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60 results for “feline behavior”
Why Do Cats Get Folliculitis?
Feline folliculitis is a common skin condition that causes discomfort and distress for cats. It can be triggered by a mix of external factors, daily habits, and even genetics. Environmental issues such as bacteria, fungi, and parasites thrive in warm, humid conditions and raise the risk of infection. Over-grooming, scratching, and poor coat care can also damage the skin and lead to flare-ups, while long-haired breeds like Persians and Siamese are genetically more prone to it. The good news is that folliculitis is manageable. Treatment involves clipping the affected area, cleaning with saline, disinfecting with iodine, and applying an antibacterial ointment daily. Prevention relies on a balanced diet, regular grooming, a clean and dry living space, gentle bath products, and routine veterinary checkups. With the right care, owners can greatly reduce the likelihood of recurrence.
How Long Can a Cat with Dementia Live?
Feline dementia (Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome) does not kill directly, but its complications shorten life. Mild cases (occasional confusion, sleep disruption) often live 3–5 more years with good care; moderate-to-severe cases (loss of self-care, refusal to eat, disorientation) may survive only 2–3 years; if chronic kidney or heart disease is also present, just 1–2 years. Japanese clinical data show cognitive training and a stable environment can extend life by 47%. Watch for the DISH signs—Disorientation, Interactions lost, Sleep flips, House-soiling—and support the cat with a low-stimulus home, short brain games, and targeted nutrition.
Why Does My Cat Keep Pawing at the Water Bowl?
Cats are intelligent, clean-loving animals, and pawing at the water bowl usually signals something specific rather than random mischief. The behavior may mean your cat finds the water unclean, simply enjoys playing with water, feels bored or unhappy, or is trying to get your attention. Because drinking enough water is vital to feline urinary health, it is worth addressing. Keep the bowl clean and fresh, consider a circulating fountain to encourage drinking and curb the pawing, and provide engaging toys to burn off excess energy. Paying attention to your cat's mood and offering companionship also reduces attention-seeking behavior. Understanding the cause is the first step, so you can respond with the right fix instead of scolding.
Why Do Cats React So Strongly to Cucumbers
Videos of cats leaping from a cucumber placed behind them are popular online, but the cats are not afraid of cucumbers as food - they are startled by a strange object appearing on the ground where they did not expect it. An animal-behavior professor in Southern California notes the reaction is a natural response to something unfamiliar. Because the cat sees the green shape from behind, it may first read it as a snake, a feared predator, and bolts away to reassess from a distance - the same habit we show when something unknown is suddenly thrust in front of us. Deliberately scaring a pet for amusement is not okay: it can cause injury, damage, and lasting stress, and not every cat reacts this way.
What to Do When Your Cat Has a Fever
Cats get fevers just like people, but a cat's fever is rarely simple - it can signal parasites, stress, bacterial infection, panleukopenia (feline distemper), feline herpesvirus, or various inflammations. A fever is not a small matter: left alone it can damage organs and even turn deadly. Telltale signs include hot ears and tail tip, a dry nose, sweaty paw pads, and a cat that suddenly prefers cool floors and dark corners while eating less and looking limp. Normal cat temperature runs 38-39C (about 39.3C in kittens); above 39.5C is a fever and above 40C is high. For a mild fever or when a clinic is out of reach, cool the paws and belly with alcohol and offer water, but never give human fever medicine, which can be fatal - see a vet for high fevers.
Five Rare Cat Diseases Every Owner Should Know
Most cat illnesses are familiar, but a few rare conditions can catch owners off guard. From contagious mites and bizarre allergic behavior to the much-feared FIP, hormone-driven acromegaly, and a mysterious nervous-system disorder, these diseases are uncommon yet serious. Knowing the warning signs helps you seek the right diagnosis before a rare illness becomes untreatable.
What to Do If Your Cat Has Cryptococcosis
Cryptococcosis is an environmental fungus found in soil and air, and cats often catch it by inhaling spores that travel from the lungs to the rest of the body, or through wounded skin and the mouth. Pigeons are the most important carrier, so the fungus concentrates wherever birds roost, in attics, and among decaying leaves. Signs range from skin nodules and nasal discharge to nervous-system and eye problems. Diagnosis relies on microscopy, fungal culture, X-rays, and blood tests, and oral antifungals such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, and fluconazole are the main treatment. Starting therapy early and keeping it consistent gives the best chance of recovery.
Health Check and Prep Before Bringing a New Cat Home
Before a new cat comes home, a health check is the smart first step, plus a few daily supplies once it arrives. A pre-purchase exam, blood and stool tests, and X-rays map out the kitten's condition. Then watch for the big early risks: panleukopenia, cat flu, ear mites, and gastroenteritis. Avoid baths or shaving unless a skin issue demands it, since the stress can trigger behavior problems and illness. Knowing the warning signs helps you act fast.
Caring for a Cat with Dementia
As cats age, odd behaviors may signal cognitive decline or brain atrophy. Watch for big swings in appetite, litter-box confusion and accidental soiling, sudden personality changes or aggression, and broken sleep. These warrant a prompt vet visit to find the right plan.
Why Your Cat’s Jaw Chatters at the Window
If your cat stares at a bird outside the window and starts a rapid jaw quiver with a soft clicking or chattering sound, that is the famous feline 'chatter.' It is a relic of the hunting sequence: in the wild a cat seizes prey by the neck and trembles its jaws to drive the teeth in quickly, and the sight of a bird or a mock-prey toy makes a house cat replay that instinct mentally. The behavior is normal and healthy — and a reminder that cats stay partly wild, so they need a daily outlet for their hunt.