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275 results for “Spaying”
Is Pyometra Common in Dogs?
Pyometra, a pus-filled uterus, is fairly common, especially in older unspayed females. It usually starts from a bacterial infection, most often E. coli, that takes hold when the uterine lining is thickened and the dog's resistance is low, helped by high progesterone levels and unstable heat cycles. The most reliable prevention is spaying. Keeping the environment clean, avoiding progesterone-based heat suppression, and treating early uterine inflammation also lower the risk.
Why Does Your Cat Eat but Stay Thin? (Worms and More)
A cat that eats well but stays thin is often fighting intestinal parasites—roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, giardia, or coccidia—that steal nutrients and release toxins interfering with digestion, causing slow or lost weight, anemia, and poor growth. Tell-tale signs include soft stools, rice-like segments near the anus, scooting, pale gums, and a swollen belly. But worms are not the only cause: poor absorption, hyperthyroidism or diabetes, repeated heat cycles, or a low-protein diet can also keep a cat lean. The fix is a tailored deworming plan plus gut probiotics and high-protein meals; spaying helps if heat is the driver. See a vet if weight keeps dropping.
Do cats have periods (menstruation)?
Cats do not menstruate, but they do go into heat. Unlike dogs, they do not bleed from the vulva; instead they show vocalizing, restlessness, inappropriate urination and interest in mates.
Will Hitting a Cat Stop It From Peeing on the Bed?
Many cats develop a habit of urinating on the bed, and the strong odor of cat urine makes the smell linger even after cleaning, causing real frustration for owners. Some pet parents believe a quick swat will teach a lesson, but punishment rarely works. Most cats that are hit will hold a grudge and may urinate on the bed even more, or act out with scratching, sofa damage, or nighttime attacks. In truth, bed-wetting usually signals an underlying issue—heat cycles, stress, or a urinary or reproductive disease—not defiance. The right approach is to rule out medical problems, consider spaying or neutering, check the litter box, clean accidents thoroughly, and reward correct toileting. Guidance, care, and positive reinforcement, rather than punishment, are what truly resolve the behavior.
Why Cats Yowl in Spring (Heat) and What to Do
Spring brings the feline mating season and the sleepless yowling that comes with it. For cats not meant for breeding, spaying or neutering is the permanent fix - it ends the distress and lowers reproductive-disease risk for both sexes. If breeding is planned, wait until the female is 10-12 months and the male over a year, and isolate them from the opposite sex before then. Distract with play, gentle music or favorite food, and never use the dangerous 'cotton-swab method' or unproven 'heat-stopping powder'. This article covers heat timing, signs and precautions.
Why Your Spayed Cat Still Yowls
Spaying does not guarantee a quiet cat. Many owners are surprised when a neutered female still yowls at night or demands attention for no obvious reason. The cause is rarely the surgery itself and more often a mix of breed temperament, habit, unmet needs, or an underlying health issue such as an overactive thyroid. Here is how to read the behavior and what to do about it.
How to Safely Break Up a Cat Fight?
Cats that live together may occasionally scuffle, but frequent or violent fights need intervention. The key is to protect yourself first—never use your hands—then redirect their attention or separate them, and address the root causes with fair resources and gradual reintroduction.
What to Do If Your Dog Gets Accidentally Pregnant
A dog's accidental pregnancy is best allowed to go to term, since many vets decline abortion on humane grounds, every fetus being a life. Termination, whether by medication or surgery, carries real risks and harms the dog. If you do not want puppies and will not spay, keep the dog contained, especially during heat, to avoid the risk of a termination procedure. This article covers how termination is done and why prevention is the safer path.
Can Cats Take Human Birth Control Pills?
Can cats take human birth control pills? No. These drugs disturb a cat's metabolism and nutrient absorption, and long-term use can cause arterial hardening, ovarian bleeding, cysts, pyometra, and mammary tumors, even fatal disease. The ovaries and uterus also change, bringing laziness, overeating, and weight gain. The safe alternative is spaying, best done between six months and one year of age when the cat is healthy and mature.
When Do Cats Knead (and What Does It Mean)?
Cats usually knead in a few clear situations: when hungry, when happy and relaxed, during heat, or when missing their mother. The behavior starts in kittenhood—pawing the mother's belly to stimulate milk—so a hungry cat may knead to ask for food, while a content cat kneads to show trust. During heat, kneading is self-soothing and shouldn't be interrupted. When your cat kneads you, it feels safe and fond of you, so don't push it away. This article explains the triggers and how to respond.