Petcare Made Simple » Cat Health

What Is Cat Scratch Disease, and How Do You Prevent It?

staff — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 19:55:50 +0000

Cat scratch disease is a disease spread by cats, but that affects only humans; it’s also called cat scratch fever. It is most commonly diagnosed in the colder winter and fall months of the year for reasons scientists don’t understand; it’s possible that cats are more likely to be indoors at this time, raising the chance of human exposure overall.

Tips to Treating Your Yard for Fleas

staff — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 19:54:11 +0000

Is your family cat an indoor pet, outdoor pet or a combination of the two? For the most part, many family felines can claim being both an indoor and outdoor cat. If your cat spends any time outdoors, there is a good chance that they are bringing fleas into your home. It will not matter if you are diligent about treating your cat and the inside of your home for a flea infestation. If you are not as diligent about your own yard and surrounding areas in the treatment of fleas, your efforts for your cat and the inside of your home are futile. The only way to truly control your cat’s flea problem is to take care of the outside areas of your home.

Ear Mites: Treatment for Those Kitty Critters

staff — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 19:49:40 +0000

Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis) are very small crab-like parasites found in the ears of animals. These parasites are very common in cats, especially those who go outdoors. Cats that are affected by ear mites will become uncomfortable and itchy. Ear mites are easy to see, too. A cat that has ear mites will have what looks like oily black dirt inside the ear. These parasites live in the ear canal, just on the surface. The ear mites feed on tissue and debris inside the ear.

What to Do when Your Cat Gets a Snake Bite

staff — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 19:48:30 +0000

If you are a cat owner, it is always a good idea to be prepared for pet emergencies. A good way to prepare is to have a pet first aid kit on hand to treat your cat. Cats that go outdoors are always getting hurt and into trouble. One emergency to prepare for is snakebites. While snakebites are more common in dogs than cats, it is always good to be prepared for such problems.

Declawing Cats

staff — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 19:28:20 +0000

Declawing is a surgical procedure involving removal of claws and should not be mistaken for pedicure. Declawing puts the pet in great pain not only during the surgery but also after it. Although it is practiced widely in many countries, it is still considered as an unnecessary mutilation and is illegal in some countries. Another drawback is that this surgical procedure isn’t reversible.

How to Treat for Ticks Around the Clock

staff — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 19:19:50 +0000

Have you ever heard the saying, “Blood tells the tale?” In the case of ticks, that would definitely be an accurate statement. On your cat, ticks can be fairly easy to spot, especially if your cat has a short fur coat. If the ticks have just newly latched on to your cat’s skin, they will not yet have the telling distended body that is full of blood, their favorite and only meal they need to live on. So how do ticks find their way onto your cat? Thanks to body heat, that is all that is needed. Ticks seek warm-blooded animals to latch onto with their pincher-like mandibles. They will burrow around until they find a relatively hair free spot and latch on, only letting go once they have had their fill of your cat’s blood or if the cat’s owner (that would be you) finds the culprit and pulls the ticks off.

What Illnesses Does Your Cat’s Vaccinations Cover?

staff — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 19:16:41 +0000

All felines should be vaccinated annually to protect their health. Even if your cat is indoors, there is a possibility that he may escape and be exposed to harmful diseases. Vaccines typically fall into two categories: core vaccinations that are recommended for all cats, and non-core vaccinations that are administered under certain circumstances.

Dental Care for Kitties

staff — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 19:15:02 +0000

Most pet owners can spot their pet’s health issues right away. One health problem that may not be so easy to find is dental disease. Cats, just like humans, can have problems with their teeth. As cats age, most do have some form of periodontal disease. Only a vet can tell for certain, but there are things that you can look for when you suspect dental problems with your cat.

Top Signs that Your Cat Might Have Been Poisoned

staff — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 19:08:40 +0000

Cats are curious by nature. Because of their curious nature, it is easy for cats to ingest poisons that can cause them to become very ill. Without proper treatment, a cat could die from poisoning.

How to Avoid Catching an Illness from Your Furry Feline

staff — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:53:23 +0000

From the most famous zoonotic disease-the Plague-to the most recent (Bird Flu), diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans have been a source of concern for hundreds of years. Known as zoonotic diseases, many potential illnesses still exist today. The most common are rabies, ringworm, and Lyme disease. Some of the more exotic or rare ones include the plague, tuberculosis, cat scratch fever, tick paralysis, and Hantavirus.