Beauticat http://beauticat.com Meowing all the way! Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:00:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 en About eight weeks ago now I noticed my almost 8 year old calico, Angel, losing weight. I… http://beauticat.com/2008/08/25/about-eight-weeks-ago-now-i-noticed-my-almost-8-year-old-calico-angel-losing-weight-i/ http://beauticat.com/2008/08/25/about-eight-weeks-ago-now-i-noticed-my-almost-8-year-old-calico-angel-losing-weight-i/#comments Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:00:00 +0000 http://beauticat.com/2008/08/25/about-eight-weeks-ago-now-i-noticed-my-almost-8-year-old-calico-angel-losing-weight-i/ I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your calico Angel. Your story, as sad as it is, unfortunately is not unique. Many cats do not show signs of illness until they are very ill. Weight loss is one sign that can be very significant and should not be taken lightly. There are no particular questions to ask your veterinarian unless you have noticed any changes in Turtle. In older cats, changes in weight, mobility, attitude, appetite and water drinking can be particular important. I would be sure your veterinarian does a full physical exam from nose to tail to check for any signs of disease. Lab work can also be helpful to screen your cat for any early disease as well. Hopefully, Turtle will check out well and you’ll have many more good years with her.

Original post by Cat Advice (Emotional): Purina® Cat Chow® Mentor Amy Shojai and software by Elliott Back

]]> http://beauticat.com/2008/08/25/about-eight-weeks-ago-now-i-noticed-my-almost-8-year-old-calico-angel-losing-weight-i/feed/ Can you please tell me the signs of overall good health in a cat because I just need… http://beauticat.com/2008/08/25/can-you-please-tell-me-the-signs-of-overall-good-health-in-a-cat-because-i-just-need/ http://beauticat.com/2008/08/25/can-you-please-tell-me-the-signs-of-overall-good-health-in-a-cat-because-i-just-need/#comments Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:00:00 +0000 http://beauticat.com/2008/08/25/can-you-please-tell-me-the-signs-of-overall-good-health-in-a-cat-because-i-just-need/ In general the signs of good health are a healthy appetite, nice shiny coat, normal stools (usually once a day), normal urination (usually 2-3 times a day), and no vomiting. A healthy cat will usually stretch and groom regularly. Cats are tricky though. They often hide disease well and because they sleep such a large part of their day normally, it can be difficult to tell if they are lethargic. Each cat is an individual as well. I would watch your cat’s normal habits and any change in her regular routine is worth noting and contacting your veterinarian if you are concerned.

Original post by Cat Advice (Emotional): Purina® Cat Chow® Mentor Amy Shojai and software by Elliott Back

]]> http://beauticat.com/2008/08/25/can-you-please-tell-me-the-signs-of-overall-good-health-in-a-cat-because-i-just-need/feed/ I have a beautiful female cat that is about 10 years old. She sheds layers of her claws… http://beauticat.com/2008/08/25/i-have-a-beautiful-female-cat-that-is-about-10-years-old-she-sheds-layers-of-her-claws/ http://beauticat.com/2008/08/25/i-have-a-beautiful-female-cat-that-is-about-10-years-old-she-sheds-layers-of-her-claws/#comments Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:00:00 +0000 http://beauticat.com/2008/08/25/i-have-a-beautiful-female-cat-that-is-about-10-years-old-she-sheds-layers-of-her-claws/ I have seen other cats that do this as well, but perhaps not with the vigor you describe. I do not consider this to be unusual unless you are seeing changes in her skin, nails or overall health. Because she has done this for as long as you can remember, I would consider it “normal” for her!

Original post by Cat Advice (Emotional): Purina® Cat Chow® Mentor Amy Shojai and software by Elliott Back

]]> http://beauticat.com/2008/08/25/i-have-a-beautiful-female-cat-that-is-about-10-years-old-she-sheds-layers-of-her-claws/feed/ My cat Skittles is 13 years old. She is an indoor cat. Terrified of the outside. Over the… http://beauticat.com/2008/08/25/my-cat-skittles-is-13-years-old-she-is-an-indoor-cat-terrified-of-the-outside-over-the/ http://beauticat.com/2008/08/25/my-cat-skittles-is-13-years-old-she-is-an-indoor-cat-terrified-of-the-outside-over-the/#comments Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:00:00 +0000 http://beauticat.com/2008/08/25/my-cat-skittles-is-13-years-old-she-is-an-indoor-cat-terrified-of-the-outside-over-the/ I am sorry to hear Skittles is having some issues. Until proven otherwise, I would treat the vomiting and scratching as two separate issues. It’s possible they could be related but just as possible they are not, especially given the time that separated their onset.

Scratching can have multiple causes but in many cases my first thought is of allergies. Cats manifest allergies in their skin not with runny eyes and nose as in humans. Cats can be allergic to many things: grasses, pollens, dust, food ingredients, fleas, wool, detergents, etc. Allergies can be difficult to prove but allergy testing, food trials and symptomatic treatment can help to firm up a diagnosis.

Vomiting as well can have multiple causes in a cat. I think of it like a person with a headache…it could be as simple as lack of sleep or not wearing your glasses or as severe as a brain tumor. I know you said lab work was normal, but I think of lab work as a starting place. There are different levels of lab work. Some lab work may just include a small screen and others may look at more tests. In an older vomiting cat, it’s important to check thyroid levels as part of the lab screen. A urinalysis, x-ray or ultrasound may also be helpful to find the cause. If all labs are normal, I will often think of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This is an inflammation of the intestines, often due to an unknown causes, that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss or decreased appetite. It is very common in our cats and is best diagnosed through biopsy samples taken through endoscope or surgery. Keep working with your veterinarian until you get to the bottom of this. Your veterinarian should also be able to suggest some options to help control your cat’s scratching and vomiting until you get a diagnosis. Hope this helps.

Original post by Cat Advice (Emotional): Purina® Cat Chow® Mentor Amy Shojai and software by Elliott Back

]]> http://beauticat.com/2008/08/25/my-cat-skittles-is-13-years-old-she-is-an-indoor-cat-terrified-of-the-outside-over-the/feed/ I had to take my cat to the vet because she was not herself. It turns out she had a… http://beauticat.com/2008/08/25/i-had-to-take-my-cat-to-the-vet-because-she-was-not-herself-it-turns-out-she-had-a/ http://beauticat.com/2008/08/25/i-had-to-take-my-cat-to-the-vet-because-she-was-not-herself-it-turns-out-she-had-a/#comments Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:00:00 +0000 http://beauticat.com/2008/08/25/i-had-to-take-my-cat-to-the-vet-because-she-was-not-herself-it-turns-out-she-had-a/ First, I am so sorry about the loss of your husband. And now to have a sick cat as well. You in no way made your cat sick! I believe many cats do go through a mourning process as we do. Some cats are also intuitive and sensitive animals towards others’ feelings but do not necessarily manifest their feelings or grief physically. You need to feel the grief and feelings you are feeling. While your cats can be a great comfort, you may also need to turn to friends, family and other support systems.

Fever of unknown origin can be very puzzling and frustrating, usually because of the unknown part. The simple explanation is that this is a fever we can not find a meaning for. Unfortunately, there can be many, many causes. Even in this day and age, with all the tests we can do we may not know what is causing the fever. We start with the simple tests like lab work. Often checking leukemia/aids status can be helpful, along with checking a urine sample or taking an x-ray. As time passes, more diagnostics are done and her response is noted, your veterinarian may have a better idea what is going on. Perhaps even by the time you see this, Piper’s fever will have broken. I wish you the best with this and with all you’re going through. Let us know if you have any other questions.

Original post by Cat Advice (Emotional): Purina® Cat Chow® Mentor Amy Shojai and software by Elliott Back

]]> http://beauticat.com/2008/08/25/i-had-to-take-my-cat-to-the-vet-because-she-was-not-herself-it-turns-out-she-had-a/feed/ My cat graduated from Purina Kitten Chow to the Purina Indoor Formula. I also give him… http://beauticat.com/2008/08/25/my-cat-graduated-from-purina-kitten-chow-to-the-purina-indoor-formula-i-also-give-him/ http://beauticat.com/2008/08/25/my-cat-graduated-from-purina-kitten-chow-to-the-purina-indoor-formula-i-also-give-him/#comments Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:00:00 +0000 http://beauticat.com/2008/08/25/my-cat-graduated-from-purina-kitten-chow-to-the-purina-indoor-formula-i-also-give-him/ In addition to Fancy Feast canned cat foods there are a number of other canned food options available to feed you cat. Friskies canned cat food is similar to Fancy Feast in that it contains 100% complete and balanced nutrition and it comes in a variety of flavors and forms (loaf, sliced, etc). Friskies canned cat food comes in a larger can size so this may be a better option for your cat that demands more food on a daily basis. With respect to dry food, you might try switching to Purina Cat Chow Complete Formula dry cat food. This dry cat food contains a higher level of fat than Cat Chow Indoor Formula, which may help better meet the energy requirements of your cat. Both of these Purina Cat Chow products are 100% complete and balanced to provide the nutrients your adult cat requires.

Original post by Cat Advice (Emotional): Purina® Cat Chow® Mentor Amy Shojai and software by Elliott Back

]]> http://beauticat.com/2008/08/25/my-cat-graduated-from-purina-kitten-chow-to-the-purina-indoor-formula-i-also-give-him/feed/ Is the New Healthful Life Cat Chow a good choice for a cat that needs hairball control… http://beauticat.com/2008/08/25/is-the-new-healthful-life-cat-chow-a-good-choice-for-a-cat-that-needs-hairball-control/ http://beauticat.com/2008/08/25/is-the-new-healthful-life-cat-chow-a-good-choice-for-a-cat-that-needs-hairball-control/#comments Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:00:00 +0000 http://beauticat.com/2008/08/25/is-the-new-healthful-life-cat-chow-a-good-choice-for-a-cat-that-needs-hairball-control/ While Purina Cat Chow brand Healthful Life dry cat food does not make any specific claims regarding hairball control, Healthful Life dry cat food does contain a natural fiber blend to help promote a healthy digestion. Fiber is an important component of diets because it helps keep material moving through the digestive tract. That being said, the addition of a natural fiber blend may be helpful in moving ingested hair through the digestive tract which may help limit the number of hairballs that may be vomited up by your cat.

Original post by Cat Advice (Emotional): Purina® Cat Chow® Mentor Amy Shojai and software by Elliott Back

]]> http://beauticat.com/2008/08/25/is-the-new-healthful-life-cat-chow-a-good-choice-for-a-cat-that-needs-hairball-control/feed/ How can I train my cat not to climb my leg or back? He loves to climb up my leg and he… http://beauticat.com/2008/08/25/how-can-i-train-my-cat-not-to-climb-my-leg-or-back-he-loves-to-climb-up-my-leg-and-he/ http://beauticat.com/2008/08/25/how-can-i-train-my-cat-not-to-climb-my-leg-or-back-he-loves-to-climb-up-my-leg-and-he/#comments Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:00:00 +0000 http://beauticat.com/2008/08/25/how-can-i-train-my-cat-not-to-climb-my-leg-or-back-he-loves-to-climb-up-my-leg-and-he/ Many cats love to be up high and will seek multiple ways to do that, including climbing on their human family members. If other climbing spots are provided such as climbing towers or an empty space on a bookshelf the cat may choose to climb those areas instead. If the cat is trying to get your attention, bending down to pet the cat before he begins to climb and then quickly, but calmly leaving the area may help him learn that he gets petted for staying on the ground, but if he tries to climb on you, you leave.

Original post by Cat Advice (Emotional): Purina® Cat Chow® Mentor Amy Shojai and software by Elliott Back

]]> http://beauticat.com/2008/08/25/how-can-i-train-my-cat-not-to-climb-my-leg-or-back-he-loves-to-climb-up-my-leg-and-he/feed/ I have a 3 year old shorthaired mix breed cat named Whiskers. I feed her in the A.M. when… http://beauticat.com/2008/08/25/i-have-a-3-year-old-shorthaired-mix-breed-cat-named-whiskers-i-feed-her-in-the-am-when/ http://beauticat.com/2008/08/25/i-have-a-3-year-old-shorthaired-mix-breed-cat-named-whiskers-i-feed-her-in-the-am-when/#comments Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:00:00 +0000 http://beauticat.com/2008/08/25/i-have-a-3-year-old-shorthaired-mix-breed-cat-named-whiskers-i-feed-her-in-the-am-when/ Cats can often become anxious and irritable if food is not provided in a manner that works for them. Many cats prefer to eat multiple small meals a day and in a home with more than one cat it is useful to have more than one feeding station. Most cats also like their feeding time to be regular, rather than differ from day to day. Finally, although we always want to pet our cats, some do not like to be stroked for long periods of time. Keeping a journal may help determine more about your cats moods. If the problem continues, help from a veterinary behaviorist would be advisable.

Original post by Cat Advice (Emotional): Purina® Cat Chow® Mentor Amy Shojai and software by Elliott Back

]]> http://beauticat.com/2008/08/25/i-have-a-3-year-old-shorthaired-mix-breed-cat-named-whiskers-i-feed-her-in-the-am-when/feed/ I have a 14 year old female cat named, So-Crates. I have had her since she was 6 weeks… http://beauticat.com/2008/08/25/i-have-a-14-year-old-female-cat-named-so-crates-i-have-had-her-since-she-was-6-weeks/ http://beauticat.com/2008/08/25/i-have-a-14-year-old-female-cat-named-so-crates-i-have-had-her-since-she-was-6-weeks/#comments Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:00:00 +0000 http://beauticat.com/2008/08/25/i-have-a-14-year-old-female-cat-named-so-crates-i-have-had-her-since-she-was-6-weeks/ Some elderly cats suffer from hypertension and if that makes them uncomfortable they may cry at times-so having her blood pressure checked would be a good idea. Although a cat does not appear to show pain when they move or when they are touched, they still could have arthritis or dental disease that needs attention, so these should also be explored. In addition, some elderly cats do become senile and the most common sign is vocalization at odd times. Some newer supplements on the market are helpful in diminishing the signs of aging, so please discuss these with your veterinarian.

Original post by Cat Advice (Emotional): Purina® Cat Chow® Mentor Amy Shojai and software by Elliott Back

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