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

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Researchers at the Luxembourg Institute of Health are investigating a new approach to helping people who are allergic to cat dander, specifically, the major cat allergen Fel d 1.

Allergen-specific immunotherapy aims to provide long-term relief from allergies, but much remains to be learned about the therapy.

In a study published in December 2020 in the journal Allergy, researchers gave mice higher doses of a known immunomodulatory adjuvant called CpG than have been used in the past and also used a different administration route — subcutaneous injection, or under the skin.

All major hallmarks of allergy were reverted, leading the study authors to recommend further investigation of this promising treatment.

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Cat adoption is associated with greater empathy and less separation anxiety for autistic children, according to a study published online in December in the Journal of Pediatric Nursing.

The study, which was the first randomized controlled trial of cat adoption in families of children with autism spectrum disorders, was funded by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and the Winn Feline Foundation and was led by researchers from the University of Missouri.

Cat adoption was also associated with fewer problem behaviors in autistic children. Shelter cats were temperament screened to identify a calm temperament prior to adoption.

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Choosing a healthy cat food can feel overwhelming, especially when you look at the sea of brands, formulations, and flavors. Before choosing a food, first identify your cat’s life stage.

“Cats have different nutritional needs depending on where they are in their stage of growth and life cycle,” says Johnna Devereaux, clinical pet nutritionist and owner of Fetch RI in Richmond, Rhode Island. “Feeding a cat to support those needs is important to their vitality and will help them achieve good health.”

Kittens less than 1 year old should eat kitten food (called growth) or a food labeled for “all life stages.” Adult cats older than 1 should eat adult food (called maintenance) or a diet labeled for all life stages. Cats 11 to 14 are considered senior, and cats 15 and older are classified as geriatric. Though senior and geriatric cats can eat maintenance or all life stages foods, they might benefit from a diet formulated for older cats.

Whatever your cat’s age, she’ll benefit from these important feeding do’s and don’ts.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Choosing Cat Food

1. DO Choose a Complete and Balanced Cat Food

The most important thing you can do when choosing a cat food is to look for a statement on the label that says the food meets the standards established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) demonstrating that the food is complete and balanced for the cat’s life stage: growth (kittens and pregnant or lactating queens), maintenance (adult cats) or all life stages (any cat from kitten to geriatric).

2. DO Choose a Food for Your Cat’s Life Stage

“An animal’s nutritional requirements vary depending on their life stage,” says Dr. Jennifer A. Larsen, professor of clinical nutrition at UC Davis’ School of Veterinary Medicine. “Very young kittens typically need a more energy-dense diet so that they need to eat less volume, while older cats are predisposed to obesity and usually do better on diets with lower calories.”

3. DON’T Feed Your Kitten an Adult Cat Food

Kittens should not eat food intended for adult cats. “Adult cats can eat kit-ten food as long as they tolerate the higher calorie density and do not gain unwanted weight, but kittens should not eat food that is only for adults, as this will not meet their needs,” Dr. Larsen says. It’s generally safe to feed your adult cat kitten food if necessary, but kitten food is higher in calories, so it could cause unwanted weight gain.

4. DO Offer Kittens Various Foods and Textures

Kittens develop strong food preferences early in life. “Cats that have been fed a variety of foods are more likely to try something new when offered,” Johnna says. “It’s a good idea to make sure your cat accepts a variety of kibble flavors and shapes, as well as different canned foods, including loaf or pate type, chunks in gravy, etc.”

5. DO Count Calories

When cats eat too many calories, they risk becoming overweight or even obese. Talk to your vet about how many calories your cat needs.

“The number of calories a cat needs per day depends on a variety of factors, including age, activity level, whether they are fixed or intact, and their body condition,” Johnna says. “Calorie calculators are available online to use as a starting point, but emphasis should also be placed on how your cat’s body responds to the calories being consumed.”

6. DO Choose the Right Diet for Your Senior Cat

Your senior or geriatric cat might benefit from a special diet, so talk to your veterinarian about your cat’s individual needs. “Consideration of the individual is warranted during aging, as some cats are overweight while others are too thin, and there may be underlying conditions that we can address (such as arthritis),” Dr. Larsen says.

No AAFCO nutrient profile exists for senior cats, so diets labeled for senior cats may not offer similar nutrition.

“The category of senior diets is broad and does not share any particular characteristics,” says Dr. Larsen, who is one of the authors of a recently published study looking at senior diets.

According to Dr. Larsen, it’s long been known that cats with kidney disease require reductions in phosphorus intake, but healthy cats young and old can also develop kidney damage if they eat a diet too high in phosphorus. “For seniors, and for all cats really, there is emerging evidence that intake of diets high in phosphorus can harm the kidneys,” she says.

• See also: How to Feed Multiple Cats: 5 Tips That Work

Featured Image Credit: Fayzulin Serg, Shutterstock

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We interviewed top feline experts to find out their favorite cat-care secrets for all life stages. Read on to learn how to manage the most common cat-care and behavior issues.

Cat-care secrets for preventing litter box woes

Not using the litter box is at the top of the list of feline behavior challenges.

Set your kitten up for litter box success by keeping the box clean. “Scoop the box often (at least once a day!),” says Jackie Noble, kitten nursery manager for San Diego Humane Society’s 24-hour Kitten Nursery. “Kittens have a great sense of smell, so if they do have an accident make sure you clean the area thoroughly with a product like Nature’s Miracle so they don’t smell their way back to the scene of the crime.”

For adult cats, it’s all about size, location and number (hint: one is not enough!). “Most commercial litter boxes are not large enough,” says Dr. Aimee Simpson, medical director of VCA Cat Hospital of Philadelphia. She recommends using a box that’s one-and-one-half times longer than your cat. “I like using under-the-bed storage bins for this,” she says. “You should have one litter box for each cat, plus an extra one. Place boxes in a location with at least two routes of exit.”

Senior cats might have trouble getting in and out of the litter box, although you might not realize it.

“One study showed that 90% of [senior] cats had osteoarthritis, and these were cats that were not presented for pain,” says Dr. Lisa Radosta, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist with Florida Veterinary Behavior Service in West Palm Beach. “These cats came to the vet for something else. Older cats need low-lipped boxes, or entranceways into the box like a ramp, or cut a door [into the side of the box] with an X-ACTO knife.”

How to curb your cat’s fear and anxiety

Teach your kitten that the carrier isn’t a scary place so visits to the vet are less traumatic. “If you feed your kitten in their carrier and throw some toys in there, they will see it as part of their daily life,” Jackie says. “Consider finding a Fear Free vet clinic in your community. The techniques they use will ensure your kitten has positive experiences, and they will be less likely to be afraid of going to the vet.”

Enriching your cat’s environment can help ward off anxiety before it develops. “Anxiety often results from boredom,” Dr. Simpson says. “Increase vertical space using cat trees or wall shelves to allow cats to perch and hide. Provide access to windows so they can observe people and other animals. My own cat, Maeby, was leash-trained as a kitten and loves her walks outside.”

Dr. Radosta participated in a soon-to-be-published study that showed that a large percentage of cats have noise fear or phobia; for instance, when the gardeners come with lawn mowers or blowers. “At any age, running under the bed means your cat is scared,” she says. “Hiding is a coping mechanism. That is not OK! Do something to help your cat out.” If you know workers are coming, put your cat in an interior room and play some soothing music to drown out the scary sounds.

For some cats, especially older cats, their fear can’t be overcome. In these cases, ask your vet for a sedative to give your cat at home before you bring him to the vet. “If you have an adult cat who is already conditioned to respond with a full-blown panic attack, get some meds from your vet,” Dr. Radosta says. “Anxiety is on the tip of every veterinarian’s tongue. There is no excuse for not knowing what meds to prescribe to get a cat to the vet’s office.”

Cat-care secrets for halting hairballs

The most important thing to know about hairballs is they are not something to ignore. “It’s not normal for cats to vomit hairballs, so if your cat is having hairballs regularly it could indicate an issue with gastrointestinal motility,” Dr. Simpson says. “One of my patients, Lilly, needed a trichobezoar (obstructive hairball) removed surgically twice! For occasional hairballs, petroleum jelly products like Laxatone can lubricate hair so it moves through more easily.” (Put these yummy pastes on your finger for the cat to lick off.)

How to stop biting and play aggression

Play with your kitten wisely, and watch for signs of aggressive behavior. “Avoid rough play using your hands,” Dr. Simpson says. “Instead, use toys that create distance, like balls you throw and fishing-pole toys, or encourage the kitten to play by himself with puzzle toys or battery-operated toys. If you see ears flattened, pupils dilated and tail swishing, startle the kitten with a noise deterrent (for example, a hissing noise from compressed air canister), redirect his attention with toys, and walk away. Reward cats with food treats or verbal praise for non-aggressive behavior.”

Engaging your cat in lots of daily play can keep him from attacking your legs or biting at your hands. “Don’t give your cat all their toys at once, or the toys will lose their novelty,” Jackie says. “Rotate them out so they get a new sense of fun each time they see them.”

Finally, don’t try to touch your cat when he’s feeling feisty or wants something else from you like food. “Sometimes people pet their cats when the cat visually displays body language that is stating, ‘I didn’t want you to touch me,’” Dr. Radosta says. “We have to open our eyes and pay attention.”

How to nix those fleas and ticks

Keep your young kitten indoors to minimize fleas and other parasites. “Most flea and tick prevention can only be provided to kittens 8 weeks and older, so make sure to talk to your veterinarian and read the labels before administering flea treatment to your kitten,” Jackie says.

But indoor cats still do need parasite protection. “Even if your cat never leaves the house, you do — and you may bring these parasites into the house,” Dr. Simpson says. “They can also gain access through the house (for instance, mosquitoes coming in through window screens or fleas coming through basement windows) or using other animals like dogs to hitch a ride.”

Related Reads:

• 4 Ways To Safely Give Your Indoor Cat a Taste of the Outdoors
• 6 Common Litter Box Issues — and How to Fix Them
• Why Playtime Helps You Bond With Your Cat

Talk to your vet about the parasite protection that makes the most sense for your cat’s age, health and lifestyle.

Understanding and anticipating your cat’s needs will head off most behavior problems before they start. But the most important key to keeping your cat happy is also the simplest — lots of attention and affection from you.

Featured Image Credit: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock

The post Savvy Cat-Care Secrets 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.

Cats make all kinds of sounds. Some feline vocalizations are pleasant for us, like purrs, trills and meows. Others are annoying or downright alarming, as in the case with cat yowling. So, why do cats yowl? What does it mean and more importantly, how do you get cat yowling to stop?

First, know that when your cat makes any type of sound, she is talking to you. Of course, the problem is, humans don’t technically speak cat. “They’re trying to communicate something,” says Cynthia Karsten, DVM, outreach veterinarian for the Koret Shelter Medicine Program at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine’s Center for Companion Animal Health. “We just have to try to figure out what that something is.”

To identify the reasons for cat yowling, act like a detective. Landing on the right answer is often a process of elimination. Consider the following reasons, then see if your cat might be experiencing one or more of these things.

The 7 Main Reasons Cats Yowl

1. Cats yowl because they’re hungry

This one is obvious, but cats do what works. A cat yowling in your face gets that food bowl refilled. Hunger is easy to rule out. If your cat has plenty of food and is still yowling, hunger is probably not the cause.

2. Cat yowling happens to get your attention

Although cats have a reputation for being aloof loners, some cats need more attention than others. If you’ve been away from home a lot lately or not playing or cuddling with your cat as much as usual, try to ramp up the attention and see if that cat yowling stops.

3. Cats yowl because they’re bored

Cats require a certain amount of enrichment in their lives. A cat yowling might be the cat’s way of expressing that she’s frustrated and bored. “It’s really hard for owners to provide an indoor-only environment that’s entertaining to cats — especially a cat that’s been outside and then is brought inside,” Dr. Karsten explains. “Some cats do fine with it, but many don’t.” If you think your cat is longing for the great outdoors, consider building or purchasing a cat enclosure so she can have safe outdoor time.

4. It might signal a hormone issue

“When I think about yowling, the first thing that comes to my mind is breeding season,” Dr. Karsten says. “When cats are breeding, they can make really horrible noises that really disturb people, but it’s quite normal.” If your cat isn’t spayed, she might be in heat. Talk to your vet about having your cat spayed and see if that takes care of the yowling.

5. Cats yowl when they’re in pain

A cat might yowl if she’s hurting. Since cats instinctively hide their pain, almost anything could be causing it, including arthritis, an injury or an illness. “You want to rule out medical (causes), so have your vet do a full physical, including looking at bloodwork to make sure there’s nothing abnormal and checking for pain,” says Dr. Karsten, who adds that hyperthyroidism may cause irritability, which manifests in cat yowling.

6. It could signify cognitive dysfunction

If your cat is older, cognitive dysfunction (aka cat dementia) could be behind all those cat yowling sounds. Your vet can examine your cat to determine if this might be the cause. “They start to not really understand what’s going on and then they start to vocalize,” Dr. Karsten says. “A lot of times, the yowling seems to happen at nighttime. Try feeding them a highly digestible meal before bed so they’re not hungry, create a relaxing area for them at night, and increase environmental enrichment throughout the day so they’re tired at night.”

7. Cats yowl due to behavioral issues

“If nothing seems medically abnormal and it’s a younger animal, it could be some sort of behavioral issue going on,” Dr. Karsten says. “Keep a log of all your cat’s activities. Journal when the yowling happens and try to link it to something, some sort of trigger.” For instance, if you’ve had any changes in the household, like a new baby, a new housemate, or a recent move or divorce, your cat might be yowling out of stress or anxiety. If your cat is always yowling next to the same window, for example, maybe a stray cat outside is coming around and upsetting her.

If all that cat yowling becomes bad enough that it’s affecting your cat’s quality of life (or yours!), and you can’t identify a trigger, ask your vet for a referral to a board-certified veterinary behaviorist, who might be able to figure out the root cause of the yowling and help you work with your cat to resolve it.

Related Reads:

• 9 Weird Cat Sounds and What They Mean
• Let’s Talk Cat Growling — Why Does Your Cat Growl and How Should You React?

Featured Image Credit: White_bcgrd,  Thinkstock

The post Why Do Cats Yowl and What Does It Mean? Kitty Sounds Explained 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.

Did you know that cats have not one, not two, but three eyelids? The first two eyelids are similar to ours — one on the top and one on the bottom that meet in the middle of the eye when the lids are closed. The third eyelid, also known as the nictitating membrane, is a retractable membrane located in the inner corner of each eye (closest to the nose).

First, What Is Your Cat’s Third Eyelid?

“Most mammals, other than most primates, have third eyelids,” explains Nancy Bromberg VMD, MS, Dipl. ACVO, a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist at VCA SouthPaws in Fairfax, Virginia. “When an animal blinks, the third eyelid sweeps across the corneas under the eyelids, acting like a windshield wiper to clear debris, pollens, dust, etc. There is also a lacrimal gland at the base of the third eyelid that produces up to 50 percent of the normal tears.” 

Why Don’t You Usually See a Cat’s Third Eyelid?

Usually, you don’t really see a cat’s third eyelid because it’s hidden from view when retracted inside the corner of the eye. Sometimes, you might be able to see the third eyelid if your cat is very relaxed. For instance, if your cat just woke up from a deep sleep or was sedated for a surgical procedure, you might catch a glimpse of the third eyelids of both eyes.

When Does Seeing Your Cat’s Third Eyelid Indicate a Problem?

Most often, however, if you can see your cat’s third eyelid, it indicates a problem — either something is wrong with the eye or third eyelid itself, or possibly another health issue might be at hand (often, a sick cat). Many cat eye conditions cause the third eyelid to stick out, including conjunctivitis or pink eye (inflammation of the eye membranes), corneal ulcers (damage to the corneas), glaucoma, uveitis (intraocular inflammation), masses growing on the third eyelid and Horner’s syndrome (a neurological disorder of the eye and facial muscles).

“The gland of the third eyelid sometimes gets inflamed and swollen and everts the third eyelid,” Dr. Bromberg explains. “This is commonly known as ‘cherry eye.’ It interferes with the normal function of the third eyelid and should be surgically repositioned. This condition is most common in the Burmese [cat breed].”

What Should You Do If You See Your Cat’s Third Eyelid?

If you see any part of one or more of your cat’s third eyelids, you should bring her to the veterinarian for an exam. When one third eyelid is showing and the other is not, that eye might be experiencing an issue. If both third eyelids are showing, and if your cat is acting sick, it could be an indication that your cat is ill with something not necessarily related to the eye.

It’s important not to delay seeking veterinary care because a cat who has a visible third eyelid is likely experiencing pain and/or discomfort. “A full ophthalmic examination should be done to check for corneal ulcers, elevated intraocular pressure, uveitis, masses, etc.,” Dr. Bromberg advises. “Once the cause is determined, appropriate treatment is prescribed.”

Read more about cat eyes on Catster.com:

• Cat Eye Discharge — What’s Normal and What’s Not
• Cat Pupils: Here’s What Your Cat’s Eyes Are Telling You
• 4 Things to Know About Cats With Blue Eyes

Featured Image Credit: Mary Swift, Shutterstock

The post What Is Your Cat’s Third Eyelid & What If It’s Showing? When to Worry & What to Do 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.

Do your cat’s eyes ever get watery, goopy, or downright crusty? Cat eye discharge can be a little gross. Sometimes it may indicate an eye problem that needs veterinary attention. If you’ve ever wondered if cat eye boogers or watery cat eyes are normal or what could be causing them, you’re not alone. Read on to get the scoop on what’s normal and what’s not:

Why Do Cats Have Eye Discharge, and What Is It?

“Tears are produced constantly throughout the day and normally drain at the corner of the eye without spilling over,” says Beth Kimmitt, D.V.M., resident of ophthalmology at Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in West Lafayette, Indiana. “If something causes irritation to the eye, more tears are produced. Irritation to the eye or blockage of the normal drainage pathway may lead to tears that spill over onto the face.”

The 5 Things to Know About Cat Eye Discharge

1. A small amount of cat eye discharge is probably nothing to worry about.

“While technically a normal eye should not have any ocular discharge, a small amount of clear discharge, which may dry and appear slightly brown and crusty, may be OK,” Dr. Kimmitt says. Seeing morning eye boogers on your cat? This type of cat eye discharge probably isn’t a cause for alarm.

2. Some breeds are more prone to things like cat eye boogers.

Due to the shape of the face, Persians, Himalayans and other cats with short noses and large, round eyes (brachycephalic cat breeds) are more susceptible to cat eye discharge. This might be normal, but if your cat’s eye discharge is excessive, ask your vet.

3. Some cat eye discharge warrants a trip to the vet.

Yellow or green eye discharge is not normal — if your cat has colored discharge, make a vet appointment as soon as possible. “If there is enough discharge that you have to wipe your pet’s eye(s) more than one to two times daily, or if your cat is squinting or frequently rubbing at his eye(s), or if the eye(s) look red, he should be seen by a veterinarian,” Dr. Kimmitt says. When it comes to your cat eye discharge and other eye issues, don’t delay making that vet appointment — your cat’s eyes and eyesight might depend on it.

4. Many things can cause abnormal cat eye discharge.

Cat eye discharge is a sign of many different eye diseases and disorders, including corneal ulcers, conjunctivitis and entropion (an eyelid that rolls inward, allowing the hairs on the skin to irritate the eye). Your veterinarian will examine your cat and possibly perform certain tests to find out what exactly is causing your cat’s eye discharge.

5. It’s important to keep your cat’s eye area clean.

Use a soft, wet cloth to gently wipe away any discharge. “There are also a variety of veterinary products available to help clean around the eyes,” Dr. Kimmitt says. “Just be sure to find one that is labeled as safe to be used around the eyes, and avoid any product that contains alcohol.”

Read more on your cat’s eyes:

• 7 Cool Facts About Cat Eye Colors
• When Do Kittens’ Eyes Change Color?
• The Causes of Abnormal Eye Color in Cats

Featured Image Credit: santypan, Shutterstock

The post Cat Eye Discharge: Facts & Care Advice on Eye Boogers & Health 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.

Given the popularity of smart products for humans, it’s no surprise that pet tech products are hotter than ever. Whether you turn to smart feeders and litter boxes or activity trackers and GPS homing devices, connected pet products can help you monitor your cat’s health, feed her when you’re away from the house and even check in via video conference. Let’s look at some of the latest high-tech product trends created just for kitty.

Smart feeders

Automatic pet feeders have been around for some time. Today’s feeders, however, are totally connected, providing greater control over how you feed your cat when you’re away.

Some smart pet feeders, like Sure PetCare’s SureFeed, go beyond simply allowing you to feed your cat while you’re away from the house. Using a cat’s existing microchip, the SureFeed allows you to feed different cats different foods, monitor how much each cat ate and when they ate, as well as block one cat (or dog) from eating another cat’s food, making it ideal for multi-pet households. For cats who are not microchipped, the SureFeed comes with lightweight RFID tags that can be affixed to the cat’s collar.

If you have a cat on a special diet (such as prescription or weight management) not only can you stop them from stealing each other’s food, you can rest assured that the right cat is getting the right food, says Clare Fuller, senior marketing manager for Sure PetCare. “Additionally, as cats’ feeding behaviors vary, you may have a cat that likes to eat quickly and another cat that likes to graze. By having selective feeding, this can ensure a stress-free feeding regime.”

Smart feeders are convenient and, when used properly, they enhance your ability to care for your cat, but make sure you keep up the attention time. “The downside of automatic feeders is they take away a component of human-animal interaction,” says Travis Taylor, DVM, medical director of VCA Centreville Animal Hospital in Centreville, Virginia. “The act of feeding your pet is part of bonding. It is also a time to check in, monitoring your pet’s eating habits. It is best practice to know how much your pet is eating, and if they are having any trouble consuming their food.”

Note: If you have multiple cats and one has a serious food-guarding issue, discuss the situation with a feline behaviorist before changing feeders. Observe your cats with any new product to ensure that all goes smoothly.

Smart litter boxes

Although automatic litter boxes have been around for decades, they continue to improve, with fancier features, including connected technology. The fully automatic, self-cleaning Litter-Robot certainly looks like the litter box of the future, and its features make life easier for cats and their people. It cuts out odors, requires no scooping or cleaning other than emptying the waste drawer, and it allows you to remotely monitor and control one or more units via an app. For cats, changes in litter-box habits are often one of the signs of a health problem. The Litter-Robot provides usage statistics via the app so you can stay alert to potential health issues.

Smart products for your kitty should enhance your human-cat bond NOT replace time with your cat.

Pet cams with a twist

First-generation pet cams simply offered you a peek at what your cat was doing while you were away. Not anymore! Interactivity is a hot feature, with many pet cams offering video chat and remote treat dispensers. The PetCube Play 2 offers a unique interactive experience. The pet cam lets you see and talk to your cat, and is also equipped with a laser toy that you can activate remotely to play with your cat when you’re not home, helping to increase her daily exercise.

Activity monitors and GPS tracking

Activity trackers like the FitBit are commonplace in the human world, and dog owners have jumped on the bandwagon. You might be surprised to learn that activity trackers can be great for cats, too. These “wearables,” as they’re known in the industry, are lightweight devices that attach to your cat’s collar and transmit data about your cat’s activities throughout the day. The most basic wearable devices simply track a cat’s activity, but wearables with GPS tracking capability, like Whistle, allow you to pinpoint exactly where your cat is when she’s wearing the collar — a great feature for indoor/outdoor cats or even indoor-only escape artists.

“For cats that venture outside, Whistle is great for owners who want a better understanding of where their cat wanders and the places they frequent,” says Kathy Barnes, chief marketing officer at Whistle. “For indoor cats, Whistle can track their activity levels to get a better understanding of their habits and changes that can indicate possible health issues.”

Apps for cats

Turns out that cat paws work surprisingly well on smartphone and tablet screens. Companies have caught on, creating games designed specifically for cats to play. The Friskies Cat Fishing 2 app, which entices your cat to “catch” colorful fish as they “swim” on the screen, is just one of many fun feline games. The more fish your cat catches, the more challenging the game becomes. To find app games for your cat, simply google “cat app games.”

Using pet tech for good

Something to consider when choosing smart products for your cat is whether it enhances your cat-owner relationship or takes away from your awareness of what’s going on with your pet. “If the technology simply makes it easier for the human, then it is best to decide if is going to be used for a short period of time or if it is something that may weaken the human-animal bond that we all strive to strengthen,” Dr. Taylor says.

The post When High Tech Meets Pet 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.

Is your cat’s runny nose normal or a sign that she’s sick and needs to see a vet? Let’s find out.

Is Your Cat’s Runny Nose a Cause for Concern?

“Most cats do not normally have nasal discharge,” says Aimee Simpson, VMD, medical director of VCA Cat Hospital of Philadelphia. “That being said, many cats are chronically infected with feline herpesvirus (FHV-1) and these cats may have serous (clear) nasal discharge and/or black debris in the nostrils.”

What’s Causing Your Cat’s Runny Nose?

If you see clear nasal discharge coming from your cat’s nose, this usually indicates that the cat might have a viral infection or allergies. “Colored (usually yellow or green) nasal discharge is due to the presence of white blood cells and dead tissue as occurs with secondary bacterial infections and chronic rhinitis (inflammation of the nose),” Dr. Simpson explains.

The most common cause of a cat’s runny nose is upper respiratory disease complex. “Feline calicivirus (FCV) and feline herpesvirus (FHV-1) are widespread in the feline population,” Dr. Simpson says. “Following an acute viral infection, many cats remain chronically infected and shed virus continuously in the case of FCV or intermittently (with FHV-1).”

Less commonly, a cat’s runny nose might be caused by things other than viral infections. Nasal tumors, a foreign object stuck in the nose or tooth root abscesses can cause nasal discharge in cats. If the discharge is coming from only one side of the nose, or if one side of the face looks swollen, the vet might suspect one of these causes.

How Are Runny Noses in Cats Diagnosed?

If your vet suspects your cat’s runny nose is due to a viral infection, it’s possible to test for different viruses — but this may not be necessary or helpful. “Viral isolation can be done from swabs of the oropharynx or nasal cavity, but many healthy cats are chronic carriers so testing positive for an upper respiratory virus does not necessarily implicate this virus as the cause of the current clinical signs,” Dr. Simpson explains. “Diagnosis and treatment may be based on the patient’s history — for example, adopted from a shelter or recent stress in the household — rather than test results.”

How Will Your Cat’s Runny Nose Get Treated?

If your vet suspects a viral infection, initial treatment of a cat’s runny nose typically includes an antiviral medication and/or antibiotic. Ongoing cases might require some anti-inflammatory steroids.

If the vet treats your cat for a suspected viral infection, but your cat doesn’t respond to the medications, the vet might recommend anesthetizing your cat so she can do an oropharyngeal exam to check for polyps, as well as x-rays, a CT scan or rhinoscopy to check for other masses or tooth root abscesses.

Plus, suffering from a runny nose yourself? Can you really use a neti pot to stop your runny nose? We find out >>

Thumbnail: Photography ©Angelafoto | iStock / Getty Images Plus.

This piece was originally published in 2018.

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