Has your cat started running around the house at 4am like a mad thing? Zarli Kew explains the reasons for problem behaviours in cats, and how to address them.
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The problem of abandoned kittens is being faced head-on by Zarli Kew, one of Pet Medical’s team members, and the SNIP Kitten program.
There are two different sets of reasons why your cat might not want to use its litterbox. The first ones are emotional reasons. The second set of possibilities are physical reasons. Working out what your cat is thinking is tricky at the best of times.
There are three core cat vaccinations that every single cat should get. We call the core vaccinations the F3. They cover feline herpes virus, feline calicivirus, and a condition called feline panleukopaenia. If you tested every cat to see if they had been exposed to these viruses, it would be around 85 to 90 per cent have seen them at some point in their life. But there’s a catch with vaccinations—not all cats can get them, and they have to be tailored to every individual cat.
Your cat isn’t going to tell you if you live in a cat-friendly home. But if you want your cat to live a long, happy and healthy life (and who doesn’t?), there are a few simple ways to improve your living spaces.
For cat owners, seeing their feline friend suddenly drop weight can be a little worrying. While you may briefly be impressed with your cat’s new, slinky figure, there could be a number of explanations for weight loss in cats. Some of them can lead to serious consequences.
Poisoning in cats is often hard to detect until it’s too late. Cats are predators, and all predators hide disease incredibly well. It's not in their favour. In evolutionary terms, if a predator looks sick, then other predators will turn on them. So cats tend to hide the symptoms of poisoning very well. But if you think keeping the cat inside to protect it, think again. Many of the poisoning dangers faced by cats are found inside the home.
Let’s be honest—cats can be moody. Unlike a dog, who is generally overjoyed to see you in any circumstances, a cat will often refuse to acknowledge its owner exists. But as your beloved pet ages, there can be medical explanations for moodiness. Cat dementia is a serious problem, and one that’s very hard to spot.
Both Burmese and Ragdoll cats are popular options for families looking for a family pet. Both breeds are well-known for liking people. But there are some notable differences between to two—and Gabby Dexter summed them up brilliantly in this post she put on the Burmese Cat Obsession group on Facebook.
Sick cats pose a difficult problem for vets. Cats don’t like change, and a vet clinic can be both scary and stressful for a cat. That’s why is so important that the vet you choose is cat-friendly. This doesn’t just mean someone who is nice to cats. As veterinary professionals, it’s important that we recognise the signs of stress and fear in caged cats. Their body language is the only voice they have and sick animals don’t heal well if stressed.
SNIP Kitten Rescue rescues, rehabilitates and re-homes unwanted kittens, and provides de-sexing at a reduced cost. This not-for-profit organization was founded by Zarli Kew, head nurse at our Pet Medical Muswellbrook clinic and endorsed by Pet Medical. Over the six years since founding the program, our team at Pet Medical has found homes for over 700 kittens, all of which are fully vet-checked, vaccinated, micro-chipped, de-sexed, wormed and flea treated. Our kittens also come with 4 weeks free pet insurance.
Obviously, nipping and biting behaviour from your pet is less than ideal, and for a number of reasons it’s important to limit it. Realistically, they’re natural behaviours for dogs and cats. In fact, they’re natural behaviours for kids too! What's the first thing an infant does when it grasps something new? Chances are, it goes in the mouth, and if it's fun or feels good it happens again! It’s exactly the same for cats and dogs. That said, when it comes to your cats and dogs, you need to draw a line to make sure you have a happy, well-socialised pet who doesn’t terrorise the family or the neighbourhood.
Every family wants young children and pets to bond but it’s important to maintain boundaries. Here are points to keep in mind while animals and young children get to know each other.
Just as human vaccines have eradicated devastating diseases such as smallpox and polio, pet vaccinations are a vital weapon in the fight against the many diseases that threaten our beloved pets. Take parvo (parvovirus), for example. This horrific virus causes viral gastroenteritis in dogs that literally strips the lining of the intestine. It's hideously painful and often results in death. Parvo is also highly contagious. Just a single gram of faeces infected with parvo can spread the disease to another 1,000 animals. The virus will also stay in the environment for about 12 months, and can even survive on your shoes and clothes for up to six months.
Our pets’ diets are getting worse and it’s coming at a huge cost—pet dental problems. But there are simple steps you can take to make your pet’s life healthier and happier. How do you spot a pet dental problem? Breath odour is a sure sign. If your dog’s breath stinks, it usually means they’ve got an infection. Get them to the vet immediately! Don’t let it get to that stage.