Search Results
603 results for “ear scratching”
How to Tell If Your Cat Is Happy at Home
A relaxed, content cat shows it in small ways: sleeping in odd poses, following you around, holding its tail high, the occasional mad dash, and kneading with its paws. Reading these signals helps you know your cat truly feels safe.
How to Prevent Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC)
Feline idiopathic cystitis is tied to stress, low water intake, and holding urine. Lower the risk by keeping the home environment stable and calm, encouraging drinking with fountains and wet food, and scooping and sanitizing the litter box in a quiet spot.
Why does my cat have discharge from one eye?
Increased eye discharge and trouble opening the eye may be from a foreign body (hair, insects, pollen, dust) irritating the conjunctiva, causing tearing; rinse with saline and use neomycin sulfate drops. Infection can cause conjunctivitis or keratitis; clean daily and see a vet for blocked tear ducts or entropion.
Are You a Qualified Cat Owner? Take the Quiz
Wondering if you're a qualified cat owner? Try this 20-question basics quiz — covering water, safe plants, slow blinks, scratching furniture, normal temperature, spay timing, and deworming frequency — then check your score against the tiers from 'novice' to 'top-tier owner.'
Signs of Cat Depression
Depressed cats often sleep far more than usual, lose interest in food and play, become withdrawn, and may over-groom to the point of bald patches or skin inflammation. If you notice these changes, schedule a veterinary check-up to rule out illness, then focus on comfort, routine, and companionship — with medication only under veterinary guidance.
Is It Normal for a Cat’s Claws to Split?
A splitting claw can be normal — a cat's claw is layered, and as the new claw grows the old outer layer splits and sheds, a natural part of claw renewal. But splitting can also come from poor diet, low calcium, injury, or infection; treat those promptly. Trim claws regularly and, in dry weather, dab a little oil around the nail to prevent cracking.
My Cat Keeps Biting My Hands — Stop Using Force to Correct It
The moment a cat goes to bite your hand, pull back and stop all interaction, then give it 10–15 minutes alone to calm down. If it has already latched on, hold still and make a sharp 'hiss' (a cat-to-cat warning) until it lets go, then leave. Never use your hands as toys — switch to a long wand teaser — and for teething kittens, swap some wet food for dry kibble plus dental chews.
What Does It Mean When Your Cat Suddenly Swishes Its Tail Hard?
A tail held high with a gently swaying tip means a happy, content cat; a tip thumping the floor signals irritation — back off before it bites. The danger sign is a tail lashed low against the ground with a crouched body and pinned-back ears: that is an imminent attack, so retreat slowly and give space.
Cat Perianal Fistula: Symptoms and Treatment
Signs of a perianal fistula include swelling around the anus, frequent licking, bloody or pus-like discharge, straining to defecate, and a foul odor. Mild cases may respond to medication; severe or stubborn ones need surgery, followed by vet-guided wound care and a fiber-adjusted diet.
Watch Out: Common Food Allergens for Dogs
Common dog food allergens include beef, chicken, dairy, grains (wheat, rice, corn), legumes, lamb, and eggs; reactions can show as skin redness, itching, rashes, hair loss, soft stool, diarrhea, vomiting, eye redness, tearing, sneezing, or runny nose, and in severe cases can be fatal. To find the culprit, start with an ultra-hypoallergenic commercial diet, then add one new ingredient at a time and watch for 1–2 weeks, stopping any that triggers symptoms.