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294 results for “kitten stress”
Why Isn’t My Ragdoll Cat Gaining Weight?
Ragdoll cats that eat plenty but never seem to gain weight worry many owners, yet the cause is not always disease. Genetics, low activity, or an unbalanced diet may simply mean your cat burns or absorbs fewer calories than expected. Parasites are another common culprit that blocks nutrient absorption. If diet and exercise adjustments bring no improvement, a veterinary check-up can rule out hyperthyroidism, digestive disorders, or liver problems. This article explains the likely causes and the practical steps you can take at home to help your Ragdoll reach a healthy weight.
6 Common Cat Diseases and How to Prevent Them
Cats hide pain well and can't tell you what's wrong, so owners need a basic grasp of common feline illnesses. Beyond regular checkups and vaccines, know the warning signs of the six frequent problems: urinary tract disease, respiratory infection, periodontal disease, parasites, ringworm, and ear mites. This guide summarizes each condition's symptoms and the everyday prevention that matters most—more water, less stress, dental care, deworming, and a clean, dry environment.
5 Things to Prepare Before Bringing a Cat Home
Bringing a cat home is a long-term commitment, so before you do, make sure you are truly ready to welcome a new life into your care. Preparation makes all the difference to your cat's smooth transition. First, learn the basics of feline care and, above all, prepare yourself mentally. Understand your cat's usual diet from the previous owner and avoid sudden food changes that can cause diarrhea or vomiting. Set up a quiet, cozy sleeping area, a generously sized litter box with the litter your cat prefers, and plenty of scratching posts and toys to prevent furniture damage. Choose a sturdy, well-ventilated carrier for trips. When your cat first arrives, give it time to adjust to unfamiliar smells—never force it out of hiding, and if it refuses food for more than three days, see a vet.
Which Plants Are Safe for Cats to Eat?
Plants are a fun, near-zero-nutrition snack; cats eat grass mainly to clear hairballs and gut debris. The good news is several non-toxic plants are safe to grow at home, pleasing your eye while keeping the kitten safe. This guide lists cat-friendly options—oat grass, bamboo, money tree, moth orchid, spider plant, African violet, Tradescantia, and silver vine—with notes that a few (spider plant stems, silver vine) have mild hallucinogenic effects, so avoid large amounts.
How to Help Your Cat Learn to Tolerate Baths
To get a cat to accept baths, first understand why most cats hate water: they carry a water-aversion trait from ancestors that evolved in dry environments. A few breeds (Maine Coon, Turkish Van, Turkish Angora) are exceptions and may even enjoy water. You can acclimatize a cat by starting young, going slowly, and keeping it low-stress: play first to relax, use a container or the gentlest shower setting (most cats fear the spray noise), let the paws touch water first, protect the ears and eyes with cotton balls, dry quickly with a towel, and ramp the dryer from low to high. Never use your hands as toys, and consider a cat-washing bag if you fear scratches.
Why Cats Spend So Much Time Grooming
Grooming is second nature to cats: an adult cat spends 15% to 50% of its day licking its coat, starting as early as four weeks old. It is far more than staying clean. Grooming clears dirt and spreads natural oils, helps regulate body temperature, hides foreign scents, communicates affection, relieves stress, and even helps wounds — though vets warn against licking injuries. Heavy over-grooming that causes bald spots, or biting at the skin, can signal a skin disease or fleas, so it also works as an early warning system.
What Every Pet Owner Should Know About Vaccinations
Vaccines are a core part of protecting your dog or cat. A vaccine is a weakened virus that trains the immune system to fight real infections, guarding against deadly diseases such as distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus, rabies, feline panleukopenia, calicivirus, and rhinotracheitis. Puppies can be vaccinated from 45 days old and kittens from 63 days, after weaning and a short settling-in period. Even with proper vaccines, immunity can fail due to maternal antibodies, immunosuppression, stress, or infection during the incubation window—so follow your vet's timing.
What Is Feline Haemobartonellosis?
Feline haemobartonellosis, also called infectious anemia, is a rare but serious disease caused by a blood parasite that attacks red cells and triggers their destruction. It spreads through bites, scratches, fleas and ticks, and from mother to kitten, with outdoor and unneutered males at higher risk. Signs range from fever and lethargy to pale, yellow-tinged gums; diagnosis is by blood smear or PCR. Treatment uses antibiotics such as doxycycline or enrofloxacin plus supportive care, though the cat stays a lifelong carrier.
Cat Won’t Eat or Drink in a New Home? What to Do
A cat that refuses food and water after a move is reacting to stress, not being difficult. Short refusals of a day or two are usually mild, but beyond 48 hours the risk of fatty liver rises, and beyond 72 hours you should call a vet. The fix is to lower stress—familiar scents, the same food, a calm presence—never force-feeding, which makes things worse.
CoQ10 for Senior Cats with Heart Concerns: A Buying Checklist
The heart is the body's highest-energy organ and holds a large share of a cat's CoQ10, so as production falls with age or hereditary risk, supplementation can support heart-muscle energy and act as an antioxidant. This checklist explains why senior and high-risk cats are the ones most likely to benefit, the five points to verify before buying, and the safety limits every owner should respect.