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15 results for “cat mobility”
Don’t Ignore Joint Pain in Your Cat or Dog
Joint pain is not 'just old age.' From limping and hesitant jumps to morning stiffness and a short temper when touched, pets signal discomfort in quiet ways. Catching it early protects mobility and comfort. Learn the warning signs, why joints degrade, and the practical steps—weight, exercise, and veterinary care—that keep your companion moving.
That Cat ‘Beer Belly’ Is Actually Normal
Before you worry your cat is overweight, know that the saggy belly flap is usually a primordial pouch, not fat. Nearly all cats, wild and domestic, carry this loose skin, a leftover from ancestors who stored food and needed extra room and protection. Understanding it saves you from needless dieting and explains why some abdominal surgeries change a cat's flexibility.
Ten Foods That Are Toxic to Cats
Cats are curious eaters, and many common human foods are dangerous for them. This list covers ten items to keep away from your cat: grapes and raisins (kidney failure), chocolate (a toxin that hits the digestive system, nerves, and heart), caffeine, too much organ meat (calcium deficiency and mobility problems), tomato leaves and stems, mosquito-coil liquid (a surprising summer respiratory hazard), fish bones (choking and perforation), onions and leeks (red-blood-cell destruction), persimmon seeds (blockage and enteritis), and raw seafood (vitamin B deficiency and hind-leg paralysis). Knowing these helps you prevent accidental poisoning.
Signs Your Cat Is Getting Older
Cats typically live around 15 years and are considered seniors at roughly seven or eight. As they age you may notice lower energy and longer sleep, a stronger dislike of cold, and a poorer appetite. Dental problems such as loose or missing teeth make eating harder, while slower movement and delayed reactions show declining mobility. Whitening fur around the muzzle and cloudy, dull eyes are also common. Recognizing these changes early lets you adjust daily care so your cat stays comfortable and healthy through its golden years.
Multiple Myeloma in Dogs and Cats
Multiple myeloma is a malignant plasma-cell tumor of the bone marrow that overproduces immunoglobulin and is rare in dogs and cats. Signs include lameness, bone pain, anemia, bleeding, and weakness, with diagnosis by X-rays, bloodwork, and marrow sampling. Treatment is chemotherapy plus infection control.
Obesity in Dogs and Cats
Obesity is an excess of body fat that develops when energy intake consistently exceeds expenditure. It is common in pets fed too much, exercised too little, or affected by endocrine disease, and it predisposes to heart disease, diabetes and a shorter life.
Polyradiculoneuritis (Acute Polyneuritis) in Dogs and Cats
Polyradiculoneuritis is an inflammation of multiple nerve roots that causes flaccid paralysis, sometimes including the respiratory muscles. Its cause is uncertain but may be autoimmune, and most pets recover over three to six weeks with supportive care.
Should You Dress Up Your Cat?
Cats come with their own weatherproof coat, so forcing clothes on them dulls their senses, stiffens movement, and can leave them anxious. For most cats, skipping the outfit is kinder.
Dog at 7 Is Like a Human at 50: Early Signs of Senior Dog Diseases
At 7, every dog, large or small, has entered its senior years and organs start declining faster. Studies show kidney filtration drops 12-18% and joint cartilage wears three times quicker after 7. Many early signs get mistaken for "normal aging" and missed. Watch for osteoarthritis (stiff rising, hesitant stairs, liking soft beds), dental disease (red bleeding gums, loose teeth, bad breath, favoring soft food), chronic kidney disease (drinking and urinating more, later ammonia breath and weight loss), and cognitive dysfunction (getting lost at home, night waking, forgetting house-training). These diseases can't be cured, but early action slows them and extends life.
What Are the Symptoms of Hip Dysplasia in Dogs?
Hip dysplasia is a common inherited joint disease in dogs in which the hip socket and ball do not fit or wear normally, causing pain, limited movement, and falling comfort. Left unchecked it can worsen to disability. Typical signs include reluctance to run, climb stairs, or exercise; joint swelling after activity; pain shown by difficulty lying down or whimpering; muscle loss from moving less; a limp or bunny-hopping gait; and a grinding sound from the joint during motion. Mild cases are managed conservatively with weight control, limited strenuous exercise, joint supplements, and physical therapy such as massage, heat, or cold packs. Medications like anti-inflammatories, pain relievers, and cartilage repair drugs ease symptoms. Severe cases may need surgery, including hip replacement or femoral head removal, to restore comfort and function. Knowing the signs helps owners act early and care for their dog well.