Cat Health Problems - Know When Your Cat is Ill

Like a baby, a cat's well being is quite easy to read. Once it stops being a lively pet chasing its yarn ball, you can definitely tell that something is not right. Symptoms such as loss of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting or any unusual behavior signify that your cat is undergoing some health problems. Being aware of the common cat health problems will save you from the stress of worrying and will help you to react properly to ameliorate the condition.

Being innately curious, cats will poke their noses unto almost every nook of the house. This curiosity, as the saying says, will certainly kill these pets in some conditions. Cats love to nibble on stuff that may be toxic and unsafe. They may chew on poisonous plants, sniff on some insecticides or lick on a mercury spill. Whenever your cat shows signs of nausea and upset stomach, consider this scenario as a possibility. Better yet, consult with the veterinarian beforehand and learn the steps to take to give first aid to a poisoned cat.

Cat hairballs is one of the most common cat health problems. Seeing your cat constantly choking and vomiting could be an indication that it has accumulated hairs in its stomach. As cats love to frequently lick and clean their bodies, a mass of hairs get stored inside the stomach causing this discomfort. The hairballs can pass out through the feces or can be vomited out.

Finally, suspecting something amiss with your little fur of a sweetheart is a good reason to be alarmed. Any minor cat health problems can develop into a fatally serious condition if left untreated. Consult the veterinarian to make sure that your kitty will stay as adorable as it is.

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Understanding Cat Health Problems

Cats are one of the most adorable pets that we can get along with. The key to enjoying an energetic feline is to know the common cat health problems that may cause him danger. They can become a good companion and have an excellent ability to hunt unwanted house pests or dangerous creatures such as rats, scorpions and snakes. Since they are known to be hygiene conscious, cats always lick their bodies to get rid of dirt and other unwanted elements. This habit may be vain yet harmless.

However, studies show that it may become a danger to their health as their fur sticks on their tongues and is swallowed in the process. Thus, this may cause serious stomach problems as the fur deposits accumulate and in the end may form a ball that will become dangerous to its metabolism. From that experience we discover that the most common cat health problems that your feline may encounter includes hairballs, urinary tract infection and feline infectious peritonitis.

People are not the only ones endangered by the fur from your cat but even they are not exempted to the dangers it may bring. Just like us, your cat may continuously cough or get sick as allergic reactions to the fur. In order to solve this problem, there are many cat foods in the market to help avoid hairball formation.

You think that humans are the only ones that get urinary tract infection. Think again. It is considered one of the most common cat health problems that threaten their good health status. This is usually common on male un-neutered felines as they emit an unfavorably strong urine smell as a symptom. The best way to treat this problem is to consult a veterinarian and know what cat foods may alleviate this situation. Another health problem they may encounter is the Feline Infectious Peritonitis; though this may not be fatal, it can be prevented through immunization and proper diet.

Now that you have learned some of the many cat health problems, you will be able to plan with your veterinarian what are the necessary precautions you can take to protect your cat from these illnesses and diseases.

Tom has had pets since he was a young child. He hopes to share many years of experience along with targeted research to help cat owners. This includes cat care as well. For more information, please visit his site today. http://www.mycatfacts.com
By T. Houser

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How To Handle Cat Allergies

When it comes to popular pets that people keep in their house, cats are the winners by a long shot. Over 50% of all families living in the US have either cat or a dog. Even though they are so loved, a lot of people have cat allergies. According to the statistics, there are more than 10 million people suffering from cat allergies in the US.

In most cases, the thing that causes the allergy is the dander, which is essentially dust, made by the cat's body. Dander comes usually as small flakes of shed skin that cats leave behind. One effect of dander is irritation of the skin, but if it gets inside you, it can also provoke allergies and other symptoms.

If the dander enters your immune system it becomes a threat to you. You can't really call it an illness, but more of a defense reflex of your immune system and body. Because allergens can be found in the cat's saliva, urine and blood, cat allergies can happen very often. Even if a cat is not present, if its excretions are in the area, they can still provoke an allergic reaction.

If you have a cat allergy and you enter the house of someone that has a cat, you will have a reaction, since their saliva, urine and dander can be found there. The grooming process of a cat means that it rubs saliva on the fur, which spreads allergens and dander. This can't be stopped and since grooming is a normal part of their life, you shouldn't even try.

The regular symptoms of a cat allergy are cough, wheeze, itching, sneezes, a tough time breathing or watery eyes. The ways that people react to cats when they have allergies are different, so the symptoms that can be found in one person might not be found in another. In some rare cases people can even experience chills and fever. In such cases, the person needs to visit a doctor as soon as possible. Sometimes it's more about a disease that needs to be identified, and not about the cat allergy.

The treatment for people that suffer from cat allergies consists of decongestants and antihistamines. For example, when people have asthma attacks, they will receive antihistamines. If you have a swollen nasal passage or a cough, you will be prescribed decongestants. In other cases you can even get allergy shots, which will help you with attack prevention, good especially for those that have cat allergies. If you want to do some prevention or to treat a current allergy, these shots can be of huge help.

If you think that you might have allergy to cats, you should go to a doctor to check it out. A doctor can give you a proper diagnosis and let you know what you can do to treat it. Getting rid of the cat is the best method of actually stopping the attacks from happening.

That's actually not as easy as it sounds usually, since people are attached to their pets, but allergies are a serious thing, and if you suffer from one, I'm afraid that's the best way to make sure you're safe. Shots and medicine can only help you so much. Unfortunately, these allergies can show up after you owned a cat for several years, so you might already be very attached to the animal.

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By Cristian Stan
Published: 3/16/2009

Keeping Your Cat As Healthy As Possible

If you want to make sure that your cat remains healthy most of the time, the main tips we can give you is to give her good food, enough water and a good shelter. But, ultimately you can't stop a cat from getting sick.

If you own a cat, you should make sure that you give her the best food possible. The absolute best is to give her premium cat food, since it's made out of the best ingredients. Paying a bit of attention to how the cat behaves can give you an idea if it's sick. In most cases, the regular sicknesses and ailments are of the minor variety, but the vet should determine that, in case it's something more serious.

Paying attention to the behavior of the cat can give you very good signs that something is wrong with the cat. If she lays around, looks sluggish or doesn't have any energy, it's advisable that you take it to the vet as soon as possible. Also pay attention to the cat's coat. If the cat sheds too much or becomes patchy and dull, you should visit the vet immediately and let him check it out.

Vomiting and diarrhea are two common symptoms even if the disease is of the more simple variety. If they persist after the first day, make sure you go to the vet. Hairballs are dislodged from the cat's throat by coughing, so this is normal in most cases. If the reason seems to be another, get him to a vet.

Getting the cat vaccinated is a good way to keep your cat from getting sick in most cases. Feline distemper and rabies are two examples of diseases that a vaccine can prevent from happening. Feline distemper especially is a very dangerous disease for a cat to have, but it's also extremely easy to prevent. If the cat does get this disease, the time to treat it is not very long.

An extremely deadly cat disease is feline leukemia, which can be avoided if the cat gets the proper vaccines. While humans are safe from getting this illness, cats can easily get it from other cats. Even though vaccines exist now for this disease, it would be advisable not to keep the cat around others that are sick with this disease.

Worms are an issue with cats that are kept on the outside a lot. You can spot cats with worms by checking out their lack of appetite and the lackluster coat. Two of the main types of worms that can be found are hookworm and ringworm. Cats can get worms from lice, fleas or by eating organs of rodents that are dead. By doing this, the eggs are digested by the cat, and after they mature they will get on the intestine's walls. Keeping your cat safe from worms can be done by giving it garlic on a regular basis.

By taking a few precautions you can have a great chance of keeping your cat healthy. For example, making sure you give the cat good food and that you take it to the vet on a regular basis. The cat will be protected against a lot of diseases if she gets the vaccines in time. When you have a cat, you should do a lot of prevention work to make sure it doesn't get sick.

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By Cristian Stan
Published: 3/16/2009

Keeping Your Garden Free Of Cats

If you want to make sure that cats don't get into your garden, the first step would be to secure the boundaries. For example, check for gaps in the fence and block them so that you don't make it too easy for the cat to get in. Because they're so agile, cats can easily jump high and over a fence. The solution to that is to buy a taut or string wire and put it on the top of the fence.

Once the cat gets in the garden, you might find it hard to get rid of her. A lot of people will simply use dogs, for the simple reason that cats and dogs don't get along. Dobermans and pit bulls are two races of dogs that are especially aggressive when they see cats. Simply seeing one of these types of dogs will make a cat run away.

Another thing that cats don't like is water. When you want to get rid of a cat, try using water on it to make it run away. Just squirting some water from a garden hose or a water bucket will do the trick. Once you've scared the cat a few times by using this method, he'll probably stop showing up. Just keep getting water on him each time he comes and he'll understand that he's not welcomed.

If you want to protect the plants in your garden, then you can try using mothballs, since cats don't stand their smell. You can place the mothballs near garden borders, around plants and near the fence. Besides mothballs, there are a few other repellents for cats, like tobacco, mustard oil, cayenne peppers, lemon grass oil, citronella oil and lavender oil.

Going to a local lawn or hardware store will also give you some more options, in the form of sprinklers that are activated by motion. Install a system like this in your garden, and when a cat enters the area the sprinklers will start shooting water. If the cat has this experience a few times while coming to your garden, it will eventually learn to stay out.

One other method of scaring cats that works very well is using devices that emit sound at high frequencies, which humans can't hear. There are a number of options out there that work on this principle. You can choose one that starts when it detects motion and another that keeps doing the noise all the time. Just make sure you check for the area that the device can cover. As long as it can protect the entire garden, it should be all you need to get rid of unwanted visitors.

There are a number of commercial options also, like products that use scents to make the cats avoid going into your garden. However, you shouldn't use such a product in the vicinity of your food crops. It's not recommended because these repellents have a lot of chemicals in them. Look for these products in local department stores.

Having a garden means that you can expect unwanted visitors from time to time. Cats and other types of animals will show up if you don't take some precautions. If you do take precautions, you can make them leave your garden alone. As I said here, the first step should be securing the fence, followed by using water. If none of these works, you can try some commercial repellents as a last resort.

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By Cristian Stan
Published: 3/16/2009

Taking Care of your Cat

Cats can be one of the most lovable and playful pets to have. They bring a sense of radiance to the house and fill it with joy. Surveys conducted in the past have documented those families with cats in their house score higher on the happiness index. It isn’t surprising that cats are the most preferred pets to keep; by the single occupant. But keeping a cat at home means taking on a big responsibility. The health of the pet in the house is an indicator of the general health of the entire family.

Cat care begins the moment it is brought into the house. It should be introduced to its litter box as soon as possible as this gives it a sense of comfort. It feels that it owns its little space in the world. The children of the house will be very keen to get friendly and play with the cat. But they must be told that the new member must given time to settle down and get used to the place. Another prospective problem is if there are any other pets in the house. A dog could be a problem because it is not possible to judge the reaction of the other animal towards the new entrant into its territory. It will be best served it the dog is kept on a leash initially. The family should be very clear about the "incoming-outgoing" policy for the pet, before the pet arrives. Will the family be comfortable with the pet going out of the house as she pleases? Will the pet be accompanied by a family member? If the cat can leave and enter whenever she likes it is imperative that a cat door is installed before she is brought into the house. Keep it locked for the first few days; open it once the cat gets accustomed to the place.

The feeding dish and water bowl must be easy to clean. Plastic and aluminum are the most popular choices. The design of the dish and bowl should be such that is it is stable and does not keel over when a little pressure is applied. Choosing the right litter box could be a tricky job because the cat will not like any litter box that you offer. It has to feel and smell right. It could mean multiple trips to the local pet specialty retailer. The dimensions of the litter box must correspond to the size of the cat. Kittens might find it difficult to get accustomed to big boxes. A litter pan could be used in the case of a kitten. Once she grows up the pan could be placed inside a litter box. After sometime the pan could be removed. Cleaning the litter box is very important as an unclean litter box can be a breeding ground for bacteria and other insects. The usage of disinfectants could result in the cat never using the litter box again because of the smell. Ideally it should be scrubbed clean with soap and water.

Clipping the claws is necessary because it will prevent the cat from injuring herself on anyone else. But it is not a simple task because there is a vein called the quick that grows in the claw. Cutting this would lead to bleeding. It must be done with a lot of care using clippers recommended by the vet.

As a rule cats are not very fond of water. If brushing and combing does not clean her then the bath option is to be exercised. While bathing the cat wet her from head to tail and then apply a pet shampoo recommended by the wet. Avoid getting lather in the eyes or ears. Rinse thoroughly so that none of the shampoo is left behind. Dry her with a clean towel and keep her indoors till she is completely dry. The cat should be combed regularly to avoid the occurrence of fleas. While combing powder can be used separate hair that gets entangled with each other.

While traveling the temperature inside the vehicle must be monitored and regulated to suit the needs of the cat. If she is exposed to extreme heat, she could suffer irreparable damage. Ventilation must always be there.

The choice of vet must be made prior to the arrival of the pet. Ideally the vet should take personal interest in the cat and he must be situated at a convenient location in case of an emergency. It would help to go to the vet that is most preferred by people living in the neighborhood.

By Anish Chandy

Urinary Tract Infection in Cats and Dogs

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the common health problems in cats and dogs. Bacterial infection is a common cause of urinary tract infection. When bacteria enter the urinary tract through urethra and multiply in the bladder, it can lead to UTI. It is more common in female cats and dogs, because of a shorter urinary tract and weaker sphincter muscles. Generally, cats are more prone to UTI than dogs.

Causes of Urinary Tract Infection in Cats and Dogs

Urinary tract infection in cats and dogs is mainly caused by the bacteria, Escherichia coli. Other causative agents are Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas, Enterococcus and Klebsiella. Bladder tumor, bladder cancer and abnormalities of the urinary tract can increase the risk of urinary tract infection. Kidney stone causes a blockage of urinary tract, leading to infection. According to some researchers, urinary tract infection in cats and dogs is associated with their diet. Commercial dry pet foods may be contaminated with bacteria, which can cause infection. Inadequate food storage and unhealthy feeding practices can lead to multiplication of E. coli.

Symptoms of UTI in Cats and Dogs

There are two types of urinary tract infection in cats and dogs such as upper urinary tract infection and lower urinary tract infection. Upper urinary tract infection causes the symptoms such as vomiting, weight loss and anorexia. The signs and symptoms of lower urinary tract infection are related to abnormalities in urination. This includes trouble and extreme pain during urinating. The frequency of urination is increased. There is straining while urinating and localized pain. The urine is cloudy and foul smelling. There may be a presence of blood in the urine (hematuria). Some other symptoms of UTI are tender lower abdominal area, fever, fatigue, lethargy and loss of appetite. When you notice these symptoms in your pet, you should immediately take it to the veterinarian.

Diagnosis of UTI in Cats and Dogs

The diagnosis of UTI in cats and dogs is done with the help of physical examination, medical history and symptoms. The veterinarian performs a thorough physical examination including palpation of abdomen. The medical history includes the questions about reproductive status of your pet, water consumption, previous medications, illness or changes in urination. Urinalysis is done to determine the presence of bacteria, red blood cells, white blood cells and crystals. Excessively alkaline urine indicates the possibility of UTI. Culture and sensitivity of urine is performed to identify the causative agent.

Treatment of UTI in Cats and Dogs

Urinary tract infection in cats and dogs is treated with a course of antibiotics. In case of severe infections or persistent urinary tract infections, catheterization or surgery may be required. UTI in cats and dogs can be treated with some herbal remedies. Goldenrod Horsetail compound is the herbal tincture, which can help to soothe the irritating symptoms of UTI. Some other herbs used for UTI treatment are Uva Ursi, Berberine, Cranberry and Ester-C. These herbs help to reduce inflammation and manage the symptoms.

To prevent these health problems, you should take good care of your pet. Your dog's health and cat's health will depend upon the amount of attention you spend on its nutrition, and other health-related issues. Along with this, ensure you spend ample time and give your pet plenty of exercise to keep it happy and healthy forever.

By Reshma Jirage

Is Your Cat Scratching Driving You Crazy?

Does a particular article of furniture or your walls appear like they have been put through a shredder? Is your cat scratching everything but what he's suppose to? There are ways to keep your cat happy and healthy while allowing you to stop pulling your hair out.

First of all, scratching is a natural instinct for your cat. He's genuinely not trying to send you over the edge. Scratching helps to get rid of the dead cells off his claws, helping them to remain sharp and in peak condition. Scratching also helps your cat to feel good. As your cat scratches they also stretch, which helps improve their muscle tone.

A lot of people feel that the way to go is to declaw your cat. This is a procedure you do not want to take lightly. Declawing your cat is a controversial medical procedure. This requires removal of the nail, and occasionally even the end of the toe bone including the cells responsible for nail regeneration. The practice of declawing has lost its appeal in recent years, and has even been banned in some countries, unless medically required, because it's a painful, and for the most part, unneeded action.

Cats like rough surfaces that they can shred to pieces. You will need to provide an alternative solution to your furniture such as a scratching post, rope, or board. It is probably best to avoid carpet covered scratching posts as this may tend to teach your cat to scratch other carpeted areas. Once you have this then you can start training your cat to use it.

The best way to keep your cat from scratching your furniture and walls is to cover the target area with something your cat will find undesirable like double-sided sticky tape, sandpaper, foil, or a plastic carpet runner with the pointy side facing out. You could apply an odor which your cat will not like by attaching cotton balls to the object such as perfume or a muscle rub. Make sure the scratching post is conveniently placed in front of what it is your trying to protect so your cat will readily accept this as their alternative. Try making your scratching post or board more enjoyable by rubbing it with catnip leaves or spraying a catnip mist on them.

Clipping your cat's claws regularly may also help to keep your belongings in better shape. If you have never done this before it can appear a bit daunting, but with a pair of cat nail clippers, it's not so difficult. Clip only the clear tip of the nail. Don't clip the area wherever pink tissue is seen or the somewhat opaque area that outlines the pink tissue.

For the first while, praise your cat profusely when he uses his scratching post. You can even reward him with a small treat when he does so.

If your still having no luck then you can always try the plastic nail clips for your cat. There are many different brands out there and they come in a variety of colors, but keep in mind these could get expensive if they keep falling off.

All of the above tips will help you condition your cat to use a scratching post. Most of all you will need persistence and patience and soon you will be able to get that new couch and you can keep your hair on your head where it belongs.

Find helpful answers to all your cat scratching questions and problems http://www.catscratchfurniture.com

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Kitten Care Guide - Complete Care Tips For Your Kitten

Kitten care may be intimidating to the first time cat owner. There are a lot of things to know about kitten care. From bottle feeding to socializing your kitten, you'll have to learn these things in order to raise your kitten properly.

Kitten care should be fun. You will look at your kitten and see a totally helpless creature for the first few days. You need to take care of your kitten and eventually; they will grow into strong, intelligent, and loving cats.

Kittens will grow very quickly. For the first six weeks, they will grow their fastest in their entire lifespan. This stage is crucial. There are some things that you should not do during this stage of a kitten's life.

You should not feed your kitten dog food. This might make end up with cats vomiting or cat sickness. You should not feed it table scraps either. Avoid giving your kitten liver, canned tuna or any type of canned fish for human beings. You should feed your kitten specialty food and nurse them with their proper milk. Kitten care in feeding is important.

Socializing your kitten is part of kitten care. You can talk to your kitten, cuddle with your kitten, and play with it. When you handle it properly, they will associate positive experiences with you and thus, become properly socialized.

Part of kitten care involves what you should allow and what you should prohibit when your kitten is playing. You should now allow your kitten to play with your fingers and associate it with some play toy. This may develop into a bad habit and may eventually cause scratching and biting not only to you but to other people in the household as well.

Part of care involves what kind of toys to buy them. In some cases, you don't even have to buy them because you can find them lying around the house or you can make them. One toy that you may want your cat to play with is a plastic straw. These are excellent for teething during the early stages of cat's life. Aside from straws, you can also get old shoulder pads. They will enjoy playing with this too.

Kitten care also involves what your cat should not play with. Avoid giving your cat curling ribbons or loose string elastics. They may get a cat hairball. You don't want your cat going to the vet because of their toys.

Kelvin Westly is a caring and passionate cat owner. Click here to discover more about the tried and tested cat care and training tips here at: Cat Pet Training by using lesser time and effort on your cats.

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Changes in Your Cat's Heart, Lungs, Kidney and Liver - What You Should Know About It

Even with the best nutrition, exercise, and proper health and dental care, certain changes to your cat's internal organs are inevitable as she grows older. Let's see what you can expect and what you can do to prevent or manage problems that may occur as a result.

Like your cat's other muscles, her heart will lose muscle tone and become less efficient with age. Cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle, is fairly common in elderly cats.

Depending on your cat's age, general condition, and symptoms, the veterinarian may simply listen to her heart with his stethoscope, use radiographs (X-rays), or recommends an electrocardiogram or EKG or echocardiogram to diagnose a heart problem.

Age also takes a toll on the lungs, making them less elastic and limiting their ability to oxygenate blood. The result is usually reduced stamina and a higher susceptibility to respiratory problems, especially if your cat has asthma.

Older cats are also more likely to contract infectious respiratory diseases, so your vet may recommend changes in your senior's vaccination schedule. The kidneys also become more vulnerable to disease over time due both to natural changes that occur as the body ages and to other health problems, including gum disease and heart problems.

Symptoms, usually increased drinking and urination, do not usually appear until kidney disease is well advanced, so most vets recommend screening for proper kidney function through urinalysis or blood chemistry analysis as part of the regular physical exam and before any procedure that requires anesthesia.

Medication and a special diet may control kidney disease, especially if you catch it early. The job of the liver is to remove toxins from the blood and to produce certain proteins and enzymes. Infections, parasites, cancer, toxins, medications, and a number of diseases all can cause potentially fatal damage to the liver, especially in an older cat whose liver is less efficient than it was when she was younger.

Jaundice is commonly associated with liver disease, but because other symptoms are not specific, liver disease can be difficult to diagnose. Nevertheless, most vets recommend screening for proper liver function as part of routine geriatric care and before anesthesia.

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Diabetes Mellitus and Pancreatitis in Cats - What You Should Know About This Glandular Problem

Older cats may suffer from hormone related diseases caused by glandular changes that occur with advancing age. Again, most vets recommend routine screening for hormone levels in the blood because early intervention with diet, drugs, and other treatments improve the odds of effective control of these diseases.

Let's look at some of the more common glandular problems seen in older cats. The pancreas produces several enzymes that are essential for processing sugars and fats in the diet. Diabetes mellitus occurs when the pancreas loses its ability to metabolize and regulate blood sugar through the production of insulin.

Symptoms of diabetes include heavy water consumption, and consequently, heavy urination. Obesity can lead to diabetes, but not all diabetic cats are fat. If your cat drinks and urinates a lot, or if she is overweight, consider having her tested for diabetes.

Some cases can be managed with changes in diet, but many diabetic cats require daily insulin injection to control excess blood sugar. If that is true for your cat, your vet can teach you to give the injections at home and to monitor blood sugar with urine glucose strips available from any pharmacy.

He also can explain what to do if your cat's blood sugar drops too low from the insulin injections. Even with careful home care and monitoring, you will need to take your cat to the vet frequently to be sure that her insulin dosage is correct.

Pancreatitis is a potentially fatal inflammation of the pancreas. Symptoms include fever, abdominal pain, and elevated heart rate. Eating too much fatty food can bring on an attack of pancreatitis, or it can be caused by certain infections, medication, metabolic disorders, trauma or shock.

If your cat is diagnosed with pancreatitis, your vet will probably advise you to withhold food for a short period to give the pancreas a chance to rest and recover. He also may administer fluids and electrolytes to combat dehydration and may prescribe other treatments to manage potential complications or to address the suspected cause of the pancreatitis.

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Cat Eye Infections - How to Treat and Prevent Common Cat Eye Care Problems

Feline conjunctivitis is a cat eye infection is characterized by an inflamed pink membrane that lines the inner eyelid and the white part of the eye. Oftentimes conjunctivitis occurs only in one eye rather than both. In this article you'll learn how to recognize and treat cat eye infections without costly prescriptions or antibiotics.

If your cat or kitten has conjunctivitis it is an eye infection that can occur intermittently for a few months to several years. It may or may not occur in conjunction with other eye problems. Sometimes feline conjunctivitis also presents with a cornea erosion or ulcer; corneal inflammation, called Keratitis; or intraocular inflammation, called uveitis. These other cat eye infections are often instigated by Feline Herpesvirus-1.

If your cat or kitten has conjunctivitis it is an eye infection that can occur intermittently for a few months to several years. It may or may not occur in conjunction with other eye problems. Sometimes feline conjunctivitis also presents with a cornea erosion or ulcer; corneal inflammation, called Keratitis; or intraocular inflammation, called uveitis. These other cat eye infections are often instigated by Feline Herpesvirus-1.

A conjunctivitis cat eye infection is most often caused by Feline Herpesvirus-1, Feline Chlamydia or Feline Mycoplasma. One, two or all three of these organisms probably caused your cat's eye problem.

What are the Signs of Cat Eye Infections?

1. Occasional or continual squinting - your kitty looks sort of like Popeye. If her squinting is severe, it may indicate a corneal ulcer or erosion.

2. Watery or mucous-like discharge that's clear, yellow, gray, or a rusty dark red color that resembles blood - but it's not blood.

3. The pink membrane lining, or conjunctiva, that surrounds her eye is red and possibly swollen.

4. The cornea, the clear dome over her eye, may be cloudy; this can signify a cat eye infection involving a corneal ulcer or erosion.

5. The iris, the colored part of her eye, may appear duller than usual or be an entirely different color; this can signal an infection involving uveitis.

6. One, several or all of these cat eye infection signs may be present. They may be present in one or both eyes.

7. Sometimes infections are accompanied by frequent sneezing and possibly an upper respiratory tract infection.

How Do Veterinarians Treat Cat Eye Infections?

Cat eye infections caused by Feline Chlamydia and Feline Mycoplasma can be treated with topical antibiotics. Feline Mycoplasma-induced infections respond very well. But Feline Chlamydia cat eye infections may recur. Sometimes topical antiviral medicines may also be prescribed.

FHV-1 cat eye infections are stubborn little boogers to treat. They don't respond at all to topical antibiotics.

Nearly every cat in the world has FHV-1; they are exposed to the virus when they're kittens. This virus lies dormant in a cat's body for its entire life; it can flare up to cause a cat eye infection at any time. The deciding factor in whether FHV-1 flares up is stress. Although your cat isn't a briefcase-toting stock broker on Wall Street, she can still experience stress! Stress suppresses the immune system.

Some kitties may never experience an infection. Other kitties may go for years between each cat eye infection, and yet other kitties may experience frequent flare-ups. Without proper treatment, your kitty would experience long-term discomfort and pain.

FHV-1 conjunctivitis and keratitis that cause infections cannot be cured-but they can be controlled.

How to Control Cat Eye Infections

Holistic vets and cat owners are finding great success in using homeopathic remedies made of natural substances. These eye tonics are a combination of burdock, rosemary, meadowsweet and Chelidonium majus. Feline conjunctivitis is often the result of a weakened immune system and may occur along side other illnesses such as respiratory infections. Your cat may need some immune boosting supplements to help her body naturally fight off infectious agents - without the side effects of antibiotic therapy.

About The Author:

Find a non-prescription treatment that is proven safe and effective for treating cat eye infections. Kate Rieger is partnered with the Kentucky SNIP clinic where they provide affordable, natural alternatives for treating your pet. Visit Kate's site today to find more options for treating your best 4-legged friend naturally at http://www.Coolest-Cat-Care.com/CatEyeCareDeals

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Cat Urinary Infection - How to Deal With Cat Urinary Problems

Is your cat having urinary issues? Cats are like humans. They could experience urinary problems, too. Cat urinary problems can be a tough issue to deal with not only because cat urine is stinky and irritating to the nose, but also because of the damage it could cause to your furniture, not to mention the amount of cleaning you have to do to get rid of your cat's residue. This "bad behavior" of the cat, though, should not be dealt with by punishment. Instead, it should be given proper medical attention.

Cats are very sensitive animals and a slight inconvenience could cause them not to use the litter box anymore. Cats may associate the pain or the inconvenience they feel while urinating with the litter box and therefore, start to pee outside it. Although this may be caused by a behavioral problem in some cats, this may also be a sign of cat urinary infection.

Cat urinary infection causes discomfort and extreme pain to cats. If you have experienced urinary tract infection, you may know how painful it is when the symptoms of the disease attack. The inconvenience that UTI causes to humans is the same in cats, so you may understand why cats would begin to have urinary issues when they have this disease.

To resolve the problem, it is important to get down to the bottom of the issue. The first thing to do is to look for symptoms such as a foul smell in the cat's urine, blood in the urine, frequent licking of the genitals, crying or constant meowing in the litter box, and straining to urinate but not producing any urine or producing only a little amount of it. Any of these symptoms may signal cat urinary infection. Worst, in the instance that a cat fails to produce urine, the cat may be suffering from urinary tract blockage, a condition that is highly dangerous for the cat. It is imperative that when you notice any of these signs you immediately call the attention of a veterinarian.

To diagnose the condition of your cat, the veterinarian may have to collect urine samples from your cat. To do this, he may perform a cystocentesis, a procedure where a needle is inserted through the abdomen and into the bladder. When urine samples have been collected, urinalysis may then be performed to determine the cause of the cat's urinary problems. Depending on the result of the urinalysis, the veterinarian may perform the appropriate procedure to alleviate the suffering of the cat. In cases of infection, the vet may prescribe antibiotics to suppress the growth of the infection. In cases where the tests show crystals and blockage in the cat's ureter, the cat may undergo surgery and other medical procedure.

Once the cat has been treated, it may already be brought home and be able to use the litter box again without any problem. However, follow-up check-up should be done to ensure the cat is recuperating well from the disease. The owner may also prevent the recurrence of the disorder by giving the cat homeopathic remedy.

Indeed, cat urinary infection could cause so much head-ache to a cat owner. But it can be prevented by being wary of the symptoms and taking immediate action when such symptoms appear.

Melissa Simmonds is a lover of cats. She owns a number of cats herself and has looked into various sources of information about cat urinary infection. For more information, visit the most comprehensive cat urinary problems resource online.

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Raw Food Diet For Cat and Kittens - Taking This One Step Prevents Cat Illness

There is increasing evidence accepted by holistic and traditional veterinarians that turning to a raw food diet for cat and kittens reduces the likelihood of many of today's common cat health problems. Its no secret that our cats are obese, have bladder problems or develop kidney disease or diabetes. Its looking like the same rules that apply to humans apply to cats - high carbohydrate, low protein diets and poor exercise habits lead to disease. The good news is that the number one step holistic vets recommend is that you switch your pet to a raw food diet for cat program.

Here's a short list of disorders that are fed by a low protein, high carbohydrate diet:

1. Dental disease
2. Bladder stones and Feline Urinary Tract Infection
3. Obesity
4. Diabetes
5. Kidney disease
6. Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome

Read the hot topics in Cat Fancy and Catwatch and you'll find at least two articles, if not more, reporting on the increase in cat sicknesses like feline urinary tract infection, diabetes and the rest. What do most of our house cats have in common? What they eat.

Now for the full the scoop on a raw food diet for cat and kitten...

Cats are dependent on a meat protein diet. Since World War II we've been fooled into believing that the commercially prepared dry or canned cat foods are the greatest invention since cat litter. These cat food products did not exist prior to the 1940's. They were developed during this wartime economic period because it was cheaper to feed our pets corn than it was to keep them on a raw diet for cat, kitten or dog. As a nation, we started moving towards a more urbanized lifestyle and we lost touch with our meat sources in our backyard. For the past few decades we've been loading up our grocery carts with Mighty Bad For Dog and Kitty food.

Cats and kittens require meat products. They can not convert vegetable proteins into the nutritionally equivalent minerals and amino acids that meat provides them. When was the last time you noticed your cat hanging from a corn stalk chomping through a cob of corn? Try this...

Let your cat wander through a corn field and I be he returns with a rabbit, mouse or bird - meat stuff - no corn. That's the natural approach.

A simple holistic cat health care solution.

You can make this change to a raw food diet for cat successful. Yes, it will require more work on your part. You will need to find a source of fresh rabbit, chicken or beef - those are in order of preference. Rabbit has the most nutritional benefit to your cat.

Don't go overboard when you start your raw food diet for cat program. Keep the quantities you purchase minimal so that you aren't freezing a load of meat. Freezing causes meat to breakdown and loose nutritional value. When you do freeze your raw rabbit, chicken or beef, package it in chunks. Don't slice all the meat up before you freeze it. Slice it as you prep for a new batch.

To further arm your cat from problems associated with illnesses like feline urinary tract infection and bladder stones or diseases like diabetes, you may opt to give your cat a little boost. Help your cat rid himself of bad toxins and impurities that years of commercial cat food poured into him. Add a homeopathic remedy that is proven to help pets purge toxins.

Don't shy away from including natural remedies in your raw food diet for cat or kitten diet. Long before anyone knew anything about diabetes, cancer or urinary tract infections our ancestors used herbs and nature to treat themselves and their animals. The Romans revered cats because cats kept the snakes and rodents under control - hmm, a natural raw food diet for cat and kittens way back then...

About The Author:Kate Rieger is partnered with the Kentucky S.N.I.P clinic where they provide affordable spay/neuter services to pet owners. She also shows pet owners how using natural alternatives for pet care can reduce vet bills and keep pets out of the sick room. Visit her today to learn more about treating a feline urinary tract infection and naturalize your cat health care today at http://www.Pet-Natural-Remedies.com.

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Causes of Blood in Cat Urine

Some reasons for blood in cat urine can be from the following causes:

• One of the most common reasons for cat urine with blood is a urinary tract infection. This type of infection could be in the bladder, or urethra or kidneys. This requires immediate veterinarian care so the kidneys are not damaged further.

• Another cause of blood in cat urine could be kidney disease which is serious. Symptoms are similar to urinary tract infections and can vary from and include; increased urination, urinating less than usual, thirst, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures or no appetite.

• Urinary stones sometimes form in the urinary tract which can scrape the urethra causing blood in cat urine. Causes of stones can be mineral crystals in the urine, bacteria, diseases, some medications, pH imbalance of urine.

• Has your cat eaten something harmful such as poison? Rat or mouse poison causes internal bleeding and dehydration which can cause cat urine with blood.

• Blood in cat urine needs to be differentiated from blood in urine due to a female cat in estrus stage. When the cat comes into heat the urine may become reddish and resemble blood mixed with urine. This is normal and nothing to be concerned with.

The urinary tract is an amazing system which removes waste, controls fluid and mineral levels. To keep your cat in good shape, once they no longer have symptoms, start a routine of alternative supplements which can help support your cat's urinary tract so it stays on balance making them less prone to infections.

Rebecca Shelly has been studying alternative health conditions for pets for many years. She is a regular contributor to http://www.pet-natural-cures.com a site discussing some of the most promising natural treatments for pet health on the market today. If you're looking for an alternative to harsh medications for your pet, visit the site to learn more.

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Sick Cat Symptoms - Recognize the Signs of a Sick Cat

To many peoples pets are part of the family. It's never fun when a family member isn't feeling well. How can you tell if your cat is sick? You don't need to be a doctor to recognize the common symptoms. Cats may have some of the same symptoms as humans when they aren't feeling well. Some of these common symptoms include:

Cough: Just like humans, cats also cough. An occasional cough is normal, however if it persists for more then a week you may want to get it checked out.

Loss of weight: Being sick will affect your cat's appetite. This might cause unexpected weight loss. If your cat starts to loose a lot of weight quickly, take him to the doctor right away.

Loss of energy: Sick cats are generally lethargic. If you notice your cat not playing as much as it used to or sleeping more then normal, you may have a sick cat on your hands.

Fever: Does your cat feel warm? Is it constantly shivering? It may have a fever which is a sure sign its sick.

The severity of all these symptoms may vary to mild to extremely severe. It they get too bad you should take your cat to the vet. He'll be able to determine if medication is needed. In some cases, it may be a sign of a more serious problem such as disease.

It's always a good idea to use some good old fashion "preventable medicine". By making sure your cat has all of its shots you'll be able to lessen the chances of serious illness.

Don't wait till it's too late. You need to read: Cat Care Symptoms as soon as possible. This is an excellent article that will tell you all you need to know about taking care of your cat, so it doesn't get seriously ill. http://www.easycatcaretips.com is dedicated to helping people take care of their cats.

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7 Symptoms of Cat Urinary Tract Infection and What You Can Do About It

Ever wondered how to spot early cat urinary tract infection symptoms? Cat urinary problems are known as silent killers because cats have a high tolerance for pain and often don't even show that they have a problem until it's too late. It pays off to be able to detect the symptoms of infection so you can spot the condition early and treat it at home before it spirals out of control. Here are 7 symptoms to look out for.

1. Is your cat urinating more or less frequently than usual? A change in urination patterns is often one of the earliest symptoms. It helps to know how your cat normally behaves in order to spot a change in urination patterns.

2. Common urinary tract infection symptoms include straining to urinate. If your cat tries to urinate often and only drops of urine come out at a time, it is likely that he is suffering from a UTI.

3. Other cat urinary symptoms include foul-smelling urine. If the urine looks cloudy and smells bad, you can suspect that UTI is the cause.

4. Is your cat urinating outside of his or her litter box? If you notice it urinating in strange places such as the kitchen sink, UTI may be the cause. Because UTIs are painful, your cat probably associates the litter box with the pain and tries to avoid it at all costs.

5. Is your cat grooming his or her genitals often? Frequent grooming of the genitals could mean that it is suffering from swollen, painful genitals from a urinary infection. Bacterial infections will cause its genitals to get inflamed. You should be especially suspicious if your cat is crying while grooming as if he or she were in pain.

6. Surefire cat urinary tract infection symptoms include urine in the blood. Get it to urinate on a light-colored surface if you suspect UTI. If you see traces of blood, take it to the vet as soon as possible.

7. Cat urinary symptoms that you should be concerned about include fever and a swollen, tender abdomen. Furthermore, if your cat is acting lethargic, it's a sign that it may be in the late stages of UTI. Get your cat treated as soon as you can.

So there you have it. These are common cat urinary tract infection symptoms that you should look out for. If you notice any of them, make sure to give your cat a homeopathic remedy. Homeopathic remedies are very helpful in healing infections and preventing recurrence. They will help your cat maintain a healthy bladder, urinary tract, and strong immune system. Remember to keep these symptoms in mind and if you spot even one of them, give your cat a homeopathic remedy. Better yet, give your cat a homeopathic remedy to prevent them occurring altogether.

Mark Lunardi is a pet health enthusiast who has been researching natural remedies to promote pets health. To learn more about his researches, visit his website at http://www.pet-uti-treatments.com

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Blood in Cat Urine - Ideas For Helping Your Cat

Blood in cat urine can be caused by many different things. Veterinarians will tell you that cat urine with blood in it can either be "gross", meaning you can see it with the naked eye, or it may be microscopic, meaning you cannot see it except under a microscope. The medical name for the presence of blood in cat urine is hematuria.

Causes of Blood in Cat Urine

As mentioned above, there can be many reasons for hematuria in your pet. Some of them include:

* Various types of urinary tract infections

* Bladder infections

* Vaginitis in females

* Some forms of urinary cancer

* Urinary tract stones

* Poisoning (especially from rat poison products)

* Accidents or injury

As you can see, cat urine with blood in it can be caused by some very serious conditions, all of which need to be treated by a professionally qualified veterinarian. In some cases, blood in cat urine can indicate a life-threatening condition, and getting your pet to the vet quickly can save its life.

Other Symptoms Associated with Blood in Cat Urine

In addition to seeing cat urine with blood discharges, you may also notice some other signs and symptoms. For instance, you may notice your pet is experiencing pain when urinating. You may also notice that your pet has become weak or is unable to move. There may be pain in the abdominal area, and you may also notice that your pet urinates more often than usual. All of these, along with cat urine with blood in it, are signs of a problem.

Treatment of Blood in Cat urine

Treatment for cat urine with blood depends on the cause. Your vet may need to do several tests to rule out possible causes. This might include anything from urine test to X-rays. Once the underlying cause has been identified, treatment can begin such as making sure your cat is properly hydrated (drinking enough) or if urinary or bladder stones are blocking the path of the urine.

In many cases the reason for blood in cat urine can be treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics will take care of most bacterial infections that lead to cat urine with blood in it. In some cases, you may need to change your pet's diet to help reduce the presence of cat bladder stones. More often than not, blood in cat urine will require increased levels of hydration. And if poisoning is suspected, additional levels of Vitamin K may be required.

The key to remember is that blood in cat urine is not normal and should be reported to your vet as soon as possible. Once the underlying reason for the cat urine with blood is known, treatments can begin and recovery can start.

Preventing Cat Urine and Feline Urinary Tract Problems

Your cat's urinary tract leads to the outside of the body so that your cat can urinate. While this allows urine to exit the body, it also provides a path for bacteria to enter. The body uses the chemical makeup of urine (high concentrations of urea) to cleanse the tract and kill organisms such as bacteria to prevent infection. The key to health then is frequent urination which has the effect of "cleansing all the organs in the urinary pathway including the ureters, bladder and kidneys and preventing other problems such as cat bladder infections which leads to problems such as cat urine with blood. You should also make sure your cat's liter box is clean so bacteria that resides on feces isn't entering the body.

Cat's by nature may not drink enough water as they tend to get the moisture they need through their food. Dietary change from dry kibble to canned food may be something to try if your cat is subject to feline urinary tract infections or has minor cases of blood in cat urine. You might also try natural remedies which help the urine and urinary tract maintain the PH necessary for the urine to properly cleanse the system. Ingredients such as Arctostaphylos uva ursi, Berberis vulgaris, Cantharis and Staphysagris are known to safely help maintain and possibly have a positive impact on the bladder and urinary tract. Discuss this option with your veterinarian if blood in cat urine is a continuing concern.

Jeff Grill ihas written hundreds of articles on cat health problems. See this site for more information on Blood in Cat Urine treatment options.

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Stop Changing Cat Litter With an Automatic Litter Box

Changing the cat litter has got to be one of the most despised chores, at least at my house. It's like drawing the short straw and ending up with the chore no body wants. If you hate changing cat litter, you may be interested in how we solved this dilemma and stopped changing cat litter. No, we didn't get rid of our beloved cats or just let it go (that would be stinky!). We invested in an automatic litter box.

An automatic litter box is self cleaning unit that makes quick work of cat box cleanup. Typically, they work around the clock on a timer and scoop and store waste for later disposal. Some models even go further and wash and disinfect themselves. This is great because waste doesn't have time to sit and develop the bacterial growth that gives it that funky smell.

There are quite a few different brands and types of automatic litter boxes. Some even bear quite the resemblance to a human potty, believe it or not. When choosing a self cleaning cat litter box, you should consider the type of litter the box uses. Many units require that you purchase special litter while others use ordinary clumping litter. Still others operate with preferment granules that never need changing. Be careful when you select a box because the type of litter can have a major impact on the overall lifetime cost of running the unit.

Another thing to keep in mind about these self cleaning boxes is that it may take kitty some time to adapt to the unit. Some make a certain degree of noise while they are in their cleaning mode which can be a put off to more skittish kitties. Our cats took their time adjusting but after a few days they had no problem using their new box.

If you would like to stop changing cat litter, an automatic cat litter box is a great investment. This once avoided chore now seems not so bad and even the kids don't mind being tasked with it. Now there's a bonus! Another big benefit is that it always stays fresh, even after a long day when nobody is home to monitor the litter box.

If you would like help choosing the right self cleaning litter box for you and your pets, be sure to check out my automatic litter box review site - Click Here. On my site you will find feedback from other cat owners on the various different boxes on the market and learn which ones really work and which ones are best avoided.

The author is the editor of http://www.selfcleaninglitterboxes.net

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5 Possible Causes of Frequent Urination in Cats and What You Can Do About It

Let's face it. In a cat frequent urination is a worrisome symptom. It can signal a serious illness or a bacterial infection but either way it can become life-threatening if not treated timely. Many factors such as your cat's urine smell, age, sex, and general behavior will help you determine what is causing your cat's urination problem. Here are 5 possible causes of frequent urination and what you can do about it.

1. Maybe you're thinking, "Help! My cat is urinating often!" There is no need to panic because the symptom is very common in cats of old age. Your old cat may urinate frequently because he is not capable of holding in his urine due to a loosened sphincter. It may frustrate you if you see your cat pee on the carpet or in another inappropriate area but try not to get angry because it is involuntary. Give your cat a homeopathic remedy to help strengthen his bladder sphincter.

2. In a cat frequent urination could be due to behavioral issues. Some cats spray or urinate to mark their territory. This type of behavior can be fixed in unneutered male cats by neutering them.

3. If you're thinking, "My cat is urinating often," it could be because she has a feline bladder infection. The infection may also cause her urine to smell bad. Take her to the veterinarian to get diagnosed. The vet will do some tests and prescribe antibiotics. Don't give her antibiotics and instead try to heal the infection by giving her plenty of filtered water to drink and administering a homeopathic remedy. The homeopathic remedy takes a little longer to work than drugs but it is completely safe and effectively relieves the pain and gets rid of the bad smell of your cat's wee. Mild infections can be easily treated with homeopathy.

4. In a cat frequent urination may be the sign of a serious disease like diabetes, cancer, or Cushing's disease. Your veterinarian will have to do some tests and exams to determine if a serious illness is underlying the symptoms. You can give your cat a homeopathic remedy as a complementary treatment to whatever treatment your vet decides to give your cat. It will help your cat recover more quickly.

5. If you're thinking, "My cat is urinating often," a blockage by a crystal or stone in your cat's kidney, bladder, or urinary tract may be the cause. A blockage will keep your cat from being able to empty his bladder completely. When the bladder gets very full, it pushes against the blockage and leaks around the sides. This leads to your cat having the frequent urge to urinate.

Your next step? Keep this information in mind the next time you notice strange symptoms in your cat. If your cat urinates in unusual places or has peed more or less often than normal, you should get him checked out as soon as possible. Your veterinarian will need to examine him to figure out the cause. Whatever the problem, homeopathic treatment is hands down the best way to take care of the job. In a cat frequent urination does not need to be treated with harsh drugs because a homeopathic remedy can do the trick. Obviously diseases and other serious issues need to be addressed but even in those situations a homeopathic remedy works great as a complementary therapy.

Your next step? Keep this information in mind the next time you notice strange symptoms in your cat. If your cat urinates in unusual places or has peed more or less often than normal, you should get him checked out as soon as possible. Your veterinarian will need to examine him to figure out the cause. Whatever the problem, homeopathic treatment is hands down the best way to take care of the job. In a cat frequent urination does not need to be treated with harsh drugs because a homeopathic remedy can do the trick. Obviously diseases and other serious issues need to be addressed but even in those situations a homeopathic remedy works great as a complementary therapy.

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