In my role as an emergency veterinarian I treat some very sick cats. And I also meet some cat owners who feel very guilty. They wonder whether their cats might not have gotten so sick if they had recognized earlier that a problem was developing. Although some cat emergencies come on suddenly and are anything but subtle, it is true that many other cat emergencies start with vague symptoms.

It is certainly true that early recognition of subtle cat emergencies will improve the chances of a good outcome. But owners should not feel guilty if they fail to recognize these subtleties — cats don’t come with warning labels, and a person who doesn’t know the symptoms can’t be expected to recognize them (and, by definition, subtle symptoms are hard to recognize). For instance, I owned cats — including males — for 25 years before I knew that any urinary irregularity whatsoever in a male cat could be an emergency.

Some helpful hints for determining cat emergencies that need your vet’s attention ASAP

The following list is designed to help you recognize cat emergencies that always warrant an immediate trip to the vet. However, it is not exhaustive, and you may find yourself in an ambiguous situation not covered on the list. If you are wondering whether you need to get out of your pajamas and head to the emergency cat vet in such a situation, there are some guidelines you can follow.

One useful indicator of cat health is the color of the gums. Lift your cat’s lip and look at his gums now. They should be pink and moist. Check them regularly, and you’ll get a sense of what they look like normally. If you suspect your cat is sick and the gums are pale, grey, blue or bright red, then your cat most likely is in trouble (although you should be aware that your cat might still be in trouble even if the gums are their normal pink color).

Remember as well that you are always free to call your cat vet or your local emergency clinic to talk about any ambiguous situation. The staff should be able to offer guidance.

Finally, remember that when in doubt it is always safest to have a vet evaluate your cat. A physical exam that reveals nothing wrong causes no harm; doing nothing about a critical situation can lead to a fatal outcome.

Now let’s list some of the most common and serious cat emergencies:

The 11 Cat Emergencies That Need Immediate Vet Attention Are

1. Difficulty breathing

This is the most urgent emergency any individual — cat, dog or human— can face. Death occurs after three minutes without breathing, so cats with breathing difficulties are on the edge of disaster. Breathing problems in cats can be hard to recognize at first. Symptoms to watch out for are heaving sides, breathing with the mouth open, coughing, wheezing, abnormal respiratory noises, and the catch-all appearance of “breathing funny.”

2. Abnormal urination in male cats

This has the potential to be a symptom of one of the most serious cat emergencies any feline faces: urinary obstruction. This condition, which is fatal if not treated, occurs when cats are unable to urinate. For anatomical reasons, it occurs almost exclusively in males.

Cats with the condition suffer agonizing pain, and then rapid progression to kidney failure, potentially bladder rupture, and high blood-potassium levels that cause cardiac arrest. Initial symptoms may be subtle: Affected cats may urinate outside the litter box, strain but produce only small quantities of urine, vocalize, or groom their genitals excessively.

Therefore, any male cat with any urinary irregularity whatsoever should be checked by a vet immediately. Be aware that female cats with urinary irregularities should also  see the vet. They are not likely to die from the problem, but they are likely to be suffering from discomfort that warrants treatment.

3. Signs of severe pain or obvious distress

Bring your kitty to an emergency vet immediately if you notice this one. Pain itself always warrants treatment, but it also can be a sign of more serious problems such as urinary obstruction (see above) or aortic thromboembolism (see below). Symptoms of pain and distress include vocalizing (howling), panting, hiding and overreacting to contact with a painful area.

4. Sudden paralysis of the hind end

While we’re on the subject of pain, this is one of the most truly painful cat emergencies: aortic thromboembolism, or ATE. ATE is a complication of heart disease in cats in which a blood clot lodges in the rear (usually) legs. It causes sudden paralysis of the hind end. Affected cats usually will pant, vocalize and show other signs of distress. It requires immediate veterinary attention.

5. Stopping eating and/or drinking

A cat who won’t eat often means serious trouble. It is not normal for any individual to go a full day without eating when food is available, and not eating can be a symptom (kidney failure, complications of diabetes and intestinal obstruction) and a cause of (fatty liver) major health problems.

6. Protracted vomiting and/or diarrhea

This is among the cat emergencies that require immediate veterinary attention, especially when blood is present. Almost all cats occasionally yak or have soft stools, and such incidents usually aren’t emergencies. But cats who vomit repeatedly or have blowout diarrhea should see the vet immediately.

7. Known ingestion of toxins

Ingestion of toxics such as lily or antifreeze should be treated immediately. Rapid action can dramatically improve outcomes in many different types of toxicities.

8. Profound lethargy or collapse

This is among the cat emergencies that should trigger an urgent trip to the vet. Profound lethargy often manifests as “not moving,” hiding in one room for a protracted period, and not reacting to stimuli (such as the can opener or the dog) in a normal fashion.

9. Seizure

Although a solitary seizure is not likely to be life threatening, owners should be aware that seizures often come in clusters that get worse over the course of several hours. They also can be a symptom of exposure to toxins such as mold or low-quality flea control products. Cats who suffer a seizure should go straight to the vet.

10. Major trauma

This should always trigger a veterinary visit. Owners of cats with gaping wounds or massive hemorrhage usually know this intuitively. However, sometimes cats who have fallen from height, been hit by cars, struck by garage doors or attacked by large dogs can have major internal injuries yet appear unharmed after the incident. Any time you are aware of such an occurrence, your cat should be checked out.

11. Fights with other cats

Cats who have been in fights with other cats should see the vet sooner rather than later. Cat fight wounds are relatively easy to treat with antibiotics if they are caught early. If a delay occurs, an abscess may develop that requires anesthesia and surgery.

The bottom line on cat emergencies that need immediate vet attention

Cat owners should remember that the above list is not exhaustive; it is not possible to list (or even imagine) all cat emergencies. I wish to reiterate that if you are in doubt, you should call a vet, or simply go to the vet.

• Read Next: What is a Veterinary Specialist?

Featured Image Credit: In Green, Shutterstock

The post 11 Cat Emergencies That Need Immediate Vet Attention by Dr. Eric Barchas appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

In fact, there are answers to the question, “How often do cats need shots?” but they’re not very satisfying. Some plausible answers to the question, “How often do cats need shots?” are … It depends. Nobody knows.

The correct answer to, “How often do cats need shots?” is it varies depending upon life stage, lifestyle, geographic location, and immune system function.

People who seek a simple answer no doubt will be put off at this point. Although there is no straightforward, simple answer to, “How often do cats need shots?” there are some guidelines that can help to make sense of cats and vaccines, as well as cats and preventative measures.

How often do cats need shots & other preventative treatments?

1. How often do cats need flea prevention?

The question, “How often do cats need shots?” arose out of the context of flea prevention. Do all cats require flea preventatives, or are they more important for outdoor cats? Many people believe that fleas are contagious and are transmitted from pet to pet. Although a flea-infested cat may spread the infestation to any cat with whom he comes into contact, remember that fleas, although thoroughly detestable, have a remarkable capacity for spreading and surviving. Fleas can roam freely and can make their way into houses under their own steam. Therefore, indoor-only cats are at risk of flea infestation even if they do not come into contact with any other animals.

This does not necessarily mean that every cat requires a monthly flea preventative. Cats with no skin problems and no visible flea infestation can often get by with only occasional applications of flea preventatives. So, in short, flea prevention can be considered optional for all cats, but especially for indoor cats.

Be aware, however, that fleas are insidious, and it is not uncommon for cat owners to be unaware of significant infestations on their pets. Modern flea preventatives generally are safe, and fleas can cause all sorts of health problems. Therefore, unless you really know how to monitor for fleas, it’s better to err on the side of using flea preventatives rather than risking an infestation.

2. How often do cats need shot heartworm prevention?

How about heartworm prevention? Heartworm disease is spread by mosquitoes, which are perfectly capable of making their way indoors. Although outdoor cats are more likely to be bitten, indoor-only cats have the potential to be infected with these serious parasites. The American Heartworm Society recommends heartworm prevention in all cats. And remember that most heartworm preventatives also protect against intestinal worms, which can spread to humans.

However, heartworm is more common in some areas than in others. Many cat owners elect against heartworm prevention, especially for indoor-only pets. The simplest answer is that there is no simple answer.

3. How often do cats need vaccine booster shots?

Although there also is no simple answer to the question, “How often do cats need shots?” I am happy to report that there is an easy answer to the related question of whether indoor cats need booster shots every year. That answer is no.

The importance of feline vaccination is roughly inversely proportional to age. Kitten shots are phenomenally important, and unvaccinated kittens succumb to feline panleukopenia at high rates. I therefore recommend that all cat owners diligently have their cats vaccinated (with the so-called FVRCP) at 6-8 weeks, 10-12 weeks, and 14-16 weeks. A booster should occur at one year of age. I do not recommend that any cat receive subsequent boosters any more often than every three years; many owners of indoor cats elect a 5-to-7-year period.

The FVRCP is the most important vaccine kittens receive. There are two other vaccines that are in common use. One protects against feline leukemia, or FeLV. Indoor cats are not at risk of contracting FeLV. Therefore, as long as there is no chance of escape, indoor cats don’t need the vaccine for FeLV at all.

4. How often do cats need shots to protect against rabies?

The final common vaccine in cats protects against rabies. I have written many times that rabies is the most deadly infectious disease of both cats and humans. Truly, there is no disease that should be more dreaded. Rabies is spread through direct contact with infected (rabid) mammals. Could an indoor cat be exposed to rabies? It is not likely but it is theoretically possible — I have heard of rabid bats flying down chimneys or through open windows.

Should the owner of an indoor cat vaccinate his pet against rabies? That depends upon a number of factors, including your tolerance for risk, local laws (which sometimes mandate rabies vaccination in cats), and a cat’s likelihood of biting people (if your cat bites someone, your life — and your cat’s life — will be much easier if your cat is vaccinated against rabies).

Some final things to consider when thinking, “How often do cats need shots”?

Finally, one must consider the risk of adverse vaccination events in cats. Cats are at risk of cancers called injection site sarcomas. Although vaccines have saved countless feline lives, they also have a non-negligible potential to cause harm.

So, what is a concerned cat owner to do? No honest person can offer a clearly defined thesis on the matter of vaccines and regular parasite preventatives in cats. But I have been very consistent over the years with the following recommendation. Here it is: Find a good vet and talk it over. A good vet will recognize the complexities of every cat’s situation, and will take the time to help you tailor a protocol to your and your cat’s individual needs. Beware of any person who makes the subject sound simple — in truth, it is anything but.

Thumbnail: Photography ©Maica | Getty Images.

Read more on feline vaccines:

• What Vaccines Do Cats Need? A Guide to Shots for Cats
• Rabies Vaccine Required for All Cats in Illinois
• Cat Vaccinations: 5 Diseases to Protect Kitty From

The post How Often Do Cats Need Shots & Other Preventative Treatments? by Dr. Eric Barchas appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Do cats snore? And if they do, is cat snoring something to worry about? The short answer is that some cats snore. For many, nothing is wrong. However, some cat snoring can be a sign of trouble.

Why does cat snoring happen?

Snoring occurs when the passages in the “upper airways” — the nose, back of the mouth (the so-called pharynx), or throat — vibrate audibly during breathing. Vibrations and the resulting snoring are most likely to occur when the tissues of the upper airways are relaxed during sleep.

Persians and other short-nosed, flat-faced or brachycephalic breeds are the usual culprits of cat snoring in the feline world. As humans have bred them to have shorter noses, the tissues in the upper airways have become unnaturally tortuous. When air moves through the convoluted tissues, vibration and snoring are common. In extreme cases, audible breathing noises might even occur while awake. Although snoring while awake is essentially standard in Bulldogs, it’s not as common in cats — and that’s a good thing, because snoring while awake sometimes can be linked to breathing difficulties.

When is cat snoring a sign of a health issue?

In some instances, cat snoring can be a sign of a health problem. The most basic and common health issue that leads to cat snoring is being overweight or obese. Excess body weight leads to fat accumulation in the tissues surrounding the upper airways, which in turn can trigger snoring. This phenomenon is quite common in people as well as cats and dogs.

Cats with upper respiratory infections might develop snoring. The audible breathing occurs due to sinus congestion or mucus buildup in the airways. Viral and bacterial infections are most common, and these usually are self-limiting or curable with medication. However, fungal infections also are possible, and these have the potential to be more serious.

Foreign objects (such as grass blades) in the back of the mouth or nose might trigger snoring as well as coughing, agitation and sinus infections.

More perniciously, masses or tumors in the sinuses or upper airways might cause snoring. Cancers such as lymphoma, fibrosarcoma and adenocarcinoma can be culprits of cat snoring. Benign polyps also occur.

How can you determine whether cat snoring is a problem or not?

There are some simple guidelines for determining whether cat snoring has a medical problem. Light snoring that occurs during sleep, is not linked to respiratory distress, and that is stable in nature (meaning it doesn’t become more pronounced over time) probably isn’t a problem. Cat snoring that becomes progressively louder or is linked to other symptoms such as sneezing, coughing or changes in appetite is probably as sign of illness. Snoring that occurs in combination with respiratory distress is a medical emergency — respiratory distress is always a medical emergency.

When in doubt, the best option is to have your cat checked by a vet. A course of antibiotics might help speed recovery from a upper respiratory infection. Anesthetic evaluation of the back of the throat might reveal a grass blade that can be removed.

In some cases, snoring that even seems to define a cat’s character can and should be eliminated. Many years ago I had a patient named Wheezer. She was a sweet cat who earned her name through her snoring. When she was anesthetized for dental work, I evaluated the back of her throat and found a large benign polyp. After the polyp was removed, the cat snoring stopped. Despite this development, the owners opted not to change her name.

Plus, wondering why YOU snore? Check out some insight here >>

Thumbnail: Photography by Jolanta Beinarovica / Shutterstock.

This piece was originally published in 2017.

Read more on cats and sleep on Catster.com:

• Is Your Cat Sleeping Too Much — or Not Enough?
• 5 Facts About Cats and Sleep
• Why Do Cats Sleep So Much? 5 Facts About Sleeping Cats

The post Is Cat Snoring Normal? by Dr. Eric Barchas appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

You’re likely here because you have noticed some dandruff on the back of your cat. You’re not alone in wondering what the cause is or what treatment would help. We’d love to help you decide if it’s time to see the vet or if there is anything you can do at home to help. Let’s dive in.

First, what is cat dandruff?

Given that veterinary medicine even has a term to describe freckles in ginger cats — lentigo simplex — it should not surprise the reader that veterinary medicine has a term to describe severe dandruff: seborrheic dermatitis. I prefer to call it dandruff.

Is cat dandruff common? Why does cat dandruff happen?

Yes, cat dandruff is common. It occurs most frequently exactly where you have described: on the back, closer to the tail than to the head. This cat dandruff may be accompanied by greasy hair.

Most of the time, dandruff, even when severe, is not representative of a disease. However, some skin parasites (particularly one called Demodex) and fungal infections (such as ringworm) can lead to cat dandruff. So can glandular disorders such as hyperthyroidism, allergies to fleas or food, and even severe problems such as lymphoma. Some cats appear to respond to dermatological insults (such as exposure to chemical irritants) by producing dandruff.

What should you do about cat dandruff?

To be sure, you did the right thing by taking your cat to the vet. I hope that she did the appropriate tests to rule out those more serious problems. If she did, it is safe to say that your cat has a good, old-fashioned case of feline dandruff. That means two things. First, the problem will be hard to solve. Second, the problem isn’t a problem and it doesn’t need to be solved.

Cat dandruff is, in my experience, hard to treat. Some vets have touted success with dietary supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids. Others recommend special shampoos or spot-on therapies (specifically, I have seen some vets recommend Douxo Spot On or Alloderm). A few owners have reported success after changing their cats’ diets.

However, most people who have cats with dandruff end up frustrated. In my experience, the cat dandruff “problem” does not improve no matter what is done.

The final word on cat dandruff

I put “problem” in quotes for a reason. If your vet has ruled out serious skin disease, and your cat is not suffering from itching, hair loss or pain, then as far as your cat is concerned, there is no problem. Cats, unlike humans, don’t worry about first impressions. They don’t obsess in the mirror.

Since the dandruff isn’t bothering your cat, I recommend that you not let it bother you. Why risk gastrointestinal upset from a diet change, or an adverse reaction to a shampoo? The problem isn’t really a problem, so why not do nothing? Veterinary medicine has a fancy term for this as well: benign neglect.

Featured Photo: ©chendongshan | Thinkstock. 

Read more about cats and skin conditions on Catster.com:

• 10 Common Cat Skin Problems
• Scabs on Cats? What’s Going On
• How to Help Cats with Skin Cancer

The post Cat Dandruff: Is It Something to Worry About? Facts & FAQ by Dr. Eric Barchas appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

One of the Catster editors recently asked me a few questions about poop. She wondered whether she needed to be concerned if her cat had a single runny poop. She also wondered whether pooping outside of the litter box might be a sign of a veterinary problem. Poop doesn’t exactly make the world go ’round, but it is something that, for better or for worse, is a major part of life. So, let’s talk about cat poop and cat diarrhea!

Cat diarrhea vs. normal cat poop

Ideally your cat produces nicely formed stools without difficulty on a daily basis. They are mostly easy to scoop out of the box, and they’re comparatively innocuous in general.

Cat diarrhea comes in varying levels of severity. Abnormally soft stools can range from incompletely formed to “soft serve” to “cow patty” to liquid to hemorrhagic. Cat diarrhea, like human diarrhea, occurs when residual undigestible portions of food pass through the intestines abnormally fast, or when excess fluid is added to the stool by the large intestines.

What causes cat diarrhea?

Practically speaking, there are a number of causes of cat diarrhea. Sometimes, cat diarrhea may be a relatively minor problem such as a mild reaction to a diet change. Mild dietary indiscretion can also cause cat diarrhea. As a child I owned a cat who was lactose-intolerant; on the few occasions I tried to create a Norman Rockwell-esque scene by offering her a saucer of milk (you should never give cow’s milk to a cat!), she created a very non-Rockwell-esque scene in the litter box.

Stress is another potential cause (cat diarrhea can occur if something literally scares the you-know-what out of them). And finally, more serious problems can cause cat diarrhea. These range from treatable issues like parasites and mild intestinal infections to more serious problems such as exposure to toxins, foreign objects in the intestines, liver or kidney disease, inflammatory bowel disease (also known as infiltrative bowel disease, or simply IBD), and cancers such as lymphoma or intestinal adenocarcinoma.

When should you worry about cat diarrhea? What if your cat has diarrhea and seems fine otherwise?

So when is cat diarrhea a big deal? When it’s really bad, when it’s accompanied by other symptoms, or when the cat feels or looks significantly sick.

For instance, if your cat has one soft stool but is still playful and eating and drinking normally, you probably don’t need to rush to the vet. This is especially true if you just switched foods (in which case you should consider switching back), or if you know she consumed a suspicious but not especially dangerous food item (such as turkey skin or milk).

However, if your cat is lethargic, won’t eat, is suffering from profuse hemorrhagic diarrhea, has 10 episodes of diarrhea in one day, or if vomiting occurs concurrently with the diarrhea, then you need to seek veterinary attention. Vomiting and diarrhea often occur together, and they are a dangerous combination because they can trigger severe dehydration.

If your cat is having frequent diarrhea, a checkup is a good idea even if she’s not showing any other symptoms. Some cat parasites can spread to people, and IBD and lymphoma are serious problems. Chronic cat diarrhea should not be ignored.

Cat diarrhea, cat constipation and pooping outside of the litter box

How about pooping outside of the litter box? Cat diarrhea is a common cause of this behavior, so if your cat has an abnormally soft stool outside of the box, then what you really need to focus on is the diarrhea.

Conversely, constipation also can cause cats to defecate in inappropriate places. This appears to occur because cats grow weary of going back and forth to the litter box without success, and begin trying to eliminate the contents of their bowels wherever they may be. Constipated cats may posture and strain unproductively in or out of the box, and if they produce stool it may be hard and dry.

Constipation isn’t just miserable. It’s also potentially life-threatening, and I have encountered several unfortunate cats who died from the stress of trying to defecate while hopelessly constipated. Cats with urinary obstructions can also sometimes look constipated or pass feces outside of the box while they are straining to urinate, and urinary obstruction is urgently life-threatening. Some cats with masses or tumors in their rectums or near their anuses will defecate outside of the box — often with signs of discomfort.

The bottom line on what to do about cat diarrhea

In short, if your cat seems to be having any distress in passing urine or feces, then book an immediate vet visit.

However, some cats intermittently (or regularly) pass normal bowel movements outside of the litter box. Most of the time this is a behavioral issue. The first step in such cases is to see the vet to be sure there is no medical problem. After getting a clean bill of health, the next step is to implement a behavioral modification plan (this link addresses urinating outside of the box, but the treatment tactics are the same). And take comfort from one fact: Finding cat poop outside of the box may be unpleasant, but it’s better than finding urine.

Thumbnail: Photography by Africa Studio / Shutterstock. 

Read more on cat poop and cat diarrhea on Catster.com:

• Handling Your Cat’s Poop Problems: From Diarrhea to Constipation
• Your Cat’s Butt Is His Health Barometer
• Cat Poop — When to Worry (or Not!) for Cats of All Ages

The post Cat Diarrhea: Causes & Care Guide (Vet Answer) by Dr. Eric Barchas appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

I love Daylight Saving Time. I love the extra relaxing hour of evening that it provides. I love that it heralds the onset of spring. In my opinion, it’s just about the best possible use for an hour. And let’s face it: An hour isn’t much.

But Daylight Saving Time, which starts Sunday, March 10, this year, has its detractors. Just as alarmists feared that fluoridation of the water supply was a communist plot (a plot, evidently, for Americans to stop suffering from cavities), some people claim that Daylight Saving Time harms health through disruption of circadian rhythms, or leads to excess energy use, or simply represents a lost hour of sleep. Several governments, notably those in Saudi Arabia, North Korea and Arizona, do not recognize Daylight Saving Time.

But, for the sake of thoroughness, let’s revisit those possible health issues. Specifically, because I’m a veterinarian, let’s talk about the potential health issues your pet may suffer as a result of Daylight Saving Time.

Are cats affected by the one-hour time change during Daylight Saving Time?

My experience of the effects of one-hour time changes in pets is this: They are negligible. It’s one thing to fly your cat from Seattle to Mumbai (or Hawaii to Japan). She will experience significant jet lag, not to mention culture shock. It’s another thing to move the clock ahead or back by an hour. In my experience, most pets simply don’t notice. And why would they?

Let’s start with the worst part of Daylight Saving Time: You have to get up for work at a time that feels like an hour earlier for at least a week. Ostensibly, your cat might also have to get up earlier (although I’ll bet many pets simply keep sleeping — I know my dog does). Regardless, I doubt your cat has to worry about getting to work on time. Waking up early isn’t so bad if, rather than heading into the office, you get to lounge around all day like most cats do.

If you regularly sleep six to eight hours a night and then have to high-tail it to work, that lost hour hurts. But what if you’re a cat and you usually sleep 16 to 18 hours out of every 24? If you could go back to sleep for as long as you wanted after the alarm went off (perhaps after first eating breakfast), would you really notice if the alarm went off an hour earlier, never mind the scrambling and complaining your owner was doing?

Cats and dogs are highly adaptable. Part of their job is to adjust to our schedules. Do you and your cat wake up at precisely the same time every day?  I certainly hope not. If you do, I hereby diagnose your pet’s life as boring. (I am precluded by law from diagnosing your life as boring, but you can draw your own conclusions.) In that case, I recommend that you try to shake things up a bit. You and your cat will be happier for it.

If you have to go into work early, Miss Tibbs adapts. If you get to sleep in on a Saturday, Fluffy sleeps in too. Cats and dogs can roll with these sorts of changes, and for the vastly overwhelming majority of them, an hour here or there won’t be a big deal.

Remember that both species were domesticated before humans had invented the concept of time. Outside of the tropics, photoperiods (the lengths of each day) vary with the seasons. Human schedules differed with the length of each day, and our pets’ schedules varied right along with ours.

How does Daylight Saving Time affect cat medications?

That said, there is one veterinary-specific aspect of the time change that should be addressed: medications. Many pet meds are prescribed to be given at intervals of eight, 12, or 24 hours. If your cat normally receives her thyroid medication at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., what should you do when the time changes? Continue to administer it at last week’s time, or adjust to the change and administer it at 9 and 9 until Standard Time returns?

In the overwhelming majority of cases, it doesn’t matter. With rare exceptions (which generally involve medications that normally would be administered only in an ICU setting), giving your kitty her medicine an hour early or late won’t make any difference at all.

There are, however, a couple of exceptions. The first is insulin, which is used to treat diabetes. If you give your cat her dose too early, it could lead to dangerous low blood sugar levels. The good news is that, even for insulin, the risks of changing the timing of administration by an hour are very small. It probably won’t matter. However, if your pet is diabetic, check with your vet about how this drug should be administered after the time change.

Another exception is furosemide, also known as Lasix, which is used to treat heart failure. Again, for most pets, an hour’s difference in timing probably won’t matter. But if you want to be safe, discuss it with your vet this week.

A few final thoughts on Daylight Saving Time

If you’re still worried that Daylight Saving Time is bad, I have two propositions. First, and most simply, why bother changing the clock at all? This would eliminate time changes and the minor complications they cause.

If year-round Daylight Saving Time is unpalatable, then I have an idea that everyone surely would accept. Let’s change the timing of the time change.

Instead of boringly switching over at 2 a.m. on Sundays, wouldn’t it be better to “spring forward” at 4 p.m. on Friday? It’d certainly make the weekend get here faster. And we could then “fall back” at 5 a.m. Monday. The new timing would lead to one better Friday and one better Monday each year, with no downside that any person would notice. And, like the current time change regimen, it would have negligible effect on our pets.

Thumbnail: Photography by Gelpi / Shutterstock.

This piece was originally published in 2017.

Learn more about your cats and sleeping on Catster.com:

• Sleeping With Cats: Yay or Nay?
• Is Your Cat Sleeping Too Much — or Not Enough?
• 5 Facts About Cats and Sleep

The post Cats And Daylight Savings Time: Will It Affect By Pet? by Dr. Eric Barchas appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Cats are well-armed creatures who punch way above their weight. They have sharp teeth and fast reflexes. They are limber and agile. And those cat claws or cat nails can wreak havoc on prey animals, perceived predators, carpet, drapes, sofas and people who happen to get in their way. So, how do you keep cats from scratching? Let’s talk about the best ways to trim cat nails, and why you should.

First, let’s talk declawing vs. cat nail trimming

Before we talk how to trim cat cat nails, let’s discuss declawing. Back in the olden days the solution to the havoc that cats’ nails wrought upon people and property was simple: Declaw them. In the modern era, most vets and cat lovers view declawing as an absolute last resort — and many vets refuse to declaw cats even as a last resort. The potential complications of declawing such as pain, behavior changes and increased likelihood of biting are deemed by most to outweigh the benefits (to the owners — cats accrue no significant benefits) of the procedure. The old vets who still believe in declawing are dying off, so people must adjust to the reality of a world in which declawing does not happen.

This means that most cat claws need to be trimmed. Nail trimming, unlike declawing, carries many benefits not only for people and property, but also for cats.

Why should you trim your cat’s claws?

It goes without saying that sharp cat nails inflict more damage than trimmed ones. Your sofa, carpet and drapes will notice significant benefits. For the record, “sharpening” the claws is a normal expression of feline behavior, and it cannot (and should not) be humanely suppressed. That’s why all cat owners should have scratching posts.

As a person for whom cat scratches are an occupational hazard, I can assure you that trimmed cat nails cause less damage to human skin than their sharper counterparts. Cat scratches aren’t merely painful. Scratches can become infected (remember, the cat digs in the litter box with those same nails). And flea-infested cats may spread Bartonella henselae, also known as cat scratch disease (although in my opinion it should be called flea feces disease, because it’s fleas that spread it — cats merely introduce the bacteria into the bloodstream when they scratch humans with nails that have flea feces on them).

Cats derive direct benefits when their people know how to trim cat nails properly, too. Cats’ nails grow in layers that are like shells. When cats “sharpen” their claws, they are removing the older shells to expose the sharper new ones. However, often cats do not successfully remove the shells. This can lead to ingrown nails that can become extremely painful and can lead to nasty infections. Regular nail trims prevent ingrown nails. Furthermore, a cat with trimmed nails is likely to enjoy a better relationship with her family, since she won’t be ejected from laps merely for making kitty dough.

There is good news: A skilled team of people working with a tolerant cat can get a nail trim done in 20 seconds flat. Unfortunately, there is also bad news: Many cats are not tolerant of nail trims, and many people are not skilled in the process. Below are some pointers for how to trim cat nails that will hopefully help cat parents:

The 6 Tips to Trimming Your Cat’s Nails Safely

1. Know the anatomy of cat claws

The first step in knowing how to trim cat nails is knowing about cat paws. Most cats have 18 nails (five on each front foot and four on each rear foot). However, a condition called polydactyly, in which cats have supernumerary digits, is quite common. Get to know your cat’s paws, and know where the nails are and how many there are. Also, remember that cats’ nails naturally retract while at rest. They can be extended for trimming by applying simultaneous gentle pressure on the top and bottom of each toe. Practice this and get good at it.

Finally, know the quick. The quick contains blood and nerves that feed and provide sensation to the nails. If you trim a nail too aggressively, you will cut into the quick. This causes pain and bleeding. The quick can be identified by its pink or red tinge (caused by the blood flowing through it) at the base of the nail. The quick does not generally extend through the entire nail.

2. Habituate the cat to holding still and having her feet handled

Another important point in how to trim cat nails is learning how to handle your cat’s paws in the first place. Cats very rarely resent nail trims unless the quick is struck. However, many cats do not like to hold still and have their feet handled. I recommend that cat parents handle their cat’s feet every day. If your cat is used to having her feet handled, the job will be much easier. Kittens are especially amenable to this habituation, but it works for many mature cats as well. You can practice extending the nails while you are handling the feet.

3. Try to make the nail trimming experience pleasant, and don’t fight

Treats, petting and soft voices go a long way when it comes to how to trim cat nails. If your cat starts to get angry, abort the procedure. Cats have remarkably good memories, and if you fight with her to trim her nails, I can assure you that the procedure will only get more difficult over time.

4. Work as a team

This is the veterinarian’s ace in the hole. I almost always work with another person when performing a feline nail trim. Holding the cat is the harder job because it requires a great deal of finesse — the goal is to restrain the cat without her knowing that she’s being restrained. It should be done gently and lovingly, but a good restrainer won’t let the cat get up and walk away (unless she starts to get angry).

5. Don’t waste time

Here’s a great tip when thinking about how to trim cat nails — make the process quick and efficient. Very few cats will tolerate a 10-minute nail trim. Know what you’re doing, respect the anatomy and don’t bumble around. If you’re good the nail trim will be over before the cat even knows she’s being restrained.

6. Use the right equipment and use good technique

One person should gently restrain and reassure the cat. The other person should quickly extend each nail and use an appropriate nail trimmer to remove the tip of each nail. Move smoothly through the nails on each foot. When in doubt, it is better to remove too little nail than too much. The sharpest part of the nail is at the very end, so only a bit needs to be removed anyway. If you accidentally hit a quick, apply corn starch or a commercial powder such as Kwik Stop to control the bleeding.

Remember that with nail trimming, as with so many things in life, practice makes a big difference. If you set your mind to regularly handling and trimming your cat’s nails, you will most likely get good at it.

Tell us: What are your tips on how to trim cat nails?

Thumbnail: Photography ©gtlv | Thinkstock.

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The post How to Trim Cat Nails, Why You Should, & Tips for Safe Cutting by Dr. Eric Barchas appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

If you’re in the process of ramping up for a holiday celebration, then prepare for your mood to be spoiled over this cat-health matter. On the other hand, if you are feeling more Scroogey than holiday-spirited, I am happy to provide you with some ammunition: holiday health hazards for cats… that can be avoided. That’s right — Dr. Doom-and-Gloom Barchas is here to ruin yet another holiday by harping on how dangerous it is for your pet! Here are some tips.

In truth, this article might not scare you too much. I am happy (honestly!) to say that cats, with their high levels of prudence, do not have a super-special knack for getting into trouble during the winter holidays. The overwhelming majority of cats get through them unscathed.

There are, however, some exceptions. Here are a few holiday health hazards for cats you should be aware of and avoid!

The 7 Holiday Hazards for Your Cat

1. Cats and Christmas trees

Believe it or not, in my experience this is the most common cause of unwanted veterinary visits for cats during the holidays. Christmas trees are remarkably attractive to some cats, and they simply aren’t as stable as real trees with roots.

Cats who climb Christmas trees predictably (at least to the humans involved in these situations) bring the trees down. This results in a mess in the best cases, but I have seen more than a few sprains and strains and a couple of broken legs resulting from tree takedowns.

The solution is simple, but imperfect: Don’t allow your cat to have access to the tree when you’re not supervising. (Though I know that plenty of cats still manage to climb and knock over trees when their owners are in the room.)

2. Cats and holiday decorations

The ornaments and decorations adorning the trees also pose a risk. Tinsel is attractive to some cats. When your cat eats tinsel or any other string, it poses a risk of causing a problem called “linear foreign body obstruction.” Other decorations also may be swallowed, leading to intestinal obstruction. I will never forget the day I surgically removed a jingle bell from a cat’s intestine. Chewing on strings of Christmas lights poses a theoretical electrocution risk, although I can’t say I’ve ever seen it happen. Mistletoe and holly are famously toxic. However, it turns out that poinsettia toxicity is largely an urban legend — the plant is only mildly toxic (although cats should still not be allowed near it).

3. Wrapping presents with cats

The presents underneath the tree probably won’t be especially dangerous to your cat, but the wrapping might be. In particular, ribbons and bows may be long and thread-like, making them attractive to some cats. Voila! Another potential linear-foreign-body-obstruction hazard.

4. Christmas tree water isn’t exactly safe for cats, either

Before we move away from the tree, let’s talk about the dish of water in which it sits. Cats love to drink from this dish, because they love to drink water from any source that disturbs humans. Is this water dangerous? I don’t think so, and I’ve never seen an adverse reaction to it. However, I sure have to deal with a lot of calls from freaked-out owners about the matter, and I also can’t guarantee that Christmas-tree water is safe, especially if it has been chemically treated. The solution: Buy a fake tree.

5. Fireplace ashes are harmful to cats

As that yule log burns out, it turns into nice fluffy ashes. I have never seen a cat come to harm from playing in cold fireplace ashes. However, you would not believe what a godawful mess a cat can make of himself and the house if he digs around in there. Also, ashes do not clump in the presence of cat urine, so the fireplace makes a bad litter box. You’ve been warned.

6. Holiday parties mean stranger-danger for cats

Mix lots of brandy-laden eggnog with a bunch of loud strangers in the house who aren’t cat-savvy, and you’ve got a recipe for your cat to escape and get lost during your holiday party. Bear this in mind when planning festivities, and set aside a safe room for the cat.

7. Humiliating costumes

Veterinary science has yet to determine whether cats can actually die of embarrassment. However, I have seen several costumed cats who looked as if they wanted to. Sure, they make cute elves, and who doesn’t love a cat with a Santa hat? But please, think of your poor cat’s dignity (and consider the potential for karmic retribution) before you subject them to this degradation.

Happy holidays to all!

Read more about cats and the holidays: 

• 12 Holiday Safety Tips for Cats
• 8 Unique Holiday Gifts for Cat Lovers
• 6 Stylish Holiday Gift Ideas for Cats

Featured Image Credit: Anna Mente, Shutterstock

The post 7 Holiday Health Hazards for Cats by Dr. Eric Barchas appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Several years ago, I was at a Thanksgiving celebration with my relatives. Most of the food had made it onto the dining room table, but for some reason all of the people were still in the kitchen or in the living room. We migrated en masse to the dining room and found the cat on the table. He was helping himself to the gravy.

It was obvious that everyone present was a cat lover. Several photos were taken before the cat was removed from the table. And we still ate the gravy.

If my pal Buster were allowed unfettered access to a laden Thanksgiving table I can only imagine the decimation that would occur to the dinner and the dog. Fortunately, cats aren’t as prone to extreme gluttony and subsequent pancreatitis and bloat.

However, cat parents might be wondering which Thanksgiving foods are safe to share with cats — and which foods they should avoid.

Thanksgiving Foods and Cats — Some General Advice

First, remember that any cat might have specific food intolerances or allergies. So even if something is generally safe for cats, it might not be safe for your cat. Second, remember that moderation is key. If you allow your cat to feast at Thanksgiving to the extent that I do, then your cat, like me, will probably feel ill after the dinner. Unlike with me, however, that feeling of illness might progress to real illness. And some things, as will be outlined below, might be mildly toxic to cats and therefore should be minimized.

Let’s look at specific Thanksgiving foods that are safe for cats:

Can Cats Eat Thanksgiving Turkey? 

Yes. This staple of Thanksgiving happens to be completely edible and delicious for felines. Skinless white meat is most benign, but most cats can handle dark meat or a bit of skin and giblets as well. I remember as a child my father would give a hearty helping of skin, fat, and giblets to the cat every Thanksgiving. I was worried that it could cause heart disease in the cat. I had not yet learned that fat and cholesterol do not contribute significantly to heart disease in cats, and possibly not in humans either. However, the fattier parts of the turkey are more likely to cause upset stomach, so go easy.

Can Cats Eat Gravy?

The cat I mentioned above suffered no adverse consequences from his gravy lapping. However, remember that gravy is fatty and salty. Moderation is key, and the salt could cause problems for cats with pre-existing heart conditions.

Can Cats Eat Mashed Potatoes?

I like to make my mashed potatoes with lots of garlic, onion, shallots, half-and-half and butter. It turns out that garlic, onions and shallots can cause Heinz body anemia in cats. And many cats are lactose intolerant, so the half-and-half could be a problem. However, garlic isn’t cyanide and half-and-half isn’t acetaminophen (which is massively toxic to cats). Most cats could survive a bite or two of my potatoes. And they certainly could tolerate milder, less rich mixtures. But I wouldn’t recommend serving up mashed potatoes to your cat.

Can Cats Eat Stuffing?

Again, garlic and onions could be a problem. And the bread laden with delicious turkey grease might cause gastrointestinal issues. It’s best to keep your cat out of the stuffing.

Can Cats Eat Green Bean Casserole? 

The green beans are no problem, but the canned onions are. This is a no-no for cats.

Can Cats Eat Cranberry Sauce?

Although it’s certainly not a part of a cat’s natural diet, it’s not toxic either. I learned in vet school that cats supposedly are not attracted to sweet items or tart items. My experience, however, has been different. I’m sure that some cats love cranberry sauce. Fortunately I doubt that any problems will occur if your cat breaks into yours, unless it’s so loaded with brandy that the cat gets drunk.

Can Cats Eat Rolls and Breads?

Plain rolls and bread should not be a problem. Garlic bread, on the other hand, introduces a risk of Heinz body anemia.

A Final Word of Caution on All Thanksgiving Foods for Cats:

For the record, I am not advocating that cat owners pile heaping dishes of Thanksgiving food for their cats. In fact, really the only food that I can unhesitatingly recommend for most cats is skinless turkey breast. But if your cat drinks a bit of gravy, or licks a bit of cranberry sauce, or noshes on a roll or digs into the lime Jell-O, you probably don’t need to be worried.

Also, remember not to feel too sorry for your cat when you do not share your delicious Thanksgiving meal with her. She already no doubt has plenty for which to be thankful.

Read more about cats and Thanksgiving on Catster.com:

• 3 Ways to Help Your Cat Cope With Thanksgiving Stress
• Let’s Talk Turkey: Your Cat and the Foods of Thanksgiving
• Texts from Mittens: The Thanksgiving Edition

 (Note that if you have an emergency situation, please see your own vet immediately!)

Featured Image Credit: Masson, Shutterstock

The post Ask a Vet: Which Thanksgiving Foods Are Safe for Cats? Facts & FAQ by Dr. Eric Barchas appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Long ago, I was single and I liked to attend cocktail parties. I quickly learned that my testicle stories nearly always could get tipsy female partygoers giggling. To be clear, my testicle stories were not stories about my testicles. I may have been young and dumb, but I was not as clueless as Anthony Weiner. The testicles I was referring to were cat balls.

How long ago was this? Well, let’s see. I was single, and I regularly performed feline neuters. The last time those conditions were met was well over a decade ago. Many of the stories were not actually mine. I have always taken my job very seriously, so I have never disrespected a patient by, say, playing a practical joke with his testicles. But I confess to having a few acquaintances who have crossed that line. Some of my stories were actually theirs — however, I did always provide proper attribution when chatting up young ladies.

So, practical jokes and all, here are the facts on cat testicles.

The 7 Facts About Cat Testicles

1. Male vets don’t squirm when neutering cats

Here is how a cat is neutered: The cat should be properly prepared for anesthesia by running appropriate pre-anesthetic testing. IV fluids should be administered. Pain killers should be administered. The cat is then anesthetized. Appropriate anesthetic monitoring should take place. So far, so good.

Some people, however, turn various shades of green when they hear what comes next. The scrotum is shaved and prepared in a sterile fashion. A syringe may be used to inject a local anesthetic (numbing agent) directly through the scrotum and into the testicle. A scalpel blade is used to incise the scrotum directly over the testicle. Digital pressure is used to express the testicle and its surrounding connective tissue through the scrotum. Traction is used to break down the connective tissue affixing the testicle to the body. The blood supply to the testicle is ligated using a special technique in which it is tied in a knot. The testicle is then cut from the connective tissue and blood supply and is subsequently disposed of.

Back in the day, many people asked me how I could perform such a procedure without cringing and doubling over. The answer was simple: They weren’t my testicles. Removing a cat testicles was never a problem for me. However…

2. Cat balls go in the trash

After the cat testicles are removed, where do they go? In a healthy cat there is no need to submit them to a laboratory. And they are not biohazards. They are disposed of in a more simple manner — the garbage can.

3. Cat testicles are a bit like boogers

Let’s go back to the proper, humane feline neutering technique. Specifically, the part where the testicle is cut from the connective tissue and blood supply and subsequently disposed of. That sounds simple, but it actually is a bit more difficult than one would expect. After the testicle is excised, the veterinarian will be left with a testicle in one hand and a surgical instrument in the other. The veterinarian must not let go of the surgical instrument; the next step is to complete the ligation of the blood supply, which requires the surgical instrument and both hands. Therefore the cat testicle must be removed from the hand that holds it. Easier said than done.

Cat balls are sticky. They stick to surgical gloves much like boogers stick to kids’ fingers. And many vets with testicles in their hands resort to the same tactic as nose-picking children: They flick. When they flick, the results can be unpredictable. Testicles can take errant flight patterns and end up sticking to walls or windows. I once saw a cat testicle strike — and stick to — a co-worker’s face.

4. Cat balls can be used for practical jokes

I haven’t done it, but I have heard stories. If several cat testicles are placed around the feet of an unsuspecting person, that person will end up with testicles stuck in his or her shoe treads. I am told that they’re very difficult to remove. Cat testicles bear an uncanny resemblance to cocktail onions. I have heard of vet clinics where people must be very careful before sipping on beverages.

5. Cat testicles are tasty to dogs

It turns out that cat feces is not the only feline product that dogs will consume. I once heard of an incident involving a feline neuter (remember, testicles go in the trash) , a resident hospital dog and a door to the surgical suite left open after the procedure. Your imagination can do the rest.

6. There are people in this world who have cat testicles on their mantlepieces

Rarely, people ask the vet to return their cat’s testicles after a neuter. Many vets oblige, usually returning them suspended in an alcohol preservative.

7. Despite the levity, neutering is a serious matter

I want to be clear about something: Veterinary medicine has always been a serious business for me. People may love to joke about cat testicles, but neutering a cat is a true surgical procedure and any good vet will take the procedure seriously. And, although neutering of cats has been widely adopted, it is becoming more controversial. Testicles serve a biological purpose beyond reproduction in cats. When and even whether they should be removed are now topics of debate among experts. At this time, the benefits of neutering still decisively appear to outweigh the drawbacks. Nonetheless, responsible vets are closely monitoring the situation in order to ensure that we always to do right by our patients.

Thumbnail: Photography by JZHunt/Thinkstock. 

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The post 7 Interesting Facts About Cat Testicles by Dr. Eric Barchas appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.