EVERYDAY CAT CARE

New Standards Announced for Human Grade Cat Food

On its homepage recently, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) announced that there are new guidelines for pet food labeled “human grade.”...

No Cure for Heartworm Disease in Cats

Dogs are a natural host for heartworms. A single dog may harbor hundreds of them, which can cause lasting damage to the heart, lungs,...

Fearfulness Associated with Litterbox Issues

A study of more than 3,000 house cats published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association showed that fearfulness in cats is significantly associated with urinating and defecating outside the litterbox. It’s also associated with litterbox fussiness — distinct preferences about the type of litter used and less willingness to use an unclean litter box or share it with other cats.

Over-the-Counter Antimicrobials Now Available By Prescription Only

Certain antimicrobial medicines used in cats and other animals have been available over the counter. That ends now. As of June 11th, all antimicrobial...

Fungal Disease Spreading 
from Cats to People

In the United States, a fungal infection called sporotrichosis has been known as rose gardener’s disease. The fungus that causes it, Sporothrix, lives in...

Can You Reliably Assess Your Cat’s Pain? Yes.

Because cats do not give clear signals when they are in pain, their physical suffering tends to be inadvertently neglected — and therefore under-treated....

On Spraying the Cat with Water to Make Him Stop

Have you ever sprayed a cat with a water pistol or a spritzer to make him stop doing something you don’t want him to,...

You Keep the Cat Carrier Where?

Do you keep the cat carrier tucked away since you don’t use it very often? “Yes” is the wrong answer. The carrier is triggering...

When the Cat Becomes Thirstier Than Usual

Have you noticed your cat lapping up water more often, perhaps with more gusto than usual? Has it been going on a bit? Get...

When the Dandruff Won’t Quit

Your cat regularly grooms herself, and you brush her, too, but no matter what, her coat always has a fair amount of dandruff. It’s...

No, You’re Not a Failure If You Give Your Cat a Psychotropic Medication

Things that indicate your cat has been sent over the edge: hostile behavior toward another animal in the house that intends no harm; nervousness...

Could Dementia Be Making Your Cat Urinate Outside the Box?

Your cat, older than 12 now and perhaps even older than 15, has started to urinate outside the litterbox and perhaps defecate on the...