Health

Just like us, cats can put on a few extra pounds, especially as they get older and become less active, or if they spend too much time indoors. However, it’s important to try and prevent your cat from putting on excessive amounts of weight as overweight cats can face many health problems that can prevent them from enjoying a happy and healthy lifestyle. Cat obesity affects around one in three adult cats in the UK population. That’s a lot of porky pets! The good news is that you can do a lot to help your feline friend keep their weight under control. By monitoring your cat’s weight and body condition, you can help reduce their chances of developing health issues that are common in overweight cats such as diabetes, osteoarthritis, lower urinary tract problems, and constipation.

As well as lots of love and attention, it’s important to give your cat the best protection possible if they get lost or they go missing. Microchipping your cat, gives them the very best chance of being found and safely returned to you if they should wander off.

Is your cat lethargic with a reduced appetite? There are many possible causes for these symptoms, but pancreatitis in cats is one to be aware of. Find out more about this condition including its diagnosis and management. The pancreas is one of the organs in the abdomen. It has roles in digestion and also produces insulin to help control blood sugar levels after eating. Pancreatitis in cats refers to inflammation of this organ, and is a more common disease than previously thought. This guide will help you to notice possible symptoms of pancreatitis and find out more about the condition.

As a loving pet owner, you’re bound to want the absolute best for your cat, and this all starts with making sure that they are as happy and healthy as possible.

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.

What do you do when you find a stray cat? When a cat comes to your window, meowing for food and water, what steps should you take?

As a responsible cat owner, it’s important to keep up to date with your kitten’s vaccinations to protect them from a range of diseases. Read about when to vaccinate your cat or kitten and what to expect here. Cat vaccinations are vital to help protect them from common illnesses and to help keep them healthy. Additionally, kitten vaccinations are a condition of boarding for most reputable catteries and they are completely necessary if you want to travel abroad with your cat or kitten. Cat vaccines can be divided into two different types: core and non-core. Core vaccines are recommended for all kittens, and non-core vaccines are given depending on the risk to an individual cat. Discuss with your vet which vaccines are best suited to your cat.

Spending lots of time indoors can get boring for all after a while, and that feeling extends to your pets too! That’s why we’ve put together this article to give you lots of handy tips for keeping your cat or dog entertained inside your home. When the whole family is cooped up inside for extended periods of time, you may find it difficult to come up with new activities for your family and pets. Fortunately, there are a number of enrichment activities you can set up indoors for both cats and dogs and some can even involve the kids. These activities can provide your pet with much-needed mental stimulation and help prevent boredom, which can lead to destructive behaviours if left unchecked.

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.