by Nomi Berger Has your cat been drinking a lot more water recently, and having to urinate more frequently? Has she begun losing weight despite being hungrier than usual and wanting to eat all the time? If so, she may have diabetes. The second most common glandular disorder in cats (hypothyroidism is first), diabetes…
by Nomi Berger Curious about the meaning behind YOUR kitty’s tail wag? According to many cat behaviorists, the manner in which your frolicsome feline wags her tail can have several different meanings. Consider then: “The Swish” Playing cats will often swish their tails from side to side before pouncing. On the other…
by Nomi Berger While relatively rare, a cat stroke is always alarming. A stroke occurs when the flow of blood to the brain is obstructed, resulting in almost immediate tissue damage and disruption of your cat’s bodily functions. Therefore, recognizing the symptoms, getting a diagnosis and beginning treatment can mean the difference…
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…
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)….
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…
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…
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…
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…
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? …