We’ve all heard the apocryphal statement that “if you build it, they will come”. Great movie, although there could be more cats…

But as we head through the winter holiday season (think New Years, Valentine’s Day, cold weather and snow days, and hey, even President’s Day and the Super Bowl probably fit some definition of upcoming holiday), I’d like to propose a new seasonally-themed statement of “if you don’t think they will eat/chew/swallow/get it stuck/play with it, they will”.

So, this article is a heads up on some of the more common opportunities that cats seem to find, that cause trouble around this time of year: cold weather, winter holidays, you name it. And hopefully, it might save you a trip to the vet (you know, so you can make a scheduled visit for their annual wellness, rather than an unscheduled visit on New Year’s Eve at 11:59 pm. Believe me, vet clinics are not a fun place New Year’s Eve- I’ve been there (working) far too many times.

So, in no particular order, Pancake, Tiller and I put our heads together (really, they slept, and I made the list), and came up with a list.

Some Top Seasonal Winter Hazards For Cats

• Candles
• Fireplaces
• Hot stoves
• Trees and their decorations
• Ribbon
• Presents
• Cold weather
• Sidewalk and driveway salt/de-icer
• Antifreeze
• Thread and string
• Toxic plants such as lilies, poinsettias
• Chocolate
• Garlic
• Guests
• Electric cords and oral burns from chewing

A few years ago, I wrote a case study on a cat that had eaten a Christmas toy almost two months prior to presentation, by which time he was anemic, and in critical condition. Ah, yes- the gift that kept on giving. Luckily for this cat, he received a few blood transfusions to stabilize him, and surgery to remove the toy, and he went on to become a cheeky, cheerful boy with a good story, just in time to steal some hearts on Valentine’s Day. (Remember, if you don’t think they will eat it, they will.)

I have worked with many cats that people swore would never eat things… and too many flip flops, needle and thread, doll heads, hair ties, tinsel, earplugs, broom bristles and reusable straws later, I can definitely say: they will.

Expect The Unexpected: Tips For Addressing Some Of The More Common Winter Holiday Hazards

1. Nothing hot unattended.

Candles burn fur and melt whiskers. Stoves burn paw pads. Cats get into everything! Again, if you think they won’t, they will!

2. Ribbon and string decorations are like the cat version of spaghetti.

Once they start chewing, they don’t stop, a la Lady and the Tramp in that classic scene. Don’t leave dangly bits unattended. (Possibly a good rule of thumb for life in general…)

3. Cat proof any and all decorations.

For the tree, short of hanging it from the ceiling, or putting the tree into a cage, consider other options. Decorate an outdoor tree that you can see from a picture window in the house, or use a small, potted tree that doesn’t invite climbing. Get a sturdy base that won’t tip, if you go big, as many cats will climb a tree. Avoid breakable ornaments, as they will be fair game.

4. Guests…

Now, you may wonder, how are guests a hazard? They can mean doors left open, for your cat to run out, or bags with unusual items inside. I have even had feline patients that got fleas, when guests brought them from their own house, on a holiday visit! (Maybe that’s a good excuse to avoid a holiday visitor, or two?)

5. Feline pheromone diffusers.

Pheromone diffusers can be plugged in to help release calming signals to cats, prior to the event. Have a safe, cat-only room or designated space for your cat to chill in. For some cats, this might mean they spend an hour or two shut in that room. Better than them slipping outside and going walkabout! (Dog versions also exist for our canine inclined readers!)

6. Loud, uncommon noises

Noisy events like New Years’ celebrations and the Superbowl can mean lots of fireworks, parades, and other uncommon noises, which can be distressing to many pets. If your neighborhood is like mine, often it starts about a week before the actual holiday, and there are always a few stragglers that continue a day or two after, as well. Big football events sometimes mean local stadium noise that can be heard around the house, or guests over cheering and throwing foam cheese at the TV (yes, it’s a real thing). Consider playing white noise, or again, feline pheromone sprays and diffusers, to (ahem…) diffuse the situation.

7. Certain holiday foods.

Valentine’s Day might bring chocolates (bad for cats!), or fancy home-cooked meals oozing with garlic (depending on your dating style, though some may argue this may be counterproductive come V-Day)- so know what foods are safe for cats, and not. If in doubt, don’t offer them to your cat.

8. Certain holiday plants.

Poinsettias, many/most lilies, and other seemingly innocuous plants can be toxic or outright deadly to cats. I’ve bathed many cats that have a bright yellow face after snuffling lily pollen, which for reasons unknown, can cause kidney failure from even the smallest whiff. Plant proof the house, and beware the lovely VDay bouquet that might arrive, innocuous as it may seem.

Closing Thoughts

Winter can be a lovely time- cozying up with books, cats and a hot tipple of your choice, what’s not to love? But, it’s much better enjoyed at home, rather than a holiday trip to the vet’s. Remember how we started this article: if you don’t think they will eat/chew/swallow/get it stuck/play with it, they will!

So, if they do eat it…you will go…to the vet’s. Better to be proactive, and take some simple steps to identify, and address, any home hazards before they become a (second ahem of the day…) cat-astrophe!

The post Catster’s Guide to Winter Holiday Hazards (With Safety Tips) by Dr. Lauren Demos (Vet) 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.

Have you ever found yourself with a case of indigestion after eating, say, a foot of Christmas tinsel? Or how about being unable to resist a quick chew or two of that shiny sewing needle with two feet of thread? Yeah, me neither. But, many of us likely know someone who has. A furry someone. That ate something, or sometimes many things. The holidays are a time to be merry, after all?

When Problems Arise, Money Talks

Pica (the eating of inappropriate objects) is just one behavior exhibited by furry troublemakers. Cats get into all sorts of mischief!

Cat fight abscesses are so popular in vet clinics that they have garnered their own initialism: CFA. In fact, vets have these initialisms and acronyms for all sorts of unpleasant situations pets get into: Hit By Car (HBC), Hyperthyroidism (HT4), and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) just to name a few.

In Alaska, we had a fairly unique initialism for the sled dogs that found themselves on the wrong end of a moose: KBM (Kicked By Moose).

But what do these experiences, or rather illnesses, have in common? In short, they are all rather pricey to diagnose and treat, and unfortunately all too common when it comes to our feline friends. (Well, maybe not KBM…)

Understanding Pet Insurance

Pet insurance market penetration varies hugely by country. In the US, current estimates are that less than half of pets have insurance coverage, though when broken down by species, it’s estimated that fewer than 25% of pet cats have pet insurance.

Arguments certainly exist against pet insurance. Concerns include the ethical implications of potentially guiding treatment based on insurance status, as well as the increased cost of care associated with diagnostics that can be afforded with insurance. Others voice similar issues seen in the human healthcare industry, which may be attributed to insurance.

But in reality, veterinary care is no different than human medical care. We have complicated procedures like CT, MRI, advanced surgical and professional training, all done in appropriate conditions with trained medical teams.

It takes money to run and maintain these skill sets and facilities.

Understanding Veterinary Medicine

Yet veterinary care is often underrated or appreciated compared to its bigger brother. While human healthcare workers strive for better pay or favorable working hours, veterinarians and vet nurses work similar hours and similarly unsociable schedules for far less.

And worse, veterinary professionals often are put into situations with no choice but to subsidize the cost of pet care out of their own pockets, by charging less or offering discounted services, when care is needed but funds are simply not available..

It’s no wonder that with burnout, a high rate of suicide, and a lack of incoming trained professional staff, that the veterinary profession is becoming concerningly unbalanced. While insurance is not an answer for every issue faced by the profession, it may offer some small steps in the right direction. Certainly, when recommended treatment is not dictated by financial means, both owners, cats and the people providing their medical care should all see positive outcomes.

Case Study: Dougie

Going back to foreign bodies, I’d like to present Dougie: a lovely, impish, young dude of a cat. He loves long walks outside with his mom, and keeps things entertaining, finding various ways to get onto neighbors’ rooftops, or more recently attempting to stuff his own Christmas stocking with an entire plastic container of cat treats that he chewed multiple holes into, then sprinkled all over his stocking that he tore off a door. So, in short, he’s a Siamese that seems to have garnered a love of living life on the edge.

Dougie is 5. He’s had surgery to remove a foreign body, been diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease through biopsies, had repeated bouts of laryngitis, and underwent a 3-month treatment for coronavirus (with weekly medications often costing hundreds of dollars). As his mom says lovingly, he might not be here if it wasn’t for insurance.

Starting to see the benefit of cat insurance?

Why Insurance Is A Necessity for Most Cats

Admittedly, Dougie is a bit of an extreme example. However, if nothing else, getting insurance that will cover for something like dental care, including extractions, is a strong consideration. Many pets will need multiple dental procedures in their life, as cavities and calculus lead to common dental issues.

Because these procedures require anesthetic to be safe for your pet and medically effective, and include a period of hospital stay for the day, x-rays the same as you or I would have, professional assessment of the dental health, IV fluids, bloodwork, and dental surgery time, these procedures can quickly become financially intensive.

Things To Consider When Researching Pet Insurance

• What is the policy excess?
• Is the policy an annual policy, or a lifetime policy?
• Are there any exclusions for coverage?
• What do you need to do annually to maintain coverage?
• What is the amount of coverage you need?
• Alternatives To Insurance
• Personal savings: Some people set aside a health savings account for their pet, annually or monthly
• Clinic wellness plans: Insurance doesn’t generally cover wellness care such as vaccines, or nail trims, or annual exams. Often, prescription foods aren’t covered, either. Some clinics offer various forms of wellness plans or subscriptions, which can offer significant savings on some of these other pet necessities. While not a true replacement for insurance, they are a similar topic for consideration

Dougie Approves

In the end, as a veterinarian, I can’t recommend a specific insurance company. But I can tell you that most of us who work in clinics, have our own pets insured. It helps on those days you can’t find your Apple Airpod, only to find that suddenly, your cat (or dog) makes a ringing noise when someone calls your mobile…

So pet insurance definitely gets Dougie’s stamp of approval. And if you are going to get it, don’t wait until after your cat is ill! Of course, there are additional barriers when it comes to cats: cats are great at hiding disease, and cats are viewed as more challenging to take into the vet clinic, and therefore have less visits. (Easy tips and fixes can help address both these topics! Maybe to be covered here in the future!)

But we need to start somewhere. And if Dougie approves, it’s hard to argue with him.

Featured Image Credit: visivastudio, Shutterstock

The post Dr. Lauren’s Approved Guide: Why Insurance is a Necessity for Most Felines by Dr. Lauren Demos (Vet) 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.

Dr. Lauren here! When’s the last time your cat went into the vet?

The thought of a howling cat (“singing the song of their people”) is never pleasant. Believe me, I’ve been the person in the car with a Pancake howling so loud, that the people in the car next to me looked at me as if to say, “Are you ok? Do we need to call the police?” And once Pancake starts howling, Tiller picks up the refrain.

But do cats truly hide illness and/or injury? Yes, we vets spout this convention often, but only because it is true. Retinal lesions indicative of high blood pressure, palpable thyroid nodules in the neck, early dental cavities…all of these are things so easy to find in person, but impossible to find when our cats stay at home.

So, back to the visit. It’s tough. But it’s a necessary evil. That said, cats don’t understand that. Imagine if you were asked to visit your gynecologist, dentist, cardiologist, internist, GP, and urologist…all in one day. You’d probably have a guttural NO (or two) to utter, as well. Now imagine you were shoved in a box prior to leaving your house, jostled around, and had no say whatsoever in the matter. Not a pretty picture, right?

Believe me when I say: there are things we can do to make this better for cats.

A lot has been written and studied in the last decade or two about decreasing stress for pets, in particular cats, for vet visits: this can include very random to very useful items (think music composed specifically for cats!). But the purpose of this essay is to give you practical, easy things that anyone can do to help lessen the stress of vet visits for your cat.

Some are so simple, you might be surprised that you’re not already doing them.

First, Identify Your Cat’s Personality Type

Before doing anything, you need to decide what your cat’s personality type is around new situations: are they a nervous nellie? Or a Happy Harry?

Nervous Nellie

New things are scary! These cats hide, or hiss—not because they are mean, but because they are scared:
Don’t like change
Don’t like new people

Happy Harry (aka Dog-Cats)

The more stimulation and new things to look at, the better! These cats engage with the surroundings.
New person? Come, let me flirt with you!
Feed me and I’m your friend for life!

Obviously, these are generalizations, but they help develop a sense of what your cat wants.

A Nervous Nellie that wants to hide will probably like their cage covered with a blanket, things in the cage that smell or look familiar, and things to hide under. They probably don’t want bribes in the form of treats.

A Happy Harry probably would love to take a nap, on the other hand. And they likely don’t want to be fully covered, they want everyone to see their magnificent feline splendor!

Accommodate Your Cat’s Personality

One of my recent patients, Freddie, is a great example. I met Freedie and her mom when they wanted a second opinion on how best to help her damaged ear. Freddie came in this week for her annual wellness, and while Freddie is happy to have attention, she likes having space to hide, feel safe, and decide how things happen on her terms. So, her mom piled blankets and cushions into the carrier, giving her great hiding opportunities, and had a nice big carrier that easily came apart, making things easy breezy for Miss Freddie.

I don’t know that there is such a thing as a stress-free vet visit per se, but less stressful is a great goal.

The 10 Tips to Help Reduce A Cat’s Stress at the Vet’s

Tips for Everyone:

1. Find a good carrier

Something that easily fits your cat, that has at least two entrances/exits, that can be easily opened. Broken latches, or a single entrance, are difficult for most cats, and exacerbate the stress. Too, make sure it’s clean before you put your cat into it- would you prefer to travel in a dirty car, or one that is clean?

2. At home, leave the carrier out so it’s more a familiar place, than a strange item. Offer treats in the carrier.

3. Speaking of treats, bring them.

A familiar scent can go a long way to normalizing the experience.

4. If your cat won’t eat treats, try the magic that is Lick-E-Lix or Churus…

Most cats that won’t touch treats, will still devour this yogurt-consistency tube of cat deliciousness. I’ve watched people draw blood on cats without assistance, purely because they distracted the cat with a Lick-E-Lix or Churu.

5. Be calm yourself.

Cats pick up on our stress! Studies suggest that cats can recognize the facial expressions of at least a few emotions in humans.

6. Calming cat music.

Believe it or not, cats might appreciate music. Youtube has channels specifically for this, so consider it as an option.

Next Level Tips: Stepping Up The Calm

As I mentioned earlier, there are other options that are more recently coming into play. They might not be an option for every cat owner, but if they are available to you, and you can make use of them, I highly recommend it.

7. Pheromone sprays

Test them ahead of a vet visit, but a number of pheromone diffusers and sprays are now available to help decrease stress in cats.

8. Visit good clinics.

Some clinics have gone the extra mile to make cat friendly more than just a thought. There are various options, such as Cat Friendly Practices by the American Association of Feline Practitioners or Cat Friendly Clinics overseas, but regardless, these clinics have gone the extra mile to prove they want to make a cat’s visit comfortable.

9. Step it up even further: cat-only clinics and cat specialists actually exist.

Many cat specialists see both routine wellness and referral cases, and cat-only clinics remove all noise, scents, and the confusion that dogs can create for cats; having worked in cat only clinics for the second half of my career, I cannot recommend enough the benefits of a cat only clinic. Ask to visit your local one, if you can. The difference will leave you (and your cat) making biscuits.

10. Talk to your cat’s vet about sedation options!

There are newer options we have started using in cats in the last 5 years or so that make a huge difference for very anxious or stressed patients!

So, next time you set paw in the clinic, come prepared with these options, and see that bringing your cat into the clinic can not only be less stressful, but also potentially a positive experience. Both for their health, and your peace of mind. Know, too, that many of these can be applied to other stressful situations cats might experience: fireworks, visiting guests, and new pets.

Featured Image Credit: 4 PM production, Shutterstock

The post How to Make a Vet Visit Less Stressful For Your Cat: 10 Tips From Dr. Lauren by Dr. Lauren Demos (Vet) appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

I remember watching the news with some curiosity, and a sense of impending change. “Hold on to your socks,” someone said, “this is going to be big.”

China had just implemented a nationwide lockdown over a rapidly spreading virus. We all now know how this would irrevocably change our lives over the coming years, full of twists and turns and just plain change. So. Much. Change. Cats, too, had a life-changing experience as a species, gleaning from the virus a life-saving treatment for a previously uniformly fatal disease, but that is a topic for another day.

Many stories grew out of the pandemic- veterinary medicine and life within the profession was no exception. We still went into the clinic, when most everyone stayed home. The face of the veterinary profession changed overnight, something as a profession we are generally slow to do, so this was eye opening.

Telehealth with cats and dogs suddenly became acceptable let alone commonplace, cats came in for visits but no owners were allowed into clinics so “curbside service” became a new buzzword, clinic hours were shortened, and the world outside became still, peaceful, ghostlike. The roads were empty. Parking lots abandoned. Most everyone else was working from home.

But for cats like Pancake, it simply meant I was home a bit more, and maybe there was an extra feeding to be had?

I’ve always found a sense of serenity in the presence of a cat. They embody peace. They sleep like I wish I could: easily, at any time or place, in the most uncomfortable positions, all with ease. Similarly they’ve worked themselves into some amazing environs as a species: at the base of the Great Wall of China, cats loiter.

In the temples of Thailand, cats fastidiously clean their unspeakables in front of shimmering gold Buddhas and attending Buddha worshipers. They live in some of the most arid regions of West Australia, and pandemic? What pandemic? For them, life goes on.

But for humans, the pandemic taught us a lot about ourselves- how do we handle struggles, and how do we learn to be kind to ourselves, when we’ve spent our lives primarily learning to be kind to others, at our own expense? Mental health became a hot topic, as we tried to answer this question.

So what exactly is mental health? One accepted definition of mental health is that it encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It impacts our thoughts, actions, and feelings, and determines how we react. It involves every stage of our life- from childhood to death.

To me, I see mental health as the image of a cat in front of a warm fireplace on a winter’s eve. It’s stopping, recharging, living in the moment. They say happiness comes from living in the present, and unhappiness from living in the future or the past. Cats are masters of this.

Pancake moreso than most. Currently asleep on the bed with Tiller, both well into a late morning nap (now progressing into late afternoon as I write): they have, after all, slept all night and most of the preceding day, but awoke at 4 am to religiously check the automatic feeder every 15 minutes until it opened and a new day’s food spilled out. Hence, they are exhausted.

But another interesting side to mental health has recently arisen: the reciprocal nature of cats, or any pets for that matter, on human mental health. The term is zooeyia.

Zooeyia is derived from Greek for animal (zoion) and the Greek Goddess of health (Hygeia). It incorporates the positive health benefits that humans derive from their interactions with animals. Research suggests that entire national health economies are positively impacted by pet ownership to the tune of millions of dollars saved in healthcare outlay, and the actual physical health benefits have been studied and postulated for decades.

On a personal level, it’s easy to see. After a long week, when Saturday night rolls around, I’m happy to be at home with the cats. This past weekend, for example, I built a cat feeding puzzle toy out of a used present wrapping paper roll. It was the largest version of this particular treat puzzle ever recorded in the history of homemade treat puzzles (IMHO), and it kept the cats (ok, mostly me) entertained for about two hours! In the end, we had a cheap night in. And, I think the cats were happy. If nothing else, they had some Dreamies.

In the end, maybe mental health is the simple things in life. Maybe the crux of it all is that laughter, and a cat, and taking the time to live in the moment are fine definitions of mental health. Though of course, a Dreamie or two never hurts.

The post Cats, Humans, & Mental Health: Dr. Lauren’s Thoughts on Well-Being & Reciprocity by Dr. Lauren Demos (Vet) 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.

Hi! My name is Lauren, and I’m a residency-trained feline veterinarian with a passion for cats, teaching, and adventure. When I’m not otherwise engaged, volunteering projects top my list as we get what we receive, and so many have helped me reach this point in my career.

I live with two cats (one occasionally grumpy and the other food obsessed, though I’ll leave it to you to decide which is which), and currently spend most of my time in the UK. I can often be found teaching, lecturing, or planning the next outdoor adventure.

I’ve been honored to work with various veterinary organisations and groups over the years, many of them non-profit. I highly recommend looking at the work these groups are doing, including the VIN Foundation, the American Association of Feline Practitioners, the International Society of Feline Medicine and the Winn Feline Foundation. I’ve met some amazing clinicians and people in all of these groups, and cannot speak enough about the work they are doing for felines, and feline medicine, as well as the future of the profession that is caring for our cats. Ours is a difficult profession, and yet we often sit in the shadows compared to the work of our human-centric colleagues.

When I’m not out and about, you can find me at home with my two cats Pancake, and Tiller.

They seem to sleep more than I thought humanly possible, so certainly they must have impressive resumes that I wish I could espouse here! But as Mark Twain famously once said: “If man could be crossed with the cat, it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat.” So it’s potentially better that the cats keep their secrets, and I simply am allowed to exist in their world.

The post Introducing the Catsters: Dr. Lauren and Pancake & Tiller the Adventurers by Dr. Lauren Demos (Vet) 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.

Eye problems in cats aren’t all that common, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t occur. Often, the types of issues seen are quite age-dependent.

For instance, young cats can get specific illnesses, like infections and “cat flu”, which impact the eyes and are often viral or bacterial in nature, due to their developing immune systems. On the other hand, older cats can develop eye ulcers, as well as certain types of cancers. Old cat issues, like high blood pressure, can also impact the eyes, which is highly uncommon in younger cats.

Regardless, issues with cat eyes are almost always urgent, if not emergencies—so, knowing what to look for can be helpful in determining if your cat is having an eye problem. Read on to learn about some of the common eye issues seen in cats, how to identify them, and what to do about them. With a little knowledge, you can help your cat recover quickly and safely from any eye issues that might arise.

The 6 Common Eye Issues in Cats

As mentioned, common eye issues in cats can vary depending on the age of the cat. So, let’s break down the six most common eye problems in cats by the specific problem, typical signs, and treatment options.

1. Eye Infections

Eye infections can be bacterial or viral in nature. Infections are most commonly seen in young kittens, due to their developing immune systems, which can involve runny or weeping eyes, green or yellow eye discharge, or squinting. Sometimes, an eye infection is part of a larger upper airway infection, which many people simply call the “cat flu”.

Eye infections can be contagious to other cats in the house, so it may be a consideration to ask your vet if any affected cats should be isolated from other cats that are well (or dogs) in the house. The good news is that eye infections are generally very responsive to treatment, which often (though not always) involves antibiotics.

2. Uveitis

Inflammation of the eye without obvious infection is called uveitis. This can occur in both young and old cats alike, but it is often considered more common in cats with underlying immunosuppression—such as that caused by feline leukemia virus, or feline immunodeficiency virus.

The inflammation can cause color changes to the eye or iris, the eyelids to look droopy, or the third eyelid to elevate. It can also leave deposits on the surface of the eye that make it look bumpy. Often, the inflammation is treated with anti-inflammatory medications—sometimes in the form of eyedrops, and sometimes as an oral medication.

3. Corneal Ulcers

Ulcers tend to occur during a viral infection—in particular, from feline herpes or feline calici virus, though the former is more commonly the culprit. Ulcers can be seen in both young and old cats alike, since the virus can sometimes go dormant in the tissues around the eye, and flare up in later life.

By definition, an ulcer is a defect or loss of a portion of the superficial cell layer of the eye. This can allow other infections to occur, or risk the integrity of the eye itself if the defect is deep enough. Ulcers often present with squinting, or watery eye discharge. When big enough, ulcers can sometimes be seen with the naked eye.

Ulcers are considered to be quite painful for cats, and treatment should be sought if one is suspected. Medications are often prescribed, including antibiotics, antivirals, and ointments that wet the surface of the eye, and encourage healing of the ocular surface.

4. Hypertensive Retinopathy

Generally only seen in older cats with high blood pressure, this eye problem results from extended periods of elevated blood pressure, leading to bleeding in the back of the eye, detachment of the retinal layers, and changes to vision—including permanent blindness, if left untreated. Most of these are not easily seen at home, so routine blood pressure monitoring with older cats is recommended.

Hypertensive retinopathy is treatable, however, it does need immediate intervention to have the best chance of treatment success. Treatment is focused on controlling blood pressure, rather than any medications that directly involve the eye.

5. Melanosis or Melanomas

Melanin is a pigment found in cells that causes color changes. As cats age, the amount of melanin found in their iris’ can increase in a normal aging process called melanosis. This can look like freckles in the eye.

However, in rare instances, this process can progress into a cancerous form, called an ocular melanoma. In some instances, it can be difficult to determine the difference between melanosis and melanoma. Subtle changes of a melanoma may look like distortion of the eye or pupil, bulging of the iris, or a change in intraocular pressure.

Often, treatment for melanosis involves simply monitoring it at home, whereas a melanoma may require removal of the affected eye.

6. Other Cancers

Other cancers can also impact the eye—including traumatic ocular sarcomas, and fibrosarcomas. These types of cancer tend to occur as growths in or around the eye, and often cause distortion of the eyeball, or tissues around the eyeball. Treatment, when possible, may require removal of the affected eye.

Diagnostics

How are eye issues diagnosed? Many issues can be diagnosed via a physical examination. Sometimes, your vet will also do a retinal exam with an ophthalmic lens and light, to look at the retinal layers.

If an ulcer is suspected, the surface of the eye can be stained with a dye in order to check for loss of the surface cells that indicates an ulcer.

If certain viruses of bacteria are suspected, swabs may be taken to examine under the microscope, culture, or send for PCR testing.

Some issues might require specialized testing to diagnose, which can include slit lamps that allow for up-close inspection of the pupil and iris, or handheld “pens” that check the pressure inside the eye.

General Signs of Eye Problems

In general, eye problems in cats are indicated by any of the following:

Conclusion

If you do have concerns about your cat’s eyes, don’t hesitate to reach out to your vet. If they are not open, contact a local emergency vet that can often offer you guidance as well—as eye problems generally shouldn’t wait!

If concerns do arise, photos and videos of the concern can be very helpful. This might even save you and your cat from needing a visit to the vet clinic, if it is something that is normal, or that can be monitored at home.

See also: 

• When Do Kittens Open Their Eyes? All You Need To Know!
• Iris Atrophy in Cats: Signs, Causes & When to See a Vet (Expert Guide)

Featured Image Credit: Natalia Kokhanova, Shutterstock

The post 6 Most Common Eye Problems in Cats (Vet Answers) by Dr. Lauren Demos (Vet) appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

One of the best ways to keep a cat healthy is to ensure that they get the medical care they need. This means that in addition to a yearly or twice-yearly physical exam with their vet, they need to have their vaccine needs assessed on an annual basis as well.

Vaccines can consist of core and non-core vaccines, depending on a cat’s lifestyle (i.e., indoor vs outdoor, how often they might board in a cattery, etc.), age, and other risk factors. Core vaccines are designed to protect against infectious diseases that are either life-threatening or commonly encountered by the majority of cats. They include feline parvovirus (also called feline distemper), feline calicivirus (also called rhinotracheitis), feline herpes, feline leukemia virus, and potentially rabies, depending on where the cat lives.

Vaccines are designed to protect either sterile or partial immunity against these diseases so cats don’t develop severe illnesses as a result of being exposed to these viruses. The timing of vaccines can be a bit complicated, as so much depends on an individual cat. The primary series of vaccines for kittens is probably the most straightforward, with vaccines given every 3–4 weeks until they reach a certain age. For adults, vaccines are given every 1–3 years, depending on what the vaccine is, and what type of lifestyle the adult cat is living.

Read on to learn more about how vaccine schedules and timing are determined in cats, so you know what to expect.

Click below to jump ahead:

• How Do Vaccines Work?
• How Does a Primary Vaccine Course Work?
• What is the Schedule For Adult Cat Vaccines?
• Are There Instances Where a Cat Vaccine Schedule Might Change?
• Frequently Asked Questions

How Do Vaccines Work?

To understand how vaccine schedules in cats are timed, you first need to understand how vaccines work, and what are core vaccines versus non-core vaccines.

Some vaccines contain inactive DNA or RNA from a pathogen, such as a virus or bacteria; these are called “killed” vaccines. Some vaccines contain less pathogenic forms of the normal virus or bacteria; these are called “modified live” vaccines. Some vaccines contain only a small part of a virus or bacteria inserted into an organism called a plasmid, that acts to amplify this portion of the virus or bacteria; once an animal is vaccinated, these are called “vectored” or “recombinant” vaccines.

Modified live and killed vaccines are some of the original and more traditional vaccines, whereas vectored vaccines are a more recent scientific development. Each has possible pros and cons.

After receiving a vaccine, the body recognizes the foreign material contained in the vaccine and produces an immune response. This response takes about 7–14 days to reach a peak response. In part, this is why vaccines are timed 3–4 weeks apart—to allow for this response, and then a settling of the immune system, before challenging it again with another vaccine.

Some vaccines made to fight infectious diseases that cats do not commonly encounter, such as rabies, are considered effective after a single dose. Vaccines made to fight diseases that cats do routinely come across or made to fight antibodies that cats may have received from their mother, generally require a minimum of two doses (sometimes more), depending on the cats’ age.

How Does a Primary Vaccine Course Work? How Often Do Kittens Need Vaccines?

Kittens receive their first vaccines in what is called a “primary vaccine course”. This involves vaccines that generally start around 8 weeks of age, and continue every 3–4 weeks until they are 16 weeks of age or older.

The reason for this is that, at around 16 weeks of age, any antibodies that their mother (queen) had for various pathogens will generally drop to levels low enough to not interfere with the vaccines. Otherwise, cat vaccines given prior to this time may be ineffective if they have antibodies from their mom, that respond before their own immune system can create their own antibodies.

This means most kittens get a first vaccine, and then 1–2 boosters after until they are 16 weeks of age or older. After 16 weeks of age, most kittens then need their next vaccine 1 year later.

Primary vaccines in kittens include their core vaccines, feline leukemia, and potentially rabies, depending on where they live, and their lifestyle risk factors. Rabies vaccines cannot be given to kittens until they are at least 12 weeks old.

What is the Schedule For Adult Cat Vaccines?

Adult cats fall into two categories for how their vaccines are scheduled.

Adult cats that have never been vaccinated, or don’t have a known history of vaccines (e.g., found outside as an adult stray), generally get a primary vaccine, and then a single booster 3–4 weeks later. The reason for this booster is that a single vaccine for herpes, calicivirus, and panleukopenia may not be fully effective. So, a second vaccine provides a bit more protection. Rabies, on the other hand, produces good results after a single vaccine, so a primary vaccine is considered sufficient.

Adult cats that received their primary course as kittens, generally receive boosters either annually or triennially, depending on the vaccine, how much time they spend outside or boarding with other cats, and their age.

Are There Instances Where a Cat Vaccine Schedule Might Change?

There are certain instances where a cat may go in for vaccines, but may be deemed not healthy enough to receive one. Alternately, it might be too early for them to receive a vaccine just yet. A veterinarian might choose to delay vaccination of a cat for the following reasons:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What Are Possible Vaccine Side Effects?

Vaccines, as with any medication, can have potential side effects. One of the more well-known side effects, particularly in cats, is called a vaccine-associated fibrosarcoma.

Fibrosarcomas are cancer that forms from the cells that form the connective tissue layer under the skin. There is strong evidence to suggest that a combination of genetics, and certain vaccines, and vaccine adjuvants, can lead to the formation of these cancers in cats. Many of these vaccines are now made in a different manner, so as not to contain adjuvants, and most vaccines in cats are also now given in specific locations of the body—so that if one of these cancers occurs, it can be known which vaccine may have played a role.

The most common side effect for vaccines in cats tends to be lethargy, followed by vomiting, or diarrhea. Cats rarely develop anaphylaxis, or life-threatening allergic reactions to vaccines, facial swelling, or hives—as seen in many other species. If your cat does experience any sort of reaction to a vaccine, report it to your vet, as this may change how they are vaccinated in the future.

How Are Vaccines Given?

Most vaccines for cats are injections given under the skin. Vaccines are generally about 1 ml in volume. There are other forms of vaccines that include nasal drops, as well as transdermal vaccines, but these are uncommonly encountered.

My Cat Is Late for Their Vaccine. Does That Change the Schedule?

The answer is: it depends. If your cat is less than a week late for an annual booster, it is generally not a problem. If your cat is more than a week or two late for their primary course booster, it might mean they will need an additional booster vaccine.

I Feed Stray Cats. Do They Need Vaccines?

Ideally, yes. You can contact local cat rescue groups as if you are helping to care for a colony, and they may assist you in finding a way to vaccinate these cats.

Is My Cat Too Old for Vaccines?

In general, veterinarians no longer consider cats “too old” for most things, and for many reasons! There are many healthy, happy 20-year-old cats that come in for veterinary care that would definitely not be happy to hear they are “too old”! Sometimes, senior cats need the immunity provided by vaccines far more than adult cats. Discuss with your vet what risk factors exist for your senior cats—such as time spent outside, boarding around other cats and dogs, and any medical conditions your cat may have—to determine what vaccines he or she needs, and how often.

Conclusion

Vaccination in cats is an important part of preventing serious illness and keeping our furry friends healthy. Vaccines are part of a lifelong health plan for your cat, not just something done when they are kittens.

Related Read:

• What’s the Price of Cat Vaccinations?
• Rabies Vaccines for Cats: A Complete Guide (Vet Answer)
• Feline Leukemia (FeLV) Vaccines for Cats: A Complete Guide (Vet Answer)

Featured Image Credit: Ilike, Shutterstock

The post When Does My Cat Need Vaccines? Our Vet Explains the Schedule, Side Effects & FAQ by Dr. Lauren Demos (Vet) 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.

Vaccines are designed to protect against a variety of feline diseases, including rabies virus, feline leukemia virus, feline distemper (also called parvovirus), feline calicivirus, and feline herpes virus. The timing of vaccines can be a bit complicated, as well as what vaccines an individual cat actually needs.

Most cats receive a primary series of vaccines as kittens, given every 3–4 weeks until they reach a certain age. For adults, vaccines are given every 1–3 years, depending on what the vaccine is, and what type of lifestyle the adult cat is living.

One of the best ways to keep a cat healthy, is to ensure that they get the specific vaccines they need, which should be discussed on an annual basis with their vet. Vaccines can consist of core and non-core vaccines, depending on a cat’s lifestyle (i.e., indoor vs outdoor, how often they might board in a cattery, etc.), age, and other risk factors. Core vaccines are designed to protect against infectious diseases that are either life-threatening, or commonly encountered by the majority of cats. Non-core vaccines are those which may not be needed, depending on a particular cat’s risk factors.

To find out which vaccines an indoor cat generally needs, and the timing of these vaccines, read on!

How Do Vaccines Work?

To understand how vaccine schedules in cats are timed, you first need to understand how vaccines work, and what are core vaccines versus non-core vaccines.

Some vaccines, called “killed” vaccines, contain inactive DNA or RNA from a pathogen, such as a virus or bacteria. Some vaccines, called “modified live” vaccines,  contain less pathogenic forms of the normal virus or bacteria. Some vaccines, called “vectored” or “recombinant” vaccines, contain only a small part of a virus or bacteria inserted into an organism, called a plasmid, that acts to amplify this portion of the virus or bacteria once an animal is vaccinated.

Modified live and killed vaccines are some of the original, more traditional vaccines. Vectored vaccines are a more recent scientific development. Each type of vaccines have possible pros and cons.

After receiving a vaccine, the body recognizes the foreign material contained in the vaccine, and produces an immune response. This response takes about 7–14 days to reach a peak response. This has to do with why vaccines are timed 3–4 weeks apart—to allow for this response, and then a settling of the immune system, before challenging it again with another vaccine.

Some vaccines made to combat infectious diseases that cats don’t routinely encountered, such as rabies, are considered effective after a single dose. Conversely, vaccines made to fight viruses that cats do commonly encounter, or that may have antibiodies received from their mom, generally require a minimum of two doses, sometimes more, depending on the cat’s age.

What Vaccines Does an Indoor Only Cat Need?

To determine what vaccines an indoor cat requires, they first need to be separated into kittens and adults.

Kittens receive their first vaccines in what is called a “primary vaccine course”. This involves vaccines that generally start around 8 weeks of age, and continue every 3–4 weeks, until they are 16 weeks of age or older. After 16 weeks of age, most kittens then need their next vaccine one year later.

Primary vaccines in kittens include their core vaccines (e.g., parvovirus, herpesvirus, and calicivirus), and potentially feline leukemia and rabies—depending on where they live, and their lifestyle risk factors. Rabies vaccines cannot be given to kittens until they are at least 12 weeks old.

Adult indoor cats fall into two categories for which vaccines they might need. For adult cats that have never been vaccinated, they generally get primary vaccines (just as a kitten would), along with a single booster 3–4 weeks later. The reason for this booster is that a single vaccine for herpes, calcicivirus, and panleukopenia may not be fully effective—therefore, a second vaccine provides a bit more protection. Rabies, on the other hand, produces good results after a single vaccine, making a single vaccine sufficient.

For adult cats that received their primary course as kittens, they generally receive boosters either annually or triennially, depending on the vaccine, how much time they spend outside or boarding with other cats, as well as their age.

What Are The Minimum Vaccines My Indoor Cat Needs?

Once they are an adult, an indoor-only cat that lives in an area without rabies may only need the following vaccines:

The above may be given every three years, for some low risk cats. However, it is always a discussion to have with your veterinarian, to determine what vaccines, and what vaccine schedule, your cat needs.

Are There Instances Where A Cat Vaccine Schedule Might Change?

There are certain instances in which a cat may be deemed not healthy enough to receive a vaccine. Alternately, it might be too early for them to receive a vaccine. A veterinarian may choose to delay vaccination of a cat for the following reasons:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are possible vaccine side effects?

Vaccines, as with any medication, can have potential side effects. One of the more well-known side effects, particularly in cats, is called a vaccine-associated fibrosarcoma. Fibrosarcomas are a cancer that forms from the cells forming the connective tissue layer under the skin. There is strong evidence to suggest that a combination of genetics, and certain vaccines, and vaccine adjuvants, can lead to the formation of these cancers in cats.

Many of these vaccines are now made in a different manner, to not contain adjuvants, and most vaccines in cats are also now given in specific locations of the body—so that if one of these cancers occurs, the vaccine that may have played a role can be identified.

Some common side effect for vaccines in cats include lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea. Cats rarely develop anaphylaxis, or life-threatening allergic reactions to vaccines, facial swelling, hives, the same way many other species are prone to developing. If your cat does experience any reactions to a vaccine, report it to your vet, as the way your cat is vaccinated may need to be adjusted, moving forward.

How are vaccines given?

Most vaccines for cats are injections given under the skin, and are generally about 1 ml in volume. Other forms of vaccines include nasal drops and transdermal vaccines, but these are uncommonly encountered.

My cat is late for their vaccine. Does that change the schedule?

It depends. If your cat is a day or two late, or even a week late, for their annual booster, it is generally not a problem. If your cat is more than a week or two late for their primary course booster, they may need an additional booster vaccine.

Is my cat too old for vaccines?

In general, veterinarians no longer consider cats “too old” for most things. Sometimes, senior cats need the immunity provided from vaccines far more than adult cats. Discuss what risk factors exist for your senior cat—such as time spent outside,  boarding around other cats and dogs, and any medical conditions—with your veterinarian, to determine which vaccines they recommend, and how often.

Conclusion

Vaccination in indoor cats is an important part of preventing serious illness, and keeping our furry friends healthy. Vaccines are not just something done once when they are kittens, they are a part of a lifelong health plan for your cat.

Featured Image Credit: Africa Studio, Shutterstock

The post What Vaccines Does My Indoor Cat Need? (Vet Answer) by Dr. Lauren Demos (Vet) 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.

Routine care for your cat will often include giving them a monthly or tri-monthly flea treatment. Thanks to modern medicine, this has never been easier, as flea medicine is now often found in topical form—where the medication can be applied directly to the skin and absorbed. This prevents the dreaded pilling of a cat, which has sparked many a funny memes and YouTube videos about the dreaded process.

However, that doesn’t mean that a topical application is always as straightforward as one might hope or expect. Cats are masters at causing trouble, and sometimes, applying flea medicine is no exception. In instances where the medication runs a bit, it is applied too far down on the body, or a cat scratches at it, they may also have the chance to ingest some of this medication.

Read on to learn about what to do when this happens!

How Do Topical Flea Medications Work?

The more modern forms of topical flea treatments are applied under the fur, directly to the cat’s skin. When doing so, make sure that you are using a cat-specific treatment, as some dog treatments can cause cats to get very ill, have a seizure, or even die!

Once applied to the skin, the medication spreads through the skin and is absorbed into the body. Often, this means the treatment will last for 30 days or longer.

Older flea medications may contain pyrethroids; flea treatments for dogs also often include these products. While they may be ok for dogs, they are definitely not ok for cats, and can cause severe toxicity and illness in this species. This article does not address these specific medications, but does highlight the need to ensure that your cat receives only cat-specific flea treatments.

What Signs Might I See if My Cat Licks or Eats Flea Medicine?

As mentioned, cats may lick flea medicine after it has been applied. In those instances, you might see clinical signs including the following:

Is it Dangerous if My Cats Licks Flea Medicine?

The answer is: it depends. In most instances, these medications have a fairly high safety margin, which means that licking or ingesting a small amount of the product shouldn’t cause problems for most cats. Further, this is only a concern when the product is still fresh or wet. Once it’s dry, licking of it shouldn’t occur. The above-mentioned signs seem to relate to the taste of the medication, rather than a reaction to the medication itself. However, if you have concerns, contact your vet or Animal Poison Control immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why Did My Cat Lick the Flea Medicine?

Great question! Most cats like to be clean, fastidious creatures. Therefore, when we apply something foreign to their haircoat, it likely feels quite odd for them!

Further, the wet sensation of the liquid may cause them to want to lick their coat.

And finally, many of these products do have a smell. For cats, whose sense of smell is far better than ours, the smell is likely quite pungent and even offensive. To them, licking is the easy way to remedy the situation.

How Can I Prevent My Cat From Licking Flea Medication?

Placement of the medication is key. Begin by placing the medication high up enough on your cat’s body, so that they do not have access to lick the medication. This generally means somewhere on the back of their neck, or even the back of their head. However, cats can also get a hind foot up to scratch the area of flea medicine application, which can drag the product down the side of their neck to where they can lick it. Again, by putting the medication high on the neck or head, it should still limit their ability to access any of the spillages.

Also, some of these medications come in very reasonable volumes. Rather than applying the entire vial in the same spot, it can help to apply the product in two or three locations, which will limit the chances of the medication running.

What Can I Do to Help My Cat if They Lick Flea Medication?

If they lick flea medication after it is applied, consider offering them a tasty treat or two to help take the taste out of their mouth. This can include offering some treats, or something like tuna (assuming your cat isn’t allergic to fish!) to try and remove the bitter taste from the medication. In many instances, cats will refuse to eat the food in the heat of the moment, but it never hurts to offer.

Conclusion

In some instances, a cat that licks a cat-approved flea medicine might feel a bit nauseous or have a bad taste in their mouth. But it is uncommon that eating a small amount of the medication will lead to major concerns. However, if something doesn’t look or feel right, don’t hesitate to reach out to your vet, or to a Pet Poison Hotline.

Featured Image Credit: TeamK, Pixabay

The post My Cat Licked Flea Medicine! Here’s What to Do (Vet Answer) by Dr. Lauren Demos (Vet) appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

You spend what feels like hours trying to pick a cat food that you think they will like—online shopping, reading reviews, maybe picking up a few tasty looking cans in the store, as well. Will they like dry or wet? Chunks, shreds, or pate? Large kibble or small?

But, you get home, and start to offer up all the new, tasty treats. Much to your dismay, your cat may sniff or lick their new food, without actually eating it. What drives this behavior? What does your cat not like about the new food? Or is something more going on?

Read on to learn more about what it means when your cat licks food, but does not eat it.

Picking a Cat Food

There are a variety of factors to consider when choosing a cat food.

First, any medical considerations should be accommodated. This might mean various life stages (kitten, adult, senior), or breed-specific foods. Dietary intolerances, such as food allergies, are another consideration, as can be kidney disease.

For healthy cats, picking a food that is of high quality and from a reputable brand are strong primary considerations. Next, whether your cat will eat wet or dry food is important to consider, as both have potential benefits. For dry foods, things such as kibble size, shape, and flavors are important. For wet food, similarly, the composition of the food (chunks, gravy, pate, broth) matter, as do protein type and flavor. Cats are far more likely to lick a gravy-based wet food that has chunks, and leave behind the chunks. Possibly because it is easier, or possibly because they may not like what the chunks are made of!

Licking But Not Eating: Possible Causes

Cats might lick their food, but not eat it for a variety of reasons, including the following:

Dry Food or Wet Food

The answer is: it depends. This is a tricky question that might not have an easy answer. Water content in food is hugely important for cats, and wet food has a higher water content. However, some cats may prefer dry food and refuse wet food altogether. There is annectdotal evidence that dry food may help with some dental issues, as well. For now, a combination of both wet and dry food is a good route to go with for your cat.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why did my cat stop eating a food they previously liked?

Great question! Sometimes cats will stop eating a food they previously had no issues with. This can often be a sign of something more serious occurring. So, when in doubt, contact your vet.

More commonly, this can be associated with dental disease, which may cause pain or difficulty in chewing. Issues that cause GI upset or nausea can also cause a cat to loose their appetite, including chronic kidney disease, and pancreatitis. Other times, a cat may simply change their preference for their food.

My cat won’t eat wet food at all. Why is that?

Some cats have strong food preferences, and if they didn’t learn to like the texture of wet food in their formative kitten period, they may not like wet food as an adult. Sometimes, it is impossible to train them otherwise!

How long can canned food sit out if my cat doesn’t eat it right away?

The length of time that canned food can sit out depends on multiple factors, such as whether it is indoors or outdoors, the ambient temperature, and whether it is in direct sunlight or not, amongst others. As a rule of thumb, if you wouldn’t eat your own food after leaving it out for that period of time, it’s probably time to ditch the food and start fresh!

Conclusion

A variety of reasons can cause cats to lick their food but not eat it. While it may simply be a matter of their food preference, such behavior can sometimes can be indicative of more serious medical issues. So, if ever in doubt, don’t hesitate to reach out to your veterinarian for medical help.

Featured Image Credit: mik ulyannikov, Shutterstock

The post Why Does My Cat Lick Food But Not Eat? (Vet Answer) by Dr. Lauren Demos (Vet) 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.