you need to do? According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, you should take your dog in for a checkup before the season starts.… Continue reading Cold-Weather Safety Tips for Your Pet
Can Cats Recognize Poisonous Plants?
The common belief that cats have bitter taste receptors to protect them from ingesting poisonous plants may not be true, according to new research from the Monell Center. The research showed that there doesn’t appear to be a strong relationship between the number of bitter receptors and the extent to which a species consumed plants… Continue reading Can Cats Recognize Poisonous Plants?
Diarrhea in Cats
Barbara Hinney and her colleagues from the Institute for Parasitology at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, screened 298 fecal samples taken from cats across Austria for single-cell intestinal parasites, so called enteric protozoa. A release from the university explains that the samples came from private households, catteries (cat boarding kennels), and animal shelters. Of… Continue reading Diarrhea in Cats
If Your Pet Is Diagnosed with Cancer: What You Need to Know
Any pet owner who has been told their animal has cancer knows the two emotions: anxiety for the beloved pet’s life, and hope for an effective treatment. “Many people consider their dogs and cats members of the family,” says Food and Drug Administration veterinarian Lisa Troutman. “Just as FDA reviews drugs for humans for safety… Continue reading If Your Pet Is Diagnosed with Cancer: What You Need to Know