Health

Even if you keep a close eye on your cat's health it’s a good idea to take them to the vet for an annual wellness and cat health check-up. Looking after cats is fun but it's also full of responsibilities, including taking your pet to the vet. Sometimes it takes a professional eye to detect subtle changes in your pet’s health, especially as cats are very good at hiding their illnesses. Luckily, your vet will be very good at detective work.

Liver disease in cats is a fairly common condition which can be effectively managed when spotted early on. If your vet has diagnosed a liver condition in your cat, providing your cat with the right diet is essential to helping them stay healthy in the long term. This article explains why the liver is important, what kinds of problems can occur, and how nutrition can help improve your cat’s quality of life.

When the weather gets warmer, your cat will probably want to drink more water. However, on occasion, if your cat is drinking a lot, it may signal an underlying problem. Read on to find out about your cat’s water intake, and how to spot any problems.

Caring for a newborn kitten can be daunting. The type of care you provide will depend on whether the mother is present or whether you have found this kitten on their own. In this article, we will talk you through the essentials of kitten care, what you should keep in mind as you raise this feline through the early years of their life and how to bring up a strong, healthy and confident cat.

Have you noticed your cat pawing at their eye which, all of a sudden, has become red and swollen? Your feline friend might suffer from cat conjunctivitis. Find out what it means, what’s causing it and what you can do to help this uncomfortable eye condition go away. If you’ve just discovered your cat has a sore-looking eye or they are trying to rub their eye with their paw, on furniture or along the floor, chances are your pet is suffering from a case of cat conjunctivitis. While you’re waiting for your vet appointment, find out more about this eye condition and what to expect when you visit the vets.

Cat ears – just like ours – are sensitive things, and should always be handled with care. Your cat’s ears should always be clean, with no thick brown or green waxy discharge, and there shouldn’t be any redness, itchiness or unusual smells. If your cat starts to scratch their ears, shake their head more than normal, hold their head to one side or rub one side of their face, they might be trying to let you know something’s not quite right. One of the main reasons why you should take them to the vet to have their ears checked is because severe cat ear problems can have more serious effects and lead to ear infections. Here are the signs and possible solutions for a cat dealing with ear problems such as infections.

If you’re expecting new bundles of fur arriving at your home soon, it can be exciting – but perhaps a little daunting too. As long as you are prepared and know what to expect, there is no need to worry unduly - pregnant cats are usually more than capable of taking care of themselves, although they will still need close care and supervision from you during labour. As they often try to sneak away to give birth in private, you’ll need to keep a close eye on them in the last few weeks just in case! Speak to your vet if you have any concerns about pregnancy in cats, or are worried about your cat giving birth. Their advice should help to put your mind at rest. Here are some helpful tips from our Pet Care Team to help you be as prepared as possible for when your cat becomes a new mum.

Excessive grooming can be a response to changes in your cat’s environment they’re struggling to come to terms with. Your cat is naturally on a mission to keep their coat clean, at times spending a lot of their waking time self-grooming. But sometimes their behaviour can take a turn into excessive cat grooming. Find out why this happens and what you can do to help your cat.

Pregnancy is both wonderful and wonderfully tiring, for you and your pet. One important thing you can do to help your mum-to-be is to give her the nutritional support she needs. Choosing the right feeding plan during pregnancy will ensure that she grows fit kittens, and has the strength to handle birth and nursing her newborns. The adult food you normally give your cat is great for her everyday diet, but it won’t provide the extra boost she’ll need when expecting. For a happy mum and healthy kittens, pick a formula that will meet her new requirements. A high-quality kitten food will provide all the necessary nutrients when feeding your pregnant cat. Start weaning her onto it from mating until a few weeks after giving birth, to keep her strong and give her the energy she needs to support her new kittens. Pregnant cats need higher amounts of calories and protein, both of which can be found in a high quality kitten food. Switching mum onto a kitten food will also help her litter, as they’ll be able to copy her and try some of her solid food as they wean off her milk. We have a selection of products to suit a variety of diets that you can try.

The decision to neuter your cat is one of the most important choices you will make as a pet owner. It can significantly improve your cat's health and behaviour. Neutering can help reduce the risk of certain cancers, prevent unwanted litters, and minimise roaming and territorial behaviours. The Purina Pet Care Team are here to help answer some of the most commonly asked questions, so that you can make a decision that’s best for you and your cat.

Keeping your cat at a healthy weight is important for their wellbeing. But sometimes it is difficult to tell what that ideal weight should be. Discover an easy, step-by-step tool to check your cat’s current and ideal size. Cats come in all shapes and sizes so it’s sometimes tricky to determine whether yours is the right weight or not – after all, you love them regardless of any extra pounds! But size does matter when it comes to health, and excess weight on your cat can cause problems. So, what is a healthy cat weight?

Complications are rare in cat pregnancies, but can occasionally happen. To help your cat bring bundles of fur into the world with ease, the Purina Pet Care team share their advice on how to spot warning signs early on. It’s so exciting when your cat is expecting, and as a loving pet owner we understand that you might worry and want to give extra tender loving care to your pet at this time. Luckily as cats are usually more than capable of looking after themselves, you shouldn’t have anything to be concerned about. Several symptoms could signal a problem with your cat’s pregnancy. If you notice any of these, contact your vet immediately: • She loses interest in her food. A drop in appetite can occur just prior to delivery, but she should be bright and well in every other way throughout her term. • She is visibly distressed, agitated, crying more than usual, or is noticeably licking her vulval area without producing any kittens. • You see any abnormal, bad-smelling vaginal discharge or bleeding at any point in her pregnancy or labour. • She goes to the toilet more often, passes blood or squats without producing pee. These could signal a uterine infection, which could potentially affect her kittens if left untreated.