Health

We understand that as a loving cat owner, you want your pet to be as happy and healthy as possible. As cats can’t tell us what’s wrong when they don’t feel well, it can be difficult to know when they might need help. Warning signs Unlike dogs, cats tend to shy away from contact when they’re under the weather, rather than seek comfort. This protective instinct can even make them more aggressive and hide away, making it tough for you to keep an eye on them. You can avoid cat health problems by taking him or her for a check-up with the vet every 6-12 months, especially when they’re over 8 years old. If you suspect that there is something wrong with your cat but aren’t sure if it’s anything to worry about, there are several unusual cat health symptoms to look out for, to help alert you to when you should take them to the vets. Our guide below sheds light on some of the common cat illnesses and symptoms to look out for. If you have any concerns about your cat’s health, contact your vet.

As your cat grows and ages, over time they may become a little less agile than before. With older cats you might see a drop off in physical activity and an increase in sleeping. While your cat may be in overall great shape for their age, it’s important to look out for any signs of joint problems and arthritis. This condition does affect cats and can be very uncomfortable, so keep on the lookout for the signs of cat arthritis. What is arthritis in cats? Arthritis is a condition that occurs as their joints naturally age and the cartilage material between the bones deteriorates and reduces in flexibility. This causes the bones in their joints to rub together, resulting in stiffness and pain. Arthritis in cats is quite common and according to Cats Protection, around 80% of cats over the age of 10 have some form of the disease. What causes arthritis in cats? Arthritis in cats is caused when damage occurs to your cat’s joints, making them painful to move. Most commonly, arthritis in cats is a result of the ageing process as the cartilage between the joints deteriorates and reduces in flexibility. However, younger cats can also get arthritis if they have suffered from an injury or infection in the joint. The most common type of arthritis in cats is osteoarthritis, which happens as a result of repeated wear and tear of joints, and can also develop as a result of a previous injury.

It’s a sad reality that our furry friends are prone to getting some of the same diseases as us, and that includes cancer. Cancer in cats is less common than it is in dogs, but when they develop it it’s more likely to be fatal. Learn what to be on the lookout for and how to catch it early with our guide. Cancer in cats is an unfortunate reality that can affect our feline friends. While it’s less common than it is for dogs to get cancer, when cats develop the mutation it’s more likely to be serious as they’re masters of hiding their discomfort, therefore it’s often caught later. If you suspect your cat has cancer, it can be a truly scary time and you may fear that you might lose your pet. To help you help your pet, we’ve put together this guide to tell you everything you need to know about cat cancer symptoms and treatments. What is a tumour and when is it cancerous? A tumour is an uncontrolled growth of cells that forms a lump. Sometimes these lumps can disrupt organs and make them not function properly and when this happens, it can be incredibly serious for your pet. There are two types of tumours – benign and malignant. Benign tumours stay where they are first formed, meaning they are not actually cancerous and are generally relatively straightforward to treat, depending on the placement. The other type of tumour is called a malignant tumour, these are cancerous and can be aggressive and invasive as they spread throughout the body. These types can be serious and may be quite difficult to treat. Types of cancer in cats It may surprise you to learn that our cats can actually suffer from many of the same cancers as humans. A few of the most common types of cancer in cats are as follows:

Cat insurance can bring real peace of mind and help to take the worry out of a stressful situation. Choosing the right insurance for cats might seem like a big job, but we’re here to help! Our cats give us a huge amount of enjoyment, as well as being our steadfast companions. So, when they make us worry you want to have a good cat insurance policy in place to make sure they get all the help they need. After all, money is the last thing you want to think about if your cat is ill, lost or stolen. You could chat to your vet about the types of insurance for cats that your pet might benefit from, and we’ve made a list of some general things to help you out too. Knowing how to choose pet insurance can be a little tricky, but once it’s done nothing beats the peace of mind you get from knowing your cat is in good hands! The importance of cat insurance Medical care for cats is improving all the time. However, these treatments can be costly, and when added to the stress of your cat being under the weather, they can really put the pressure on. Getting the right insurance for cats can take some of the worry away, as you’ll know you’re financially covered. Even so, it’s important to know how to choose cat insurance that will fit your pet’s needs – which means reading the small print! What to look for in a cat or kitten insurance policy When looking for cat or kitten insurance, it’s a good idea to do your research on the companies that are offering the policies. In the unfortunate event that you do need to make a claim, a good company could make the experience far less stressful. You should firstly search for a good track record from your cat insurance company and look into how many other people have claimed and what their experiences were like. They should be easy to contact and offer a good, simple and straightforward service. Don’t forget to check opening times and if they have live chat, email or if all contact is via phone. Additionally, make sure that they’re happy to answer any questions and the people you talk to should be friendly and helpful. Remember that you might need to call them at a difficult time, so you need to feel like they are approachable. Things to bear in mind for your cat insurance policy You’ll probably end up looking at all kinds of policies – and it can be difficult to choose between them if they all start to look the same! To help you out, here are the main things you might want to consider when choosing insurance for cats. The cost of your policy While you want the best policy you can get when it comes to your feline friend, you must be able to afford the cat insurance cost. If the monthly premium is too high for your finances, you’ll just be giving yourself extra stress. How much excess will you have to pay for each claim? The excess is the amount of money you have to pay before the cat insurance company covers the remainder. If the excess is high, you’re less likely to claim for minor conditions – and this should be reflected in a lower monthly cost. Only you can weigh up the pros and cons, but make sure you think it’s fair. Does the cat insurance cover all the costs of your pet’s treatment? It’s also important to find out what areas of treatment will be included within the policy.

Having kittens is a very exciting and emotional time for you and your cat. Before you can welcome bundles of fur into your home, you need to know how to tell if your cat is pregnant, and what you can do to ensure her pregnancy is as happy as possible. It’s important to remember when planning to have kittens that your cat and her litter will have demands that you will need to be prepared to handle. To help you support your pet throughout her pregnancy and labour, we’ve covered everything you need to know about expectant cats. Cat pregnancy Much like us, cats have periods of peak fertility when they can become pregnant - this is known as being in season or in heat. Cats can come into season about once every three weeks, so there are plenty of opportunities for your pet to fall pregnant! If you’d like to avoid an unexpected litter of kittens, we recommend neutering your cat before her first season, as she can become pregnant very easily after that point. As bringing up a litter can be stressful for your cat, and expensive for you, we recommend leaving breeding to the experts if possible. How long is a cat pregnant Cat pregnancy normally lasts between 63 to 67 days, but it can be tough to know exactly how long a cat is pregnant for. The cat gestation period can vary from as short as 61 days to as long as 72 days. Your cat (queen) often won’t show any physical symptoms of pregnancy until she is a few weeks into her term. If you think that your cat is pregnant, take her to the vets for confirmation. If you would like to know how to tell if a cat is pregnant yourself, there are several physical signs that you should be able to spot after two or three weeks have passed. How to tell if your cat is pregnant • After approximately 15-18 days of a cat pregnancy, you may notice that your pet’s nipples become enlarged and red – this is known as ‘pinking-up’. • Similar to morning sickness in humans, your pregnant queen may go through a stage of vomiting. If you notice that her sickness becomes frequent, or she is at all unwell in any other way, contact your vet. • Your queen’s tummy will start to swell, but avoid touching it so you don't risk hurting mum or her unborn kittens. There can be other causes behind abdominal swelling, so monitor your cat closely for any signs of illness and consult your vet if you are worried. • A mum-to-be will gradually gain between 1-2 kg (depending on the number of kittens she is carrying) - this is a strong sign that she is pregnant. • Queens tend to have an increased appetite later in their pregnancy, which will also contribute towards her weight gain. An increased appetite could also be a sign of worms or illness, so double check with your vet to confirm. • Your pregnant cat may act more maternal, meaning that she purrs more and seeks extra fuss and attention from you. • Some vet practices can diagnose cat pregnancy using ultrasound, sometimes between 16- 20 days into her term. If a definitive diagnosis cannot be made, a re-evaluation may be warranted in 1-2 weeks. The vet may also be able to give you an indication of how many kittens your cat is expecting by day 40 of her pregnancy. Bear in mind that in cat pregnancy, a larger kitten can obscure other smaller kittens in the womb, so you could have more kittens than expected!

Cat seizures have many causes, and can often occur quite suddenly. Find out what you can do to make the experience less stressful for you and your pet. Cat seizures can be a symptom of many different diseases, but are one of the more unusual cat illness symptoms as they are not very common. It can be alarming the first time your cat has a seizure, but by following the advice in this article you can have the confidence to remain calm and seek veterinary advice when necessary. What are cat seizures? Cat seizures are a sign of abnormal brain functioning, and not actually a disease diagnosis in itself. During a seizure, there is sudden, abnormal electrical impulses that disrupt the normal processes within the brain. This can result in nerve stimulation elsewhere within the body, and the unusual behaviours that are often associated with seizures such as collapse, twitching, chomping the teeth and tremors. There are different categories of seizure, and often an episode will be considered generalised or partial. A generalised seizure involves both halves of the brain, whereas a partial seizure will involve a specific brain region. Cat seizure symptoms The signs of a cat seizure will vary depending on the cause and type of episode. General seizures typically have a sudden onset and last up to three minutes. They can be alarming to watch as you might see symptoms such as shaking, losing consciousness, twitching or urinating.

Just like their personalities, each cat’s dietary needs are slightly different – and sometimes, this means they need an altogether different kind of food. Luckily, there are lots of options to choose from. Over the past twenty years some great high quality, specialised pet food formulas have been created for animals with particular needs. For example, Purina has its own range of prescription diets that your vet might recommend if your cat has a condition that would benefit from dietary management. Whatever you go for, some of these pet foods support treatment over a limited period of time (until the condition is resolved), whereas other special food for cats are designed to help your pet for life (for example, if they have a chronic condition). From cat weight loss formulas to diets for cats with sensitive digestion and more, there’s plenty out there to meet their special requirements.

No pet owner wants a time to come when they have to think about cat amputation, but if your cat’s had an accident or is unwell and surgery can stop their pain, it can be the kindest thing to do. Amputation sounds drastic but it’s a much more common procedure than it once was and, although it involves major surgery, disabled cats can cope very well without a tail or on three legs, once they’ve had time to readapt. So there’s no reason why your handicapped cat shouldn’t live a life that’s filled with as much love and happiness as any of their other feline friends. Cat tail amputation When might my cat need their tail amputated? As cats' tails are long and energetic, they’re prone to accidents, and injuries. Your vet may be able to treat some of the less serious problems but in some cases they may decide that a severely damaged tail needs to be amputated. How will tail amputation affect my cat? Cat tail amputation is a relatively straightforward operation, and although your furry friend may take some time getting used to living without a tail, you can feel reassured that the operation is unlikely to have a long-term impact on their behaviour. Limb amputation in cats When might my cat need a limb amputated? Your vet will recommend limb amputation if, for example, your cat’s leg has been very badly injured in an accident or if they’ve discovered a cancerous tumour on a limb, and removing it completely can stop the illness from spreading. How will limb amputation affect my cat? Losing a leg might sound like a drastic measure but many cats continue to live a very happy life on three limbs without any problems. After the operation, your cat will need to recover from the surgery and then learn how to walk and run again, as their weight distribution will have changed. Your vet will be able to give you lots of help and advice on how you can both cope during these first few weeks.

Of course not all cats go blind, and if they do they can still lead a wonderful, fun-filled life. However, if you realise your cat is going blind, there are a few changes you should make to help them out. Your cat has a wonderful life with all the love and attention you give them, whether they spend their time prowling the great outdoors or prefer to snuggle up on your lap in the house. Despite your care, however, there are some things you can’t control as an owner, including the possibility of blindness in your cat. What are the causes of cat blindness? Your cat may start to lose their sight for a variety of reasons, including old age. Inherited causes of cat blindness are less common than they are in dogs, but they tend to occur more in purebred cats. For example, if you are lucky enough to have a lovely, silky Abyssinian cat, you are more likely to see blindness caused by progressive retinal atrophy (although a genetic test is available for this). Medical causes for adult or senior cats losing their sight are more common than genetic ones. These include trauma, neurological problems, and high blood pressure. Cats compensate for impaired vision by relying more on their remaining senses, especially smell. How can I tell if my cat is blind? If your older cat loses their sight, chances are it happens so gradually you won’t notice anything until the loss is total. This isn’t your fault – cats can compensate for their impaired vision by relying on their other senses. This is particularly true of their sense of smell, which is why they might happily wander up to you when you serve their meals, even if they can’t see properly.

If you are considering breeding cats, there are several factors you need to consider before making a decision. It is not a job you should undertake lightly and we recommend reading up as much as you can on the cat breed you want to breed and what the process may entail. In this article, we will provide you with a rough guide of what to expect if you do choose to breed. Consider seeking professional or expert advice though, and definitely try and speak to a certified breeder that you trust before making your decision. Breeding cats and the law When considering whether you would like to breed cats, the first thing you should keep in mind is the law. It is very important to check the laws on cat breeding and ensure that you can be in line with them. The laws on cat breeding are not as strict as the laws on dog breeding. Breeding cats are protected by the code of welfare for companion cats of the Animal Welfare Act 1999. The codes of welfare also have recommended best practices for cat breeders to ensure the health and welfare of cat at all times.

Did you know that eight out of ten cats over the age of three have tooth and gum problems? Just like our own teeth, your cat’s teeth accumulate plaque and if this isn’t kept under control, it can lead to tartar and even periodontal disease. You know how important it is to look after your own teeth, so make sure you give that same care and attention to your furry friend’s cat dental care. Dental disease in cats Warning signs of dental problems Cats accumulate plaque on their teeth just like we do. If left, this hardens to form tartar, which irritates the gums causing gingivitis and can ultimately lead to tooth loss. If your cat has severe dental disease and it’s not dealt with, the build-up of the bacteria in the mouth can lead to further complications such as heart and kidney issues. So what signs do you need to look out for and how can you help to keep your feline friend’s teeth in tip top condition? The first unusual thing you’ll probably notice is your cat’s bad breath – it can be hard to ignore! This is a sign of advanced dental disease. Other symptoms include reddened gums, yellowish-brown tartar on teeth and drooling. Have you noticed your cat dropping food from their mouth, chewing only on one side or losing weight because they’re unable to eat?

If you have a cat that likes to explore the outside world, it’s likely that they’ll encounter a tick at some point. Find out how to remove a tick from a cat with this guide. If your cat spends a lot of their time outside, it’s likely that they’ll get a tick at least some point in their lives. These tiny creatures latch onto your cat’s body and will feed for several days if not removed, so it’s important that they’re caught as early as possible in order to prevent further pain and discomfort, and to prevent them passing on certain infectious diseases which they can carry. If you’ve spotted a tick on your cat, you may be wondering how to remove it without causing pain or leaving part of the tick behind, which is why we’ve put together a useful guide to tell you how to remove a tick from a cat safely and properly.