Other health problems of Cats
Learn more about other health problems of cats by exploring our site and become a true expert on the animal kingdom. You'll find content created for the best professionals with pictures, videos and opinions.
126 articles
A cat's morphology can vary according to many factors, including breed, diet, activity levels and many others. Some may be naturally more slim, while others may be known for having a rounded body. If a cat's spine is noticeable, it is often a sing of being underweight. Especially for cats with longer hair,...
To stay hydrated, cats in the wild rely more on prey than fresh drinking water. Domestic cats have the benefit of their guardians to provide drinking water, either in water bowls, fountains or other drinking devices. This is important, especially if they eat kibble which is low in moisture compared to...
Any type of vomit in your cat is cause for concern, but guardians may be confused if their cat is throwing up water. There are many causes of throwing up a clear liquid, but if it is prolonged for more than 24 hours or is accompanied by other symptoms, it is important to seek veterinary advice. A cat...
Cats are naturally curious animals that often use their mouths to explore their environment. They are also known to eat parts of plants, especially types of grasses. Although the reasons for this behavior are poorly understood, it is believed they do so to help digestion. Unfortunately, there are plants which...
Mistaking a bloated belly in a cat for simply eating too much could be a costly mistake. Although gastrointestinal problems are a common cause of feline distended abdomen, there are many causes which can result in this symptom. Some causes can be easily treatable, others can be life threatening. For this...
When a cat has swollen and red gums, guardians often first notice it due to the cat's bad breath. This is because the inflammation is linked to bacteria in the mouth which is often accompanied by plaque and tartar buildup. While painful and stressful on their own, they can cause serious repercussions...
Cats are known for being very hygienic animals, often cleaning parts which seem impossible to reach. While some have more difficulty than others, they can clean their behind by bending over and latching on to their legs. When we see a cat has stool on their butt after using the litter box, it might suggest...
We expect a male cat will behave differently before and after neutering. This is due to testosterone, the main sex hormone in male cats. The neutering process is designed to prevent unwanted pregnancies, removing the testicles which are the main source of testosterone production in their body. While...
Beyond just a bathroom break, cat pee plays a big role in feline communication. They mark territory and send messages with their urine. But what happens when your cat's bathroom habits change? Strong odors, frequent urination, or blood in the pee can be cause for concern.
Is cat pee dangerous? This...
If your cat is vomiting undigested food, many of us would assume it is a sign of a digestive health problem. This can make us confused when we observe them acting normal afterwards with no other evident symptoms. If they are sufficiently unwell to throw up their food, we would expect them to have other...
Taking good care of your cat's teeth is important for their overall health and well-being. Gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums, is a common issue in cats that can lead to pain, discomfort, and other health problems if left untreated. But the good news is, there are plenty of things you can do to prevent...
When your cat suddenly snubs their food and water, it's natural to worry. We, as loving cat owners, are experts in their routines and habits. While cats are notorious for their discerning palates, a persistent lack of interest in eating or drinking demands attention. From picky palates to hidden health...
When a cat keeps humping our arm, it is easy to assume it is behavior related to sexual reproduction. This is why so many cat guardians can be confused when their neutered cat mounts their arm. When they do so, they often bite and give bunny kicks with their back legs. While it is possible humping behavior...
Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is a prevalent condition affecting cats, often characterized by recurrent urinary blockages. These blockages can be painful, distressing, and life-threatening. Perineal urethrostomy is a surgical procedure designed to address this issue by creating a wider opening...
Cats with diabetes need to eat protein-rich food which avoids nutrients such as high-gycemic carbohydrates. Many of us will not associate diabetes with felines since they generally do not eat sugar. This is a common misconception with cats since diabetes is related to poor diet, especially when it is high...
Intestinal lymphoma in cats is a malignant tumor originating from lymphocytes, which can affect both the small and large intestines. Its clinical presentation often resembles that of other digestive disorders, underscoring the importance of conducting a thorough differential diagnosis to distinguish it from...
Black wax in a cat's ear is due to the natural secretions being mixed with another substance. The wax itself won't be black, but these other substances cause the discoloration. Identifying the substance will help us to identify the underlying problem. There are certain pathologies and conditions to which...
A cat can start shaking for any number of reasons, many of which are pathological. The extent of the shaking is also important since there is a difference between a mild passing tremor and a consistent episode of shaking. Whatever the cause of the cat shaking, it is important to know that it is not normal....
Kidney problems in cats are relatively common disorders in cats, especially with older cats. As caregivers, it is very important we pay attention to any physical or behavioral changes in our cat. Unfortunately, the early stages of kidney problems in cats can have very few symptoms or even be asymptomatic....
If a cat cannot pee at all, it won't take long for a serious problem to arise. More commonly, you may find a cat has trouble urinating, a condition known as dysuria. Since we do not usually measure our cat's urine, it can be difficult to determine when they are not peeing as much as they did before. In these...
Thanks to a diet of fish-based treats, commercial cat feed and whatever they might discover out on their travels, even a healthy cat's breath isn't always the most pleasant of aromas. It can often have a little bit of a fusty odor which is not always the best when they are nudging their mouth near our...
Leukopenia is a decrease in the number of leukocytes. Leukocytes, also called white blood cells, are important defense cells involved in innate immunity. They are the first cells to attack the infectious agents that threaten cats' bodies. Cats have five types of leukocytes: neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils,...
Mouth ulcers can occur in cats for a variety of reasons. These include plaque buildup to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). In most cases, mouth ulcers appear as small, open sores in the cat's mouth. The most common symptoms are bleeding and pain, especially if left untreated. If you see ulcers in...
There are various substances in the home which are toxic to cats, but which are not common poisons in felines. The reason for this is because cats either do not have regular contact with the product or because they will otherwise stay away. The substances which are common poisons in cats are those which...
Cats are very hygienic animals who will spend a large portion of their day grooming themselves. There are many reasons for this behavior. Maintaining a healthy coat helps to protect them from the elements, prevent parasite infestation and even eases anxiety. Although cats can spend much of their day dedicated...
Older cats are more susceptible to various ailments due to the natural passage of time. While there are ways we can best ensure their health and well-being, no cat is immune to these changes once they reach a certain age. Deterioration of the musculoskeletal system is one of the most obvious signs of...
Permethrin is a type of insecticide which can be used in medical applications as a deworming agent. It is found as an active ingredient in numerous antiparasitic and insecticide products. Its use is safe and effective for use on canines, but it is highly toxic to cats. Due to the high levels of permethrin toxicity...
Azotemia is the term used to describe high levels of nitrogen-containing compounds in a cat's blood. These compounds are mainly in the form of creatinine and urea, but other nitrogen-containing waste products can cause the change in blood composition. The underlying causes which lead to higher levels...
You may have seen some photos of cats with an atypical appearance. Differences in appearance can vary according to breed, but some cats have an appearance which imply they have a genetic disorder. In fact, the features of some atypical cats appear to be similar to certain genetic human conditions such...
Elevated creatinine levels in cats are related to kidney disease. There are other symptoms which will usually present in the cat before a test for creatinine levels is performed. The reason for these high levels is partly due to impaired function kidney function preventing the creatine from being reabsorbed...
It should not be a surprise to cat guardians that coughing up blood is a sign of a health problem. Various underlying causes can lead to blood appearing from the nose or mouth. The threat to the cat's health will depend on this underlying cause, as well as the greater context of the symptom. For example,...
If you notice symptoms in your cat such as bad breath, discomfort in the mouth, aversion to certain foods, or less hunger it could be related periodontitis. Periodontal disease is a condition characterized by the shearing off and degradation of the tooth structure at or below the gum line, resulting in...
Depending on the amount of fur your cat has on their paw, it can be difficult to tell if their paw is swollen. However, once the swelling is developed enough, it will soon be obvious. Even if you cannot see the swelling itself, there will be other symptoms depending on the underlying cause. This inflammatory...
Mastocytoma in cats, otherwise known as mast cell tumors, can be either subcutaneous or visceral. This refers to whether they develop under the skin or on internal tissue, respectively. Subcutaneous mast cell tumors are more common and are the second most prevalent type of malignant tumor in cats. Visceral...
Panting is a behavior we most often associate with canines, not felines. Although dogs of all sizes will pant, it is often most noticeable in big dogs which pant with a large tongue sticking out. In comparison, a cat sticking out their tongue and panting is not something we associate as much with cats....
Petting and brushing our cat helps to condition their coat, strengthen our bond and provide all-important affection. It also provides the opportunity to check their skin for any abnormalities. Sometimes inflammation and lumps can be seen when we look at the cat, others are only detectable when we feel them. As...
Ear problems are relatively common in cats. Felines may experience itching, pain or discomfort to various degrees. As they are very hygienic animals, we should not confuse regular cleaning of their ears for scratching. When a cat has a serious problem with their ears, they will keep scratching at them,...
Cats are specialists when it comes to hiding what is happening to them. This is why it usually takes us so long to figure out that something is wrong with our feline. One problem you might have noticed is that your cat is dragging their butt on the carpet or other surfaces. For some, this seems quite...
The diaphragm in cats functions in the same way as the human diaphragm. It is a layer of abdominal muscle which contracts to cause the lungs to expand. Doing so helps with respiration as the lungs inhale and exhale air. A cat diaphragm is susceptible to the same pathologies and trauma, although a diaphragmatic...
Our cats are very hygienic animals which dedicate large portions of their day to grooming. Most generally try to avoid water and will be very wary of any odorous objects or areas in the home. For this reason, when a cat smells bad, it can lead their guardians to worry something is wrong. Since a foul...
Hernias can affect various parts of a cat's body, with location determining certain symptoms and behavior. Some hernias may not show any evident signs, at least at first. This is the case with umbilical hernias in cats. The growth caused by the hernia will vary in size, depending on its severity. In some...
Our cats are very hygienic animals which make great effort to ensure their grooming needs are met. While it is difficult to teach them tricks, it is relatively easy to train them to use a litter tray. This is because they want to ensure their waste does not cause their environment to be unhygienic, just...
By definition of the procedure, spayed cats should not be able to go into heat. Spaying females and castrating males means their reproductive organs are removed which produce sex hormones. For females, this means their ovaries and uterus in the most common procedures. Their removal should stop the heat...
Cats have an innate hunting instinct which makes them seek out almost anything that moves. When they have access to the outside, their potential prey becomes even more varied. One potential prey for cats is the rat. Depending on their size, some rats can seem more like predator than prey. This can cause...
Gagging and retching are movements which a cat makes when it seems like they will vomit, but they don't. Although similar, it is not the same as coughing since the movement is coming from their digestive tract and not their respiratory system. It is possible for a cat to have problems with both these...
Cats like to press their head against their guardians as a sign of affection. Often when this happens, we might notice they leave a little trail of wetness behind where there nose had been. Many cat caregivers see this as a sign of good health, but it is important to know this is not always the case. The...
Although a cat's claws can do severe damage to their prey, they can be a sensitive part of their anatomy. Strong nails imply the cat is in good health and signs of damage to them imply the opposite. Nails are used to defend themselves against threats, climb, manipulate their environment and even mark their...
Our cats have a body which allows them to make various movements. An impressive ability is to move through small spaces which seem to be much smaller than their body should allow. They are able to do this, in part, due to a relatively supple spine. This spine also supports their skeletal structure and...
Lethargy is a symptom of cats which is seen as a general state of weakness, tiredness and a lack of energy. It is very important we consider the context when our cat is acting lethargic. Lethargy in cats can be a natural response to being overexerted, but it also important to know it is not only a physical...
Feline plasma cell pododermatitis is a rare disease with a characteristic symptom of swollen feet. It is for this reason it has the common name of ‘pillow paw’ or ‘pillow foot’. The origin of the disease is not completely clear, but it is believed to be immunity-mediated. This means the well-being of the...