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37 results for “cat urinary blockage”
Common Bad Habits in Cats and How to Fix Them
Common cat bad habits include biting, picky eating, and disturbing the owner's sleep. Many of these habits form because of the owner's own behavior — playing with hands or giving snacks without limit. Learning the right way to raise a cat is the best way to prevent them.
Why Does a Male Cat Lick His Genitals?
A male cat may lick his genitals to clean himself, relieve stress, during mating season, or because of illness or infection. Grooming or seasonal behavior is usually harmless as long as the area stays clean, but if licking comes with other symptoms such as trouble urinating, it likely signals a medical problem that needs a vet.
Are Timid Cats More Prone to Stress?
Timid cats really do stress more easily, spooking at small noises or changes like a stranger visiting or rearranged furniture, and a stress response can range from hiding to vomiting, diarrhea, fast breathing, or even urinary blockage and, in extreme cases, death. Stress is a physical and mental reaction that puts the body on alert and, if prolonged, can damage organs or cause sudden collapse. Timid cats tend to be emotionally rich and very sensitive to environment change, so the fix is a stable, quiet home with few surprises, plus gradual socialization to build confidence. After a stress episode, give space and only comfort once calm; seek a vet if signs are severe or persist.
Why Is Your Cat Panting in the Car? Causes and What to Do
If your cat pants with its mouth open on a car ride, don’t ignore it. In most cases—around 80%—it’s fear: indoor cats suddenly confined in a small, noisy, vibrating space experience a spike in adrenaline that speeds up heart and breathing, and open-mouth breathing is how they meet the higher oxygen demand. But panting can also signal heatstroke, carsickness, or an underlying heart or respiratory condition. This article explains the main causes, how to tell them apart, and a graded response—from calming a mildly stressed cat to urgent steps if the tongue turns blue—so travel becomes less frightening for everyone.
Why does my cat urinate frequently but only a little each time?
This often signals urinary disease - idiopathic cystitis, urethral spasm, stones or obstruction - or stress and low water intake. See a vet to find the cause.
Caring for Your Cat During Spring Festival
For the holiday, plan your cat's care three ways. Staying home: stock ample dry food, extra water (evaporation and spills happen) and thick cat litter - one cat wants about three boxes; lay waterproof pads on sofa and bed in case of stress-peeing. Road trip: use a spacious airline crate (not a cat bag for long drives), let the cat adapt to it beforehand with treats and a blanket that release calming pheromones, pack pee pads and wipes, shield shy cats from view, and drive gently since cats get carsick. Boarding: ensure vaccines are current, pick a cat-dog separated, larger space, bring familiar items and pheromone gear. Not all cats suit this - under-six-month kittens, medicated or chronic cats, pregnant or post-birth cats need special care. After return, wait 2-3 days before bathing, and watch for blockage (a post-holiday high-risk period).
When Cat Peeing Around the House Means a Blockage
A cat suddenly urinating in odd places can signal a dangerous urinary blockage. Warning signs: pink or clear urine, frequent attempts, straining, blood, low meowing in the box, over-grooming the genitals, a sensitive belly, and only drops when the bladder is pressed. Blockage means urine output stops - under 1 mg/kg/hr is oliguria, none is a blockage. Causes: urethral or bladder stones (acid urine favors calcium oxalate, alkaline favors struvite), lower urinary tract syndrome (bacterial cystitis, urethral plugs that can kill in 1-2 days, or idiopathic cystitis that self-heals in 7-14 days if not blocked). A full blockage needs immediate vet catheterization - over 24 hours causes acute kidney failure. Prevent with more water, fewer mineral treats like dried fish, clean litter, and less stress.
Cats Evolved in Deserts But Still Need Water
Wild cats get 70-80% of their water from prey, so a dry-kibble home cat that also refuses water faces real danger. A cat needs about 40-60 ml per kg of body weight daily (a 4 kg cat: 160-240 ml). Low intake concentrates urine and triggers a chain of trouble: bladder and urinary disease, kidney disease, cystitis, even life-threatening urethral blockage. Check dehydration by skin elasticity (slow rebound) or gums (sticky when dry). Boost intake with wet food, raw meat if skilled, a fountain for moving water, or a syringe; never give tap water - use cooled boiled or purified to avoid parasites.
Should You Shave Your Cat’s Fur?
When summer heat arrives or shedding season peaks, many owners wonder whether to shave their cat. In short, healthy cats do not need shaving, and doing it can actually cause harm. Shaving should be reserved for genuine medical needs such as skin disease. This article explains why shaving won't cool your cat and the real risks it brings.
Why Cats Love Running Water
A cat's fascination with running water is instinct, not mischief. In the wild, cats drink moving water because still water breeds unseen bacteria, and a dripping tap also triggers curiosity and a sense of hunting for sources. Cats also smell roughly 200,000 times better than we do, so they dislike the chlorine and stale scent of water left standing in a bowl. The fix is simple: a circulating fountain, water placed away from food, and a refresh two or three times a day. Good intake matters — low water leads to urinary stones and kidney disease.