Health

No pet owner wants a time to come when they have to think about cat amputation, but if your cat’s had an accident or is unwell and surgery can stop their pain, it can be the kindest thing to do. Amputation sounds drastic but it’s a much more common procedure than it once was and, although it involves major surgery, disabled cats can cope very well without a tail or on three legs, once they’ve had time to readapt. So there’s no reason why your handicapped cat shouldn’t live a life that’s filled with as much love and happiness as any of their other feline friends. Cat tail amputation When might my cat need their tail amputated? As cats' tails are long and energetic, they’re prone to accidents, and injuries. Your vet may be able to treat some of the less serious problems but in some cases they may decide that a severely damaged tail needs to be amputated. How will tail amputation affect my cat? Cat tail amputation is a relatively straightforward operation, and although your furry friend may take some time getting used to living without a tail, you can feel reassured that the operation is unlikely to have a long-term impact on their behaviour. Limb amputation in cats When might my cat need a limb amputated? Your vet will recommend limb amputation if, for example, your cat’s leg has been very badly injured in an accident or if they’ve discovered a cancerous tumour on a limb, and removing it completely can stop the illness from spreading. How will limb amputation affect my cat? Losing a leg might sound like a drastic measure but many cats continue to live a very happy life on three limbs without any problems. After the operation, your cat will need to recover from the surgery and then learn how to walk and run again, as their weight distribution will have changed. Your vet will be able to give you lots of help and advice on how you can both cope during these first few weeks.

Of course not all cats go blind, and if they do they can still lead a wonderful, fun-filled life. However, if you realise your cat is going blind, there are a few changes you should make to help them out. Your cat has a wonderful life with all the love and attention you give them, whether they spend their time prowling the great outdoors or prefer to snuggle up on your lap in the house. Despite your care, however, there are some things you can’t control as an owner, including the possibility of blindness in your cat. What are the causes of cat blindness? Your cat may start to lose their sight for a variety of reasons, including old age. Inherited causes of cat blindness are less common than they are in dogs, but they tend to occur more in purebred cats. For example, if you are lucky enough to have a lovely, silky Abyssinian cat, you are more likely to see blindness caused by progressive retinal atrophy (although a genetic test is available for this). Medical causes for adult or senior cats losing their sight are more common than genetic ones. These include trauma, neurological problems, and high blood pressure. Cats compensate for impaired vision by relying more on their remaining senses, especially smell. How can I tell if my cat is blind? If your older cat loses their sight, chances are it happens so gradually you won’t notice anything until the loss is total. This isn’t your fault – cats can compensate for their impaired vision by relying on their other senses. This is particularly true of their sense of smell, which is why they might happily wander up to you when you serve their meals, even if they can’t see properly.

If you are considering breeding cats, there are several factors you need to consider before making a decision. It is not a job you should undertake lightly and we recommend reading up as much as you can on the cat breed you want to breed and what the process may entail. In this article, we will provide you with a rough guide of what to expect if you do choose to breed. Consider seeking professional or expert advice though, and definitely try and speak to a certified breeder that you trust before making your decision. Breeding cats and the law When considering whether you would like to breed cats, the first thing you should keep in mind is the law. It is very important to check the laws on cat breeding and ensure that you can be in line with them. The laws on cat breeding are not as strict as the laws on dog breeding. Dog breeding has two laws that regulate it: Breeding of Dogs Acts 1973 and 1991 and by the Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999, which requires you to have a licence to breed dogs. Breeding cats, on the other hand, is only protected by the Pet Animals Act 1951. This act requires you to have a licence to sell pets through a pet shop or an individual home; however, it is more than 50 years old and has failed to adapt to the changing cat breeding market, where most sales are made online and through small advertisements. Recently, there has been a push from Cat Protection and MPs in the UK Government to try and rectify this. More attention is also being paid to the often poor conditions in which cats are being breed and it is likely that there will be strict crackdowns in the future. Cats Protection believes that much of these poor conditions are due to hobby breeders (those more interested in money than in breeding) so do make sure you are properly committed to the cause before breeding cats.

After your cat’s operation they might be out of sorts for a while, but with a bit of extra love and care from you, they’ll soon be back to pouncing, exploring and playing as normal. Collecting your cat from the vet When your cat is ready to come home, your vet will give you some advice for looking after them until they’re back on their feet. This advice will depend on your cat’s specific treatment, and should include check-up dates and any medicine your pet needs to help them recover. Each cat is different, so follow your vet’s advice and give them a call if you think your cat isn’t recovering properly; even if you’re just not sure what to do, they’ll be happy to help. Even if your cat is usually an energetic bundle of fun, they’ll probably feel quite dozy after their anaesthetic, so don’t worry if they’re a little sleepy for a while. Despite this, check they’re eating enough to help them get better, and look out for any signs of pain.

Hyperthyroidism in cats is a common disease which mainly affects middle-aged and elderly felines. Read our guide to find out everything you need to know about the condition. Hyperthyroidism in cats is a common disease that affects middle-aged and senior cats. Hyperthyroidism refers to excessive levels of thyroid hormone being produced by the thyroid glands located in the neck. This can have significant health implications, because thyroid hormone is involved in the normal regulation of metabolic processes in the body. Therefore, the condition can affect multiple body systems. If you are concerned that your cat might have hyperthyroidism, we’ve created this guide to tell you all you need to know about the condition, from the symptoms to watch out for to the life expectancy for hyperthyroidism in cats. What causes hyperthyroidism in cats? Most cases of hyperthyroidism are caused by a benign tumour of the thyroid gland leading to excessive thyroid hormone production. However, the tumour can be malignant and spread within the body in a small proportion of cases. You may hear the terms T3 and T4 used – with T3 referring to triiodothyronine which is the active form of the hormone and T4 referring to thyroxine which is the precursor for this. Blood levels of both of these forms of the thyroid hormone can be tested as part of the diagnostic process.

Just like us, cats can put on a few extra pounds, especially as they get older and become less active, or if they spend every day indoors. It’s important to prevent your cat from putting on too much weight, as overweight cats can face many health implications that can prevent them from enjoying a happy and healthy lifestyle. Cat obesity affects around one in three of the UK adult cat population – that’s a lot of porky pets! The good news is that you can do a lot to help your feline friend to keep their weight under control. By monitoring your cat's weight and body condition, you can help to reduce their chances of developing health issues that are common in overweight cats such as diabetes, osteoarthritis, lower urinary tract problems and constipation. How to tell if your feline friend needs to go on a cat diet It can be tricky to tell if your cat is overweight, particularly if they’re longhaired, and some cats are naturally stockier than others depending on their breed. Our body conditioning tool only takes a few minutes to complete, and quickly gives you a good idea about what shape your pet is in. If you’re still not sure, or you think you might have an overweight cat, have a chat with your vet. It’s important to speak to them before you make any changes to your cat’s diet if you think they are overweight, as their weight gain could be caused by an underlying illness, rather than an over-active appetite. For more information before you talk to your vet, take a look at our ‘assessing your cat’s body condition’ article. How to weigh your cat Weighing your cat at home is a simple way to monitor their weight. Simply hold your cat as you stand on a set of weighing scales, and then subtract your weight from the final figure to be left with what your cat weighs. However don’t rely on this alone, as a proper body condition check will give you a much better overall picture of your cat’s health. How to help with cat weight loss If you’re already feeding your cat a diet recommended by your vet, speak to them before you switch to another food. If you don’t it could stop your cat losing weight or even worse have a negative effect on its health. Start by cutting out all treats and titbits, including cat milk, for two weeks. You might feel like you’re being unfair but it’s the kindest thing to do in the long run if you have an overweight cat.

Even if you keep a close eye on your cat's health it’s a good idea to take them to the vet for an annual wellness and cat health check-up. Looking after cats is fun but it's also full of responsibilities, including taking your pet to the vet. Sometimes it takes a professional eye to detect subtle changes in your pet’s health, especially as cats are very good at hiding their illnesses. Luckily, your vet will be very good at detective work. General cat health You already take your fluffy friend to the vet when they’re sick or injured but those appointments tend to focus mainly on one particular issue. ‘Check-up’ visits, on the other hand, work on the principle of ‘prevention is better than cure’ and they’re important to keep your cat healthy and prevent certain diseases. Your vet will want to check your cat over thoroughly at least once a year and more frequently as they get older or if they have special medical needs. This appointment will take an all-inclusive approach, making sure your cat is examined from their whiskers to the tip of their tail. Another advantage of these annual check-ups is to get your cat used to visiting the vet surgery when they’re well and this can help them form a bond with your vet. If they only visit when they’re hurt or ill they can become nervous, associating their trips with bad times or stressful experiences. It’s a good idea to pop into the vet practice every so often, even if it’s just for a flea check. The receptionists and vet nurses will always welcome a stroke as you pass by, and it will create a positive memory with no prodding and poking involved!

Caring for a newborn kitten can be daunting. The type of care you provide will depend on whether the mother is present or whether you have found this kitten on its own. In this article, we will talk you through the essentials of kitten care, what you should keep in mind as you raise this feline through the early years of their life and how to bring up a strong, healthy and confident cat. Is the mother present? The first question you need to consider when caring for a newborn kitten is whether the mother is present. If she is, then there is less that you will need to do. Most cats know instinctively how to raise their young and will do all the necessary actions at all the right stages in the kitten’s life. It is your job to simply make sure they are warm, safe and protected. But if you have found a newborn kitten that doesn’t seem to have a mother, you will need to take on all her duties. If this is a stray kitten, do make sure the mother is not coming back before taking the kitten in. If you are not careful, you could separate the mother from her young. Keeping them warm When considering how to care for a newborn kitten, you must remember to keep them warm. If the kitten you find is cold, you must warm their body temperature before you do anything else. You can check how cold they are by touching their paws or the tips of their ears.

Have you noticed your cat pawing at their eye which, all of a sudden, has become red and swollen? Your feline friend might suffer from cat conjunctivitis. Find out what it means, what’s causing it and what you can do to help this uncomfortable eye condition go away. If you’ve just discovered your cat has a sore-looking eye or they are trying to rub their eye with their paw, on furniture or along the floor, chances are your pet is suffering from a case of cat conjunctivitis. While you’re waiting for your vet appointment, find out more about this eye condition and what to expect when you visit the vets. What is cat conjunctivitis? Cat conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is the thin membrane on the inside of the eyelids and white part of the eye. The inflammation will cause the conjunctiva to become red and swollen and the eye might water or have some discharge. Cat conjunctivitis can be either infectious, when caused by viruses or bacteria, or non-infectious when something gets into the eye and irritates it. The inflammation can appear in one eye or both eyes at the same time. If your cat has conjunctivitis, you may catch them pawing at the affected eye or constantly blinking and squinting, because the condition is uncomfortable. Arranging a trip at the vet is the best thing to do for a speedy recovery. What causes cat eye infection? Infectious cat conjunctivitis can be caused by a range of viruses, with Feline Herpesvirus one of the most common. Bacteria such as Chlamydophila can also cause an eye infection as part of an upper tract respiratory infection, so cat sniffles and sneezes might accompany the appearance of the red or watery eye. In both cases the cat eye infection can spread to other felines, so if there are any cats nearby, you may want to keep their interactions with the poorly cat to a minimum. Your vet may wish to see all the cats in your household. Make sure you wash your hands after checking on your cat’s eye and if possible try to keep them in separate rooms for the duration of the cat conjunctivitis flare-up. What causes non-infectious cat conjunctivitis? Non-infectious cat conjunctivitis is usually caused by irritants in the cat’s environment. Even something as little as a speck of dust finding its way into your cat’s eye can be enough to trigger a reaction. Anything able to irritate the eye is a possible risk – mould, air fresheners and even shampoo can cause eye redness. Other possible causes include trauma to the eye like bumping it on something, or even contact with certain plants can trigger allergic conjunctivitis. Understanding what has caused your cat’s conjunctivitis can help with the treatment, which is why a prompt visit to the vet is important. How is cat conjunctivitis diagnosed? If your cat seems to be in pain, the vet might start by using anaesthetic eye drops to numb the area before inspecting it for foreign bodies, scratches or wounds. Sometimes a green dye might be applied which, when illuminated with a bright blue light, can show where the eye problem originated.

Cat ears – just like ours – are sensitive things, and should always be handled with care. Your cat’s ears should always be clean, with no thick brown or green waxy discharge, and there shouldn’t be any redness, itchiness or unusual smells. If your cat starts to scratch their ears, shake their head more than normal, hold their head to one side or rub one side of their face, they might be trying to let you know something’s not quite right. One of the main reasons why you should take them to the vet to have their ears checked is because severe cat ear problems can have more serious effects and lead to ear infections. Here are the signs and possible solutions for a cat dealing with ear problems such as infections. What are the signs of cat ear infection? Some of the most common symptoms of ear infection in cats include: • Discharge from the ear • Ear scratching • Redness of the ear flap • Strong odour • Constantly tilting their head • Scabs and hair loss around the ears • Loss of balance If you notice these symptoms it’s always best to visit the vet. There are lots of reasons why cat ear problems can occur, but thankfully your vet will be able to examine your cat’s ears safely and tell you what tests or treatment might be needed to get them back to tip-top condition. What are the causes of ear infection in cats? Infections affecting the ear can seem they’ve appeared out of nowhere, but it is important to determine what has caused the infection. The origin of your cat’s ear problem will help determine the most efficient way to get it treated and have your cat back to their normal self as quickly as possible. These are some of the ways your cat’s ears can get infected: Ear mites These tiny creatures are usually under a millimetre long, but can find their way to your cat’s ear and cause irritation and inflammation. The vet will be able to diagnose the mite infestation by analysing the debris from your cat’s ears and recommend an anti-parasitic wash to help get rid of the mites. Skin allergies If your cat becomes allergic to certain parasites or even something in their food, they can develop symptoms such as itchiness around the ears, causing them to scratch the area and produce lacerations that can easily get infected. Ear injuries Injuries that are not properly cleaned can also lead to infections. Since cats are known for their explorer spirit, you should keep an eye on scratches, wounds or any sign of trauma, especially if your pet is spending a considerable amount of time outdoors. A cat’s ear infection can start from even an unsuspecting abrasion if bacteria gets hold of the area. This is why it’s important to keep scratches clean and don’t hesitate to ask your vet’s help for any deep wounds you notice. Foreign bodies Cats can also end up with all sorts of objects lodged into their ear. Grass is a particular cause of concern, so if you notice your cat pawing at their ears, take a look to see if a foreign body has managed to end up in your pet’s ear canal. Most of these “intruders” can be safely removed by the vet to avoid the possibility of a cat ear infection. Wax build-up It is important to keep your cat’s ears clean. Too much dirt accumulated from their daily adventures or excessive wax build up make up the perfect environment for bacteria to start developing. So clean your cat’s ears regularly to prevent possible infections. Types of cat ear infection Your cat’s ear problems can affect the outer ear or the internal and middle parts of the ear. Outer ear infections in cats The outer part of your cat’s ear, also called the pinnae, can easily be affected by wounds. Whether it’s a bit of rough play or getting into a fight with a fellow cat, the ears can get scratched or even bitten in the process. This doesn’t necessarily lead to an infection, but it’s important to look out for signs of redness or swelling and ask the vet for advice. Internal and middle ear infections in cats The ear canal can end up hosting anything from mites to bacteria and foreign bodies which makes it slightly likelier that an ear infection will be located in these areas. Sometimes even an outer ear infection can travel deeper into the ear causing your cat to start shaking or tilting their head or rubbing their ears. Polyps might also develop in the middle ear and can also cause an ear infection.

If you’re expecting new bundles of fur arriving at your home soon, it can very exciting – and perhaps a little daunting too. You shouldn’t need to worry - pregnant cats are usually more than capable of taking care of themselves, although they will still need close care and attention from you during labour. As they often try to sneak away to give birth in private, you’ll need to keep a close eye on them in the last few weeks just in case! Speak to your vet if you have any concerns about pregnancy in cats, or are worried about your cat giving birth. Their advice should help to put your mind at rest. Here are some helpful tips by us from Purina to help you be as prepared as possible for when your cat becomes a new mum. Preparing for the birth During the last two weeks of your cat’s pregnancy, make sure everyone else in the family knows to be calm and quiet around her, and to handle her with care – especially children, who can be understandably excited at the prospect of kittens to play with soon! Try to keep her as calm and inactive as possible during this time, and encourage her to relax in her special maternity bed. Even the snuggliest soft bed might not tempt her however, and some cats will reject your suggested birthing bed for a corner of a cupboard! Just make sure she has some choice on where to give birth and never try to move her from her chosen spot. Have help on hand Your cat’s labour should go smoothly, but it’s useful to have help on hand to keep her calm and in case she runs into any complications. Get hold of your vet's out-of-hours phone number prior to your cat giving birth, as delivery often happens during the night, or they might need an emergency helping hand. If mum does have problems delivering her kittens, you may need to take her into the vet, so make sure that you have access to transport. When you think labour might be approaching, it’s good to get a few things ready in advance, including a clean bowl of warm water, clean towels and cloths, dental floss and disposable gloves, together with a cat carrier and your vet’s details. It’s important to have these things to hand, just in case! If you need to move the kittens away from mum at any time, you’ll need to keep them warm. We recommend using a microwaveable beanie bag instead of a hot water bottle, as their sharp teeth and claws can cause punctures. Know what signs to look out for Impending labour can be tricky to spot. During the first stages of labour, the mum (queen) will become very restless, pace as if she is looking for something, and become very vocal. Contact your vet if you are unsure if labour has started, and keep a close eye on your cat in her final weeks and days of labour to make sure you know when and where she will give birth to her kittens.

Excessive grooming can be a response to changes in your cat’s environment they’re struggling to come to terms with. These are some of the most common causes for cat overgrooming. Your cat is naturally on a mission to keep their coat clean, at times spending up to 50% of their waking time self-grooming. But sometimes their behaviour can take a turn into excessive cat grooming. Find out why this happens and what you can do to help your cat. What is cat overgrooming? Cat overgrooming occurs when your kitty starts grooming excessively – licking their fur so much that it causes skin inflammation, sores or hair loss. In extreme cases a cat might even start to bite areas of skin. Sometimes you will notice your cat overgrooming, or damage to the skin, or a patchy coat, but in other cases you may simply find the evidence of overgrooming such as clumps of hair behind the sofa. What causes excessive cat grooming? The two main causes for overgrooming are behavioural, when the cat starts licking excessively as a form of stress-relief (also known as psychogenic alopecia), and medical, when skin allergies or skin parasites are the main culprit. Excessive cat grooming as a stress-relief mechanism It might not be obvious to you, but the home environment can become very stressful for your cat. The particular stressors for a feline psyche don’t always register on our human scale, but they can cause just as much havoc as one of our work disputes or an urgent last-minute job. The biggest cause of stress for cats is other cats – a multicat household or other cats in the neighbourhood. By nature, cats are solitary creatures and they can find living with other cats very stressful. Often this does not manifest as aggression towards other cats and they may happily snuggle up together at home, but your cat may struggle with the stress and turn to overgrooming.