Category: Cats

A cat’s meow is the cutest sound to a proud cat parent. But what if they meow continuously? A clowder of cats having a merry meow jamming session is bound to bring out a cantankerous neighbour with a water hose, hellbent on watering the unsuspecting cats!

A question does arise. What makes a cat to meow without a break? Are they having a health issue that needs to be checked by the vet? Well, here a few reasons for that constant meowing.

• Your cat could be in heat – This could be the reason if your cat has not been spayed. So, if a 6-month-old unspayed cat starts meowing then it is certain that they are in heat. A cat in heat meow sounds are too loud and almost appear like they are in pain. They also turn overly affectionate and have an odd swayed back position when you pet them near their bottom.
• It can be a sign of Hyperthyroidism – Hyperthyroidism is usually seen in elderly cats and have symptoms like weight loss, insatiable hunger, excessive activity and vocalisation. If your cat has these symptoms then you must take them to the vet and have them professionally checked.
• Your cat might have a loss of vision or hearing – Excessive vocalisation is a problem mainly seen in elderly cats. A slow deterioration of senses is the bane of old age. So, it not very surprising for your elderly pet to cry like a lost baby when you turn off the lights at the night. They will feel lost and helpless, especially when they cannot hear or move around the house like the used to. This is why they meow, to signal their distress.
• Senile cats meow a lot – Mental conditions like cat dementia or feline cognitive dysfunction syndrome can make your cat feel scared, helpless and disoriented. They will express their anguish and frustration by wailing, yowling and continuously meowing. Cats suffering from cognitive dysfunction will be more irritable, have altered sleep cycles, will have trouble with body coordination and may also have incontinence issues.
• Cats meow to express pain – Cats are adept at hiding their sickness and rarely show their pain. But at times when the pain becomes severe and uncontrollable they will call out for your attention. It can happen for instance, if a cat is suffering from a urinary tract infection and is unable to urinate. So, its best you take your pet to the vet if you suspect that they are meowing out of pain.
• Your cat may meow out of loneliness and boredom – Cats that are very attached to their human caregivers will meow out of loneliness or boredom when they are left alone at home. This constant meowing is more noticeable once you hit the bed and will continue until they are tired of calling out for your attention. If you suspect that your cat gets lonely then you must try to keep them occupied with games and toys. You can also consider getting another cat to give them company.

Since it is always better to be safe than sorry, you must have your pet checked by the vet to ensure their constant meowing is not due to a health condition. A vet will be able to give you more pointers on how to best handle your meowing pet.

Are you feeding your cat scraps of meal from your dinner plate? Well, you mustn’t as certain Human foods can be dangerous for cats. Though they may pester you for titbits, you must be hard hearted to tell them not to beg. It will save them from suffering the ill effects of consuming too many fat rich foods and dairy products like milk.

While there may not be too many human foods that can be added to your cat’s daily diet there are however quite a few that you must consider as part of their regular diet. Here are 6 superfoods that you must give your feline friend to help them live healthier and stronger.

• Dandelion – The dandelion leaves and roots are known too relieve cat allergies and aids digestion. Dandelion roots are particularly good for liver detoxification. They are also very effective in curing urinary problems in cats or dogs. The dandelion roots are easily available online.
• Cranberries – The berry itself may be a tad too sharp to attract a cat’s fastidious taste buds. Which is why there are plenty of cranberry supplements available online. This nutritious super berry has antioxidant properties and promotes urinary health. Since it also has anti-cancer agents you can protect your pet’s health from adding this to their diet.
• Yoghurt – Yoghurt that is natural, plain and unsweetened is a better alternative to cow’s milk. It is rich in protein and calcium apart from being packed with probiotics. Yoghurt is easier for your cat to digest as lactose is broken during the culturing of the yoghurt and the milk proteins become limited or are removed. Serve a small portion of it to your cat and wait for a day to ensure it goes well with your cat. If they do, you can serve a small portion of it to your pet regularly. If it does not suit them, do not serve it anymore.
• Lean meat – Since cats are carnivores, leans meats are top priority for them. So, cooked chicken, beef and pork with the fat portions removed are a great way to boost their protein intake. Lean meats are a good source of iron and vitamin B. Toping the meat with rich gravies and sauces are a strict no-no. So, think again before sharing your biryani with their feline pal! Too much consumption of fat trimmings at one sitting can put them at a greater risk of developing pancreatitis.
• Fish – Fish is an excellent source of lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Oil rich fishes like salmon, sardines and anchovies have the right amount of omega-3s without the dreaded mercury. Size control is important here as human portions can be too much for cats. A smaller portion of it usually given as treats is the right way to serve fish to your pet.
• Eggs – Eggs contain high quality protein and are very easy to digest. They also have the essential amino acids that keep your feline buddy lean and healthy. You can serve them any way you want but ensure they are cooked as raw eggs can cause salmonella poisoning. Eggs whether scrambled or poached can be given once a week to your pet.

It really does not matter whether you serve your pet dry, canned or home prepared food. But you must consider giving them these above-mentioned superfoods as a part of their diet. Everything given in moderation will ensure that you raise a healthy and strong feline friend!

You can always contact your vet for further professional guidance.

It’s a known fact that cats are clean creatures. They also try to keep their surroundings as tidy as possible. Their penchant for cleanliness is instinctual. Covering their poop comes as a natural instinct to them to safeguard themselves from dangerous predators and to mark their territory.

Cats bury their poop to ‘keep the peace’

Big wild cats belonging to the group of tigers, lions, jaguars and leopards will not bury their poop while they are competing to claim a particular territory. This will let other cats know that they are staking claim of that particular area. They will only bury their poop when they do not want to get any attention from predators. They will also want to protect the location of their young cubs or kittens, which is why they will want to bury their tracks.

Small wild cats, if they share their territory with big cats will bury their faeces to avoid getting attention from them. The small cats bury their poop to let the big cats know that they are not staking claim to their territory. They basically want to keep the peace and try to avoid any conflict.

Housecats also have the instinct of protecting themselves from harmful predators, which is why they will also cover their tracks. Your feline friend might view you as a dominant cat at home and will cover their poop to tell you that they are not trying to stake a claim to your place.

When do cats stop burying poop?        

If your cat used to cover their poop and are no longer doing so, it could mean that they are feeling more safe and secure at home or they could be having difficulty pooping usually caused by a urinary tract infection or other diseases.

If your cat has had a bad experience with a litter box, then will not want to get back to it again and will soil outside the litterbox.

So, to solve this issue first you need to find out if they have any health problems. You must take them to the vet and have them professionally checked. If they are given the clean bill of health then you might want to experiment with different types of litter.

Cats have their own preference of shape, material and scent. If either one of the criteria is not fulfilled they will poop and run away without covering it or they might decide to soil anywhere else at home.

Kittens who leave their mother very early will not have observed her cover her poop so they will not cover after eliminating. Training with reward will slowly help your cat learn to cover their poop.

This lack of covering the poop is not really a cause for concern unless they have a health problem or are eliminating faeces outside their box. Training them to use the litter box appropriately and rewarding them with a treat when they cover their poop will help to solve the issue.

You can always contact your vet for further professional guidance.

The one thing that a pet parent finds very difficult to digest is when they see their pet becoming sexually mature. Sadly, they are no longer the cuddly and mischievous young kittens they used to be. When a cat starts the heat cycle, it can try the patience of their owners.

As your female cat enters the phase of feline reproduction cycle, they will be openly receptive to any advances male cats make. This phase is called estrus.

What is cat estrus? When do cats go first go into heat?

Cat estrus starts when they become sexually mature, mostly at around six months of age. Some may even go into heat as early as four months of age and others may enter the cycle very late at 10 to 12 months of age. As opposed to dogs who have only two heat cycles a year, cats have several heat cycles in a year. Which means that cats that breed can deliver a litter of kittens at any time of the year.

Signs of cats in heat

Even if you have no experience of being around a cat in heat, you will notice a change in their behaviour as they try to get the attention of the opposite sex. The signs of a cat in heat also bears close resemblance to a cat in pain or distress. It also includes:

• Your pet becoming more affectionate and they tend to rub against you, other animals and even the furniture.
• When you stroke your pet, they may arrange themselves to a mating position with their head down and hindquarters lifted high.
• They will become more vocal, leading to loud yowls in trying to attract the attention of a potential mate.
• They may spray urine around your house to make their presence known and territory familiar to attract a mate.
• Your pet will become restless and pace aimlessly or they may roll on the floor.
• Loss of appetite is also common.
• They may continuously lick their genitals, that will get engorged and swollen. You also might notice a bloody discharge.
• Your cat will want to escape from your home to find themselves a mate. So, they are more likely to scratch at the window screens or run out of your home when the door opens.

How to handle cats in heat?

If you do not plan to breed your cat then you must keep them indoors while they are in heat, even breaking their attempts to flee from your place. Keep in mind that if she runs out she will be at a great risk of contracting an infectious disease like feline leukaemia from an infected male that she plans to mate with. So, for safety purpose its best that you keep her at home.

On the other hand, if you do want to breed your cat then you might want to get in touch with a cat breeder to ensure they mate with a healthy partner.

How long are cats in heat?

The estrous phase usually lasts between 7 and 10 days. If they are not able to mate or fall pregnant they might go into heat anytime within the next three weeks. Cats that are not allowed to breed maybe constantly in heat.

How to prevent a cat from going into heat?

The only way to prevent your pet from going into heat again and again is by having them spayed or neutered. This option can be considered if you do not plan to breed your cat. If you do not want your pet to be spayed or neutered then you have to ensure that they remain at home during their heat cycle.

You can always contact your vet for further professional advice.

If you think that cats are aloof creatures who only show affection to fill their hungry tummies then do we have news for you! A new study done by Oregon State University has found that our feline friends prefer human social interaction over food. This makes them not very different from our canine buddies.

This study examined what would happen when both domestic cats and sheltered ones were given a choice of stimuli. They were given a choice between food, toys, scent and a social interaction with humans to check which they would prefer.

The result was quite surprising. It was found that social interactions with humans was preferred by most cats both domestic and sheltered, followed by food. The study also states that continuous research on cat cognition is proving evidence of their complex socio-cognitive and problem-solving abilities. But, it is still a fact that cats are not very sociable or trainable, unlike dogs.

So, for all those naysayers who believe that cats only care about food, dig this! Cats love their human more than their precious food!

Poop discussions are always a big turn off. Yet, it is very important as it helps us to stay vigilant about a cat’s state of health. So, as important as poop is to determine the state of your pet’s health the place where it exits, that is the cat butt, is also equally important.

Here are a few things that you must be aware of while caring for your pet.

• Cat butt dingleberries – It is very common to see pieces of faeces stuck to a cat’s butt, especially with a long-haired cat. To see the matter smeared onto your pillow or the sofa is definitely not a pleasant sight.

Dingleberries form when your pet’s poop is very soft and is more often seen in cats suffering from diarrhea. So, you might want to get them checked professionally by the vet.

To avoid the formation of the abhorred berries it is a good idea to have their excess fur trimmed. You can either do it yourself or take them to the vet for a quick ‘sanitary trim’.

• Should you wipe your cat’s butt?

Cats are independent creatures who groom themselves on a regular basis. But should you give them a helping hand in cleaning their butt? Well, cats usually groom themselves without any help but there are certain cases where they will require your assistance:

• Soft poop – If your pet’s poop is softer than normal it will stick to their bottom. Usually they will clean it themselves but thy might not be able to do a clean job, so a little help will be appreciated.
• Overweight cats – It your cat is overweight it will not be easy for them to reach their butt to clean themselves. So, they will need your help. It might also be the right time for you to put them on a diet to lose those extra kilos.
• Arthritic cats – Older cats that suffer from arthritis will not be able to bend to clean their butt. So, you might want to help them out.

Wiping the area with warm water on a soft cloth is the best way to clean your pet. Apart from this baby wipes or pet cleansing wipes can also be used.

• Cat scooting – Does your cat wake up from their nap only to sit up and rub their butt on the floor? This is known as cat scooting which is a clear indicator that something is wrong with your pet. It can be anything from diarrhea to worms. If they continuously drag their butt on the floor then it’s time you took them to the vet and have them thoroughly checked.

• Common health conditions associated with your cat’s butt – One common problem that you can observe with a cat’s butt is swollen anal glands. The anal glands are situated on both sides of the anal opening. They secrete a scent which coats the poop and is used for marking purpose. Normal faeces that comes from the rectum puts enough pressure on the anal glands to release the scent. But if the poop is too hard or soft then it will not be able to release the scent from the anal gland. Once they stop doing so, the glands get swollen and get uncomfortable posing more problems for your pet. If you notice your pet licking their butt or appearing uncomfortable then it might be a good idea to consult your vet.

You can also see wriggling things in your cat’s poop. If you do notice it then you must take your pet to the vet and have the issue resolved. They are most likely worms that hang out in the exit area, more so if the problem is in an advanced stage. Anything odd that you might find hanging out of your cat’s butt or their poop must be shown to your vet and quick action must be taken.

Who knew that a cat’s butt says so much about their state of health? Now that you know, you might as well keep a close watch on them and stay informed about their health.