Credit: Zoetis, Joyce A. Login Cat facial expressions may be subtle and hard to spot by the untrained eye. But armed with a little information, you can use your cat’s ears, eyes, muzzle, whiskers, and head position to better understand when your cat might be experiencing pain (and to what degree). Because cats are masters at hiding their pain, we need to look beyond obvious […]
Credit: Dr. Michelle Larsen Hyperthyroidism (also referred to as hyperthyroid disease) is the most common feline endocrine disorder, usually found in cats over 8 years old.[1] The disease is due to the overproduction of thyroid hormones, which results in an increase of overall body metabolism. This can impact your cat’s quality of life and is associated with a number of complications if left untreated, such as […]
Credit: Zoetis Dr. Karen Stasiak Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is an infectious disease of cats that suppresses their immune system, making them susceptible to infections. Because it can be easily spread from one cat to another, it’s one of the most common infectious feline diseases, affecting 3.1% of all cats in the United States. It’s a disease that can go undetected for quite a […]
Credit: Zoetis Melody R. Conklin, VMD, MBA One of the often-overlooked kitten needs is providing comfort during teething. Yes, kittens teethe just like babies! Knowing the ins and outs of kitten teething can help you understand what they’re going through and offer a little support. What Age Does Kitten Teething Start? Kittens go through two teething phases. At birth, they have no teeth — something […]
Credit: Zoetis Melody R. Conklin, VMD, MBA Did you know that the litterbox can be a big stressor for your cat? The type of litter you choose is a significant factor — not only can it affect your cat’s interest in using the litterbox, but also their health and yours. Navigating the different cat litter types on the market can be challenging, so it’s important to […]
Credit: Zoetis Melody R. Conklin, VMD, MBA Even though cats can live into their twenties these days, they’re generally considered “senior” at around 8 to 10 years of age. This means cats can be senior kitty citizens for more than half their lives. As with humans, those advancing years come with health and mobility issues. However — also like humans — we can ease the […]
Credit: Zoetis Melody R. Conklin, VMD, MBA An important aspect of your cat’s overall health is their weight. Most cat owners worry about negative health impacts on their overweight cats, but unexplained weight loss (whether gradual or rapid) is just as concerning. Unexpected weight loss can be an indicator of underlying medical issues — and contrary to what you may have heard, weight loss is not to […]
Credit: Zoetis Karen Stasiak, MSN, DVM, MSc(CMID) Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is an infectious disease of cats that suppresses their immune system, making them susceptible to infections. Because it can be easily spread from one cat to another, it’s one of the most common infectious feline diseases, affecting 3.1% of all cats in the United States. It’s a disease that can go undetected for quite […]
Credit: Zoetis Does your cat’s breath smell like an abandoned fish market? Jokes aside, keeping your pet’s teeth and gums clean and healthy can help to prevent periodontal disease and other health problems (beyond bad breath). Learning how to brush your cat’s teeth is just one step to preventing these health problems before they start. Why You Should Brush Your Cat’s Teeth Imagine not brushing your teeth […]
Credit: Zoetis Almost all cats, at some point in life, will experience an episode of conjunctivitis (sometimes called pink eye). It doesn’t matter if you’re human or feline — having eye issues is an uncomfortable and miserable feeling — but there’s plenty you and your veterinarian can do to treat conjunctivitis and have your cat feeling better in no time. What is Conjunctivitis in Cats? […]
