We all know that cat pee smells awful, but did you know that cat pee can be harmful to you and can cause allergic reactions in people who are allergic to cats?

But just how dangerous is cat pee, how should you clean it up, and how do you get your cat to use the litter box a bit more? Let’s get into the details below.

Is Cat Pee Toxic?

Not only does cat pee smell terrible, but cat pee can also release ammonia, a toxic gas, if it isn’t cleaned away quickly.  Prolonged exposure to ammonia can lead to allergic reactions in humans or the exacerbation of a person’s allergies. Because of this, you need to be very careful when cleaning up cat pee that you clean it all away, and if your cat is urinating anywhere other than in their litter box, you need to address it right away.

What Are Side Effects of Breathing Cat Urine Ammonia?

The ammonia that is produced when bacteria break down urea (a natural component of cat urine) can cause respiratory issues for both you and your cat.   Concentrations of over 2500 ppm are potentially fatal, but luckily, ammonia smells terrible so people are aware of it even at low concentrations, and leave places with high ammonia gas immediately, if they can. Cat urine from a few pet cats is highly unlikely to reach anywhere near a toxic level, but it’s best to practice caution, especially if you have more cats than this.

Ammonia, even at much lower concentrations can irritate your lungs and eyes, which is extremely uncomfortable. Because of this, you need to take precautions if you’re around cat urine regularly.

Other Dangers of Cat Urine

People who are allergic to cats are allergic to a protein known as Fel-D1 that is found in cat saliva, dander and urine.  The protein causes flare ups of allergies for those that suffer, usually leading to itchy eyes, a running nose and an itchy throat.  Those that suffer from asthma can also be triggered by Fel-D1.  Signs can be a whole lot worse for those with severe allergies.  Fel-D1 is not a danger to those without cat allergies or asthma, so if you have someone in the house without these conditions, ask them to clear the litter box.

How to Clean Up Cat Urine

If your cat urinated somewhere they shouldn’t, you need to clean it up right away, but there are a few things you should know before you start scrubbing.

1. Wear Gloves and a Mask

It might seem excessive, but it’s a small step that can make a huge difference. Wear the proper protective equipment when cleaning up cat urine, especially if it has gone unnoticed for a period of time.  This means wearing disposable gloves and a high-quality face-mask. Your safety should always be your top priority.  When cat urine is fresh, it won’t be producing much ammonia at all, as it takes some time for bacteria to start breaking down the urea to ammonia.  Therefore, fresh cat urine is much less of a threat to you.

2. Ventilate the Area

In addition to cleaning the affected area, you should ventilate the area as much as possible. This will help clear the ammonia gas  and smell from the air, making it safe to breathe sooner rather than later.

3. Thoroughly Clean It Right Away

When you discover cat pee, you need to start cleaning it up right away instead of letting it sit there. The exact cleaning method you use will vary depending on the surface, but whatever you do, do it sooner rather than later so that less ammonia gas is released. Also, keep in mind that you’ll want to use an enzymatic cleaner to try and keep your cat from revisiting the area.

Top 8 Tips for Litter Training Cats

One of the best ways to ensure your cat urinates only in its litter tray is to get them successfully toilet trained. This isn’t usually a problem, but if you have a cat struggling to consistently use their box, we’ve highlighted several tips and tricks you can try to get them completely litter box trained.

1. Get the Right Litter

Most of the time, cats won’t use the litter box because they don’t like the type of litter you’re offering. Each cat is different, so there’s no one right or wrong option here. Find what works for your cat and stick with it!

2. Get Enough Litter Boxes

If your cat can’t find the litter box or if there aren’t enough litter boxes for them, then they might try to find somewhere else to relieve themselves. You need at least one litter box on each floor of your home, and you always need one more litter box than you have cats.

This means if you live in a 3-story home with four cats, you need at least five litter boxes. Even if you only have two cats in an apartment, you should have at least three litter boxes. The general rule is one litter box per cat, plus one.

3. Put Litter Boxes in the Right Place

Cats like litter boxes in quiet places that aren’t too hard to get to, and it’s up to you to find the perfect place to put them in your home. If there’s too much going on around the litter box or your cat can’t easily get to it, they might find somewhere else to go instead.

4. Keep the Litter Box Clean

Cats don’t like using dirty litter boxes, and if it’s too dirty for them, they’ll find somewhere that is cleaner. Scooping their litter box once a day goes a long way in ensuring they’ll keep using it day after day. You should also aim to do a full clean of their box about once a week.

5. Introduce Them to the Litter Box

Your cat won’t use the litter box if they don’t know where it’s at, so anytime you add a litter box or move a litter box, you need to introduce them to it. Simply putting them in the clean litter box should be more than enough to get them to come back and use it in the future.

6. Keep Your Home Clean

If your home is dirty, it can be confusing for your cat, and they might think the dirty laundry or the dirtiest part of your home is where they should relieve themselves. Keeping your home clean goes a long way in ensuring a cat only relieves themselves where they should.

7. Stay Positive!

It’s easy to get negative when your cat is urinating somewhere they shouldn’t, but you don’t want your cat to keep hiding the behavior. If you stay positive by encouraging them to use the litter box and rewarding them for doing so, you’ll get much better results.

8. See a Vet

If your cat is urinating outside of the litter box when they normally don’t, then you need to take them to the vet. Cats are very good at hiding signs of illness, and not using their litter box could be their way of telling you that something is wrong.  Cats might urinate around the house due to stress, urinary tract disease such as cystitis, an increased need to urinate due to kidney disease or diabetes mellitus, or because they can’t get into the box due to a sore leg or back.  Visiting a vet is a very important first step if your cat is suddenly urinating inappropriately.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know a little more about why cat pee isn’t good for you and how to clean it up, it’s up to you to take the necessary steps to sanitize your home and ensure your cat starts using their litter box in the future. We know it can be a frustrating process, but once you get it under control, you’ll have a great furry friend to spend your days with—and a clean, fresh-smelling home!

Featured Image Credit: Creative Cat Studio, Shutterstock

The post Can Cat Pee Make You Sick? Vet Approved Facts & Safety Tips by Adam Mann 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.

It is understandable to feel worried if your once food-loving feline has a reduced appetite lately but still acts normal. Although cats can be finicky about mealtimes and their food preferences, a poor appetite could indicate that something is wrong. There are various reasons why your cat could be eating less food than usual but still acting normal.

Not all cats clearly show their discomfort from illnesses or stress, which is why cat parents are encouraged to monitor any changes in their cats’ behaviors. Changes in your cat’s eating habits should not be overlooked, as there might be an underlying issue that needs addressing.

This article will discuss the seven likely issues behind your cat’s reduced appetite and otherwise normal behavior.

The 7 Reasons Your Cat Isn’t Eating But Acting Normal

1. Stress

Just like humans, cats can be sufferers of stress too. However, the reasoning behind our stress versus our cats is different. Rather than stressing about work or money worries, cats can become stressed from things like a new pet or baby in their home or other environmental disruptions. Cats do not handle stress well, so you will start seeing changes in their behavior.

A decreased appetite is a common sign your cat could be feeling stressed or generally feels unwell. Other signs that could indicate your cat is stressed are changes in their litterbox or sleeping habits.

2. Age

As cats begin to age into their senior years, you might notice their appetite starts decreasing. They may otherwise act normal, but you might notice subtle changes in their activity levels. It can be normal for a cat to eat a bit less the older they get because of reduced activity and a slower metabolism.

If your cat is eating less food because of their age, the changes will be more subtle than if it were from stress or certain illnesses. Older cats can also experience changes in their food preferences.

However, you should first rule out pain and medical conditions as reasons behind your cat’s poor eating habits. Older cats are more likely to be suffering from pain due to conditions such as arthritis or dental disease, and many have other long term diseases which may suppress their appetite. Senior cats that are refusing to eat any food for 24 hours should be taken to an emergency veterinarian for a health evaluation.

3. Health Problems

If your cat is feeling ill, they may start refusing food or eat less than usual. This could be from pain or nausea that is making it difficult for them to keep food down. Various health problems can cause changes to your cats’ eating habits, such as kidney disease and pancreatitis. Anything that causes nasal congestion and affects a cat’s sense of smell can also reduce their appetite. If you suspect that your cat’s appetite changes are caused by a health problem, they should be taken to a veterinarian.

Cats can hide their health problems well because they do not want to show that they are vulnerable. So, if they start refusing food or eating less than usual, it can be a sign that they are not feeling well and you should get them checked by your vet as soon as possible.

4. Sudden Dietary Changes

Cats can be picky about the food they eat and are not fond of dietary changes. If you have recently switched your cat to a new food or changed up their usual diet, your cat might not show much interest in eating it yet.

It can take a while for cats to adjust to the different flavors and textures of the new food, and they might not enjoy it as much as their old food. It is better to gradually introduce new foods into your cats and allow a transitioning period of 7 to 10 days. This will be much easier on your cat’s digestive system and give them time to adjust to new foods. This gradual transition period is especially important for felines with sensitive stomachs or picky eating habits.

Unfortunately, some cats struggle to adjust to new foods if they have a strong preference for their old diet. Your cat is probably not fond of the new flavors or prefers either the wet or dry food that they previously ate.

5. Certain Medications

If your cat is on medication, whether acute or chronic, a decreased appetite could be a side effect. Medications such as antibiotics can have side effects like nausea and an upset stomach that can make it difficult for your cat to eat normally. It is important to discuss with your cat’s veterinarian any changes in your cat’s behavior and appetite on their medication.

6. Dental Issues

Dental issues are common in cats and can impact how they eat. Gingivitis, stomatitis, mouth ulcers, periodontal disease, or tooth infections are some of the dental issues that can affect cats. It can be painful and difficult for cats to eat their food if they have dental issues.

Not all cats show obvious signs of dental disease until they are evaluated by a veterinarian, so a decreased appetite might be the first sign to look out for. If you suspect that your cat is not eating much food because of dental issues, you will need to get them checked out by a vet.

Otherwise, some cats won’t eat for a few hours after getting dental surgery or teeth cleaning. This could be from any swelling and discomfort in their mouth that is making it challenging for them to eat. Your cat’s veterinarian might recommend feeding them wet or soft foods until your cat recovers.

7. Gastrointestinal Problems

Like humans, cats can have gastrointestinal problems like nausea and stomach pain that can affect their appetite. They could have eaten food earlier that didn’t agree with their stomach, or perhaps they have acid reflux or irritable bowel disease. This can cause your cat to lose their appetite and not eat much until their gastrointestinal problems ease up.

Conclusion

If your cat is reluctant to eat their food but still acts normally, don’t hesitate to contact a veterinarian. Cats should never go more than a couple of days without eating any food because of the risk of hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease), a common cause of liver failure in cats. It is not a good sign for cats to start eating less food or refusing food entirely.

Even if your cat seems otherwise normal, the reduced appetite is a sign that they are not. It’s advisable to have them checked out by your vet as soon as possible

See also:

• Do Cats Enjoy Sex & Mating? Vet-Reviewed Feline Facts
• Is Patchouli Safe for Cats? Vet-Reviewed Health Facts

Featured Image Credit: 4 PM production, Shutterstock

The post My Cat Is Not Eating But Acting Normal, What’s Wrong? 7 Vet-Reviewed Issues by Sarah Psaradelis 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.

A cat’s eyes are among the most beautiful features that they display, and they also happen to be among the most important. They are extremely helpful when it comes to communicating with other creatures (including humans). A cat’s eyes also play a crucial role when it comes to deciphering the world, so you’ll need to take steps to keep your cat healthy. Here are facts, tips, and more to consider!

Top 4 Tips to Keep Your Cat’s Eyes Healthy

1. Keep Them Clean

Regularly wiping your cat’s eyes is crucial, as it will help ensure that discharge doesn’t become a problem. Regular wiping also helps clean away contagions, thus reducing the risk of infections. All you need is a clean cloth that’s been dampened with warm water. Alternatively, you can use a grooming cloth that’s designed specifically for use on cats.

Using your preferred type of cleaning cloth, gently wipe the gunk out of the corners of your cat’s eyes, and make sure no discharge (or “sleep boogers”) above and below the eyelids is left behind. Regular eye wiping should help keep tear stains to a minimum in predisposed breeds.

2.  Perform Visual Checkups

While checking if your cat has any eye discharge, take the opportunity to visually inspect their eyeballs for signs of problems. Their eyes should be bright and clear. The conjunctiva should be transparent, and the sclera should appear white and not pink or red. Their pupils should be close to the same size. They should not be producing excessive discharge. If the eyes look glazed over, are expelling noticeable discharge, or are not white or the pupils are not sized similarly, it’s time to contact your veterinarian for advice and to schedule a checkup appointment.

3.  Commit to Proper Nutrition

Nutrition plays a big role in the health of a cat’s eyes, just like it does for the rest of their body. You’ll need to provide your cat with high-quality complete and balanced commercial food that contains real meat as the first ingredient. It should be made specifically for the stage of life that your cat is in—kitten or adult.

4.  Schedule Regular Veterinarian Checkups

An extremely important thing that you can do to ensure your cat’s eyes are healthy is to schedule regular checkups with your veterinarian. This is the only reliable way to catch problems as soon as they start and before they become too serious, so action can be taken to correct the problems or ensure that they don’t progress. Have your cat’s eyes checked at least once a year or so to stay on top of things.

What to Know About Discharge From a Cat’s Eye

Your cat’s eyes might be producing discharge for various reasons, and it can vary in texture, color, and amount, including being watery, mucusy (like yellow or green snot), or even bloody. Eye discharge is always an indication of an ocular problem. Common causes of feline eye discharge include:

Treatments for these problems can include lubricating drops, anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, antihistamines, antivirals, and maybe even surgery. The sooner that you have the discharge checked out by a vet, the sooner treatments can begin and the easier it will be to overcome the discharge problem.

Conclusion

Keeping your cat’s eyes healthy is extremely important and should be part of your normal routine. Consistent eye cleaning, regular vet checkups, and visual inspections at home should be the foundation of your eye care regimen. Everything else should fall into place as you get to know your pet’s eyes and how they should look/perform at their finest.

Featured Image Credit: Janmarcustrapp, Pixabay

The post How to Keep Your Cat’s Eyes Healthy: Vet-Approved Guide by Rachael Gerkensmeyer 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.

Allergies are one of the most common health conditions in the world. Everybody knows someone who suffers mightily during allergy season, when certain molds and pollens prevail more in the environment. Unfortunately, our feline companions experience the same kinds of allergies that we humans experience, causing them the same kind of misery.

How allergies happen

Allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to substances called allergens, foreign proteins that the immune system tries to attack and remove. Allergens themselves are fairly harmless; it’s the aggressive immune response that causes the problem.

Allergens enter the body in a variety of ways:

• Inhalation (dust, mold, pollen)
• Indigestion (food)
• Through the skin (insect bites)

Allergic cats will show different symptoms, depending on the route that the allergen enters the body:

Respiratory: sneezing, runny nose, eye discharge (upper respiratory) or coughing and wheezing (lower
respiratory).

Dermatologic: itchy skin, possibly with scabs and/or hair loss.

Gastrointestinal: nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea.

Cough and sneeze

When airborne allergens irritate the respiratory system in humans, they commonly cause sneezing; itchy, red eyes; and a runny nose. Although these upper respiratory signs are sometimes seen in cats, it’s more common for airborne allergens to cause a response in the lower respiratory tract (the lungs).

In this situation, the cat inhales the allergen, which triggers a hypersensitivity reaction. The airways constrict, and glands in the airways secrete mucus to trap the allergen and prevent it from migrating further into the lungs. The cough reflex also initiates to expel the trapped allergen. Cats who respond to inhaled allergens in this way are said to have allergic bronchitis. A more familiar term for this condition is asthma.

Do a dietary elimination trial, in which your cat is fed a diet containing a protein source she hasn’t encountered before (like duck, rabbit or venison), to obtain a definitive diagnosis.

Scratch, chew, lick

Although airborne allergens can trigger respiratory signs in cats, it’s more common for these allergens to affect the skin. When this occurs, we call the condition atopic dermatitis or atopy.

Common airborne allergens include house dust, pollens, molds, grasses and mildew. Cats with atopy are often very itchy, and they manifest this by scratching their skin and grooming excessively, which often results in hair loss.  Some cats will develop small scabs all over their body, a condition called miliary dermatitis (because the small, crusty scabs resemble millet seeds). Cats with atopy may show signs only during certain seasons, when the particular allergen is prevalent, although signs can be seen year-round as well, if the allergen is constantly present in the environment (house dust, for example).

Contact dermatitis is a fairly uncommon skin disorder in which the skin reacts to an external substance that it comes into contact with. Sometimes the skin becomes inflamed because the substance itself is irritating or caustic, like household cleaners. This irritant contact dermatitis should be distinguished from allergic contact → dermatitis in which the skin becomes inflamed because the cat is allergic to the substance that is contacting the skin, such as flea collars, certain plants, synthetic carpet material, bedding (especially wool) and some shampoos.  Allergic contact dermatitis is fairly rare in cats; I’ve only seen two or three cases at my cat hospital over the past few decades.

Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) is the most common allergy in cats. When fleas bite a cat, they deposit their saliva into the skin before they draw their blood meal. (How’s that for a disgusting thought?) Some cats are allergic to proteins in the flea’s saliva, and they can show a severe skin reaction, even from one flea bite. The itching can be intense, and cats will often lick and chew excessively at their skin, especially around the base of the tail. Fortunately, there are now many topical flea-control products that are designed to kill fleas as soon as they jump on a cat, before they get a chance to bite, giving relief to most flea-allergic kitties.

Scratch, vomit, diarrhea

Adverse reactions to food may manifest themselves via the skin. In cats, the most common foods associated with food allergy include chicken, fish, beef and dairy. Even if a cat has been consuming an ingredient for a long time, he can still develop an allergy to it later in life. Severe generalized itching, miliary dermatitis, localized itching around the head, neck, ears and face, and self-inflicted hair loss due to over-grooming may be seen. A few cats will scratch so much that they cause trauma to their skin, and a bacterial skin infection may develop in the traumatized areas.

Some cats with food allergy develop gastrointestinal signs such as vomiting and/or diarrhea. These gastrointestinal signs can occur with or without concurrent skin symptoms.

Dietary elimination trials, in which the cat is fed a diet containing a protein source they haven’t encountered before (such as duck, rabbit or venison) are necessary to obtain a definitive diagnosis. Most veterinary offices sell prescription diets that contain proteins that are new to the cat. There are also prescription diets in which the protein has been hydrolyzed (pre-digested) into molecules that are too small for the immune system to recognize.

These dietary trials require patience on the part of the owner, as it may take anywhere from three to 12 weeks before improvement in the skin is noted. Cats who only experience gastrointestinal signs from their food allergy often show improvement much more rapidly when fed a hypoallergenic diet. Once a diet is found that resolves the cat’s symptoms, the cat will need to be on that diet long-term. Avoid cat treats should be avoided, as they might contain a protein source that triggers the reaction.

The ideal treatment for allergies is to avoid the allergen. This may be possible with allergic contact dermatitis, food allergy and flea allergy but may be difficult or impossible with inhalant allergy. Fortunately, there are numerous treatments and medications available for allergic conditions in cats, allowing our feline companions to live much more comfortable lives.

• Also see: Can Cats Be Allergic to Humans? Quick Facts & Other Allergies Cats Can Have

The post Combat Common Feline Allergies by Dr. Arnold Plotnick 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.

A few years ago, I owned a wonderful and unique polydactyl cat named Mittens. She had many distinguishing personality traits and quirky characteristics in addition to her giant front feet. But Mittens was a vomiter.

If I came home and there was a puddle of cat vomit somewhere in the apartment, there was little doubt as to which of my cats was the culprit. Mittens was considerate enough to make a few bizarre vocalizations before she vomited, which was her way of saying to me, “You have 20 seconds to run and get some paper towels,” and most of the time I slid those towels in front of her just in the nick of time, sparing the couch or the rug.

Initially, the episodes were infrequent (maybe once a month), but as time went on, the frequency increased, and it became apparent that this wasn’t just a “sensitive stomach.” As a cat veterinarian, I had my suspicions, and after a variety of tests, they were confirmed. Mittens had inflammatory bowel disease.

What is IBD?

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a condition in which an excessive amount of inflammatory cells infiltrate the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, causing it to become chronically irritated and inflamed. All ages, genders and breeds can be affected, but it is most common in middle-aged and older cats.

The exuberant inflammatory response can affect different regions of the GI tract: stomach, small intestine or colon (large intestine).

• If the stomach is the primary site, we call the condition gastritis.
• If it’s the small intestine, it is  termed enteritis.
• Inflammation of the large intestine is called colitis.

These all fall under the umbrella of inflammatory bowel disease.

Zeroing in on IBD

The clinical signs of IBD can mimic those of other disorders, making diagnosis challenging and necessitating a fairly extensive workup. For example, vomiting and weight loss are commonly seen in cats with kidney disease and/or hyperthyroidism, and these disorders need to be ruled out. Intestinal parasites, viral infections (like feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus), food allergy and gastrointestinal cancer must also be considered when evaluating cats with the above clinical signs.

In cases of IBD, routine laboratory tests are often normal. On a biochemistry panel, an increase in the liver enzymes is sometimes seen, as some cats with IBD will have concurrent cholangiohepatitis — inflammation of the liver and bile ducts.

Abdominal X-rays might help rule out conditions such as a GI obstruction or an abdominal tumor, but they are ineffective for diagnosing IBD. Ultrasound provides more information, such as whether the intestinal walls are thicker than normal, if the pancreas is concurrently inflamed and if the lymph nodes associated with the GI tract are enlarged, findings that support (but still don’t confirm) a diagnosis of IBD.

To definitively diagnose feline IBD, biopsy specimens from the GI tract must be obtained in one of two ways:

1. Endoscopy is a procedure in which a long, flexible snake-like probe (the endoscope) enters the GI tract through the cat’s mouth (“upper GI endoscopy”) or anus (“lower GI endoscopy”), in order to visualize the internal lining of the GI tract and obtain biopsy specimens. Endoscopy offers advantages over surgery in that it is much less invasive; cats usually can go home the same day.

A significant limitation of endoscopy is that the endoscope can only reach the stomach and the first part of the small intestine (the duodenum). The sections further along the intestine (the jejunum and ileum) cannot be accessed with an endoscope. Another limitation of endoscopy is that the biopsy specimens obtained by this method consist only of the intestinal lining rather than a full-thickness biopsy of the intestinal tract. This can occasionally result in a misdiagnosis.

2. Exploratory surgery is more invasive, but allows better quality intestinal biopsy specimens to be taken. During surgery, the liver, pancreas and abdominal lymph nodes can also be inspected and biopsied if warranted. Your veterinarian will discuss with you, in detail, the pros and cons of each procedure and which would be most appropriate for your cat. Both procedures — endoscopy and abdominal exploratory surgery — require general anesthesia.

Treating IBD

Treatment involves suppression of the inflammatory response in the GI tract, usually through the use of prescription diets and immunosuppressive drugs.

Because dietary allergens have been implicated in some cases, a hypoallergenic diet may produce significant improvement. A hypoallergenic diet contains a protein source that the cat has never been exposed to before. There are numerous commercially manufactured hypoallergenic diets with novel protein sources, such as rabbit, venison and duck. There are also prescription diets in which the protein has been hydrolyzed into fragments that are too small to be detected by the immune system, preventing it from overreacting. These diets alone are inadequate at inducing long-lasting remission in cats with IBD.

Corticosteroids are the most commonly prescribed immunosuppressive drugs for IBD. Typically, oral prednisolone is given for at least two to four weeks. If clinical signs resolve, the dosage is slowly tapered until the lowest effective dose is reached. In cases of severe inflammation in which a dietary change and prednisolone are ineffective, other immunosuppressive drugs can be added to the protocol.

Although IBD isn’t curable, most cats respond well to treatment and live good quality, comfortable lives. After her diagnosis (at age 6), my Mittens responded well to treatment and lived relatively symptom-free for another eight years.

The post Help for Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Cats by Dr. Arnold Plotnick 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.

Veterinary medicine has been keeping up with state-of-the-art human medicine, and there are many regenerative therapies available to target serious medical problems along with various technologies to enhance health awareness. The collective goals are to reduce physical pain and suffering, and thus improve feline well-being so that cats can live their best lives. Here are ways that science and technology can help cats in all life stages.

Stem Cell Regenerative Medicine

“Regenerative medicine is an innovative branch of medicine that uses stem cells and tissue engineering to develop novel therapeutics to repair or replace diseased organs, tissues or cells,” explains Dr. Boaz Arzi, professor of dentistry and oral surgery and the director of the Veterinary Institute for Regenerative Cures (VIRC) at the University of California, Davis.

“Harnessing the various aspects of regenerative medicine, we can now attempt to treat disorders that were previously regarded as non-curable or untreatable, and offer exciting possibilities for development of future therapies,” he adds.

In the feline world, stem-cell treatments can be used to treat with the goal of curing painful issues such as feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS), kidney disease and osteoarthritis, sadly all very common in cats worldwide.

The cure for feline chronic gingivostomatitis. Professor Arzi, with his extensive research team, has been conducting trials to find a cure for FCGS since 2013 and has had great success.

“Feline chronic gingivostomatitis is a naturally occurring, immune-mediated oral mucosal disease potentially triggered by a viral etiology such as feline calicivirus,” he explains. “It results in painful inflammatory mucosal lesions that markedly affect quality of life and often requires long-term immunosuppressive therapy (steroids) in cats that don’t respond to dental extractions therapy.”

One of the cats enrolled in Arzi’s initial trials was 12 years old at the time and suffering badly from FCGS. Once given stem cell therapy, he lived pain-free and was cured of the disease until he was 20 years old.

Harvesting stem cells. Currently, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are the most common type used in veterinary treatments and can be harvested from bone marrow or organ material removed during a regular spay and neuter procedure. Stem cells can also be harvested from fat, known as adipose-derived stem cells. Cells harvested from fat are considered heterogeneous cells — a mixture of cells with many functions and, hence, can be used in many different applications.

In order to safely collect and transport the harvested fat, a stem cell laboratory provides a kit to the pet’s veterinarian, which includes an insulated shipper, ice pack, sample transport tubes (for the fat) and all the needed paperwork and shipping labels. The stem cells to be used in the animal are created in the laboratory and shipped back to the pet’s veterinarian under very stringent conditions to be injected in the appropriate site.

Storing stem cells. Cat parents have an option to store their own pet’s stem cells harvested at the time of a spay or neuter and keep them frozen should they ever be needed in the future. A company called Gallant has specialized in the banking of stem cells for the lifetime of a pet and making 10 doses available on demand. The procedure can be paid monthly, annually or a once-off lifetime charge. Learn more at gallant.com/pricing.

Off-the-shelf stem cell treatments. Advancements in science have now led Gallant to obtain a license to manufacture FDA-approved allogeneic “off-the-shelf” cellular therapies.

Off-the-shelf means the doses are manufactured in bulk, like a drug in a bottle, and the veterinarian can buy any number of doses and store them at his or her clinic for when a cat comes in that may need it, explains Dr. Linda Black, who is Gallant’s chief executive officer. Get more information at gallant therapeutics.com.

The product for stomatitis is scheduled to be available in 2024, and the stem-cell treatment for kidney disease will follow in 2025. This will also drastically reduce the costs of stem-cell treatments to the $300 to $500 price bracket. Currently, apart from the harvesting process, some veterinarians are charging thousands. It’s an open market.

Platelet – Rich Plasma Therapy

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections involve drawing tubes of the cat’s own blood and running it through a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets. These activated platelets are then injected directly into the injured or diseased body tissue. This releases growth factors that stimulate and increase the number of reparative cells the body produces. This treatment is used for osteoarthritis.

Pulsed Electro-Magnetic Field (Pemf) Therapy

This non-invasive treatment essentially pulses an electromagnetic field into tissues via inductive coils to help with healing, reducing inflammation and pain.

“PEMF therapy can help with any process that causes pain or inflammation. Common uses include for post-surgical patients, especially after orthopedic or neurological surgery, and patients receiving physical rehabilitation,” explains Katie Krebs, DVM, DAB-VP clinical instructor, at the Community Practice at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg, Virginia, who is currently involved in research studies to explore the benefits of this therapy.

Dr. Krebs and her team are also looking at using at-home devices for the treatment of arthritis in cats. “Cats do best when they’re in a non-stressful environment, such as at home, and these devices tend to be easy for pet parents to use,” she says.

“As far as PEMF devices go, there are a few veterinary products that are available for animals, but none have been tested specifically in cats, which is what the study is investigating. For anyone looking to purchase one for home use, it’s probably best to consider a veterinary device,” Dr. Krebs suggests. “At the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, we use units manufactured/sold by Assisi Animal Health.”

DNA Kits

DNA kits can identify a cat’s genetic makeup and thus shed important light on a cat’s temperament and personality. This is important in having a better understanding of the cat in your home and how she may react to other pets and people in the household. Also, they are able to identify hereditary genetic health conditions.

The Basepaws Breed + Health DNA Kit now provides results for over 43 genetic conditions represented by 64 health markers, including a new marker for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the most common form of heart disease in cats. And it includes genetic markers for blood type. There are three different feline blood types, and certain blood types can be more common in some breeds and less common in others.

The kit screens for 25 genetic traits that are represented by 50 genetic markers. The traits section of the digital report presents a summary of some of the genes and mutations that are responsible for a cat’s unique physical appearance. It also includes results for a non-aesthetic trait that is important to a cat’s health being the likelihood of resistance to the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).

“The Basepaws Oral Health Test is a one-of-a-kind screening tool that tells you if there are signs of active dental disease in your cat. The test can identify (at the time of testing) for common issues such as bad breath (halitosis), tooth resorption and periodontal disease,” explains Rowyn C. Rose, science communications specialist for Basepaws.

Dental diseases, especially in the early stages, can be very difficult to see with the naked eye. The Basepaws cat oral health test is the first of its kind to let you “see the unseen” by identifying active signs of dental disease in your cat’s mouth so you can get them the help and relief they need sooner.

Laser Therapy

Similarly, Dr. Krebs says laser therapy for cats is something routinely done in veterinary clinics.

“Laser therapy is a really good alternative to PEMF for cats with osteoarthritis” Dr. Krebs says. “Laser uses light that penetrates into the tissues to help decrease inflammation and pain and aid with healing. Most lasers that are going to be effective for helping healing in pets are for use by veterinarians only. And again, if a pet owner wants to invest in an at-home device, they should talk to their veterinarian and be instructed on the proper use and safety of lasers,” she adds. “This treatment is a lot harder for owners to do at home because the units are very expensive and have to be set to properly address the cat’s underlying condition.”

Kitty is also going to need protective eyewear for such treatments.

Food & Environment Intolerance Tests

There are also DNA-based tests that can help identify any food or environmental triggers that may be affecting your pet’s general health and well-being.

The General Health Assessment Test from 5 Strands includes two tests: The Pet Food Intolerance Test and the Pet Environmental Intolerance Test. The Pet Food Intolerance Test covers proteins, grains, vegetables, fruits, additives and preservatives that may be found in a commercial pet food-based diet. Of the 275-plus items tested, the results will show how the pet’s hair sample responded upon exposure to each item tested. The level of severity is provided in the results, which can also be downloaded on the 5Strands mobile app.

The Pet Environmental Intolerance Test covers fabrics, cleaning supplies, grasses, trees, mold, dust mites and other animal dander. Understanding your pet’s environmental triggers can help you adapt or modify your pet’s lifestyle. Such knowledge is very useful to a cat’s veterinarian to keep on file.

Technology Boosts for Good Health

Technology is now everywhere, operating food bowls, helping to weigh correct food amounts to combat obesity. Also, there’s a variety of health apps to track your pet’s activity levels offering a window on your pet’s world so that you can see if they suddenly aren’t as active as usual.

Pet parents are well aware that the litter box can in fact be a mine of information about a pet’s health. Are they constipated, are they peeing too much? Litters that change color can help indicate that there is an issue present.

Petivity is a smart litter box monitor that can be placed under a litter box and uses artificial intelligence and acquired pet data to track a pet’s behavior in the box and even monitor their weight, all indicators of good general health and well-being. Changes in the litter box activity can also indicate urinary tract issues, kidney problems and diabetes. The device works with a smartphone app and send alerts so that pet parents don’t miss a thing. No collar or chip required, as the mobile app can sync and monitor multiple cats.

The Felaqua Connect is a unique water bowl with a water reservoir that works in conjunction with an app to track how much and how often a cat drinks water. It operates on a cat’s unique ID microchip and thus can be programed for multi-cat households, too.

If your cat has special health considerations, monitoring her fluid intake can be important.

Keeping track of your pet’s health at home and then sharing that information with your pet’s veterinarian goes a long way in improving a feline’s general health and wellness, allowing her to live a happy life.

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Of the many differences between cats and dogs, one of the more obvious ones is the way they breathe. Dogs mainly breathe with their mouths open, while cats generally breathe with their mouths closed. Because cats rarely do it, the sight of a cat panting or breathing with his mouth open is something to pay attention to. There are several reasons why a cat might pant or show labored breathing — some benign and some not so benign.

Heavy Breathing in Cats: When to Call the Vet

1. Cats will sometimes pant if they’re playing very boisterously. This is much more common in kittens, who run and wrestle and sometimes just don’t know when to stop! While the panting isn’t anything to worry about, if you see it occurring, calmly separate the kittens, let them catch their breath and then just monitor them during future frantic play sessions.
2. Cats tolerate heat quite well, but when in a situation where it gets too hot, they may start to pant. Examples are when they are in a car or other closed-in space and have no access to a shady, cooler spot.

Humans have sweat glands all over their bodies, allowing for efficient dissipation of heat. Cats have sweat glands on the pads of their paws and between their toes. This is not enough surface area to effectively regulate their body temperature. To prevent themselves from overheating, they pant, dissipating the excess heat via evaporation.

3. Stress is another reason for cats to pant. As a veterinarian, I’ve seen this countless times. Cats are averse to traveling, and they clearly dislike being confined to a cat carrier. I’ve had many cats arrive at my practice agitated and panting, and I’ve had to quickly triage them to make sure that the panting is just from stress and not from something more nefarious.
4. Cardiac conditions can cause labored breathing in cats. Cardiomyopathies (disorders of the heart muscle) are, sadly, fairly common in cats. In many cases, these conditions progress slowly.

Cats, being adept at hiding their signs of illness, may not reveal that there’s a problem until late in the game, when congestive heart failure begins to develop. Fluid may build up in and around the cat’s lungs, resulting in labored breathing. The respiratory rate increases, and although the cat may outwardly be at rest, the chest is noticeably moving in and out, giving the appearance as if the cat has just jogged around the block a few times. Severely affected cats may breathe with their mouths open, which is a dire sign.

Early intervention is crucial if a cat is to recover. If you think your cat’s breathing might be labored but aren’t completely certain, err on the cautious side and have the cat promptly examined.

5. Respiratory disorders can also cause labored breathing in cats and are very common. The most common of these are viral upper respiratory infections (URIs) and often result in nasal discharge that obstructs the flow of air through the nostrils, making it difficult for cats to breathe. The labored breathing associated with URIs generally isn’t too worrisome, as it is due to nasal and sinus congestion, rather than a lung disorder, which would be a greater concern. The nasal congestion from a URI tends to be noisy rather than labored, and rarely causes cats to breathe with their mouths open.

However, I’ve had a few overbred Persian cats in my practice, with markedly flat faces and exceptionally tiny nostrils, acquire a URI, and these cats really paid the price. The nasal discharge completely obstructed their nostrils, and they were forced to breathe with their mouths open. As we’ve noted, breathing with the mouth open is not natural for cats, and these poor kitties were miserable, barely able to sleep, until their colds resolved.

Asthma is a very common respiratory disorder in cats and is very similar to asthma in humans. The airways in asthmatic cats are hyper-reactive and may undergo spontaneous constriction or narrowing when exposed to certain substances or allergens. Asthmatic cats develop increased mucus in their airways, airway inflammation, coughing, wheezing and labored breathing.

Most cats present to the veterinarian with a history of chronic coughing, but some cats present with acute, severe signs — wheezing, labored breathing, and sometimes panting or open-mouth breathing, the so-called “asthma attack.” An asthma attack is a veterinary emergency that requires immediate care. Asthma tends to respond well to treatment with anti-inflammatory medications (given orally or via specially designed kitty inhalers) and bronchodilators (drugs that widen the air passages).

Breathing with the mouth open does not come naturally to cats, and they find it distressing. If your cat is panting and you’ve ruled out the common causes, or if you suspect he’s breathing more heavily than normal, regardless of whether his mouth is open or not, his abnormal breathing pattern may be a sign of something more serious, and prompt veterinary care is necessary to determine the cause.

Panting Versus Labored Breathing: What to Look for

• Panting in cats looks similar to panting in dogs.
• Panting tends to occur acutely from environmental factors, such as overheating, anxiety or overexertion.
• Labored breathing (the medical term is dyspnea) tends to develop slowly over time, sometimes days or weeks.
• Labored breathing could be a sign of a serious medical

Feature Image Credit: Zhuravlev, Andrey, Shutterstock

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Is your cat terrified of the three Cs — the carrier, the car and the clinic? Or do you prefer not to load your handful of wiggling felines into carriers, navigate through thick traffic and then corral them into an exam room for their annual wellness exams?

A generation ago, you may have sought a veterinarian who made house calls.
This concept began for small-animal veterinarians in the 1980s and was considered revolutionary — and convenient. And, it was definitely cat friendly.

“House call veterinary care was cat friendly even before the term ‘cat friendly’ was coined,” says Dr. Hazel Carney, a veterinarian board certified in feline medicine and past chair of the American Association of Feline Practitioners Guidelines Committee. She practices feline medicine and behavior at the Gem Veterinary Clinic in Emmett, Idaho.

Now, thanks to the emergence of telehealth medicine for people and pets, veterinary care for your feline may be just a computer click, phone call or text away. Think of it as House Call Version 2.0.

Good for kitty?

Telehealth may just be win-win for you and your cat. You don’t have to try to mastermind a way to coax your cat out from under your bed to make your veterinary appointment on time. From your cat’s perspective, she gets to stay safely at home without detecting even the scent of a veterinary clinic nearby.

“Today, telemedicine has definitely grown during the pandemic, and I think telehealth will steadily increase,” Dr. Carney says. “It will fill the needs of cats who don’t appreciate coming to the veterinary clinic and of owners who may have a non-emergency situation or who may not feel comfortable coming in to a veterinary clinic.”

Dr. Carney has taken an active role in the evolution of feline veterinary care during her 40-plus-year career. When done properly, she believes that telemedicine can be beneficial to people of all generations and circumstances who have cats.

“I am in favor of anything that improves access to quality health care for cats,” she says. “Telemedicine serves the needs of all ages. I have older clients whose cats are  perfectly calm and accepting in our exam rooms, but their owners can no longer physically drive and bring in their cats. I also have younger clients who grew up with technology and are more comfortable communicating about their cats via a live chat with their veterinarians.”

Lowell Ackerman, a board-certified veterinary dermatologist who is Head of Global Veterinary Strategy at Galaxy Vets, agrees that telehealth is rapidly being embraced during this COVID-19 era.

“There is the convenience of speaking to a veterinary team by telephone, text or video at any time,” says Dr. Ackerman, an in-demand global expert on pet health care and best-selling author. “It can be used for prescription requests, virtual examinations and post-surgical checkups. And, don’t forget that more practices are now offering pet portals for their clients. These are private, secure websites that allow you to store your pet’s information online.”

Dr. Lisa Radosta, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist and owner of the Florida Veterinary Behavior Service in West Palm Beach, saw the value of adding telemedicine even before COVID-19 surfaced in 2020.

“We do tons of telehealth appointments,” Dr. Radosta says. “Scared cats and dogs don’t have to ride in the car as often. We can observe them in their home environment, and it is convenient for pet parents so they don’t miss their rechecks. That means that their pets get better care.”

Companies focused on telehealth

Among the major players in the veterinary telehealth field are AirVet, Dutch and Fuzzy. AirVet was founded in 2018 by Brandon Werber, whose father, Jeff Werber, DVM, serves as chief veterinary officer.

“AirVet has been a game changer in veterinary medicine,” Dr. Werber says. “In reality, we have found that about 80% of the visits to ER hospitals are really not emergencies. AirVet offers clients access to affordable veterinary care 24-7. Clients love being able to have access to veterinarians one-on-one any time of the day or night.”

Joe Spector and Brian Evans, DVM, are co-founders of Dutch, which focuses on pets with chronic conditions, such as allergies or anxieties. Members can chat directly with a veterinarian in all 50 states. Prescription medicine that includes free shipping is currently available in 21 states and is expected to be available in more states.

“We chose to launch Dutch with a focus on behavior and dermatology issues to start,” Dr. Evans says. “These two diseases are very amenable to telemedicine. Dutch is reaching its goal of providing a modern solution to vet care by allowing pet parents to have a more immediate means of finding comfort for their pets from issues such as anxiety and allergies — issues often left under treated or untreated.”

Fuzzy was launched in 2016 by Eric Palm and Zubin Bhettay. Zubin’s dog, Mo, was limping severely. He rushed him to an emergency veterinary hospital where he endured “seven stressful hours” and was billed $2,500 only to later discover that his dog’s luxated patella could have been treated at home.

“Fuzzy is designed to put pet parenting on autopilot and remove the stress, uncertainty and worry by connecting pet parents with veterinary professionals fast — rather than relying on expensive, in-person emergency visits or diagnosis via Dr. Google,” says Harley Butler, chief marketing officer. “Fuzzy’s 24/7 Live Vet Chat and video consults give pet parents immediate access day or night for any pet health questions they may have or guidance they may need.”

No type of medical practice comes without risks, and telemedicine is certainly no exception. There can be missed diagnoses due to poor imaging transmissions or adverse drug interactions. Still, more pet parents are welcoming veterinary telemedicine.

Among them is Amy Shever, founder of 2nd Chance 4 Pets.

Says Amy: “There are so many reasons telemedicine makes sense for pet owners who don’t have access to local vet care or specialists and to offer phone consults to determine if a pet needs to be seen by a veterinarian or a specialist and for pet owners who have mobility issues and need virtual pet care support.”

Legal Aspects of Veterinary Telemedicine

Depending on your state laws, telemedicine providers can evaluate, diagnose, consult and provide treatment for pets. But they must establish what is known as VCPR. That stands for veterinarian-client-patient-relationship. Some states allow veterinarians to form these VCPR relationships remotely and some do not.

To find out what the legal status for telemedicine is in your state, visit the Veterinary Virtual Care Association website. The site features a veterinary telemedicine regulatory map of current VCPR laws in every state: vvca.org/the-basics-about-telemedicine-and-the-vcpr/.

Related Read:

• Cats, Humans, & Mental Health: Dr. Lauren’s Thoughts on Well-Being & Reciprocity

The post Veterinary Telehealth For Cats: Pros, Cons & Best Options by Angie Bailey 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.

According to a new study by Synchrony, parent company of CareCredit and Pets Best Pet Insurance, nearly half of pet owners underestimate the lifetime cost of care for their pet. The study was based on findings from 1,200 pet owners and 100 veterinarians.

For cats, the lifetime financial breakdown (over 15 years) was as follows:

Lifetime

(15 years): $15,055 to $45,790

Annually: $960 to $2,486

Monthly: $84 to $254

Annual Spending for Cats

Food: $351 to $584

Health expenses: $374 to $965

Treats, toys, supplies and grooming: $169 to $698

Other: $66 to $239

The post The Cost of Pet Care is Often Underestimated by Jackie Brown 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.

Imagine tripling, even quadrupling, your body weight in less than six months. Yikes! But such rapid weight gain is a must for a kitten’s survival. Kittens weigh just a few ounces at birth and, by 6 months of age, should weigh between 5 to 6 pounds. By their first birthdays, they should tip the scales at around 8 pounds (depending on breed and frame). Hitting that mark in a healthy way depends on us.

Mother’s milk

“Science tells us that the body has different demands on it at different stages of life,” says Dr. Kathryn Primm, a veterinarian and owner of the Applebrook Animal Hospital in Ooltewah, Tennessee, and host of the Nine Lives with Dr. Kat podcast on Pet Life Radio. “When kittens are growing, they are building brains, bones, muscles — everything.”

For at least the first four weeks of life, kittens rely on their mother’s milk to provide all the nutrients they need to survive and thrive.

“The ideal newborn kitten is to be with their mother, also known as a queen,” says Jackie Noble, director of the kitten nursery and placement services at the San Diego Humane Society. “The queen will provide nutrient-rich mother’s milk on demand, all while providing grooming, stimulating kittens to pass urine/feces and providing warmth and comfort.”

But for orphaned newborns, it quickly becomes a life-or-death situation. SDHS opened its 24-hours-a-day kitten nursery in 2009 to save the lives of more orphaned kittens. The kitten nursery is now a model program for other shelters in the nation.

“We identified underage kittens as the most ‘at risk’ group of animals in our county,” Jackie says. “Kittens were being euthanized simply because they were too young to eat and survive on their own. There weren’t enough foster homes available to help them grow, so the Kitten Nursery was developed to be a safety net for those kittens.”

Different foods for different stages

There is both a science and an art to kitten nutrition. All felines of all ages require protein, specifically, 11 essential amino acids in order to thrive. Kittens need about 30% to 50% of their food source in the form of protein.

“Growing kittens require a lot of protein, fat and calcium along with a whole range of other nutrients like vitamins and minerals to help them grow and develop properly,” says Rosemarie Crawford, co-founder of the National Kitten Coalition, a nonprofit group dedicated to increasing survival rates of kittens.

For newborns, it often means getting their nutrients through bottle-feeding. The NKC offers helpful resources like a Feeding Guidelines Chart and Top Bottle-Feeding Hints on its website.

Still wondering what your kitten diet playbook should be? Here are some simple tips to get you in the game:

1. Timing is everything. Kittens begin to wean between 4 and 5 weeks of age and can be transitioned to commercial dry and wet food by 6 weeks. Timing of these meals is crucial, as kittens are better able to digest foods when fed three or four mini meals a day.
2. Probiotics can help. “Weaning can be a stressful time for a kitten and you will often see GI (gastrointestinal) upset,” Jackie says. “When weaning from formula or a mother’s milk to wet food, the transition will go smoother if you offer a supplement, such as a feline probiotic.”
3. Hydration is key. Definitely provide fresh drinking water every day for your growing kitten to help her stay hydrated.
4. Get expert help. Rosemarie says it is imperative to work closely with your veterinarian to determine what commercial kitten food your young feline needs as he grows and the ideal feeding schedule.
5. Feed a variety. You want to prevent your kitten from growing into a fussy adult cat. Work with your veterinarian to select foods in a variety of flavors and textures. Expanding your kitten’s food palate may aid when he needs to be boarded, stay overnight at a veterinary clinic or needs to switch to a therapeutic diet due to a newly diagnosed medical condition.

And it’s mealtime … again! Time to play a key role in helping your kitten grow in a steady, healthy way.

Formula facts

For orphaned or abandoned newborn kittens, the only way they can get the nutrition needed is through bottle-feeding.

“Kitten formulas are high in protein and contain specific ratios of fat, calcium and other important nutrients, like taurine and lysine, which play a critical role in feline heart, muscle and eye development,” says Jackie Noble, director of San Diego Humane Society’s kitten nursery and placement services.

Samantha Jackson, medical director for the Bitty Kitty Brigade, a nonprofit group based in Maple Grove, Minnesota, advises to work with veterinarians in your area to select quality kitten formulas. Her group uses Fox Valley Kitten formula.

“We hear of some crazy concoctions people find online for feeding neonatal kittens, and these tend to cause digestive upset and do not provide the nutrition that these kittens require,” Samantha says. “In a pinch, I would do goat’s milk if it was available and nothing else was.”

Bottle-feeding a kitten can often be a bit tricky. Rosemarie Crawford, co-founder of the National Kitten Coalition, offers this bottle-feeding tip if a kitten starts to suckle from a bottle, but then stops due to a vacuum occurring within the bottle. That prevents a kitten from sucking hard enough to get more milk out.

“A simple solution is to loosen the cap of the bottle ever so slightly, just enough to let a little bit of air to get around the threads of the screw-on-top bottle cap,” she says. “As the kitten removes milk while suckling, air is able to go into the bottle (preventing a vacuum effect) and the kitten can continue suckling his fill.”

She says to support a kitten’s head with a finger on each side of his cheek to keep him in the correct, upright position. Plus, the extra support on his cheeks often helps the kitten to latch on to the bottle better.

And, if the young kitten becomes too wiggly or excited, Jackie suggests you gently groom the body with a toothbrush, as it mimics the feel of a queen licking and helps the kitten calm down, latch on to the bottle and resume suckling.

FEEDING NO-NOS

Most kittens love to eat, but there are definitely foods that make the no-no list. Topping this list:

• Cow’s milk, as most felines are lactose intolerant
• Human baby food that contains garlic or onions, two dangerous ingredients to kittens
• Raw eggs due to the risk of them being contaminated with Salmonella bacteria
• Grapes or raisins, as they are high in sugar and can cause gastric upset
• Sushi, as raw fish contains an enzyme that can destroy thiamine, an essential B vitamin for cats

Start ‘Em Off Right

Here are just a few examples of diets that meet the specific needs of growing kittens.

Fox Valley Day One Kitten formula $14.10. store.foxvalleynutrition.com

Royal Canin Mother and Babycat $9.49 (3-ounces, pack of 6). Available on chewy.com

Purina ProPlan Focus Kitten Food $28.32 (3 ounces, case of 24). Available on chewy.com

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