Many cat owners have probably seen their cat cough and wondered if that was just an occasional cough or if there was something else to it. It is normal for cats to cough every now and then, as there is always something in their environment that can irritate their airways and cause them to cough. It is also not uncommon for cat owners to mistake retching, a sound that cats often produce when they regurgitate hairballs with cough.

If a cat’s cough seems to persist, if it becomes severe, productive or if you notice your cat starts showing other clinical signs such as being depressed or lack of appetite, then it is time to take your cat to the vet.

There are several different causes of cough in our feline companions: a foreign body lodged in their air passages, pulmonary parasites, bacterial or viral infections (cat flu for example), heart disease and the most common cause, feline asthma.

Feline asthma, chronic bronchitis, or allergic airway disease is usually triggered when cats inhales any substance that causes irritation in their airways. This means that feline asthma can be caused by common household cleaning sprays, dust, mould, pollens, cat litter dust, cigarette smoke and even perfume.

When these substance are inhaled they will travel through the cat’s bronchial tree and not only there is contraction of the muscle that lines the bronchial tree but also mucous starts being produced to trap these agents and prevent them from advancing further into the cat’s lungs. All these reactions will trigger cough which basically tries to get rid of the mucous containing the irritating substances.

The continuous irritation of the cat’s airways will result in the narrowing of those airways. This is why if your cat seems unwell and shows persistent cough it is very important to seek veterinary assistance. Some cats are just mildly affected, but others can develop more serious clinical signs. If left untreated the problem then becomes chronic and the narrowing of the cat’s airways is irreversible. The cat can have breathing difficulties and that the disease can be fatal.

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If you are a cat lover or a cat owner then this post is for you. Cat flu is a common disease caused by viruses or bacteria that affects the upper respiratory tract of cats. Cats suffering from cat flu will show clinical signs similar to the ones caused by a common cold in humans.

The viruses involved are usually the feline herpes virus (FHV), also known as feline viral rhinotracheitis virus, and the feline calicivirus (FCV). The disease can be caused by one or by both of these viruses and it may be further complicated by bacterial infections. Chlamydophila felis and Bordetella bronchiseptica are also commonly involved in this disease.

Although the clinical signs observed in cats are very close to the ones humans show when they have a flu, the disease in humans is not caused by the same agents. You can rest assured that cat flu is not transmissible to humans.

Cats suffering with the condition will often present an elevated temperature, cough, a running nose and eyes, sneezing, ulcers in their mouth, loss of appetite, and dribbling. Clinical signs can take up to three weeks to appear after the cat is infected.

The disease can be transmitted through an infected cat’s nasal discharge, saliva and even through its tears. The viruses that cause cat flu can survive in the environment for about a week and they can be carried on objects such as food bowls, clothing, cat carriers and even in human hands.

There is a lot you can do to help your feline companion if you notice he or she is showing signs of cat flu: make sure your cat gets plenty of water, try to stimulate its appetite with tasty and smelly food and keep your cat warm and comfortable, preferably in a quiet environment. You can gently clean the discharge from your cat’s eyes and nose using a damp piece of cotton wool, you can take it into the bathroom when you’re about to have a bath (inhaling steam can help improve their breathing) and you should always have your cat checked by your vet.

The best way to reduce the risk of your cat getting cat flu is to make sure his or her vaccination plan is up to date, since the flu vaccine is part of cat’s regular vaccination plan. Vaccinated cats can still get infected but the clinical signs will be much less severe.

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Did you know that cats can also have dental problems? Unfortunately dental disease can affect cats of all ages and is actually quite common, especially in older cats. It is thought thatmore than 80% of cats over three years old have some type of dental disorder.

Dental disease starts with the accumulation of plaque, a film of bacteria that develops on the surface of a cat’s teeth. This happens to humans too but the development of this film is usually stopped because humans brush their teeth. In cats, plaque gradually becomes thicker and eventually a soft grey or yellowish substance covers the tooth surface.

As time goes by tartar or calculus starts forming and becomes very easy to see. Calcium starts depositing in the plaque layer making it darker and harder. Tartar appears as a yellow or brown crust substance usually seen at the gum edge of your cat’s teeth. At this stage tartar can only be removed with veterinary assistance and under anaesthesia.

The formation of plaque and tartar will cause gingivitis, an inflammation of the gum surrounding the tooth. Over time this inflammation will affect the ligaments surrounding the tooth, eventually leading to permanent tooth loss.

Periodontal disease will not only cause pain and discomfort to your pet but it will also become a source of infection that can spread to other organs such as the kidneys or the heart. Cats can also suffer from many other dental conditions such as stomatitis (an inflammation of the oral cavity), tooth fractures (common in cats that have suffered trauma), excessive tooth wear, etc.

Owners may not always notice that their feline companions are suffering from dental disease since they will naturally try to hide any signs of discomfort. However, over time, clinical signs of dental disease become harder to hide. Cats that are struggling with oral disease will often have bad breath, eat less and lose weight as a consequence, dribble (sometimes with blood) and they can even have trouble swallowing. Some cats may present obvious discomfort when they try to eat, vocalising or dropping the food from their mouths. They may also present red looking gums that may bleed easily and loose or missing teeth.

Brushing your cat’s teeth can help remove plaque and keep their gums healthy. However, it can be very difficult to brush a cat’s teeth especially if your cat has not been used to it from a young age. Dental disease is just one more reason for your pet to visit the vet for annual routine check-ups. You vet can help if treatment is necessary and give you good advice on what can be done to avoid these problems such as feeding your pet with a specially formulated diet.

Most dental conditions in cats are treatable and more importantly they are preventable!

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Unfortunately there are several life-threatening infectious diseases that can affect our pets and this is also true for cats. Vaccination has been the best protection for our feline companions from preventable death and it is still the simplest and most effective way of protecting them against these diseases.

Vaccinations work by stimulating a pet’s immune system to produce antibodies against specific diseases without causing them to get sick. When our pets are vaccinated, they are injected with an attenuated form of those diseases which is unable to cause the disease but will trigger our pet’s immune system to start producing antibodies against it. If the vaccinated pet ever comes across that disease again, its body will recognise it and immediately start producing the antibodies they need to fight it!

Kittens usually start their vaccination protocols when they are 9 weeks old and are routinely vaccinated against “cat flu”, enteritis and feline leukemia. In general, these are given in two vaccines administered two weeks apart, followed by annual boosters.

Cat Flu is very similar to a human cold causing respiratory disease. Affected cats will have a discharge from their nose and eyes, an elevated temperature, depression, cough and sneezes. It is not usually serious in adult cats but it can be dangerous for kittens or for older cats. The main causes for Cat Flu are viruses (the Feline Herpes Virus or the Feline Calicivirus) but other agents (such as the bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica) can also contribute this disease. The condition is spread from cat to cat through direct contact, through sneezing, or shared food bowls.

Feline Infectious enteritis (panleucopenia) causes severe vomiting and diarrhoea and it is often fatal for kittens. It is caused by a virus very similar to the one that causes ‘parvo’ infections in dogs and affected cats will pass the virus in their faeces. This virus can survive for a long time in the environment and common disinfectants are not very effective against it.

Feline leukemiais caused by a virus that attacks the immune system and leaves the cat more susceptible to other infections, anaemia and even tumours. This virus is often compared with the human HIV virus, as it affects cats in a similar way. Feline leukemia is transmitted through direct contact, often through mutual grooming, fighting or mating. Kittens can also get it through their mother while they are still in their womb or through their milk. None of these conditions are transmissible to humans.

A pet’s vaccination schedule should be defined according to its particular needs and lifestyle, which means your vet may suggest a different vaccination plan depending on your cats’ individual situation: an indoor cat may have a different vaccination schedule than an outdoor cat for example. It will also vary with the manufacturers’ specifications for the vaccines involved.

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If you are a cat owner or a cat lover you have probably heard of catnip, an herb that causes behaviour changes in cats. Have you ever tried offering a catnip toy to your cat? How did he or she reacted? We would love to know!

Most cats will show some reaction to catnip. Cats can become very relaxed, roll and rub their face in the catnip toy, or simply stare into something we don’t really know what it is. They can also become extremely friendly, vocalise more, start purring or start running around the house, sometimes appearing to pursue an invisible prey. Some cats can also become aggressive. Each cat will react in its own way, but it is generally thought that male cats will get more excited than females.

Catnip is an herb called nepeta cataria that belongs to the peppermint family and although scientists and researchers know that the active substance in it is nepetalactone, they don’t really know what is it about nepetalactone that causes cats to react differently. The general theory is that nepetalactone mimics the effects of a cat pheromone, most likely associated with mating. When cats smell it, it triggers a neurological response, similar to how cats react to sexual pheromones.

Not all cats show reactions to catnip. Being sensible to the effects of catnip appears to be an inherited trait and about 70% of felines will display some sort of odd behaviour when they smell catnip. Similar responses have been observed in lions, tigers, pumas and leopards.

The behaviour changes caused by catnip can last between five minutes to an hour and once a cat has smelled catnip it will take a few hours until the cat is susceptible to the effects of catnip again. It has been found that kittens usually do not respond to this herb until they are about six months old. It has also been observed that cats will stop showing reactions to it as they get older.

Most cats love catnip and this herb can be very helpful! It can help anxious cats feel more relaxed and it can also be used as a way to encourage your cat to use a scratching post for example. Nowadays, catnip can be found in toys, in oil spray and you can even buy powdered catnip.

Owners can rest assured that the herb is safe for cats as its effects are short-lived and non-addictive.

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Anyone that may have spent some time around cats or enough time on the Internet is probably aware that cats love boxes. Cats love all boxes in general, but they really enjoy cardboard boxes. Our feline companions are known for often showing far more enthusiasm for the box in which the brand new cat bed came in then for the cat bed itself!

This topic has even been researched by science! A recent study investigated if providing hiding boxes for cats arriving at a shelter would contribute to reduce their levels of stress. Scientists concluded that yes, it does! Cats who had recently arrived at the shelter and were provided with hiding boxes not only showed less signs of stress than the cats who did not have a box, but they also took less time to adjust to their new surroundings and new fellow cats. This is very important for cats in shelters because stress will not only affect how they feel but will also have a great impact on their health. Stress can affect their immune system and make them more susceptible to outbreaks of infectious diseases.

There are many reasons why cats love boxes, particularly cardboard boxes. A box provides cats with a warm, comfortable enclosed space, which makes them feel safe. Cats are predators and boxes are also perfect to observe from afar and ambush their prey.
Cats tend to avoid confrontation by nature and their usual strategy is to retreat to a safe area whenever they have to deal with a stressful situation. Boxes are great hiding spots for a cat to take refuge if there is any source of stress, anxiety, hostility or even unwanted attention in its surrounding environment.

This information can be very useful for cat owners! Cardboard boxes are a great tool to welcome a new cat into your home as it will provide him or her with a safe space to retreat if he or she ever feels overwhelmed. It is also a great way to enrich your cat’s environment, especially if you have more than one cat.

You can try spreading a few cardboard boxes around your home, placing them in different locations and at different heights, and see which ones your cat prefers!

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If you have a cat and if you are considering getting a new cat, it is very important to plan things ahead and to take some time to make all the necessary introductions. This approach will greatly contribute to reduce any tension that may arise between the two cats, avoid possible conflicts and to turn the process into a smooth and pleasant experience for both of them.

Initially the new cat should be confined to an area or a room with everything he or she needs: food, water, a litter box and a few spots where the cat can rest and hide. During this time it is important for the new cat to spend time with all the family members. This will help the cat to gradually adapt to its new home and become comfortable with its new family.

Once your new cat has adjusted and feels confident in its new environment you can start with scent introduction. Use a cloth (or several cloths) to collect the scent of your resident cat by gently rubbing it on its face and body. Then present it to your new cat, allowing him or her to smell it. The same should be done for all resident cats and the scent of the new cat should also be collected and presented to your resident cats. You can also rub these cloths on objects that your cats usually rubs against and switch their bedding to keep this process going.

When they are first presented with the other cat’s scent, your cat may freeze, back away from the cloth or even hiss. It is important to give your cat time to get used to the new smells and when your cats display positive reactions to each other’s scent you move to the next stage.

Allow your new cat to explore the rest of house without the others cats being present. Your new cat will then be able to get to know where to go if he or she feels insecure and needs to get away or hide. Once your new cat feels confident in that new space as well, you can introduce your cats.

At first, allow them to interact in a controlled environment where they can only see and smell each other (without any direct contact). A good idea is to use a mesh panel or to jam a door leaving it just slightly open so they can get to know each other, one on each side of the door. If there are any signs of aggression none of the cats will be able to harm the other. You can also offer both cats some food at this time so they associate this meeting to a positive experience.

When both cats are not showing any fearful or aggressive behaviour they can then be allowed to meet and get to know each other without any barriers between them. Always make sure you have enough important resources available for each individual cat such as litter boxes, feeding and drinking areas, resting and hiding spots.

This can take from just a couple of weeks to a couple of months as some cats will move through this process quicker than others. It is very important not to rush these introductions and you can also use commercially available pheromone diffusers for cats to help them feel more relaxed! Lack of social harmony among cats can lead to chronic stress, unwanted behaviours and health problems.

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Cats are extremely popular pets and many owners will often have more than one feline companion in their household. However, not all cat owners are aware that their cats’ social behaviour is very different from a dog’s social behaviour and the impact these differences can have in their health and well-being.

Cat societies, weather we are talking about two cats or ten of them, are mainly composed of social groups. In the wild these groups are usually formed by females who are related to one another and that live together cooperating in protecting, feeding and caring for their kittens. Males will often be on the periphery of the group, breeding most of the females in their territory and rejecting other males in general. They keep their distance from other social groups and they do their best to avoid direct physical aggression.

This means that they don’t have a hierarchical structure since they don’t necessarily need to cooperate in order to survive. As a result, when owners try to keep more than one cat in the same home, social compatibility becomes an important issue.

Cats that belong to the same social group will gladly spend time together, sharing the same rooms, enjoying the same resting spots, and grooming each other. Cats that do not get along will do their best do avoid each other. An owner with two cats can have two separate social groups in its home.

While this avoidance behaviour often prevents more serious conflict it will lead to chronic stress and it can condition a cat’s access to important household resources such as food, water or the litter box. A cat will actually drink less water if going to the water bowl means having to deal with a cat he or she would much rather avoid. Many house soiling issues can also be due to the lack of social compatibility among the cats in that area.

A common misconception among cat owners is that their cats get along because they will get together when you are feeding them. However, many cats simply tolerate other cats during that time because food is too important to dismiss.

Keeping all of this in mind, here are a few tips for homes with more than one cat:

• Provide your cats with multiple resources in different locations – provide different areas where your cats can eat, drink, rest and hide so that all cats are able to have individual access to these resources while trying to avoid another cat.
• Keep several litter boxes available, ideally one for each cat and one more on top of the total number of cats. Cats that belong to the same social group will often share litter boxes, which means that in some cases, less litter boxes will be needed.
• Please consider social compatibility when adopting more than one cat or bringing a new cat home. In general, young kittens, an adult cat and a kitten or two adult cats of opposite sexes are more likely to get along. Don’t rush introducing your new cat to the one/s you already have and if you need advice talk to your veterinary surgeon or to a qualified cat behaviourist.

Social harmony among all the cats in a household is key to prevent unwanted behaviours, chronic stress and future health problems.

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