A cat enclosure offers the perfect way for your favorite feline to enjoy a little outdoor time without being subjected to the dangers of the real world. Before you make the decision about adding an enclosure to your property, consider these facts.

Free Access to the Outdoors Can Decrease a Cat’s Lifespan

Free roaming cats are subject to many dangers, including:

• Car accidents
• Injury or death at the hands of cruel people
• Attacks by other animals
• Communicable disease, such as feline leukemia, feline AIDS, feline distemper, and upper respiratory infections
• Poisoning from anti-freeze and intentional poisoning
• Parasites, including ticks, fleas, ringworm, tape worms, and ear mites.

Adding an enclosure protects your pet from these dangers and helps ensure that you have many years to spend with your furry friend.

Cats Are Adaptable

If your cat currently spends a lot of time outdoors unsupervised, you may be concerned that it will not react well to being deprived of the ability to come and go freely. Fortunately, most cats are very adaptable and adjust to life indoors within a few months. Building an enclosure gives your pet plenty of time to spend outdoors without any of the risks.

Enclosures Provide Exercise and Stimulation for Indoor Cats

Keeping your indoor cat stimulated can be a challenge at times. An outdoor cat enclosure offers the perfect spot for hours of bird or squirrel watching and helps your cat stay active and engaged.

3 Tips for Indoor Cat Enrichment

Keeping your indoor cat happy and stimulated is simple when you follow these three enrichment tips.

1. Offer a Selection of Toys. Provide plenty of toys to keep your pet busy. Cats love toys that offer ample opportunity for chasing and pouncing, such as lasers, fishing poles, battery-operated mice, or other types of toys that move on their own. Since lasers and fishing poles require your involvement, they help strengthen your relationship with your furry friend.
2. Encourage Your Climber. Cats enjoy climbing and viewing their surroundings from the highest spot in the room. Exploring and climbing not only helps your cat get adequate exercise, but also keeps her active and alert. Add cat condos and trees to your home to encourage climbing, or build your own cat climbing system with leftover lumber from your cat enclosure project.
3. Bring Home a Friend. Everything is more fun when you have a friend along, whether you are a human or a feline. Life can get boring for an only cat, particularly if you are at school or work for long hours. When you add a second cat to your family, your pets will fill the hours that you are away playing, chasing, and grooming each other.

Things to Think About When Building or Buying a Cat Enclosure

• Space. How much space do you have to devote to the enclosure? Some cat owners screen in their patios to create large feline-friendly spaces, while others buy long cat tunnels that allow their pets to safely explore their yards. Keep in mind that your cat may become bored or frustrated if your enclosure is really just a glorified cage. Although enclosures can be built or bought in varying sizes, your cat’s enclosure should be big enough to allow him to move, turn around, and jump freely.
• Type. Both freestanding and attached enclosures are good choices. Attached enclosures are added to windows, doors, or patios and can be accessed through pet doors. Freestanding structures can be permanent or can be erected and dismantled every time your cat goes outdoors.
• Comfort. Your cat enclosure should be a comfortable space for your cat. Include a shaded area to provide relief from the sun, and create a few comfortable lounging spots. If your enclosure is tall, add a few climbing spaces or a cat condo. Of course, you’ll want to include a litter box, food, water, and toys.
• Quality Construction. If you build your own enclosure, make sure it can handle the elements and plenty of pouncing, jumping, and running. Screens and barriers should be strong enough to keep your cats in and other animals out. If you buy an enclosure, make sure it’s sturdy enough for everyday use and cannot be easily toppled.

Do you have a question about your cat’s health or behavior? Call us and let us know how we can help you and your pet.

Sources:

CatTime.com: Debating Keeping Your Cat Indoors or Letting Them Outside Sometimes?

http://cattime.com/cat-facts/health/78-indoor-outdoor-cats

The Marin Humane Society: Cat Enclosures

American Humane Association: Indoor Cats vs. Outdoor Cats

http://www.americanhumane.org/animals/adoption-pet-care/caring-for-your-pet/indoor-cats-vs-outdoor-cats.html

WebMD: Should You Have an Indoor Cat or Outdoor Cat?

http://pets.webmd.com/cats/features/should-you-have-an-indoor-cat-or-an-outdoor-cat

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Diabetes in cats, also known as feline diabetes mellitus, is an increasingly common disease affecting 1 out of every 400 cats. Obesity is the leading risk factor for diabetes.

“Overweight or obese cats are two to four times more likely to develop diabetes than cats with a healthy body weight,” says board-certified veterinary nutrition specialist Dorothy Laflamme, DVM, PhD, DACVN.

Warning Signs

Diabetes is a progressive disease. In the early stages, a cat may try to compensate for the body’s inability to metabolize glucose by increasing food consumption. Symptoms of early diabetes are frequent urination, increased thirst and appetite, and unexplained weight loss. Kidney disease and hyperthyroidism are two diseases that can mimic the symptoms of diabetes. A veterinarian can diagnose diabetes using blood and urine tests.

Treating Diabetes

All diabetic cats are started on insulin. Your veterinarian will decide which kind of insulin to use, what dose should be administered, and will show you how to give these injections at home. Don’t worry, the needles are very small and many cats don’t even know they’re being injected. Your cat will need monitoring to determine the response to treatment, this may include both blood tests and indicators you use in the litter box. Dietary changes to a high protein, low-carbohydrate diet are essential to help diabetic cats regulate blood sugar levels. The good news is that 70% of these patients eventually do not need insulin.

Advanced Diabetes

Some cats may require hospitalization following a diabetes diagnosis. These cats are typically suffering from a condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which occurs when fatty-acid by-products build up in the blood stream. These byproducts, known as ketones, build up because of the cat’s inability to metabolize glucose. Symptoms of DKA include the smell of acetone on the cat’s breath (similar to nail polish remover), extreme lethargy, vomiting, and rapid, labored breathing.

Without intervention, a severely diabetic cat may slip into a diabetic coma and even die. Diabetes can also lead to other health complications, including kidney and bladder infections, abnormal gait due to a neuropathy, and muscle loss.

Life After Diagnosis

Most cats do not require hospitalization. Dietary changes and appropriate treatment can help manage diabetes. A low carbohydrate, high protein canned diet can help control diabetes and may even lead to remission. Your veterinarian can make specific dietary recommendations for your cat.

If you suspect that your cat may be diabetic, contact your veterinarian for an immediate appointment. Early diagnosis is essential to managing diabetes in cats. Dietary changes and appropriate treatment can help manage this condition in cats and prevent further health complications.

Sources:

American Animal Hospital Association

Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine

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The flu doesn’t just affect people. Your cat can develop the viral infection, too. Although most cats recover fully from a bout of the flu, it can be particularly hard on young, old and immune-compromised cats. Take a look at a few symptoms that can occur if your furry friend has the feline flu.

Common Symptoms of Feline Flu

Your pet will experience many of the same symptoms you do when you have the flu. Common signs and symptoms include:

• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Red or pink eyelids
• Fever
• Eye discharge
• Dehydration
• Raspy voice when meowing
• Joint pain
• Appetite loss
• Fatigue
• Ulcers in the mouth or in and around the eyes

Most cases of the feline flu last 10 days to three weeks. Your cat may first begin to feel sick about two to five days after he or she has been exposed to a virus.

Causes of the Feline Flu

Flu symptoms are most often caused by exposure to the feline calicivirus (FCV) or feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR) viruses. The viruses spread when an infected cat sneezes or coughs and your cat inhales the infected air droplets, or when your cat comes in contact with a water bowl, blanket, toy, litter box or other objects that contains the saliva of an infected cat.

Once cats are infected by the feline flu, they become lifelong carriers. They can infect other cats if they shed the virus. Fortunately, shedding usually only occurs if your pet is stressed. The events that cats find overwhelming vary, but may include adding a new person or animal to the household or moving to a new home. When cats shed the flu virus, they often become sick again, although it’s possible to shed the virus without exhibiting any signs of illness.

You may be an unwitting source of the feline flu. Because the virus can survive on surfaces for hours as long as it remains moist, you may unknowingly bring it into your home on your clothing or shoes.

Consulting the Veterinarian

Consulting your veterinarian is a good idea if your pet develops any of the symptoms of feline flu. It’s often possible to make a diagnosis based on your cat’s symptoms, although your pet’s veterinarian may want to confirm the diagnosis with blood and urine tests and X-rays, in some cases. If you suspect your cat has feline flu, please let your veterinarian’s office know that when booking the appointment. They may want to take special precautions so that your sick pet does not infect others when you bring them in for a visit.

Although antibiotics aren’t helpful in treating viruses, your cat’s vet can offer treatments aimed at preventing complications and making your cat more comfortable. For example, painful mouth ulcers may force your pet to stop drinking water, which can lead to dehydration. During your cat’s visit to the veterinarian, he or she may receive intravenous liquids to restore the normal balance of fluids and electrolytes.

Veterinary care is essential if you cat is very young or old, has a disease that affects the immune system or has a chronic health condition or disease, such as kidney failure or diabetes. These pets may be more likely to develop pneumonia or other secondary infections and must be carefully monitored and treated promptly should complications occur.

Making Your Cat More Comfortable

Not surprisingly, cats who have the feline flu are often miserable. You can make your cat more comfortable by trying a few of these tips:

• Use a cool mist vaporizer to ease breathing. (Be sure to place it place it out of reach of your cat.)
• Wipe away discharge from the eyes and mouth with a moist cloth.
• Provide a variety of foods to tempt your pet to eat. (Heating food and offering smelly foods can be helpful if your cat’s sense of smell is affected by a stuffy nose.)
• Move a litter box closer to your cat’s preferred resting place.
• Provide a warm bed away from drafts in a quiet part of the house.

Preventing the Feline Flu

Vaccinating your cat can provide protection from the flu. Although the vaccine is effective against the most common strains of feline flu, it’s possible that your cat could still become sick if infected by a less common or new flu strain.

Separating an ill cat from healthy cats is important if you have multiple cats. Washing bedding and blankets often and cleaning hard surfaces regularly will help protect your other cats from becoming sick.

Are you concerned that your cat might have the feline flu or another illness? Prompt veterinary treatment can help your furry friend recover and avoid serious complications. Contact us today to schedule a convenient appointment.

Sources:

VetInfo: A Guide to Cat Flu Treatment

https://www.vetinfo.com/guide-cat-flu-treatment.html

CDC: Influenza in Cats

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/fluincats/index.htm

PetMD: Feline Calicivirus Infection in Cats

http://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/infectious-parasitic/c_ct_feline_calicivirus?page=show

Healthy Pets: Spreads Like Crazy and Makes Your Pet Miserable – Is It Serious, 6/18/17

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2017/06/18/calicivirus.aspx

PetMD: Feline Herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1) Infection – Head Cold in Cats

http://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/infectious-parasitic/c_ct_feline_rhinotracheitis?page=2

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While declawing is a permanent solution to these problems, it is a surgical procedure requiring anesthesia and removal of the end of the digit, including the nail with the attached bone. National veterinary medical associations state that an owner should consider declawing a cat only after exhausting all other solutions to the scratching behavior, or when scratching increases the risk for spreading infectious disease between the cat and people in the house.

Non-surgical alternatives to declawing include:

• Providing appealing scratching posts
• Regular claw care including trimming every 1 to 2 weeks
• Plastic nail caps

Scratching Posts

A cat owner can purchase commercially made scratching posts or make one at home. Scratching posts use cardboard boxes, lumber, logs, or carpet scraps attached to a sturdy object. Cats like the backing of the carpet best, so put the pretty, soft side on the inside. Any scratching posts should be securely anchored, and the scratching post should be taller than the cat so she can really stretch out when she scratches. Cat owners should use positive reinforcement to encourage the cat to use scratching posts instead of furniture.

Nail Caps

Temporary synthetic nail caps are also an effective alternative to declawing. There are a variety of synthetic nail caps on the market. These colorful caps cover the cat’s natural nail, protecting skin and furniture when she makes scratching motions. Nail caps will grow off, requiring replacement every four to six weeks. Your groomer or veterinary office can apply the first set of nail caps, but it is also possible to apply them at home.

There are surgical alternatives to conventional declawing but these methods also involve removal of tissue from a cat’s toes. These alternatives include laser declawing and tendonectomy. Laser declawing uses laser energy instead of a scalpel or guillotine blade. Tendonectomy removes the tendon that allows cats to control the claw but leaves the claw intact.

Many cats’ scratching problems can be resolved with non-surgical solutions before declawing must be considered. Non-surgical methods carry a very low risk, if any, for complications. Contact your veterinarian for more information about declawing and non-surgical alternatives.

Sources:

“Declawing of Domestic Cats.” Declawing of Domestic Cats. American Veterinary Medical Association. Web.

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Kittens especially can have difficulty digesting milk. There are other things that you can provide for your cat which are healthier. For young kittens that have been separated from their mothers before the age of weaning, try kitten milk subsititute. Recently, special new lactose-free milk has been developed and is now sold at pet food stores and most large pet supply stores. It is formulated to contain the same vitamins as the mother’s milk and is gentle on kittens’ digestive systems. These specially formulated kitty “milks” do not have cow’s milk in them and are treated with the enzyme lactase to break down the milk sugar and make it digestible. Please consider looking for one of these the next time you would like to treat your kitty with milk.

Not all cats react badly to milk, but it is better be on the safe side. Generally speaking, milk is not recommended for cats, however, some experts advise that cream is better than regular milk if you must give it to your cat, most likely because cream has less lactose than whole or skim milk.

Essential to a cat’s health is plenty of clean water. Change your cat’s water dish regularly and keep it within easy reach.

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What Causes a Hairball?

Hairballs are clusters of fur, or hair, that your cat unintentionally swallows while grooming himself or herself. When enough hair is ingested and collects in your cat’s digestive tract, it forms a “hairball.” Cats that have long hair, shed excessively or constantly groom themselves are prone to developing hairballs.

Is It Harmful to My Cat’s Health?

Most hairballs are harmlessly coughed up by your cat and do not pose a threat to his or her health. Hairballs are usually passed in vomit or through fecal matter. However, frequent hairballs could be a symptom of abnormal gastrointestinal motility, inflamed intestinal tissue or cancer.

Please contact your veterinarian for an examination if your cat:

• Continues gagging for more than one day
• Seems constipated
• Suffers from chronic diarrhea

Ways to Prevent Hairballs

You can decrease the amount of fur that your cat ingests while grooming himself or herself by brushing your cat regularly. This should help prevent the formation of hairballs. If your cat has long hair, it’s recommended that you brush him or her daily. (In some cases, cats with long hair who are not brushed often enough can suffer from extremely matted hair, which can be difficult to manage. Once the hair is matted, it is often too difficult to brush and may require shaving.)

You can decrease the amount of fur that your cat ingests while grooming himself or herself by brushing your cat regularly. This should help prevent the formation of hairballs. If your cat has long hair, it’s recommended that you brush him or her daily. (In some cases, cats with long hair who are not brushed often enough can suffer from extremely matted hair, which can be difficult to manage. Once the hair is matted, it is often too difficult to brush and may require shaving.)

There are dietary options for your cat that may help decrease the risk of hairballs as well. Many brands of commercial cat food now include formulas to help reduce hairballs while improving the health of cats’ coat and skin. Feeding your cat these types of products may also decrease shedding and increase your cat’s fiber intake. If you do not wish to change your cat’s diet, you can opt for a hairball remedy or lubricant to help your cat pass hairballs through the digestive tract.

Another simple, and fun, solution is to purchase your cat a new toy. This will redirect your cat’s attention from grooming to playing with the new toy — and provide an opportunity to enjoy some quality time with your pet.

If your cat suffers from frequent hairballs, contact your veterinarian to discuss possible treatment options, including changing your cat’s diet.

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“Obesity is the most common nutritional disease seen in cats,” says Joe Bartges, DVM, PhD at the University of Tennessee’s College of Veterinary Medicine. It is a common bad habit for cat owners to feed their cats too much. Cats only need 24 to 35 calories per pound of body weight each day. This guideline is a general measure and will vary depending on your cat’s activity levels, health considerations and overall nutritional needs. Smart owners will have a heart-to-heart talk with their veterinarian about Fluffy’s dietary needs and work together to provide the best food choices possible.

Necessary Amino Acids

If you’re a cat owner embarking on your own vegetarian health regime and you want to include your furry friend, think again. Cats require some amino acids that are found only in meat. Depriving your domesticated cat of meat and meat products can minimize good health and create conditions or concerns with lifelong consequences. Even dog food does not contain all the amino acids that cats need. Long term feeding of dog food to cats can even cause blindness.

Homemade Food

As an alternative to commercial cat food, a homemade diet can be prepared for your cat when you’re in the kitchen. Be aware that it will be necessary to talk with your veterinarian in advance for nutritional recommendations and supplements. It is important to feed a diet that is nutritionally balanced and this requires using a recipe developed by a veterinary nutritionist. Do not add supplements not included in the recipe. The internet is a source of good recipes at www.balanceit.com or www.petdiets.com. For a nominal fee a veterinary nutritionist will give you a recipe using the meat and carbohydrate of your choice. Your cat will need to maintain recommended nutritional standards for optimal health. Any discussion about your cat’s diet should also address your cat’s age, health considerations, activity levels and past food choices.

A Well-Rounded Diet

“The biggest mistake people make is feeding cats dry food,” says Lisa A. Pierson, DVM. Manufacturers have to include a lot of unnecessary carbohydrates in order to make a cat food dry, which can contribute to weight gain and obesity. Cats need a diet that is lower in carbohydrate and higher in protein, which can be achieved by feeding your cat canned food. If you choose to feed your cat dry food, add wet food as well.

Senior Cats

Review the foods you are feeding your cat during every visit with your veterinarian. As your beloved pet ages and becomes more or less active, his or her nutritional needs can change. In order to maintain total health and wellness, your cat may need changes in their diet such as providing more or less calories each day or switching which foods are being provided. Cats may also need more or less of specific nutrients. For instance, kidney disease is common in cats, and a diet low in phosphorus and protein has been shown in studies to lengthen the time before the symptoms of renal disease worsen. In some instances, your veterinarian may suggest supplements to the foods you currently provide. Working together with your veterinarian for your pet’s long term health and wellness is critical.

Always remember to talk with your veterinarian about your pet’s activity levels, health considerations and nutritional needs during your regular office visits. If you have any questions about your cat’s diet or well-being, or if you would like to schedule an appointment with one of our veterinarians, please don’t hesitate call us today!

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“No other medical development has been as successful as vaccination in controlling deadly diseases in companion animals,” says feline veterinarian Dr. Arnold Plotnick.

The Exception

Dr. Plotnick and other veterinarians acknowledge that, rarely, vaccinations in cats have been linked to the development of fibrosarcoma, a type of cancer that may occur at the site of injection. Studies of these sarcomas say the prevalence ranges from one in 3,000 to 10,000 cats.

Many groups are intensely studying this problem, including immunologists, vaccine manufacturers, and the American Association of Feline Practitioners. The Vaccine Associated Feline Sarcoma Task Force has studied many factors: type of vaccine, location of vaccine, additives to the vaccine, and genetics of the cats. The most recent study was published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. This showed that the safest injectable vaccines were recombinant vaccines. These have newer technology and are much more purified. This paper also demonstrated that the sarcoma problem can happen with other injections such as antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, not just vaccinations.

Indoor Cats

Do your indoor cats, which have little to no contact with other animals, even need to be vaccinated?

According to Plotnick and other leading veterinarians, vaccinations are indeed essential to a pet’s well being as some infectious agents are airborne and do not need direct cat to cat exposure. “To not vaccinate our pets is not an option,” said Dr. Plotnick. Instead, veterinarians must work closely with pet owners to devise a vaccination schedule that best meets a cat’s individual health needs. Vaccine manufacturers have also stopped putting aluminum salts into vaccines.

Kittens & Adult Cats

All kittens should receive a series of FVRCP core vaccinations. This immunization series begins at six to eight weeks of age and continues every three to four weeks until the kitten is 16-18 weeks old. The rabies vaccine is usually given at the last vaccine visit. The American Association of Feline Practitioners recommends that kittens receive leukemia vaccines whether they go outside or not.

If you have recently adopted a cat and do not know your cat’s immunization history, the cat will need to receive core vaccinations. A dose of the FVRCP vaccine should be given immediately and a second dose should be administered three to four weeks later. The American Association of Feline Practitioners recommends that adult cats have a FVRCP and rabies vaccinations every three years. Your veterinarian can help you decide if your cat needs any non-core vaccines.

Types of Vaccines

Vaccines for cats are divided into two categories: core vaccines that are essential for every cat, and non-core vaccines that may or may not be necessary based on a cat’s lifestyle. For example, vaccines against feline leukemia virus (FeLV) are non-core vaccines that may or may not be necessary based on a cat’s lifestyle. For example, vaccines against feline leukemia virus (FeLV) are non-core vaccines that are generally not recommended for indoor adult cats. One core vaccine is called FVRCP, which protects against panleukopenia (feline distemper), rhino, and calici virus.

The rabies vaccine is also a core vaccination. There are two types of feline rabies vaccine: a killed vaccine that can be given every three years and a recombinant vaccine that is offered by one vaccine manufacturer. The findings of the recent AVMA article suggest the recombinant rabies may be safer, but it does need to be given annually.

If your cat is up to date on core vaccinations, then your cat may be able to receive boosters every three years, rather than every year. Check with your veterinarian to confirm whether your community requires annual rabies vaccination or permits the three-year vaccine. Also, ensure that your feline has a physical exam every year.

Sources:

CatExperts

American Association of Feline Practitioners

JAVMA, Vol 241, No 5, September 1, 2012. Comparative vaccine- specific and other injectable- specific risks of injection site sarcomas in cats.

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Kidneys play a critical role in day-to-day functions. The kidneys remove metabolic waste from the blood stream, and produce vital hormones that help control blood pressure and stimulate red blood cell production. The kidneys follow a complex system for managing and regulating waste; when this system breaks down, severe complications may occur to a cat’s other organs that can ultimately lead to death.

Acute Renal Failure

Acute renal failure is caused by a blockage in the blood flow to the kidneys or the urine away from the kidneys, or due to damage to the kidney tissue itself. The most common cause for acute renal failure is the ingestion of toxic substances such as antifreeze, anti inflammatory drugs, or lilies. When acute renal failure is detected and treated early, a full recovery is possible. Although many times the cat will have only a partial recovery from the acute crisis, and eventually go into chronic renal failure,

Chronic Renal Failure

Chronic renal failure is an incurable condition primarily affecting older cats. It is often the end-stage for other health problems, such as advanced dental disease or a kidney inflammation/obstruction. Thanks to veterinary care advancements, however, with early diagnosis and proper treatment, it is often possible to give the cat a good quality of life for many years.

Treatment for renal failure depends on the condition’s cause and severity. In the case of acute renal failure, if a kidney is blocked by an obstruction, it may be possible to surgically remove the blockage and correct the problem. For chronic renal failure, treatment focuses on diet, fluids, and medications to control secondary problems, such as high blood pressure and anemia that may occur.

There are many brands of diets made for kidney problems in the cat; all have a reduced amount of protein and phosphorus, and may have added potassium. Talk to your veterinarian before changing your cat’s diet.

The main treatment for both kinds of kidney failure is fluids. Hospitalization with intensive fluid therapy is required for acute kidney failure, and often also used for the more severe stage of chronic. Once the cat is stabilized, many veterinarians will have you give fluids subcutaneously at home. They will teach you how to give the special fluid under the skin. Cats are surprisingly tolerant of this.

Other medications may include appetite stimulants, stomach acid reducers such as Pepcid, phosphate binders, potassium supplements, and injectable erythropoietin, which is used to stimulate red blood cell production in the anemic cat. It is very common for cats with kidney problems to have high blood pressure, and therefore need hypertension medication.
While kidney problems are very common in they cat, the disease can often be managed well for many years.

Sources:

American Association of Feline Practitioners, “Feline Chronic Renal Disease.”

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, “Diagnosis: Kidney Disease.”

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While most cats are fastidious groomers and rarely require a bath, regular at home grooming, including daily brushing, is still important. Brushing is especially important for long-haired cats, which are more susceptible to tangles and matted fur. Daily brushing is the best way to remove loose hairs. Daily brushing will also help owners who suffer from allergies as regular grooming reduces the amount of hair and pet dander in the home. For people with mild cat allergies, daily brushing may sufficiently reduce airborne feline allergens, making it possible for these individuals to comfortably share a home with cats.

Regular brushing also helps to reduce the amount of hair that cats naturally swallow through self-grooming. This may reduce the quantity and severity of hairballs. If pet owners do choose to bathe their cats, choose shampoos that are specially formulated for felines. Older or obese pets with mobility restrictions may need additional grooming assistance, including at-home baths, if they are unable to fully groom themselves.

Nails should be checked during weekly grooming sessions and trimmed as needed. Cat nails grow differently than dog’s or people’s nails. Cats shed their nails like a reptile sheds its skin. As cats age, they use scratching posts less, and the nail caps can build up to the point where the nails curl around and penetrate the pads of the feet. Cat nail clippers can be used to trim nails and prevent this from happening.

During at-home grooming, pet owners should also perform a mini-physical on their cat, evaluating the cat’s skin and coat condition, feeling for any lumps and bumps, or noting any painful areas. While rubbing a cat’s head or scratching the chin, use the forefingers to gently raise the upper lips, checking for abnormal teeth or red gums. In addition to being a special bonding time for cats and their owners, a feline health assessment during grooming is critical for older cats who are masters at hiding the symptoms of illness. Early diagnosis of health problems starts with proactive at-home care.

Source:

Cornell Feline Health Center, “The Special Needs of the Senior Cat.”

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