Kitten season is routinely followed by decisions about spaying and neutering, including future concerns about weight gain. The loss of sex hormones when a cat’s ovaries or testicles are removed can make it less likely to engage in physical activity and therefore less likely to burn as many calories moving around. The author calls the spay or neuter a nutritional inflection … [Read more...]
FDA warns cat owners certain topicals can be toxic if licked
Social grooming, also called allogrooming, is a sign of social bonding and is associated with security, trust and love when cats lick their humans. However, topical medicines can cause harm to cats who like to lick their people. The FDA recently warned people about the possibility of fluorouracil poisoning in pets <Link>. Catnip’s eStaff shares information about … [Read more...]
Improve the narrative with diagnostic listening
When you experience a doctor who is skilled at narrative medicine, the differences are like night and day. In a past AHD post, a Tuft’s Catnip article referenced a piece from the Journal of the American Medical Association explaining the importance of engaging clients relationally. Some of the best veterinarians practice narrative medicine instinctively and it feels more like a … [Read more...]
Brushing a cat: It’s for his health, not just his looks.
Self-grooming only goes so far, especially as a cat ages and can’t reach around to body parts as well. The author shares the benefits of brushing a cat, brush types and tricks for short- and long-haired cats. Source: Tufts Catnip, January 21, 2021. Link. Brushing will remove dirt, grease, and dead hair from his coat and cut down on hairballs. Plus it will help remove … [Read more...]
Correcting misconceptions about allergy testing in cats
There’s no simple test for figuring out what substance(s) a cat is allergic to and then treating from there. Ramón Almela, DVM, says diagnosing an allergy is often an indirect process that requires time and patience. Blood test or skin prick test? Neither.” Source: Tuft’s Catnip, March 22, 2023. Link. Almela outlines the three treatment options currently available for cats … [Read more...]
Keep the cat, manage the allergens
Cats are thought to be the third most common cause of indoor allergies, yet over 80 percent of cat owners ignore advice to give up their cat to help manage allergies. So, animal health pros often get questioned about reducing allergens, albeit not that directly. This article explains allergen sources and several ways to reduce their effect on the cat owner and family. Note … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 26, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, January 19, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from January 19th AHD Bulletin – Important small talk. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy Vets. Link. MWI Animal Health’s Steve Shell clarifies announcement of AB name change Source: AmericsourceBergen MWI Animal Health, … [Read more...]
Excess vitamin D may be to blame for feline tooth resorption
The resorption-vitamin connection is only a hypothesis about feline tooth resorption. There may be other environmental factors that prove to be the triggers. The best way to handle a resorbing tooth is to extract it as soon as it’s noticed.” Source: Tufts Catnip, November 14, 2022. Link. Also see: Search results for: tooth resorption, AHD. Link. There are three types of … [Read more...]
Old cats: 3 vet visits each year
Tufts Catnip staff reviews updates to the 2021 Feline Senior Care Guidelines including moving cats over 15 years of age to three visits annually. Senior cats 11 through the age of 15 should continue having vet visits twice a year. Source: Tufts Catnip, September 14, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Home alone, but for how long?
Stephanie Borns-Weil, DVM, takes issue with the time-accepted rule that cats will be okay alone for 24 hours. There is an increasing understanding today about the social needs of even seemingly aloof cats, she says. Cats cope with whatever their environment is, but it’s not optimal to have no dedicated play and social time within even just one 24-hour period.” Source: Tufts … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 11, 2022
Last week’s most read posts Potentially deadly bacteria been found in U.S. soil and water for first time. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, August 4, 2022. Link. =================================== AAVMC statement on workforce; July 2022 Source: American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges, July 2022. Link. The AAVMC … [Read more...]
Improving the narrative on pet food
Pet food is deeply personal for many cat and dog owners and their choices are compounded by the explosion of choices. Raw, organic, fresh, frozen and nearly any other human food trend you can imagine make pet food choices challenging. Ernie Ward DVM, CVFT, says, “to successfully educate and avoid offending clients, veterinary professionals need to have a communication strategy, … [Read more...]
From fat to fit; help for overweight cats
Encouraging cats to exercise is a two-pronged approach. First, schedule in mini sessions of active play in the morning and the evening. Keep exercise sessions short and sweet, about five to 10 minutes at a time, several times a day. . . . to really accelerate a cat’s weight loss, you need to add in some exercise.” Source: Catster, February 25, 2022. Link. Also see: Apps … [Read more...]
Tips for getting your cat clean with less drama
Occasionally, cats get dirty enough to need a bath. The author shares tips for making bath time less stressful on the cat and owner. Consider these resources for social media and newsletters to help cat owners clean up a dirty cat . Source: Tuft’s Catnip, November 22, 2021. Link. Also see: How to [safely] bathe a cat, ASPCA® Pet Insurance. Link. … [Read more...]
5 ways to keep cats happy
Simple things that can make a cat feel good. The authors shares five of them, including using a drinking fountain instead of a stationary bowl. Consider this article for social media and newsletters. Source: Tufts Catnip, June 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Yes, cats can be trained
Cats can and do learn various behaviors through positive behavior training. Positive reinforcement, rewarding a behavior you desire, is how cats learn best, according to the American Association of Feline Practitioners. Ignoring undesirable behaviors can be extremely effective as well. Active punishment is not effective and can lead to a cascade of negative effects. Source: … [Read more...]
5 cat facts that aren’t
Halloween always brings out the black cat = bad luck phrase. Beyond nine lives or a cat having your tongue, there are other supposed truisms that just aren’t: Cats are nocturnal Cats and milk go together Purring always indicates happiness Pregnant women should not be around cats A cat can steal a baby’s breath Source: Tuft’s Catnip, August 21, 2021. … [Read more...]
Are cats social eaters?
Stephanie Borns-Weil, DVM, has doubts that eating is socially facilitated or triggered by the sight of cats in their social group eating with others to signal a social bond. That is not to say that cats do not learn from other cats. Source: Tufts Catnip, November 20, 2020. Link. Cats are solitary hunters. Social eating among them is highly unlikely.” … [Read more...]
6 questions that are effective for identifying cats with feline arthritis pain
The lack of recognition of arthritis pain in cats is severe enough that by one estimate, less than one percent of cats with arthritis pain are seen by veterinarians. Researchers came up with a six-question, one-minute survey with simple “yes” or “no” answers for cat owners to see if their cat might have arthritis and decide if the pet needs to see a veterinarian. Source: … [Read more...]
Teach cats to wear a harness
Cat owners may enjoy their cats more when they can take them safely outside. Habituating a cat to a harness and then to a harness-plus-leash takes time and needs to follow specific steps says Nicole Ellis. Source: Catster, April 17, 2021. Link. Also see: Choosing a harness for a cat, Tufts Catnip, April 21, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Giving feline injections at home is easy
Cat owners may be more squeamish about needles and injections than cats when home injections are required for diabetes or advanced kidney disease. Whatever the reason for the injections, keep in mind that cats don’t have needle phobia. The pet is not going to fear the shots.” Source: Tufts Catnip, January 13, 2021. Link. INSIGHTS: It is often hard to be an expert in your … [Read more...]
3 main causes of feline stress and solution for each
Stress may be the most common nonmedical reason cats choose to urinate where they shouldn’t. It tends to have one of three causes: difficulty with other cats who live in the house (social stress) separation anxiety boredom, inability to express natural instincts to hunt and forage for food Source: Tuft’s Catnip, July 30, 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: This is good … [Read more...]
Not all scents safely make sense
The holiday season brings new visual stimuli to our environments. It also is commonly accompanied by a variety of seasonal smells in diffusors, candles and sprays. Some of these are toxic to pets. Source: Catnip, November 19, 2020. Link. Common essential oils that could prove toxic in the wrong dose include: Tea tree, citrus, pine, pennyroyal, eucalyptus, peppermint, sweet … [Read more...]
Choosing a feline behaviorist from 4 types of specialists
All cat behaviorists are not equal. In fact, there are four recognized types of them, each with their own credentials: Board-Certified Veterinary Behaviorist Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training & Behavior Source: Tuft’s Catnip, September 18, 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
Dealing with clingy cats
Chronic clinginess can lead to full-blown separation anxiety for some sensitive cats, says Nicholas Dodman, BVMS. The constant stress not only puts your cat at risk for illness, but also makes his quality of life marginal at best. He offers several ways to address unwanted behaviors. . . . rather than pushing the cat away, stop what you’re doing and give him your full … [Read more...]
Right way to perform CPR on a pet
Veterinary teams need CPR training for animals just like we need training on how to perform CPR on a human. RECOVER, which stands for the Reassessment Campaign on Veterinary Resuscitation, was developed by a group of emergency and critical care specialists from multiple veterinary schools across the globe based on evidence from scientific literature. Published in the Journal of … [Read more...]
For cat owners
Cat owners are passionate about all things cat. The number of media items on a monthly basis aimed at cat enthusiasts can be intimidating. It is always fascinating to curate some of these articles that interest animal health pros, including those suitable for sharing in client communications. We assembled a selection you can easily use. Source: Why do cats purr? Animal … [Read more...]
Articles to help cat owners
Cat owners can be as curious as their cats. Many religiously participate in feline social media groups and share their experiences peer to peer. B-to-C publications also provide perspective on feline health, owner issues and wellness solutions, although the cover-to-cover reading habits for which cat owners are known has not drastically changed their habits with wellness … [Read more...]
Pollen or cat allergy?
Watery eyes, runny noses and scratchy throats are symptoms of environmental allergies, as well as pet allergies. About twice as many people are allergic to cats as dogs. A truly hypoallergenic cat does not exist, even though some breeds are thought to be. Cat allergies are caused by a reaction to a protein in cat dander, urine and saliva. The author shares steps to lessen … [Read more...]
The primordial pouch is nothing to worry about
Don’t let that wad of swaying skin on a cat’s underbelly make cat owners feel like they’ve done something wrong with maintaining their cat’s svelte physique. That bag of flab was always there and is naturally part of feline anatomy. The big, wild cats have it too. It is often called the primordial pouch. Source: Tuft’s Catnip, March 2020. Link. The purpose of the primordial … [Read more...]