Awesome Alternatives to Catnip

  by Nomi Berger   The nose knows! And so it is with cats who rely on their noses to more fully comprehend the world around them. They detect smells as well as sense pheromones (chemicals produced and released by other cats) through their olfactory systems. For indoor cats in particular, understanding and appreciating the […]

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Cats and Lower Urinary Tract Problems

    by Nomi Berger   Problems affecting a cat’s lower urinary tract may prevent the bladder from emptying correctly or may even cause a fatal blockage of the urethra, the tube that connects the bladder to the outside of the cat’s body. All too often, the cause is Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD). […]

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Arthritis in Cats

      by Nomi Berger   Arthritis, also known as osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease, causes pain and inflammation in a cat’s joints. Although fairly uncommon in felines, arthritis tends to affect the elbow joint when it does strike-but many joints can be afflicted. Felines suffering from arthritis may show overall stiffness, swelling of […]

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Anisocoria in Cats

      by Nomi Berger   Cats’ eyes, so large and so lovely, can also signal injury or illness. Consider the condition called Anisocoria, where the pupil of one eye is larger than the pupil of the other eye. Odd sized pupils occur for a number of reasons and may or may not be […]

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Cats’ Most Common Skin Complaints

  by Nomi Berger   Of the numerous skin disorders discomfiting to your cat and distressing to you, the most common are Feline Alopecia, Eosinophilic granuloma, and Miliary dermatitis.   (1) Alopecia, the technical term for bald spots, causes extreme itchiness and results in affected cats biting at their hair. The reasons behind it range […]

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Cats and Cataracts

  by Nomi Berger   Have you noticed a change in the color of your cat’s eyes? Does her vision seem impaired? If so, cataracts may be the cause. Although sometimes considered a problem that affects only seniors, age often isn’t the main factor. Others include inflammation from an injury or eye infection, diabetes mellitus […]

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Pussycats’ Pet Peeves

    by Nomi Berger   People like to talk about the funny quirks that cats have, but did you know that cat owners have a lot of quirks too? Yes, it’s true! You are likely doing a few things that are driving your cat absolutely crazy. Are you guilty of any of these?   […]

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Cats and Separation Anxiety

  by Nomi Berger   Are you surprised when you return home to find that your cat has urinated on your sofa or shredded your favorite shirt? Are you receiving complaints from your neighbors that she yowls or mewls all day? Although an underlying medical condition may be responsible for some of these behaviors, the […]

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Is Your Cat a “Scaredy” Cat?

  by Nomi Berger   Like people, pets deal with stress in their own particular way. Fear can turn any cat into a fraidy cat, instinctively triggering the fight, flight or freeze response in them. And while some fear-induced behaviors are acceptable and manageable, OVERLY anxious cats require assistance from their caring cat guardians in […]

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Quiet Cat Breeds and Turning Yours into One

  by Nomi Berger   Looking for a cat whose mellowness is “music” to your ears? Then, consider the following breeds that are known for being especially quiet, mild-mannered, and easy to get along with.   Abyssinian: Famous for her love of heights, she will be fur-ever appreciative of having access to one or more […]

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