Cat Health and Nutrition
How to keep your cat happy and healthy
Cat Health and Nutrition
Cat scratch fever is an incredibly rare bacterial infection that can affect humans when a cat's claws or teeth break the skin. Read our guide to discover everything you need to know about the rare disease, including what causes it and who's generally most at risk.
Hernias in cats are quite uncommon but they can still occur, and if they're caught early enough they generally aren't serious. Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about hernias in cats and what you should do if you think your kitty has one.
Cats are incredibly clean creatures, but sometimes they may need a little bit of help cleaning those hard to reach places like their ears. Find out how to clean a cats ears and what you should be looking out for with our handy guide.
Can cats have Down syndrome? Keep on reading to find out if cats can get it and the possible symptoms.
This winter season, be aware of how best to take care of your cat during the cold months and what their needs may be. In this article, we’ll list the important factors you should look out for in terms of winter cat care to make sure your pet is safe.
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?
Soon, it will be that time of year again when we all gather together in parties and count down the end of the year and the beginning of the new one. New Year is a great chance to begin over and to make a list of resolutions. If you are like us, you have already started on that list and have full intentions of keeping your resolutions!
Playing with your cat is one of the most enjoyable things about owning one, and it’s very important for their health, from kittenhood right through to old age. Play encourages your cat to be active, keep supple and maintain a good body condition. Even better, playing is a great cat exercise that helps encourage them to express their natural hunting instincts.
Most cats enjoy treats almost as much as they love a good snooze, but unfortunately what they want isn’t always good for them!
To help your cat stay as healthy and happy as possible, Purina recommends giving them a regular check to assess their body condition score. This score gives you lots of clues about your cat’s weight and health.
Playing with your cat is one of the most enjoyable things about owning one, and it’s very important for their health, from kittenhood right through to old age. Play encourages your cat to be active, keep supple and maintain a good body condition. Even better, playing is a great cat exercise that helps encourage them to express their natural hunting instincts.
Playing with your lovable cat is an invaluable part of your relationship with them. What’s more, playing on a daily basis helps both of you stay physically and emotionally healthy – what more excuse do you need?
Just like us, cats can put on a few extra pounds, especially as they get older and become less active, or if they spend every day indoors. It’s important to prevent your cat from putting on too much weight, as overweight cats can face many health implications that can prevent them from enjoying a happy and healthy lifestyle.
No pet owner wants a time to come when they have to think about cat amputation, but if your cat’s had an accident or is unwell and surgery can stop their pain, it can be the kindest thing to do.
Of course not all cats go blind, and if they do they can still lead a wonderful, fun-filled life. However, if you realise your cat is going blind, there are a few changes you should make to help them out.
Just like their personalities, each cat’s dietary needs are slightly different – and sometimes, this means they need an altogether different kind of food. Luckily, there are lots of options to choose from.
After your cat’s operation they might be out of sorts for a while, but with a bit of extra love and care from you, they’ll soon be back to pouncing, exploring and playing as normal.
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.
Cat fleas are very normal, and they’re the most common reason for a cat to develop a skin problem.
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.
Ticks can be a painful problem that your cat may have to face. Find out how to prevent and treat cat ticks below.
Fleas are extremely common, and they’re the most common reason for a cat to develop a skin problem.
True allergies are thankfully very rare in cats, and can often be confused with the more common (and less severe) food intolerances. Learn how to spot if your cat has an allergy, and what you can do to get them back to their happy and healthy selves again.
We understand that as a loving cat owner, you want your pet to be as happy and healthy as possible. As cats can’t tell us what’s wrong when they don’t feel well, it can be difficult to know when they might need help.
Have you gone to give your cat a loving stroke and felt that their fur isn’t as thick as it usually is, or have noticed that there’s a bald patch on your cat? There are a number of reasons why your cat could be losing their fur and it’s always important to get your vet to take a closer look to solve the problem of hair loss in cats.
Flu in cats can be just like human flu: symptoms include a runny nose and achy muscles, and plenty of TLC is needed for recovery. Learn how to spot the signs and symptoms of flu and how it can be treated.
Your cat’s skin is a good general indicator of their health. It should be pink or black (depending on the breed) and their coat should be smooth and shiny.
Cat's kidneys play several important roles in keeping your pet healthy including removing toxins, maintaining their blood pressure and helping to produce hormones for new red blood cells. With so much to do, it’s perhaps not surprising that as cats get older, it’s quite common for their kidneys to wear out after working so hard.
If you’ve noticed that your pet is having problems going to the toilet, it may be down to Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD). This is a broad term that’s used to describe a number of urinary tract conditions that affect cats’ bladders and urethras.
Your cat loves to run about, climb, pounce on toys and go exploring all day long – and this doesn’t have to change even if they are diagnosed with cat diabetes.
Your cat’s sense of exploration is one of the things that makes them so precious to you, but it sometimes means you have to keep an eye out for things that can harm them, too. There are many harmful substances and poisonous foods for cats that your feline friend might come across in their lifetime, so it’s important that you know which to keep out of their reach in the home.
While they’re not quite as likely to gate crash the Easter egg stash and gobble the lot like a dog might, cats can sometimes get a taste for chocolate. Most owners know that chocolate is bad for dogs, but do you know if cats can eat chocolate?
With all the enjoyment your pet gives you, and you them, it’s easy to forget that as well as being valued family members there are many ways in which your cat can affect your health too.
Did you know that eight out of ten cats over the age of three have tooth and gum problems? Just like our own teeth, your cat’s teeth accumulate plaque and if this isn’t kept under control, it can lead to tartar and even periodontal disease. You know how important it is to look after your own teeth, so make sure you give that same care and attention to your furry friend’s cat dental care.
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.
Most cats take real pride in their appearance, spending almost half their waking hours preening themselves to perfection. Being independent creatures, cats are keen to look after themselves, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t lend a hand in their pampering routine. Grooming your cat plays a big part in caring for your pet and regular maintenance will mean your cat looks great and feels great too!
Your cat is having kittens – what wonderful news! Amongst all of the excitement, remember that your cat may need extra care, comfort and affection when pregnant.
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 PetCare team share their advice on how to spot warning signs early on.
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.
As a cat lover, you’ll want your furry friend to lead a long, healthy, happy and active life. One of the best ways to achieve this is by making sure your cat’s diet has the right balance of the five major nutrient groups: protein, fats & oils, vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates.
As indoor cats don’t have the same opportunities to exercise as their outdoor counterparts, it can be tougher for them to keep trim.
Unlike humans, cats should only really drink one thing – water. Despite popular belief, milk is not good for cats, so it’s best to steer clear of dairy. But why?
We care as much about cats as you do, and we know that you want the best for your feline friend. When we develop our cat foods, we spend a lot of time talking to cat lovers and they remind us time and time again that each pet is unique in their own way.
As a cat-lover, you’ll know how tempting it can be to give your furry friend treats and titbits to eat alongside their main meals.
Cats are known for being proud and particular pets, and that doesn’t stop when it comes to what they eat! Like us, each cat will have their own favourite food and flavours, so fussy eating cats might turn their nose up at something that doesn’t tantalise their taste buds.
If your cat is fussy about water, it might be time to find a new water bowl. There are lots of different options out there, so with a little research, you’ll be able to find the ideal bowl for your pet.
Once your cat has reached their first birthday, it’s time to think about a regular cat feeding routine. As they change from a playful kitten to a full-grown adult cat, it’s important to make sure they have all the right nutrients they need to stay happy and healthy.
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.
Cats don’t usually need baths, but there are some exceptional circumstances. If they’re rolled in something that they can’t wash off themselves, or they have long hair which has become matted, a bath might be a good idea.