Cat Facts & Tips

[Daniel E.]

Why Do Cats Have Whiskers?

Dr. Jamie Lovejoy explains why cats have whiskers, how they use them, and some other fun facts about cat whiskers.

www.petmd.com

How Many Whiskers Do Cats Have?

Though it may be hard to tell with some cats, whiskers are very regularly spaced and grow in very specific locations. The most prominent whiskers, those on the upper lip, are in ordered rows of 4-5 with the shorter whiskers in front and longer whiskers in back.

Most cats have around 12 whiskers on each upper lip, 3 over each eye, and a few shorter ones on their chin. If you look carefully, you will notice that most cats also have a few whiskers on the back of their wrists!

 

[Daniel E.]

Why Do Cats Sleep So Much? Cat Sleeping Habits | Purina

It’s no secret that cats love to sleep, but why? Find out why your cat is often caught napping with our guide to how, why and how much cats sleep.

www.purina.co.uk

It’s not just kittens that spend a lot of time sleeping, but senior cats snooze a lot too – usually up to 20 hours a day. This increased amount of sleep is because just like with humans, when cats get older, they tire more quickly. However, if this change has come on suddenly, it’s best to seek advice from your vet.

 

[Daniel E.]

The loop/handle side of a $1 dog leash is great for playing with my cats.

 

[Daniel E.]

Inside a mystery of oncoscience: The cancer-sniffing pets

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus from the Latin) also possesses an acute sense of smell, due to its well-developed olfactory bulb and, in addition, to a large surface of olfactory mucosa (about 5.8 cm2), which is almost twice that of the human beings.

 

[Daniel E.]

See Louis Wain's Exuberant Cat Art at the Hospital Where He Spent His Later Years

The Victorian artist's famous feline portraits are on view at England's Bethlem Museum of the Mind

www.smithsonianmag.com

“Animal Therapy: The Cats of Louis Wain” is currently on display at the Bethlem Museum of the Mind, located on the hospital’s grounds in Beckenham, Kent. The exhibition, which can also be viewed virtually, features an array of artworks that show “the influence of cats on Wain’s work, and how they are bound up with his personal life and artistic success."

 

[Daniel E.]

When Two is Better than One | Wisconsin Humane Society

How to decide if you should adopt more than one cat.

www.wihumane.org

Choose the Companion for Your Companion Carefully

When selecting a feline companion for your resident cat, keep your cat's personality and activity level in mind. If you are too casual about this important decision, your house may become a war zone. Consider the following guidelines when choosing your next family member. Remember that they are only guidelines and that there may be exceptions to the rules.

• If you have an adult female who has been an "only" cat for some time, it is best to get a younger female. Males, even friendly ones, can over-power and frighten females. Male kittens, while more easily dominated by the female, still grow up to be rambunctious teenagers and engage in a style of play that involves pounce and wrestle (not a female's idea of fun).
  
  
• If a young, active male is your family companion animal, he would really enjoy having a male buddy who shares his enthusiasm for vigorous play.
  
  
• A laid-back, older (neutered) male cat may enjoy "mothering" a kitten - male or female. They usually make better mothering substitutes than spayed females. Females, in general, are less accepting of newcomers.

Males tend to bond with each other, unless both have dominant personalities. A dominant cat engages in a lot of rubbing - scent marking - behavior, likes to rest in high places (for surveillance purposes) and in doorways (to control the entrance to certain rooms) and shows little or no fear.

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[Daniel E.]

Basic Vaccine Schedule for Cats | PetMD

Are you having trouble figuring out what vaccines your cat needs and when? Check out our simple cat vaccination schedule infographic that breaks down all the lifestyle and core vaccines for cats.

www.petmd.com

 

[Daniel E.]

One advantage of adopting from shelters/rescues is most will take a cat/dog back, such as if it does not get along with your other pets:

Million Cat Challenge | Removing Barriers to Adoption

The Million Cat Challenge is a shelter-based campaign to save the lives of one million cats in North America over the next five years. The core strategy of the campaign will focus on five key initiatives that offer every shelter, in every community, practical choices to reduce euthanasia and...

www.millioncatchallenge.org

The cat at least had a break from shelter life, similar to a foster home. More was learned about the cat that could help in selecting its next placement.

 

[Daniel E.]

My new favorite item on the planet is a big, corner litter box. It easily holds 40 pounds of cat litter while not taking up too much space:

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/so-phresh-high-back-corner-grey-litter-box

 

[David Baxter PhD]

My new favorite item on the planet is a big, corner litter box. It easily holds 40 pounds of cat litter while not taking up too much space:

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/so-phresh-high-back-corner-grey-litter-box

Now that looks interesting and it would fit perfectly where her current litter box is. The high walls are excellent.

 

[Daniel E.]

 

[Daniel E.]

How to Stop Your Cat From Waking You Up Early | Preventive Vet

Is your cat waking you at 4 am every day? You’re not alone. Cats are excellent at training us to do what they want. Find out how to stop this cat behavior.

www.preventivevet.com

Outdoor cats can hunt 20+ times a day and eat 7+ meals depending on what they catch. Each one is about the size of a mouse. In fact, their stomachs are only as big as a ping pong ball.

It’s easy to see why feeding more small meals throughout the day can work best for your cat’s physiology and instinctual needs. And just like people, cats get HANGRY.

Going too long without eating can cause stress and sometimes even aggression toward people or other pets. A light meal every 6–8 hours is the perfect solution....

Diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and other medical problems can cause voracious appetites in cats.

 

[Daniel E.]

Waltham Petcare Science Institute - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

In July 2005, in collaboration with the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Pennsylvania, Waltham discovered that cats cannot taste sweet food because they have a faulty gene. Lions, tigers, leopards and pumas (family Felidae) have the same defective gene.

 

[Daniel E.]

Soup for cats: Three nutritious recipes to nourish your feline friend

These soup for cats recipes are nutrient-dense and packed full of flavor, making them the perfect hearty and healthy meal for your adult or senior fur friend

www.petsradar.com

Homemade chicken soup​

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 90 minutes

Materials

Ingredients

• Water
• 2 chicken legs with skin and bone
• 1 carrot
• 1 stalk of celery

Instructions

1. Finely chop carrot and celery.
2. Fill a pot with water, and add vegetables and chicken legs.
3. Bring to the boil, and let simmer for 90 minutes.
4. Fill mason jars or freeze in ice cube trays for easy one portion serves.
5. Refrigerate for up to seven days or freeze for six months.

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Catnip soup​

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup of prepared chicken soup from recipe 1
• 3 tablespoons of dried or fresh catnip

Instructions

1. Heat the chicken soup on the stove until it’s gently simmering.
2. Add the catnip, and let it infuse until it has given the soup a greenish tinge.
3. Cool to drinking temperature, and serve ¼ cup of the soup in a shallow bowl, or pour over wet or dry cat food.
4. Store the remainder of the soup in the refrigerator

 

[Daniel E.]

Oscar (bionic cat) - Wikipedia

wiki.alquds.edu

Oscar is an all black cat owned by Kate Allan and Mike Nolan who lives on the Channel Island of Jersey. In 2009 Oscar had both hind paws severed by a combine harvester. Since then he has undergone a pioneering operation to add prosthetic feet. The treatment has since been considered for use with humans. A book about Oscar's story, Oscar the Bionic Cat was published in 2013.

 

[Daniel E.]

Feline Leukemia Virus

Suggested Articles Lymphoma Feline Vaccines: Benefits and Risks Diarrhea Neurological Disorders Feline Vision Problems: A Host of Possible Causes Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is one of the most common infectious diseases in cats, affecting between 2 and 3% of all cats in the United States...

www.vet.cornell.edu

FeLV adversely affects a cat's body in many ways. It is the most common cause of cancer in cats, may cause various blood disorders, and may lead to a state of immune deficiency that hinders a cat's ability to protect itself against other infections. Because of this, common bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi that usually do not affect healthy cats can cause severe illness in FeLV-infected cats. These secondary infections are responsible for many of the diseases associated with FeLV.

 

[Daniel E.]

A very popular, clever litter mat, with almost 47,000 reviews:


Amazon product

 

[Daniel E.]

According to ER vets on Reddit, blocked cats are very common in the ER.

Urinary blockages are likely in male cats. One type of food I have bought as a preventative:

Amazon product

More info:

Signs of a Blocked Cat and What You Need to Know in Plantation, FL | Central Broward Animal Hospital

When your cat is blocked, it's extremely painful for your cat and can be deadly if not taken care of in time. Here's what you need to know about blocked cats.

centralbrowardvet.com

Male cats tend to get blocked (see video) more than females. Their urethra is longer and narrower in male cats. Therefore, male cats are more prone to having urinary obstruction. Urethral plugs are the most common reason for obstruction.

With this condition, diet can be a significant part of the problem. Poor nutrition can contribute to urinary issues. Cats who have had urinary obstruction before are more at risk for getting it again. Some of the most common symptoms for a blocked cat include:

• Frequent trips to the litter box – Your cat is trying to empty their bladder but cannot. The irritation of the urinary tract gives them the sensation that they need to urinate more often.
• Inappropriate urination – Your cat urinates outside the litterbox. It can be due to blockage by crystals in the urethra.
• A small amount of urine with blood – The irritation from the blockage triggers bleeding
• Pain caused by inflamed urethra – It is painful for your cat when they are urinating. They may cry incessantly in their litterbox.
• Vomiting – Pain, and discomfort can make cats nauseous, which can make them vomit
• Loss of appetite – Having a full bladder can make it difficult for your cat to want to put more into their bodies

As you can see, there are several markers that your cat may be in trouble with their urinary tract.

What Are Crystals in the Urethra?​

Crystals that form in the urine result from typical minerals in the urine binding to each other. The crystals have the appearance of fine sand. The formation of crystals puts your cat at risk of having a urinary tract infection or kidney stones.

There are two major types of crystals that include calcium oxalate and struvite. Struvite is the more common type. Crystals in male cats are especially dangerous, as they block the urethra and prevent urination. The urine builds up in the body and ultimately poisons the cat.

Cysteine stones are another type of stone that can occur in your cat. These stones are more significant than the other kinds of stones and can be even more painful. They also tend to be recurring.

It is crucial to get your feline to the vet at the first signs of obstruction. Cats can die within 24 to 48 hours if left untreated. There are instances in which the crystals bind together and form larger stones that need surgical removal.

What Are the Causes of Crystals in the Urine?​

Many crystals are expelled from the urine and are not detrimental to your cat’s health. However, the formation of larger crystals that become stuck in the urinary tract is the primary concern. The following are some of the causes of crystals in the urine:

• Oversaturation of minerals in urine – When there is a high amount of minerals and salts, they can form stones
• Dehydration – Keep fresh, clean water available to them. It helps your cat to expel more urine.
• Unbalanced urine pH – If urine is too acidic or too alkaline
• Urinary tract infection – When bacteria enter your cat’s bladder, it causes it to grow and reproduce, prompting an infection
• Certain medications – Cortisone, Tetracycline, and Sulfa drugs may trigger bladder stones when they are used for long periods
• Poor diet – Cats who consume a lot of sodium, calcium, and phosphorus are susceptible to having urinary blockage. Cats who have a healthy diet are less prone to blockages.
• Stress – Your cat could even be stressed that their litterbox is not cleaned. Cats can be finicky, so it is best to maintain a clean litterbox
• Breed – Himalayans, Persians, and Siamese tend to have an increased risk for blockages

Any condition that alters your cat’s urine pH can cause crystals. Having a history with crystals is the most accurate determiner of whether they will have them again.

A complete urinary obstruction causes a build-up of urine, which can ultimately cause kidney failure. There is an increase of toxins in the bloodstream, and the imbalance of electrolytes can potentially lead to death. It cannot be stressed enough that immediately getting your cat to the vet is of the utmost importance.

Countless pet owners do not realize that their cat is suffering from obstruction until the cat is very ill. If you see your feline straining in the litterbox, that is when you need to take action. Your cat needs to get checked out by your Veterinarian.

What is Treatment for Obstruction?​

If your cat has a urinary blockage, they need medical attention right away. The veterinarian may put an intravenous catheter to correct dehydration and give your cat medication, such as sedation or general anesthesia. The urinary catheter is placed to eliminate the obstruction and help your cat to relieve their bladder.

The catheter has to stay in position for a few days to allow the urethra to heal and promote a smooth recovery. Many blocked cats must remain in the hospital for several days. When your cat starts urinating normally, the veterinarian will send your cat home with antibiotics and pain medicine. They may also be prescribed a special diet for their urinary health.

The following chart gives examples of the special food given to your cat for prevention of urinary obstruction, as well as healing from having a block:

Special Diet for Urinary Health​

Your cat’s diet can support their urinary system by prohibiting the formation of stones in the urethra. Below are some examples of specialized cat food for prevention, treatment, and management of urinary problems:

COMPANY	NAME OF FOOD	WHERE TO BUY	COST
Hills s/d prescription	Urinary care dry	Chewy	$ 28.99 4 lb.
Get Naked	Urinary health treats	Chewy	$ 4.99
Hills c/d prescription	Urinary health dry	Chewy	$ 28.99 4 lb.
Royal canin vet	Urinary 50	Chewy	$ 57.36
Forza 10	Actiwet renal support	Chewy	$ 39.99
Iams	Urinary health	Chewy	$ 28.22

As you can tell, there are numerous selections to take care of your cat’s urinary health and nutrition. If you do everything to help your cat and are still having urinary trouble, it may be prudent to have your veterinarian perform surgery to rectify the issue.

 

[Daniel E.]

How Fluoxetine Treats A Number Of Behavioral Issues In Animals

Originally published in the April 2013 issue of Veterinary Practice News By now, almost everyone has heard about Prozac, though the veterinary brand name Reconcile is less well recognized. Personally, I prefer prescribing Reconcile to manage certain behavior problems because it is licensed for...

www.veterinarypracticenews.com

Bully Cats​

Almost all I have said about treating canine aggression with fluoxetine applies equally well to cats. Several authors have stated that fluoxetine or another SSRI is their first choice for treating a dominant, bully cat whether that aggression is directed toward other cats or people. That is our first approach, too.

Using fluoxetine in either situation makes sense based on what we know to be the effect across the species of increasing serotonin in the central nervous system. Appetite reduction and occasionally a lackluster personality (what I call the recluse syndrome) are potential side effects that can often be managed in the same manner as I suggested for dogs.

Often no side effects are seen and the dose can be increased without issue until the desired behavioral response is obtained. As with dogs, this approach is best used in conjunction with appropriate behavior modification therapy.

 

[Daniel E.]

50 Secrets Your Pet Won’t Tell You

We asked animal behaviorists, nutritionists, veterinarians, and pet groomers to shed some light on what your furry friends would tell you if they could.

www.rd.com

Our favorite cat game to play with me involves a laser pointer. The result:

I get really frustrated because I can’t catch it, and I live for the hunt. So if you’re going to use a pointer, please sub in an actual toy at the end so I have something to catch and kill. It makes the game worth it.