CAT NEWS ABOUT CATS
There's a lot of information here about cat illnesses and tips about cats. If your pet has a problem please go to my   and also look at my Vitamins page.
 
Tip: A highly processed, chemically-enriched diet filled with colorants and preservatives; drinking chlorinated water, regularly wearing a commercial flea collar, daily being exposed to second hand cigarette smoke, insecticides and pollution - all these are just the tip of iceberg when it comes to the toxins affecting our pets. Your pet could even be allergic to the shampoo your or your groomer are using.
 
Ashley has gathered a lot of helpful and interesting information about cats.  I hope you enjoy them.  Sincerely, Jan

IMPORTANT: Remove the following plants from  pets reach: Peace lillies, lilies of the valley, mistletoe, poinsettas, and especially azaleas.  These could be deadly for your pets!  I hope you find the following information helpful.  Ashley and Spaz
 

My beautiful black cat, Shadow, is almost 20 years old so I went looking for information about older cats.  Here's some I found:   Contact your veterinarian if your older cat exhibits any of the following:
Irritability
Tires easily
Seizures
Deafness
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Vomits often
Difficulty swallowing
Swollen gums
Bleeding gums
Frequent sneezing
Nasal discharge
Greasy skin
Offensive body odor
Sores that do not heal
Strains/coughs when
    breathing
 
WHAT ABOUT cat illnesses, and sick cats?  There's lots of information here so keep reading.
 
If your cat is not eating.
Loss of appetite is normal with elderly cats, but a true reluctance to eat is a different matter. When cats get sick, they often don't show signs of illness other than a decreased appetite. Really sick cats just won't eat anything!  Cats are subject to gum disease, or it could have a sore in it's mouth. This could be one reason your cat isn't eating. 
Lethargic behaviour is worth taking seriously.  You could have a very sick cat.  You know your cat best so if it isn't acting as usual take it to the vet.  Also, a lack-lustre coat could mean your cat has or is heading for a variety of problems. You might want to try the Pawier vitamins mom sells, they perked her old cat back to normal when he wasn't eating much and had no energy.
Cat disease symptoms.  Although the following symptoms are for cancer they can
also be a sign of other problems:
Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow.
Sores that do not heal.
Weight loss.
Loss of appetite.
Bleeding or discharge from any body opening.
Offensive odor.
Difficulty eating or swallowing.
Hesitation to exercise or loss of stamina.
Difficulty breathing, urinating, or defecating.
 
Cats can get heat stroke  so be sure you cat has a cool place and plenty of water.
Here's some symptoms to watch for:
Rapid panting; Bright red tongue; Red or pale gums; Thick, sticky saliva
Depression;  Weakness; Dizziness; Vomiting - sometimes with blood
Diarrhea; Shock; and even Coma.
A cat will tremble or shiver when it is extreme pain.
You can check your cats pulse on the inside of the back thigh, where the leg joins to the body. Normal for cats:110-170 beats per minute. Normal body temperature for a cat is 102 .
Cats and Tapeworms:
Cats can get tapeworms from eating mice. If your cat catches a mouse it is best to take the prize away from it.  Cats can also get tapeworms from eating fleas. These worms live inside the cat forever, or until they are removed with medication. They reproduce by shedding a link from the end of their long bodies. This link crawls out the cat's nus, and sheds hundreds of eggs. These eggs are injested by flea larvae, and the cycles continues.  Cats with tapeworms should be dewormed by a veterinarian. Parasitic infestations are a major cause of illness in animals. 
There are too many for me to list here but if your pet is ill this could be what is causing it to be sick.  It's worth a trip to the vet to find out for sure because there are many parasites that humans can catch from their pets. Though rare, cats can contract canine heart worms.
Cat Drooling.   Drooling isn't normal for cats.   Mom noticed her cat, Shadow, was drooling a lot (something he never did before).  Because he also wasn't eating and just laid around, and because of his age, she thought maybe he had a light stroke or something.  She took him to the vet who discovered he had a large sore in his mouth so if you notice your cat drooling don't make it suffer, it is worth a trip to the vet to find out what is causing it.
Lumps and bumps:
These could be tumors, a sign of cancer. If detected early enough, many tumors can be successfully removed.
If your cat itches and "chews" at his/her skin alot, it could be caused by: 1. Shampoo is not rinsed well enough from the skin.  2. Fleas. One little flea on a dog/cat that isn't used to them can drive them wild!! 3.Their food contains something that is an allergen to them. Soy is in many "name-brand" foods and will have a Shih-tzu itching like crazy. Eggs are another "itch causer" for some cats.  4. He may have a condition known as Pruritis. It is caused by chemical reactions that occur in the skin and stimulate the nerves, causing the brain to feel the itch. In fact, the act of scratching itself may stimulate these inflammatory reactions in the skin and make the condition worse. Any skin condition that causes inflammation can cause pruritus. How pruritis affects your cat's health depends on the degree of the pruritus. Mild pruritus may hardly have any effect at all. However, severe pruritis leads to intense scratching, which may result in painful skin lesions that may become infected. Pruritus is associated with other skin diseases, including secondary bacterial skin infections (pyoderma) and secondary yeast infections. But it is the main symptom of skin conditions like allergies and skin parasites. 5. Fleas  6.  Mites (these are very hard to detect).  Only by careful examination, diagnostic tests and sometimes even trial and error can vets come to understand what causes the itching in a particular pet. Mom has received lots of testimonals that her Pawier Vitamines has stopped their pet's itching. You may also want to try mom's Herbal Remedy  for coat and skin.
Drinking more than normal could mean the onset of diabetes or one of a variety of chronic disorders .
When your cat starts urinating in places other than its litterbox.
Whenever cats are having unusual toilet habits, 1.  it's important to check for physical problems that may be causing it. Infections, diabetes, and other diseases can change the behavior of a normally litterbox trained cat.  Once my mother's cat, Shadow,  jumped in the bathroom sink and urinated.  Mom was shocked but quickly discovered there was blood in the urine.  A trip to the vet proved Shadow had a blatter infection.   Cat's have their own way of letting us know something is wrong so before you scold them watch carefully to see if they are trying to tell you something.   2. Your cat may be trying to tell you it doesn't like something about the litter box.  Cats will usually adapt quite well to using the same litter box. That being said, it's still a good idea to have more than one litter box in the house.  Some cats like to defecate in one box and urinate in another, so multiple boxes will make your cats less likely to eliminate someplace else.  A  litterbox should be cleaned daily. If you've recently changed litter brands, change back! Cats can be very particular about the kind of litter they use. If you haven't changed litter, try adding another box with a completely different type of litter in it. Most cats prefer scoopable (clumping), unscented litter. Stay away from litters with lots of fragrance. As an experiment, try putting three litterboxes in your house. Place them right at or near the exact spots where he's urinating inappropriately, and scoop all boxes daily. This is just one example of things you can try.
What about vomiting?
If there is black in the vomit it could be blood so take it to the vet immediately.
When a cat has consistant, chronic vomiting it is possible that he could have hyperthyroidism. Cats with normal thyroid hormone measurements can still have hyperthyroidism and chronic vomiting can be a symptom.  If your cat seems to be vomiting bits of food try giving it small portions at a time. The two most common culprits that cause cats to vomit are eating too much or too fast,  and hairballs. During grooming, tiny barbs on you cat's tongue pull loose hairs from the coat. These hairs are then swallowed. Hairballs can cause chronic vomiting, constipation, lethargy, and/or loss of appetite.  Hairballs are very uncomfortable for your cat and can lead to more serious complications such as dehydration, weight loss, or intestinal obstruction. Since hair is largely indigestible, it is not dissolved by the cat's digestive system. It may then accumulate in the stomach and the intestine. The accumulated hair can interfere with normal digestion and elimination. Daily brushing of your cat's fur to remove loose hair is good preventive practice. In addition to grooming, hairball lubricants aren't expensive and can be used to help eliminate hairballs and prevent their reoccurrence. Tubes of hairball lubricants can be found just about everywhere.  Personally I've found most work the same the difference is sometimes the taste (our cats like the malt flavor) so you'll have to find out which one your cat likes.   Be sure to give your cat the hairball lubricant on an empty stomach (not with his food). 
Black tarry stools:  Could mean internal bleeding. 
 
Is it okay to feed my cat milk?
A cat's digestive system doesn't  digest milk well so it can cause diarrhea.  Therefore most veternarians don't recommend it.
Should I feed my cat tuna fish?
Once in a while probably wouldn't hurt but the human variety of tuna fish contains an enzyme that destroys vitamin B1 (thiamine). Cats who regularly eat tuna can develop a vitamin B1 deficiency, which results in neurological symptoms like dilated eyes, loss of equilibrium, seizures and death if this vitamin is not replaced. If your cat likes the taste of tuna then it is better to choose tuna cat food.
What about feeding my cat dog food?
A steady diet of dog food may cause blindness in your cat - it lacks taurine.
Drinking from Toilet:  Some people have asked if their cat can get sick from drinking from the toilet.  My cat, Spaz, won't drink from any where else.  He's never gotten sick from it.  I'd say as long as you keep the toilet clean and don't use anything that you put in the tank or hang on the side to clean the water it probably won't hurt them.  But, I'm not a vet so you might want to call and ask yours about this.
Purring does not always mean happiness.
Purring could mean a cat is in terrible pain such as during childbirth. Kittens will purr to their mother to let her know they are getting enough milk while nursing. Purring is a process of inhaling and exhaling, usually performed while the mouth is closed. But don't worry, if your cat is purring while your gently petting her and holding her close to you - that is a happy cat!
What about asthma?
Cats, just like people, are subject to asthma. Dust, smoke, and other forms of air pullution in your cat's environment can be troublesome sources of irritation.
Things that are dangerous to your cat:
Cats are fastidious, groom themselves with their tongues, are repelled by bad odors, and are low to the ground. Any toxic substance that a cat walks on, like residue on your floor left by  cleaning products, will end up in the cat's stomach--where it may cause illness or death. Avoid Phenols, commonly found in cleansers, they are poisonous to cats.  Fabric softener in cat bedding and grooming towels. Synthetic air fresheners.  All these can be dangerous to your cat. Tylenol and chocolate are both poisionous to cats. Any kind of chocolate is dangerous but baking chocolate is the most dangerous. Never give your cat pain medicine (especially asprin) without checking with your vet first. The chlorine in fresh tap water irritates sensitive parts of the cat's nose. Let tap water sit for 24 hours before giving it to a cat. Antifreeze used in cars is sweet and attractive to cats so be very careful of spills because it can cause death.
Cutting Cats Whiskers. Ask your vet but I don't think you should cut a cat's whiskers since they depend on them to judge space and other things.
Can you tell if your cat is sick by whether it's nose is cold or not?
Sometimes a cold, wet nose is one sign of good health but not necessarily.  Even a healthy cat can have a warm, dry nose on occasion. Therefore, don't rely on this method.  If your cat isn't eating,  or otherwise is acting unusual, it is best to check with your veterinarian to be sure.
Fat cats
are not necessarily happy cats. Middle Age Spread could spell problems, a sudden weight loss is equally concerning.
A form of AIDS exists in cats.Your vet can test and treat this or if not present, vaccinate for it.
Many people fear catching a protozoan disease, Toxoplasmosis, from cats.
This disease can cause illness in the human, but more seriously, can cause birth defects in the unborn. Toxoplasmosis is a common disease, sometimes spread through the feces of cats. It is cause most often from eating raw or rare beef.
Pregnant women and people with a depressed immune system should not touch the cat litter box. Other than that, there is no reason that these people have to avoid cats.
 
 

How to keep cats off counters and furniture.
 
We all love our cats dearly and frequently spoil them, still, we don't like them on our kitchen counters and special furniture.  Here's some suggestions that may help.
 
1.  Citrus odor is usually offensive to cats so you could try a citrus spray.
 
2.  Place double-sided tape all over the forbidden area
 
3.   Put a plastic carpet runner upside-down on it. The kind with the little spikes. Personally I think this one would work the best.
 
3.  Cover the table or counter with aluminum foil.
 
4.  Make some shake cans. Take a few empty soda cans and put a few pennies in them. Tape over the hole in the top of the can. Next, place some cans all around the edge of your counter. When your cat jumps up, she should knock the cans all over the place. Most cats aren't very fond of loud noises. Cans full of pennies crashing to the ground is usually enough deterrent to keep your cat away from high places for a while. (of course this might wake you up at night)

What about giving cats a bath?
 
Well I'd definitely say it is better to start bathing them when they are kittens.  Spaz was a little older when we started bathing him and doesn't like it at all.  We still end up with a lot of scratches.
Now my Mom's cat, Shadow, started getting baths when he was a baby.  He whines a lot but doesn't fight her. However, her new kitty, Cuddles, was older when she found him and he throws a fit when she gives him a bath. 
When you need to bathe your cat use luke warm water (a couple of inches).  Put something in the bottom of the bathtub that will keep him from slipping.   This is important......Close the bathroom door.  Place kitty in the tub and prepare for a battle.
Cats (especially house cats) are generally pretty clean and a bath once a month will probably be enough.  Most over-the-counter pet shampoo will work. Avoid using human shampoos and other human products because they're much too harsh. If your pet has a skin condition, then you need to see your veterinarian because a special shampoo may be needed.
 
What about teaching a cat to walk with a leash?
I'm definitely not a professional but I know people who have done this.  I've noticed that the cats I've been around all seem to have different personalities, just like people,  and as we know different things work for different people, same for cats.  No matter what type of harness you have give your kitty time to get used to it before trying to take him for a walk.
My mother recently taught her cat, and he is 13 years old.  Mom has one of the Safkat Jackets she sells.  First she put the jacket on every day for a few minutes until Shadow got used to it.  Then she put the leash on every day for short periods of time.  The first time she didn't hold onto the leash, just let Shadow walk around the house dragging it.  Next she held it but let Shadow do all the leading.  Gradually over time Shadow would go where Mom wanted.  Then and only then did she take him outside with the leash on. Now he loves it because he knows he gets to go outside.  Cuddles, however, didn't want the darn thing on and fought her all the way.  When he was small he was able to squirm out of it but as he grew the jacket fit tight enough he couldn't therefore, He too eventually lost the battle and now loves to go for walks.

Stopping cat fights. 
Introducting a new cat to the household often results in the cats fighting.  Never reach into a cat fight, they will often turn on the "peacemaker."  While it is probably best to let the cats work out their hierarchy on their own, if they get too rough on each other, the squirt bottle may put an end to that particular episode. Don't break up every fight unless it gets too violent because they need to establish dominance.
Here are some suggestions to try.  I hope one of them will work for you.
1.  Keep a spray bottle of water handy to break up a fight.
2.  Try putting a tap of vanilla on each cat behind their necks this makes them smell "similar" to each other.
3. Make a loud noise such as clapping, banging a pan, etc. Cats hate loud sudden noises.
4. Rub a cloth or towel over one of the cats.  Then rub it over the other cat.  Now the cats will smell kind of a like. (The reason kitty never attacks the cat in the mirror is it has no scent).
5. In order to satisfy each animal's need for a separate territory, try  rearranging  the furniture  creating two or three smaller areas so each cat can claim his own space.
6.  Buy a "cat tree" . Each cat will usually adopt a shelf as its own.  Since the cat then has "its own" space, they are less likely to fight over territory.
 
 
 

Teaching a cat to use a scratching post.
 
An important part of scratching is the cat's desire to mark a territory, so a scratching post should be in an area that's used by the family, not hidden in a back corner. After a time you can move the post away to the periphery of the room, but you'll need to do this gradually.
Initially, put the post where your cat goes to scratch. This may be by a sofa, a chair or wherever Kitty has chosen as her territiory, and you may need more than one post to cover her favorite spots. Security is a major factor in making the post appealing to your cat. If it topples or shakes, she won't use it. It should either be secured to the floor or have a base wide enough and heavy enough to keep it stable.
Don't try to force your cat to use the scratching post.  Instead, encourage her to use her post with clever enticements. Feed her and play with her by the post. Rub dried catnip leaves or powder into it. Make all the asssociations with the post pleasurable. Reward her with a favorite treat when she uses it. Have her chase a string or a toy around the post or attach toys to it, which will result in her digging her claws into it. Eventually she will learn to love it and regard it as her own. It's also a good idea to put a post where Kitty sleeps. Cats like to scratch when they awaken, especially in the morning and the middle of the night. If space permits, a scratching post in every room of the house is a cat's delight. The most important place is the area of the house in which you and Kitty spend the most time.
If at first Kitty is reluctant to give up her old scratching areas, there are means you can use to discourage her. Covering the area with aluminum foil or double-sided tape is a great deterrent. These surfaces don't have a texture that feels good to scratch.
Remember too that Kitty has marked her favorite spots with her scent as well as her claws. You may need to remove her scent from the areas you want to distract her away from. You will find pet odor removers in pet stores and many supermarkets as well. Cats also have an aversion to citrus odors. Use lemon-scented sprays or a potpourri of lemon and orange peels to make her former scratching sites less agreeable to her.
If Kitty still persists in scratching the furniture, try squirting her with a water gun or a spray bottle . Another option is a loud whistle or other noise-maker. You must employ these deterrents while she is scratching for them to be effective. The point is to establish an aversion to the spot you don't want her to scratch.

Interesting information about cats:
 
Cat Bowls:   Cats whiskers are very sensitive, so much so that they can detect an object in the dark by the air turbulence against their whiskers. Because their whiskers are so important to their survival, they don't like to have their them soiled or smashed against the side of the bowl.
Cats need a dish that is shallow and wide -- at least five inches across. For food, the bowl should be no more than 1 1/2 inches deep; for water the bowl should be between 2 and 3 inches deep and kept full whenever possible. That the bowl is shallow is more important than the width of the opening. Choosing a bowl that is the right size honors the nature of the cat and their needs.
Cats eyes have a full inner-eyelid, or nictitating membrane. This inner-eyelid serves to help protect the eyes from dryness and damage. When the cat is ill, the inner-eyelid will frequently close partially, making it visible to the observer. A cat cannot see directly under its nose. This is why the cat cannot seem to find tidbits on the floor. You can tell a cat's mood by looking into its eyes. A frightened or excited cat will have large, round pupils. An angry cat will have narrow pupils. The pupil size is related as much to the cat's emotions as to the degree of light.  Recent studies have shown that cats can see blue, green and red. A large majority of white cats with blue eyes are deaf. White cats with only one blue eye are deaf only in the ear closest to the blue eye. White cats with orange eyes do not have this disability. Did you know that what humans see on a bright moon-lit night is equal to what cats see in total darkness.
Cats with white fur and skin on their ears are very prone to sunburn. Frequent sunburns can lead to skin cancer. Many white cats need surgery to remove all or part of a cancerous ear. Preventive measures include sunscreen, or better, keeping the cat indoors.
A cat can jump even seven times as high as it is tall. The cat's footpads absorb the shocks of the landing when the cat jumps.
Cats lack a true collarbone that's why they can generally squeeze their bodies through any space they can get their heads through. You may have seen a cat testing the size of an opening by careful measurement with the head.
A female cat may have three to seven kittens every four months. A cat is pregnant for about 58-65 days. Mother cats teach their kittens to use the litter box.
The way you treat kittens in the early stages of it's life will render it's personality traits later in life.  A pet cat will respond and answer to speech , and seems to enjoy human companionship.
When well treated, a cat can live twenty or more years but the average life span of a domestic cat is 14 years.
Neutering a cat extends its life span by two or three years.
You check your cats pulse on the inside of the back thigh, where the leg joins to the body. Normal for cats: 110-170 beats per minute.
A cat's whiskers are thought to be a kind of radar, which helps a cat gauge the space it intends to walk through.
Both humans and cats have identical regions in the brain responsible for emotion.
A cat's brain is more similar to a man's brain than that of a dog.
Cats must have fat in their diet because they can't produce it on their own.
The gene in cats that causes the orange coat color is sexed linked, and is on the X sex chromosome. This gene may display orange or black. Thus, as female cat with two X chromosomes may have orange and black colors in its coat. A male, with only one X chromosome, can have only orange or black, not both.
If a male cat is both orange and black it is ( besides being extremely rare ) sterile. To have both the orange and the black coat colors, the male cat must have all or part of both female X chromosomes. This unusual sex chromosome combination will render the male cat sterile.
The color of the points in Siamese cats is heat related. Cool areas are darker.
Siamese kittens are born white because of the heat inside the mother's uterus before birth. This heat keeps the kittens' hair from darkening on the points.
Cats do not think that they are little people. They think that WE are big cats. This influences their behavior in many ways.
Cats sleep 16 to 18 hours per day. When cats are asleep, they are still alert to incoming stimuli. If you poke the tail of a sleeping cat, it will respond accordingly.
Besides smelling with their nose, cats can smell with an additional organ called the Jacobson's organ, located in the upper surface of the mouth.
The chlorine in fresh tap water irritates sensitive parts of the cat's nose. Let tap water sit for 24 hours before giving it to a cat.
The catnip plant contains an oil called hepetalactone which does for cats what marijuana does to some people. Not all cats react to it those that do appear to enter a trancelike state. A positive reaction takes the form of the cat sniffing the catnip, then licking, biting, chewing it, rub & rolling on it repeatedly, purring, meowing & even leaping in the air. Not every cat gets "high" from catnip. Whether or not a cat responds to it depends upon a recessive gene: no gene, no joy.
Cat families usually play best in even numbers. Cats and kittens should be aquired in pairs whenever possible.
People who are allergic to cats
are actually allergic to cat saliva or to cat dander. If the resident cat is bathed regularly the allergic people tolerate it better. Studies now show that the allergen in cats is related to their scent glands. Cats have scent glands on their faces and at the base of their tails. Entire male cats generate the most scent. If this secretion from the scent glands is the allergen, allergic people should tolerate spayed female cats the best.
 
 
 

Want to know more interesting things about cats?
 
1.  Cats respond most readily to names that end in an "ee" sound.
2.Declawing a cat is the same as cutting a human's fingers off at the knuckle. There are several alternatives to a complete declawing, including trimming or a less radical (though more involved) surgery to remove the claws. Preferably, try to train your cat to use a scratching post.
Cats with long, lean bodies are more likely to be outgoing, and more protective and vocal than those with a stocky build.
3. It has been scientifically proven that stroking a cat can lower one's blood pressure.
If your cat snores, or rolls over on his back to expose his belly, it means he trusts you.
Cats respond better to women than to men, probably due to the fact that women's voices have a higher pitch.
4. When your cats rubs up against you, she is actually marking you as "hers" with her scent. If your cat pushes his face against your head, it is a sign of acceptance and affection.
5. Cats can predict earthquakes. We humans are not 100% sure how they do it. There are several different theories.
6.  A queen (female cat) can begin mating when she is between 5 and 9 months old.
7.  A tomcat (male cat) can begin mating when he is between 7 and 10 months old.
Tomcats can mate at anytime, while queens can only mate during a period of time called heat or estrus. Heat occurs several times a year and can last anywhere from 3 to 15 days.
8.  At 4 weeks, it is important to play with kittens so that they do not develope a fear of people.
Kittens remain with their mother till the age of 9 weeks.
9. It is estimated that cats can make over 60 different sounds.
10. A cat that bites you for rubbing his stomach is often biting from pleasure, not anger.
11. The more cats are spoken to, the more they will speak back. You will learn a lot from your cat's wide vocabulary of chirps and meows.
12. Cats often over react to unexpected stimuli because of their extremely sensitive nervous system.
13. Kittens who are taken along on short, trouble-free car trips to town tend to make good passengers when they get older. They get used to the sounds and motions of traveling and make less connection between the car and the visits to the vet.
14. Cats that live together sometimes rub each others heads to show that they have no intention of fighting. Young cats do this more often, especially when they are excited.
15. By the time they are seven months old, a cat has lost it's baby teeth and it's adult teeth are fully developed. This is one of the ways a vet (or you) can tell the age of a kitten.