Health

Heart murmur in cats is a condition that has the potential to affect a cat’s life in many ways. As a pet owner, it can be worrying. We’ve listed all you need to know about feline heart murmur, including the clinical signs (or symptoms) and treatment. Read on to find out more.

Cat eye drops can be a useful treatment for irritated and infected eyes. But how do you know when to use them and how to apply them? It’s important to consult the vet before purchasing or administering any eye drops to your cat. Keep reading to find out why.

Blood in a cat’s urine is a worrying sight. Also known as ‘haematuria’, it can be a sign of a few different urinary tract conditions which is why it’s important to get your cat checked by a vet. Our article covers what other symptoms to look out for, what it could mean for your cat and ways to prevent it.

Understanding Weight Changes in Ageing Cats First things first, we need to understand that weight changes in ageing cats is normal, and they often occur in two distinct stages. As cats enter their senior years, they may become less active, which can lead to weight gain if we don’t adjust their diet, same as with dogs. However, as cats become geriatric, they tend to lose weight – both fat and muscle. This loss can be due to several factors, from dental problems, that make eating painful, to a decrease in their sense of smell and taste, as well as changes in their metabolism. Studies have shown that after the age of 11, a cat's metabolic rate can actually increase, while their digestion and ability to absorb nutrients decrease. Many cats over 12 struggle to digest fat (up to a third) and protein, which can lead to weight loss even if they're eating the same amount. This is why it's important to consider a cat's age when feeding them. Energy provision may need to be slightly decreased from 7 to 11 years old, but then increased from 12 years old onwards to account for these metabolic changes. In some cases, senior cats may actually need more food after the age of 12 to maintain a healthy weight.

When it comes to living with a cat allergen sensitivity, it’s not easy, but it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Some of the practices and advice you may find suggested online aren’t feline-friendly and can negatively affect your relationship with your cat. For example, bathing your cat can be a really stressful experience, for both of you. Although bathing will lower the levels of allergens present on your cat's hair, the effect is short-lived with the levels returning to baseline within 24 hours of bathing. Similarly, keeping a cat outside, particularly one that has been used to living indoors or keeping them restricted to a certain part of the house, can also result in increased levels of stress for them. Love finds a way and there are safe, easy and feline-friendly steps you can take to help manage cat allergens in your home, while also maintaining your close bond with your cat.

Social behaviour has changed andon average, people are now spending around 90% of their time indoors. With this in mind, there’s also many of the allergens that cause sensitivities inside our homes alongside us. Our indoor environments are often poorly ventilated, causing humidity to rise and creating ideal conditions for mould and house dust mites to thrive in our soft furnishings and bedding. And as a nation of pet lovers, our pets are often living indoors too, which can also add to the allergens we contend with. Our homes should be our sanctuary, but for 1 in 5 of us who are sensitive to cat allergens¹,², the home environment isn't always so safe and relaxing.