Like humans, cats need a balanced diet and to maintain a healthy weight, for optimal physiological functioning. Feeding your cat too much can lead to obesity; feeding your cat too little can lead to malnourishment. Furthermore, a cat may have an aversion to a certain cat food or a condition causing loss

In addition to nutrition and weight management, oral care is another component that plays a part in a cat’s overall health. By lessening plaque buildup and stopping the plaque from forming dental tartar, you can prevent or control periodontal (gum) disease in your cat. Destruction of the teeth, tongue,

Cats are curious beings, and that curiosity can lead to injuries that affect their ability to move effortlessly through their environment. Of course, injuries are not the only source that can cause musculoskeletal limitations; sometimes, congenital defects may be the cause of a musculoskeletal problem. Orthopedists

Pneumonia is a condition in which the lungs and airways are inflamed, making it hard for your cat to breathe or get enough oxygen in his or her blood. A viral infection in your cat’s lower respiratory tract is the most common cause of pneumonia. However, a cat can catch pneumonia several different

Rabies deaths are uncommon in the U.S .these days, and public health officials intend to keep it that way. That’s why rabies vaccinations are required for cats and dogs in many states. Even indoor cats have to follow the law. Millions of animals—and more than 50,000 humans—around the world die

As with people, cats’ lungs allow them to breathe and transfer oxygen from the breath into the blood. Unfortunately, many things go wrong with their little lungs, making feline respiratory issues common. Here are a few things to look out for that could signal that your cat is suffering from a respiratory

Ringworm is a common skin condition in cats. In spite of its name, this condition is actually caused by a fungus, not a worm. One of the symptoms, though, is a circular rash on the skin that resembles a ring. However, this ring does not always appear. Cause of Ringworm The fungi that cause ringworm come

A small number of cats develop various skin conditions, sometimes more than one condition at the same time. Skin conditions can affect a cat’s appearance, as well as increase its risk of more serious skin infections. Causes of Skin Conditions Several factors can affect a cat’s skin, along with related

Unless you plan on breeding your cat, spaying or neutering it is the best way to slow down feline overpopulation. Many cats that are born each year end up in overcrowded shelters or are abandoned in the wild. Spaying or neutering your cat early in its life can prevent this unnecessary suffering. Benefits

Staphylococcus aureus is a type of bacteria that commonly live on the skin in both people and animals. Usually, this does not cause any problems. However, sometimes the bacteria can change so that the antibiotic methicillin no longer works on them—meaning, this drug cannot slow their growth or kill

Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by a parasite named Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). This parasite is very common and shows up in pets, people and nearly all other warm-blooded mammals. In spite of this, the parasite does not usually cause any real problems in cats. Life Cycle of the Toxoplasmosis Parasite T.

A cat’s urinary system can be negatively affected due to a variety of reasons, including suffering from an endocrine disease, such as diabetes mellitus and hyperthyroidism. More often, however, the cause of a urinary problem is a feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). When problems with the urinary

In order to understand how vestibular problems exist, one must first look at the vestibular system, which consists of the parts of the inner ear (vestibular apparatus) and brain (medulla) that help regulate balance and eye movements. The vestibular apparatus involves a number of fluid-filled chambers,

Thanks to advancements in veterinary care, today’s cats can live well into their teen years. It is not uncommon for cats to live to be 18 or even older. However, in order for cats to live a long full life, they need proactive veterinary care to stay healthy. As cats age, they are at greater risk for

Cats rarely display their pain, but cats with feline stomatitis are often the exception. If your cat appears to have mouth pain, is reluctant to eat, doesn't want to groom, is drooling, and doesn't want you to open its mouth, it may be suffering from this debilitating, degenerative oral condition, and

Feline leukemia (FeLV) is a virus that weakens your cat's immune system. Unfortunately, when the immune system does not function properly, your cat may be more likely to develop other diseases, such as cancer and blood disorders. How Cats Contract Feline Leukemia Cats get feline leukemia from other cats.