Health

What is FIP (feline infectious peritonitis) in cats? FIP is an uncommon but severe disease which is most often diagnosed in young cats (less than 2 years old). It is caused by an infection with feline coronavirus. It’s important to note that this is different from the coronavirus that infects people and leads to COVID-19. Feline coronavirus infection is very common, and in most cats, it only causes mild signs. However, in rare cases, the virus mutates and interacts with the immune system to cause FIP. A mutated feline coronavirus can trigger feline infectious peritonitis, so before we get to the specifics of the FIP disease in cats, let’s look at what the feline coronavirus is and how your pet might get it.

It can be devastating for your feline to be diagnosed with cat skin cancer, but many types if caught early enough are very treatable. Tumours can be benign which means they’re usually not harmful, or malignant, meaning they can be fast growing and harmful. Either way, if you discover a lump or bump, it’s best to have it checked out by your vet as it could be cat skin cancer.

Kittenhood is amazing, but there comes a time in every cat’s life when they have to take their first step towards independence and leave kittenhood behind. It all starts with a process called weaning.

Incontinence in cats is a condition that’s most frequently observed in older felines. Just like with humans, when cats reach their senior years, it can be quite common for them to develop certain health conditions such as cognitive impairment and loss of muscle control that can lead to problems with defecating and urinating.

Cats are curious creatures and this investigative nature extends to just about everything in your home and garden, including your plants. Unfortunately for you and your little pet detective, there are a number of plants poisonous to cats that you should avoid having within easy reach or – if you have a particularly good climber – having in your home altogether. Keep reading to find out which garden and house plants are poisonous to cats.

Just like most female mammals, cats experience breeding cycles – however this is quite different from the menstrual cycle in humans. In this guide, find out all you need to know about the cat heat cycle, including how often they go into heat and whether or not you should let your feline go through an initial cycle prior to spaying.

Tears are produced constantly by cats to offer essential protection to their eyes. The fluid is responsible for removing debris, keeping eyeballs moist and providing essential nutrients. As tears are in permanent production, some crusting around the eyes is normal, but if your cat’s eyes are watering excessively or the discharge seems to be very thick and mucous-y, it can be a sign of something wrong.

Kittens have very sensitive little stomachs and simple changes to their environment or diet can easily lead to diarrhoea. While it’s normal for their waste to be softer than that of an adult cat, if it’s shapeless or has a liquid or mushy consistency, it’s highly likely that the kitten has diarrhoea. The condition is relatively common and luckily, it tends to be very treatable.

All cats deserve a loving family and a forever home. But there is a special group of felines that need a little bit of extra attention and care. In return, they’ll give their owners plenty of love for welcoming them into their life. These are the special needs cats, a lovely group of furballs that are often overlooked during the adoption process. Some of them have been harmed or treated poorly, others have an illness or condition that requires life-long care and possibly ongoing medication. All of them need our affection more than we’ll ever know, but don’t require as much effort as you might think. Adopting a cat or kitten is extremely rewarding. With patience and guidance from the vet, there is no reason why they can’t have fun-filled lives, despite their special health condition. After all, they still have eight lives left to live! So, if you want to know more about special needs cat adoption and what life might be like with one of these amazing fellows by your side, here are some of the common physical limitations in cats who may be struggling to find a new home.

Cats seem to be some of the most resilient animals out there, from fearlessly climbing trees to always landing on their feet, so it’s no wonder we like to say they’ve got nine lives! However despite this, as with all living beings, they can get a variety of ailments, and one of them is cat dandruff, the small, white flakes that fall off of dry skin. While dandruff is definitely unsightly, it can also cause real discomfort to your feline friend, especially if left untreated for extended periods of time. Luckily, dandruff can be spotted early on, and with the right treatment, it can go away faster than you might think. To make sure you’re prepared, check out some of the potential causes and symptoms of cat dandruff, as well as a few tips on how to get rid of those annoying white flakes:

Keen to keep both your plant collection and your cat happy and thriving? It’s entirely possible. We are well aware of how much our feline friends like to visit the plant pots for a snack, and how difficult it can be to stop them munching on everything they’re not supposed to, including poisonous plants. Toxic plants can be very dangerous if ingested by your cat and so, if your cat does manage to eat a plant you’re unsure about, be sure to get in touch with your vet straight away! But on a more positive note, there are lots of cat-safe plants out there that do not cause toxicity if your cat does manage to nibble on them. Here is a list of non-toxic plants for cats that are attractive to look at, but less risky for your feline friend. Note: Although the plants listed are non-toxic – meaning they are unlikely to be dangerous if ingested by a cat – if your cat does manage to eat these plants it can still cause a stomach upset, which can result in diarrhoea and vomiting, as well as a very sore tummy! Because of this, we always advise to keep these plants out of reach of your cat to try and prevent them from having a sneaky nibble!

Many cat owners are concerned about keeping their feline at a good weight. Most commonly concerns are centred around obesity, but your cat losing weight unintentionally could also be a sign that something’s wrong. Your feline may be eating well and still losing weight, they may have a reduced appetite, or they may just be avoiding food entirely. Weight loss can be a sign of a number of different health problems so, if your cat is losing weight, it’s best to contact your vet as soon as possible. In this guide we look at the most common reasons why your cat may be losing weight as well as the other symptoms you should be on the lookout for.