Remember, remember the 5th of November… …. The firework season is upon us, with peak activity now (Bonfire night) and another burst on New Year’s Eve. For most of us a joyous time, for others a more troubling celebration as their feline friend is terrified. Generally, most cats struggle with fireworks. They may cower or…
I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news, autumn is approaching. But see it as a time to reflect and reminisce over the gorgeous summer we had, how our feline friends managed to enjoy those glorious days outside and explore the “wide world”. Exploring the fields, back gardens, catching the odd mouse or…
The cat that got the cream? Cats have enchanted us for thousands of years and have gradually moved themselves into our homes and lives. They are very special creatures, often adored for the wildness, elegance and grace they bring into our lives. We all love to play with our cats and know how they love…
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most common diseases affecting older cats, with 20-50% over the age of 15 years being affected. One of the main functions of the kidneys is to clear waste products from the blood, and when damage occurs they are less able to do this so the toxins start…
From a human perspective, a cat depositing faeces and/or urine outside the litter box is completely unacceptable and undesirable. From a cat’s point of view, our feline friend is sending out warning signals, saying “HELP, something is wrong!”. It is important to get an early understanding as to why our cat companion is showing this…
Hyperthyroidism is a common disease of middle age or older cats. It occurs when the levels of thyroid hormone, produced by the thyroid glands in the neck, starts to rise. Thyroid hormones are involved in regulation of the body’s metabolism. Classic signs of hyperthyroidism include increased appetite linked to unexpected weight loss and increased activity…
Now that we can put thoughts of snow and ice behind us, it is time to look ahead to the warmer months. For many of us this means a spring clean and gardening. Our feline friends appreciate the rays of sunshine and will be exploring again and trying to “help” with our activities, however with…
Antibiotic use is a topic which is gaining more attention in the media, due to antibiotic resistant bugs becoming more widespread. People are aware of their impact in human health, but what about the impact on our furry friends? And can overuse of antibiotics in companion animals affect human health? When bacteria become resistant to…
Hypertension is the clinical term for high blood pressure, it is recognised as a relatively common problem in older cats, and is often found in conjunction with other conditions such as kidney disease and hyperthyroidism. In some studies over 60% of cats with kidney disease and over 20% of cats with hyperthyroidism were found to…
