Cats
Health advice for cats, written from real experience.
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Sphynx ears fill with oily brown wax because there is no fur to catch the skin's natural oil, so it collects in full view instead. Here is what normal looks like, how often to clean it out, and the signs that mean it has tipped into infection.
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Dogs pant after a walk and nobody worries. Cats almost never pant, so open-mouthed breathing in a cat is worth taking seriously far sooner. Here is what causes it and when it means an emergency vet visit.
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Circular patches of broken fur, flaky skin, a bald spot that looks worse than it feels. Ringworm is not a worm at all, it spreads easily between pets and people, and catching it early makes the whole thing far easier to clear.
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A damp patch under the eyes can be nothing more than normal drainage in a flat-faced breed, or it can signal an infection, irritation, or a blocked tear duct. Here is how to tell the difference and when it needs a vet.
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Frantic scratching, tiny black specks in the fur, a cat that suddenly will not stop grooming one spot. Fleas are common, easy to miss at first, and much easier to deal with early than after they have settled in.
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A little drool while a cat is deeply relaxed and kneading can be completely normal. Sudden drooling, especially with pawing at the mouth or bad breath, usually points to a mouth problem, nausea, or something toxic that needs a vet.
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A cat that suddenly favours a leg is usually dealing with an injury, not arthritis. Here is how to check a limping cat safely, the causes worth knowing, and when it needs same-day vet care.
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A cat that skips food for even a day is a different situation than a dog in the same spot. Here is why cats cannot afford to go hungry for long, how to judge an off day from a real problem, and when to stop waiting.
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A cat eating ravenously and still losing weight, growing restless, and drinking more is the classic hyperthyroid pattern. Here is how it shows up, how it differs from diabetes and kidney disease, and what treatment involves.
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The first twelve months with a cat cost more than any year after, and the kitten price is the smallest part of it. Here is where the money goes and what you can actually control.
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Constant ear scratching and dark, gritty debris that looks like coffee grounds are the classic signs of ear mites, a tiny but intensely itchy parasite that spreads easily between cats and needs proper treatment to clear.
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Rice-like segments near the tail, a potbelly on a kitten, weight loss despite a good appetite. Worms are common and treatable, but many cats show no obvious signs at all, which is exactly why they get missed.
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A cat drinking and urinating more while losing weight despite a good appetite is the classic combination. Here is how feline diabetes shows up, how it differs from kidney disease, and what happens once it is diagnosed.
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Kidney disease is one of the most common things to go wrong in an older cat, and it is almost always quiet at first. Here are the signs to catch it early, and what happens once it is found.
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A cat that seems to be getting thinner, whether it is eating more than ever or barely touching the bowl, is telling you something. Here are the real causes behind feline weight loss and why it is never something to just watch and wait on.
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A cat with loose stools once is rarely an emergency, but diarrhea that keeps coming, or comes with other symptoms, is worth taking seriously. Here is how to tell the difference and what actually helps.
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A thinning patch, a bald strip along the belly, fur that seems to be vanishing rather than shedding. Hair loss in cats has a handful of common causes, from fleas to stress, and telling them apart starts with looking closely at the pattern.
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One sneeze after a dusty box is nothing. Repeated sneezing over several days, especially with watery eyes or a blocked nose, usually means something is genuinely irritating or infecting your cat's airways.
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A cat's breath is never meant to smell pleasant, but genuinely bad breath is not just a cat thing, it is usually dental disease, and occasionally a sign of something further away than the mouth. Here is what the smell is actually telling you.
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An overgrown claw curling back into the paw pad looks alarming, and sometimes it is an emergency, sometimes it is a simple trim you have left too long. Here is how to tell the difference and what to do about it.
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A cat straining in the litter tray with little or nothing coming out is not "a bit constipated," it can be a blocked bladder, and it is one of the true same-day emergencies in cat ownership. Here is what to look for and why speed matters.
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An occasional hairball is a normal part of being a cat. Frequent ones are not, and are often mistaken for a grooming quirk when they are really telling you about the gut, the skin, or a cough. Here is where the line sits.
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Cats are famously bad at drinking enough, and it matters more than most owners realise. Here is why hydration is such a big deal for cats, and the practical ways to get more water into yours.
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Cats hide age and illness brilliantly, so older cats need closer watching, not less. Here is what to change as your cat gets older, from vet checks and hydration to comfort.
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Arthritis is far more common in cats than most owners realise, and cats are experts at hiding it. Here is how to spot the quiet signs and keep an older cat comfortable.
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Cats hide pain so well that owners often miss it for months, especially the slow ache of arthritis. Here are the subtle signs, and why a "grumpy old cat" is often a sore one.
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Easter lilies can kill a cat, and they are only the start. Here is what to keep away this Easter, from spring flowers to chocolate, and what to do in an emergency.
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Winter brings hidden dangers for cats, from deadly antifreeze to warm car engines. Here is how to keep your cat safe and warm through the cold months.
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The odd hairball is normal. Frequent vomiting is not, however casually cats seem to do it. Here is how to tell everyday sick from the kind that needs a vet.
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Christmas hides real dangers for cats, and one of them can be fatal. Here is what to watch for, from lilies and tinsel to festive food, and what to do in an emergency.