Cat Problems Resolved Blog
Cats are wonderful creatures and bring much joy to their owners - from small children to the elderly living on their own. They quickly become part of our family, in fact they think they own us! However, there are times when they have a problem that can’t be resolved immediately, when we, as responsible owners, need some advice. It can be anything from finding out why your cat is continually scratching at his or her ears, why they have suddenly stopped using the litter box or what’s the best food to feed them. Perhaps you want to house train your cat with a minimum of stress to you both, or you want to stop your cat scratching the furniture. Do you want to know what is wrong with your cat and whether a trip to the vet is necessary?
Cat Problems Resolved contains a growing series of articles on various problems that I or others have had with our beloved pets. Sometimes however, our cat or kitten seems to forget just who owns the house and tries to take over. You need to establish some ground rules and the earlier the better, and the most important rule is you make the rules, not the cat. Find out how in Cat Problems Resolved.
Some Common House Cat Health Problems
There are house or domestic cat problems that will occur as your cat interacts with other cats and as it ages. Knowing about these problems and how to treat them will not only save your cat potential pain, it could also save you time and money on vet bills. Some problems such as fleas are easily treated while others, like worms or hairballs, need to be treated quickly before they develop into something more serious.
SoozyPooch Tips - Cat Health
Constipation is not usually a topic discussed in so-called polite society but when it happens to your cat, you need to be aware of the symptoms and the steps you can take to give your cat relief. Treated early enough, feline constipation should not require a trip to the vet. Tikki (shown here) is 12 so I keep an eye on her habits to make sure she is all right and not suffering painful constipation.
Almost everyone nowadays knows the benefit of massage. It helps work out kinks and knots in the muscles and generally gives an overall feeling of relaxation and well being. This happens to cats too when they are given a massage. It also helps boost circulation and reduce pain. Find out more about cat massage and how it can help you pet live a longer and healthier life.
Without a Voice - Our Throw Away Society
I came across a wonderful article by Jessica Crawford and have posted it here for your enjoyment and education. It truly shows the “throw away society” we appear to have become.
The “used-to-be” pet finds itself left behind or abandoned on the street, or caged in a shelter among many other unwanted souls in a shelter. The once loved pet is now lost, afraid, and confused, and is facing a harsh and cruel world.
To find out how you can train your cat and establish a lasting relationship, Cat Secrets Revealed has some wonderful ideas and methods.
Domestic Cats - Indoors or Outdoors
There has been much discussion as to whether domestic cats should be kept indoors or allowed to roam free outside. There are pros and cons for each side - indoor cats live longer and are at less risk of infection or accidents with other cats, dogs or cars but can become bored easily and create havoc in the house. Outdoor cats build up an immunity to germs and have the freedom to come and go as they please but could kill native wildlife. Some people don’t have the choice - they don’t have an outdoor place for their cat to roam in. Find out how you can keep your indoor cat happy.
If you start finding cat urine in unexpected places, you need to find out the reason this is happening. Make sure your can is not in pain or uncomfortable when eliminating, or if the litter box has been accidently moved or is difficult or is difficult to access.
Finding the reason for this unwanted problem is the focus of Cat Urine Problems. One easy tip is perhaps purchasing a new litter box, especially if the current one has been in use for some time.
Creating a Cat Friendly Home
Cats are beautiful independent creatures that can bring much joy to a home. However, it is necessary for you to make your home ‘cat friendly’. By this I mean having a cat door if your cat is to be allowed outside, somewhere warm to sleep and lots of love and play time toys. Read 5 Tips to Keep Your Cat Happy & Healthy for some simple tips on cat care.
Skin Infections
Skin infections can be the source of a cat’s distress; they can also be the consequence of self-mutilation, which then causes her to scratch even more. The original diagnosis could be fleas, an allergy to something in the home such as chemical cleaning products or her food, mange, ticks or ringworm.
To make a correct diagnosis, a trip to the vet is necessary so he can take skin scrapings and do a fungal culture if required. Treating the problem instead of the symptoms is best and getting to it early is always going to be better than waiting and having your cat in pain. If your cat is timid, try to get hold of some anti-anxiety medication from your vet to calm her down before the visit.
In cats there are normally two types of aggression – play aggression (such as kittens exhibit) and serious aggression (when the cat bites, scratches for no discernable reason).
Kittens, and some older cats, will engage in play aggression such as pouncing, chasing, biting, stalking and scratching behavior, something that is completely normal. This is shown in the above video with a mother cat teaching the kitten about play-type aggression. Even though it looks serious, at no time does the mother’s claws come out.
When aggression becomes a problem is when these types of behaviors are no longer playful and become serious attacks. This can occur when there are young cats in the home and also in homes where a kitten or young cat and an older (and less active) share the home. The younger cat can become bored and start attacking the humans, or the older cat may not tolerate the playful activity of the kitten. Aggression between two or more cats in one home is reasonably widespread as, like humans, they don’t always get on. Unlike humans, they can’t just shift out.
If a cat suddenly becomes aggressive for no obvious reason, it is a good idea to make sure there is no medical reason for the behavior, especially if this aggression is out of character for your cat.