Top Cat Health Problems

By Angela Tempest

Most breeds of cat are gradually being bred to be free from the genetic problems that were once found as a result of breeding program but this doesn't stop a cat from contracting some of the most common health problems. The first step in any possible illness is to seek a vet's attention but knowing the basics of these illnesses means you may be able to spot a problem earlier and solve it before it becomes too serious.

Cancer
The most common type of cancer seen in cats is called lymphosarcoma and is a cancer of the lymph system that is connected with feline leukemia virus. It can be in the intestines or in the chest. Another common type is squamous cell carcinoma, which is particularly prevalent in white cats.

Symptoms of cancer can vary but include lumps, swellings, repeated skin infections, weight loss, lethargy, diarrhea and vomiting as well as difficulties in breathing or going to the toilet. Depending on the type of condition, the treatment can vary from chemotherapy to surgery if it is operable and radiation or immunotherapy treatment.

Lower Urinary Tract Disease
Feline lower urinary tract disease, of FLUTD, is actually a number of condition that can affect both the cat's bladder and urethra. Symptoms can range from straining when going to the toilet to completely avoiding the cat litter tray. Licking of the genitals excessively, blood in the urine or any other similar symptoms may be a sign of a problem and can be of varying seriousness, with a urethral blockage potentially being fatal.

When it comes to treating the condition, establishing exactly what the problem is will be the vet's first step. After this, the treatment can involve pain medication or antibiotics perhaps sometimes minor surgery if there is a blockage. The cat may also need dietary changes to deal with the problem or to stop it reoccurring.

Infections
The most common type of infection suffered by cats are those of the respiratory tract and some can even be prevented by vaccination. Symptoms of these types of infection range from a runny nose or watering eyes to cough, fever and even mouth sores. Many of these infections are viral in nature so the cat will naturally fight them off but it is always worth checking with the vet, as some of the rarer ones can be fatal if untreated.

Another common infectious condition is called feline panleukopenia. This is a viral infection caused by the feline parvovirus and symptoms include fever, bloody diarrhea, lethargy, dehydration and loss of appetite. There is no medication but watching fluid intake and overall health usually allows the cat to recover on its own, however in kittens under eight weeks it is often fatal.

Kidney Disease
Kidney disease in cats reduces their ability to process waste and can lead to a dangerous build-up of toxins in the bloodstream. It can come from a variety of reasons including kidney stones, infection in the kidney, high blood pressure and even exposure to toxins. It is also common in cats as they get older. Symptoms can include a decreased appetite, loss of weight, vomiting and diarrhea but others don't have any symptoms at all.

Fleas
While fleas aren't strictly speaking a health problem, their presence can cause health problems. At the very least, cats will scratch and can overgroom, resulting in bald patches. Fleas and their eggs and excrement can also be spotted on the cat's fur. Using flea control products for cats is the best way to deal with the problem but if they show any signs of a negative reaction to the product, get in touch with your vet. Also never use a dog flea control as it has different ingredients and can cause an allergic reaction in cats.

Conclusion
Never use information as a substitute for seeing a vet and getting a professional opinion but by having some knowledge of what illnesses can strike your cat, you may react quicker than someone without the knowledge and possibly even save the cat's life.

For more information about cat health issues and which breeds are the most susceptible to certain illness, see my articles at http://www.thebestcatlitterbox.com/

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CatTimes Weekly: Cats and the Super Bowl, top 50 weird cat names, and more

Tuesday, January 27, 2015 Cats and the Super Bowl As Super Bowl XLIX (49) nears, more commercials about the big game begin to surface; here's a cute Dear Kitten spot from Friskies titled, "Regarding the Big Game" that's a must-watch for cat lovers. Top 50 weird cat names of 2014 Does your pet feline have a unique name? See how it stacks up against 50 odd monikers from a list of more than 500,000 registered animals in a pet-insurance database. Free workshops to help shelter cats & dogs A couple of free online workshops feature invaluable advice by experts at Helen Woodward Animal Center and other renowned places — with a focus on how to get animals adopted. Prevent pet abuse? Yes you can! An infographic with data from the Humane Society of the United States reveals some startling statistics about animal abuse — read how to help fight the problem. Adoptable cat of the week Hope in Calverton, New York, is our adoptable cat of the week: Please share her picture and let's see if we can find this adult domestic shorthair a forever home. "Why is my cat doing that?" Cat Breeds Cat Names Cat Health Grooming CatTime Video Center About Us Privacy Contact Us All contents copyright ® DogTime Media 2015. All rights reserved. DogTime Media 27 Maiden Lane Suite 700 San Francisco, CA 94108 If you would like to unsubscribe and stop receiving this email please click here.

Persian Cat Health Problems

The Persian cat consistently ranks as one of the most popular breeds of cat across the US and a number of other countries. With the chubby cheeks and cute short face, theirs is a memorable look and added to that the thick coat, Persians are unmistakable. Unfortunately, generations of breeding to achieve these and other particular looks has led the Persian to have more than the usual amount of health problems and this is something a potential cat owner should understand before adopting one. Here is a look at some of the main ones.

About the Persian
Persians have been known as a domestic cat breed since Victorian times and have always been popular. There are currently two types of Persian; traditional and show. The show Persian has a ruff around its head, small ears, a flat nose and big rounded eyes. It is sometimes referred to as the Peke-faced type of Persian and has a heavily boned but short body. The traditional Persian, or doll faced, has less extreme features with a normal length nose. Both types comes in a variety of coat colors and patterns and have the same gentle and loving personality.

Grooming
The first thing any potential owner should know about the Persian is that this breed needs daily grooming to maintain its coat and health. Most breeders recommend a daily comb to get rid of mats and tangles in the fur and also to remove loose hair, which benefits the cat and also means less is shed all over the house. The color of the coat of a Persian can affect the type of fur it has varying from silky and shiny to soft and cottonlike. The latter tangles easier than the former and takes more time to groom properly.

In addition to the daily grooming, Persians should be bathed every week. This needs to start from the youngest age possible to avoid terror and fear and to teach them that bathing is a good thing and something you can do together. Some people blow dry their coat on the very lowest setting to avoid burning the skin and comb as you go.

Both types of Persians have a tendency towards weepy eyes. To prevent staining of the fur and discomfort, each day their eye area should be carefully bathed.

Health problems
There is nothing to say that any cat will or will not get a certain health condition though some breeds are more predisposed towards some conditions than others are. Always use a breeder who knows their cats and their genetic background but anyone that offers a 100% guarantee of health is not being honest.

The main health conditions that Persians are predisposed towards are:
• Polycystic kidney disease (PKD)
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
• Bladder stones
• Cystitis (bladder infections)
• Liver shunts

PKD is a hereditary condition that causes cysts to form in the kidneys and eventually leads to dysfunction of the organ. It can affect one or both of the kidneys and symptoms start to manifest at an age of 7-10 years, though it can appear earlier. There are tests to see if a cat is predisposed to the condition and many breeders are taking this to then remove the genetics from the breeding program with the long-term aim of removing the predisposition entirely.

PRA is also hereditary in Persians but manifests early in life, at around 4-8 weeks of age and rapidly progresses to complete blindness by the age of 15 weeks. Studies are currently underway to get more information about the condition.

HCM is the heart disease common to all types of cats where the thickening of the left heart chamber causes problems and sometimes leads to death. It generally affects male cats and from middle to older age. Tests need to be done regularly to check for it, as there is no genetic trait to show for it.

As well as genetic conditions, the peke faced type of Persian can often be prone to breathing difficulties due to the shape of their face and nose.

Combating problems
If your cat has a hidden genetic problem, then there is little you can do about it until it manifests but the majority of Persians live a full and healthy life. They are susceptible to heat due to their heavy coat and should be monitored for overheating as well as associated breathing problems. This means they should not be transported in the cargo bay of a plane, as the chance of respiratory distress is strong and can even lead to death in extreme conditions.

Finally, the best way to help your cat is to watch them and learn their personality and behavior. This will mean that if something is wrong, you have the best possible chance of spotting it quickly and getting them to your vet. Remember, animals instinctively hide illness so you need to be part detective and part cat psychologist to figure out problems before they worsen.

Conclusion
As a general rule, Persians are healthy cats with a laid back and loving personality. They make excellent pets and are very interactive and affectionate with their owners. Always remember that any pet is a commitment and with their grooming needs, a Persian is more so than other breeds. But they repay that attention with years of love and companionship.

For more information about all things feline, check out http://www.twomeows.com

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African Wildcat - Ancestor of the Domestic Cat?

The African Wildcat is a species of wildcat that is found across Africa as well as on the edge of the Arabian Peninsula and the Caspian Sea. It split off from other similar species around 130,000 years ago with the first being domesticated around 10,000 year ago. This means the African wildcat is the ancestor of many of the breeds of domestic cat that we all share our homes with today.

Who is the African Wildcat?

The African Wildcat is a light sandy grey in color, though some animals are pale yellow or even of a reddish hue. Their ears are red to grey with long yellow hairs and the stripes around the face are colored from dark ochre right to black; there are two running horizontally over the cheek and four to six across the throat. They also have a dark stripe running along their back with lighter colored flanks and a whitish belly. There are often pale vertical stripes on their sides that dissolve into spots, much in the way some tabby cats do. They normally have two dark rings on their forelegs and stripes on the rear legs with feet that are dark brown or black.

The African wildcat is said to be different from the European wildcat by only a few physical characteristics and the two species are closely related. These include faint stripes around the nape and shoulders, a less sharply defined spinal stripe and a tail which is slender and less bushy than their European cousins. They also tend to have small tufts on the end of their ears and their fur is shorter. The European wildcat is larger than the African subspecies.

Generally, the male wildcats are 18-22 inches in length with females being around 20 inches in length. Both genders weigh a similar amount, from 7.1 to 9.9 lbs.

Where do they live?

As their name declares, the African wildcat is found across Africa. They are also found on the edges of the Arabian Peninsula and around the Caspian Sea. They live across Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and into Egypt then in the savannas of West African down to the Somalia, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Sudan then down to South Africa. They live in a wide range of habitats including hilly and mountainous areas such as the Hoggar and even in the desert areas, though in much smaller numbers.

The life of an African wildcat

These cats are predators who live primarily on mice, rats and other small mammals but will also eat fish, birds, amphibians, insects and reptiles when they can catch them. they sneak up on prey and pounce when within a meter and are most active from twilight through the night. When confronted, they raise their hair to make themselves seem more impressive, just as many people will have seen with their domestic cats.

Male cats have a territory as do the females but each male will overlap a number of female territories. The male will defend the whole territory, particularly when the female is pregnant. These cats give birth in burrows or hollows in the ground after a pregnancy of 56-69 days. Kittens are born blind and usually in the wet season, when food is the most plentiful. They remain with their mother for 5-6 months and can breed themselves when they reach six months.

Conclusion

By looking at the African Wildcat, it is easy to see how it is related to many of our modern breeds of cat - it looks a lot like a normal brown tabby. However these are true wild animals and are not at all domesticated so should you ever come across one, resist the urge to stroke its head!

For more cat articles and all things cat, please check out my work at http://www.thebestcatlitterbox.com

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The Bengal - A Wild Pet?

Breed history

The first mention of the breed we now know as the Bengal was in 1889, when Harrison Weir mentioned them in his book Our Cats and All About Them. The first confirmed discussion of a hybrid cat was in 1934 when a scientific journal in Belgium discussed the breed, and again in Japan in 1941 when one was discussed being kept as a pet.

Jean Mill (nee Sugden) was one of the most influential people in the development of the Bengal as the breed we know today. She wrote an influential term paper for her genetics class at UC Davis regarding the cross breeding of species of cats in 1946. Greg and Elizabeth Kent were important early breeders who crossed their cats with the ALC and also the Egyptian Maus.

Today, the breed has become very popular with around 60,000 cats registered with TICA, though not all associations accept them. The Cat Fanciers Association is one example of a group that will not accept them because of their hybrid status.

In 2007, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in the UK removed the previous requirement for owners to have a license to own these cats.

Description

The ideal of a Bengal is a cat that resembles the wild Asian Leopard Cat with the trustworthy and pleasant temperament of a domestic cat. These cats are large and very muscular with high hindquarters and a thick tail. Their coat is spotted or marbles and has a gold or pearl dusting effect to their coat that is unique to the Bengal.

The voice of these cats is also different to other domestic cats; they are known for their cooing and chirping noises as well as normal cat vocalizations. They enjoy playing in water and love to jump and somersault.

The F system

Currently there is a system used to designate how many generations removed from the Asian Leopard Cat a particular Bengal is. For example, an F4 is four generations removed from the wild cat while F2 is only two generations. Experienced Bengal keeps recommend that F1-3 are not kept as pets but as breeding animals in special housing while F4 onward are perfectly suited as pets.

Living with a Bengal

While every cat is as different as every human is, when it comes to living with a Bengal there are a few points to bear in mind. These cats have a very distinct and strong personality, being intelligent, lively and very interactive cats who demand a full two-way relationship with their owners. They are dynamic and very much involved in the activities around the house, which makes them sound much like the Oriental breeds. Yet breeders are quick to say that this not the case.

Firstly, these cats are shown to be extremely athletic. They climb anything available, love to run around and can jump spectacular heights. They are known to jump onto people's shoulders from a couple of meters away to see what the person is doing. Kittens are often described as a stampede of spotty fluff that are constantly on the go and seem to be everywhere at once.

However, this isn't to say that they never rest. Around 60% of the time, they are the placid and cuddly cat that rolls onto its back for a cuddly or nuzzles your face. They like to snuggle up with their owners and will often sleep next to them at night.

The main problem people encounter with the Bengal can come from one of their most basic characteristics - their energy levels. Because they are so active, bounding around the house and jumping about people often are scratched by accident or even tripped over! This may mean that they are not ideal in a household with small children as the accidents could be more severe. They can be trained and will learn that a hiss or a firm 'stop' or 'no' will teach them not to do something but most of the time, scratches and such are accidents caused by their pure exuberance.

Protecting your Bengal

There are a few basic ideas to keep in mind to protect your Bengal:

• Keep them indoors so they don't get lost or run in front of a car
• Make sure they always have an ID tag on a collar with your phone number on it so that if they do get lost, someone can get in touch with you but don't put the cat's name or your name on the tag
• Consider microchipping for the same reason
• Install netting over windows that need to be open as they are great escape artists
• When travelling, use the correct travelling cage and face them away from strangers
• Teach your Bengal its name and get them to respond to it
• Consider insuring your cat as while generally healthy, it can expensive if anything goes wrong

Conclusion

People sometimes view the Bengal as wild and while it can sometimes act a bit wild, it is a completely domesticated cat. It is however a very energetic and full-on cat that may not be suitable for every household, particularly those with small children. If your home does seem the right place for one of these cats, they make fantastic and devoted members of the family.

For more information on breeds of cats to help you choose the right one for your family, feel free to check out my other articles at http://www.thebestcatlitterbox.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Angela_Tempest

Cat Meowing - Understanding Your Cat's Behavior

When you see your cats meowing a lot and the pitch is high, it doesn't mean that it is hungry and it doesn't mean you have to get up and feed it. This will not only ruin your cat's manners but it will also make a cat think that by meowing my human will feed me. This will just make your cat obese and will disrupt its feeding hours.

Cats meowing means a lot of things apart from food demands. Your cat might meow due to a number reasons, for instance, they might have some problem, they might be complaining of some pain, they might need medical attention, they might need to go to their litter boxes, they might be warning you or they might be just wanting to talk to you or to grab your attention.

Let me give you an example here. In February 2011, late after 11pm, I returned home after a one hour visit to my aunt. When I returned, my male blue Persian cat was very hyperactive, he was running here and there and was meowing in a heavy voice. My first thought was maybe he's getting excited to see me after I was away for an hour or maybe he needs food. I went into the kitchen and gave him his food in his bowl and returned to my bedroom and got busy with my computer. The meowing continued and this time my cat kept on pulling my shirt and literally dragged me towards my entrance door. However again I ignored him and took him to his food bowl where I saw that his food was untouched. I, then, reached into my cabinet and grabbed a pouch of his favorite cat food. He even resisted that. After 2 minutes my cat just ran and went under my bed and that was the time I felt strong tremors of an earthquake measuring 7.6 on the recto scale. I grabbed my footwear my cat and ran downstairs. That was the time I got to know that my cat's meowing was actually a warning for me to get out of the house and find a safe place so that I can be saved. However no harm was caused in my city.

After this incident, I figured out that cat's meowing means a lot apart from showing hunger or food demands. If one is sick and tired of useless meowing and is annoyed of this habit, then your cat can be trained well. When your cat is meowing, ignore them. Once they are silent and settled in feed them with a treat. You need to make a schedule of your life in which you can assign a specific time period in which you can play with your cat and spend quality time with it. Ignorance can also lead into excessive meowing. If you notice your cat is meowing and not purring, it means there's some trouble with your cat or there is a warning.

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How to Lessen Hairballs for Your Cat

by Ron_Ayalon

Every cat owner is well familiar with the 'horking' sound that their cat makes every week or two that results in a compact hair sausage being deposited on the floor. Owners generally become fairly blasé after cleaning up a few hairballs, but you should also be aware of how they form, how to prevent them from developing as frequently, and the complications that can arise.

Unlike most dogs who will take a lick of two at their paws and consider that they have groomed enough, cats are grooming dynamos. Even tiny kittens will start grooming at a very early age and this continues throughout the life of the cat.

The tongue of a cat is covered with little hooks which easily pick up dead and loose hairs when the cat licks herself. Cats spend a considerable amount of time during the day cleaning, so the opportunity of collecting hair is great. The hair that is taken up by the tongue is inevitably swallowed and enters the digestive system. The greater portion of the swallowed hair passes harmlessly through the stomach and intestines and is deposited in the litter box. However, some always remains and will develop into a hairball in time.

Other than being disgusting, most hairballs cause no problems at all for your cat. Unfortunately, sometimes a hairball blockage can occur in the stomach or intestines - at times a mega-hairball will form in the stomach that takes up the entire space of the organ. There are clues that will tell you that your friend may be having problems with a hairball:

• You cat may become constipated - normal passage of stool will be prevented by the hairballs.
• Conversely, your cat may have diarrhea as the intestinal irritation from the hairballs causes food to pass too quickly through the system.
• Cats with blockage have no energy and will simply lie around.
• If your cat attempts to vomit (dry heaves), but is unable to bring anything up, the hairball may be too large to expel in the normal way.
• Appetite will fall off dramatically when blockage occurs.
• A large hairball can press against the lungs, causing the cat to wheeze and cough.

At this point, you will have to consult your vet to have him or her resolve the hairball problem. The first step will be palpation of the cat's abdomen, followed by an x-ray. If a large hairball is present anywhere in the gastrointestinal system, surgery must be done to remove it. This can be very expensive so owners should make every effort to prevent hairballs from forming in the first place.

It would be completely unrealistic to suppose that you can prevent your cat from swallowing hair at all, but there are some things that you can do to help keep hairball problems at a minimum.

Brush your cat. Not surprisingly, long haired cats are much more likely to develop problem hairballs than short haired ones. However, a daily brushing of your cat will help remove most of the loose hairs before they do begin to form a ball. Starting this when your cat is young is a good idea not only to help prevent hairballs, but also to provide a nice time for you and your cat to interact together. After the brushing session is complete, run a damp cloth over the fur to pick up any stray hairs. Brushing will be very important if your cat undergoes an annual shedding.

Some cats are more dedicated to grooming than others, and these super-groomers are more likely to develop hairball problems. You can help to keep the cat's tongue in his or her mouth by providing a new toy or two and by playing with the cat - both of you will probably have a great time.

Oral lubricants are available at pet supply stores or through your vet. These help keep matter moving through the digestive tract more quickly and getting the hair out of the system will prevent the formation of hairballs.

Fiber rich cat foods have been found to be valuable at preventing hairballs. As with any new food, however, introduce it slowly to prevent any stomach upsets.

Cats can pick up human hair from the floor when they groom, and this can be a problem especially if the humans in the house have long hair - it will go down right along with the cat hair. Regular vacuuming can help keep these hairs out of your cat's insides.

And lastly, don't let your cat become obese; fat cats are more likely to be constipated, which slows down the normal passage of matter through the intestines and contributing to hairball accretion.

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