Feline Health

Play Therapy and the Assisi Loop: A Purrfect Combination

Feline Health| 3 Comments

assisi-loop-cat-on-chair

This post is sponsored by Assisi Animal Health*

Play is vitally important to a cat’s mental and physical health, and it’s especially important for indoor cats. Even though cats may sleep up to 16 hours a day, when they’re awake, they need stimulation and exercise, and the best way to accomplish this is with play. While some cat parents are taking their cats outside for leash walks, the average indoor cat doesn’t get much exercise, and we know that exercise is an important component of vibrant health.Continue Reading

Litter Box Solutions for Senior Cats

Feline Health, Products| 83 Comments

cat-litter-box

This post contains affiliate links*

We previously featured high-sided litter boxes to help you contain the mess inside the box rather than all around the box. Even though all of these boxes have lower entrance areas, they may still be too high for senior cats, especially cats with arthritis.

Arthritis is a common condition that affects as many as 3 in 10 cats. It is often not diagnosed in cats because it is difficult to recognize even for the most dedicated cat guardian. The signs can be subtle, and since cats are such masters at masking pain, it often remains untreated. Only 7% of cats with arthritis receive treatment.Continue Reading

Basepaws Whole Genome Sequencing: Your Cat’s Complete Genetic Information

Feline Health| 2 Comments

basepaws-cat-dna-test

This post contains affiliate links*

I previously introduced you to the Basepaws Breed and Health DNA Test and their new Dental Health Kit. Now Basepaws is elevating feline genetic testing to a whole new level. Their Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) is the most comprehensive method for analyzing entire genomes. This test provides your cat’s complete, future-proof genetic information, yielding roughly 10,000 times more raw data than other DNA tests.Continue Reading

Dry Pilling Cats: Uncomfortable, and Potentially Dangerous

Feline Health| 44 Comments

cat-pill-medication

Pilling cats can be challenging, to say the least. Even if you mange to get your cat to take pills by popping them directly into her mouth, you may be doing more harm than good. This practice is known as “dry pilling,” and it can not only be uncomfortable for your cat, it can cause serious damage to the delicate lining of the esophagus.

Think about the last time you took a pill or capsule. You most likely took it with a glass of water. And even if you did, depending on the size of the pill, it may have gotten lodged halfway down. Remember that uncomfortable feeling? You probably immediately drank some more water. Unfortunately, our cats don’t have the instinct to do that if something gets stuck in their esophagus.Continue Reading

Safe Anesthesia for Your Cat Begins at Home

Feline Health| 6 Comments

cat-vet-stethoscope

Every cat parent I know worries when a cat  has to go under anesthesia, including me. Even though I’ve assisted with all sorts of anesthetic procedures and surgeries in my years working in veterinary clinics, and even though I understand how it all works and what constitutes safe anesthetic practice, it still doesn’t completely take the worry out of it. But did you know that there is something you can do at home that will not only make the trip to the vet clinic less stressful, but will also make anesthesia safer?Continue Reading

Basepaws Dental Health Test

Feline Health| 1 Comment

cat-dental-health-test

It is estimated that 50-90% of all adult cats have dental health problems, with periodontal disease being the number one culprit. The good news is that most dental conditions are preventable and treatable, if caught early.

The only way dental disease can be diagnosed definitively is via a thorough oral exam by your cat’s veterinarian. By the time your cat shows typical warning signs, dental disease may already be in its advanced stages.Continue Reading

Ask the Cat Doc: Can You Encourage a Cat to Cuddle and Be a Lap Cat?

Feline Health| 5 Comments

Ask-the-Cat-Doc-with-Dr.-Lynn-Bahr

Welcome to our regular “Ask the Cat Doc With Dr. Lynn Bahr” segment! Once a month, Dr. Bahr answers as many of your questions as she can, and you can leave new questions for her in a comment.

Dr. Bahr graduated from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in 1991. Unlike most veterinarians, she did not grow up knowing that she would become a veterinarian. “It was a cat who got me interested in the practice and I am forever grateful to him,” said Dr. Bahr. Over the course of her veterinary career, Dr. Bahr found that the lifestyle of cats has changed dramatically. As the lifestyle of cats has changed, so did Dr. Bahr’s client education. In addition to finding medical solutions, she also encourages owners to enrich their home environments so that their cats can live long, happy, and healthy lives.Continue Reading

The Truth About Dry Cat Food

Feline Health, Feline Nutrition| 163 Comments

dry-cat-food

Last updated April 2021

Grocery and pet store shelves abound with a dizzying array of dry cat food. For decades, kibble has been the preferred choice for most cat owners. After all, the bags say it’s “complete and balanced,” it’s easy to feed, and most cats seem to like it. Unfortunately, dry cat food, even the high-priced premium and veterinary brands, is the equivalent of junk food for cats. Feeding dry food to cats is no different than feeding sugared cereals to kids.Continue Reading

Natural Remedies for Arthritic Cats

Feline Health| 4 Comments

cat-arthritis-natural-remedies

Arthritis is a degenerative joint disease. The cartilage within the joint is worn down, leading to inflammation, pain and decreased quality of life. As the condition progresses, the friction can wear down to the point where it damages the bones themselves. Osteoarthritis is often not diagnosed in cats because it is difficult to recognize even for the most dedicated cat parent. The signs can be subtle, and since cats are such masters at masking pain, it often remains untreated. As many as 3 in 10 cats suffer from this debilitating condition, but only 7% of cats with arthritis receive treatment.Continue Reading