All cats vomit at one point or the other, whether to get rid of hairballs or because they might have a certain pathology. But when your cat starts vomiting bile on a regular basis, there could be some causes for concern.

In today’s article, we’re looking at the reasons why this might be happening, how the condition itself is diagnosed and how it might be treated, and whether or not you can do something in particular to prevent it.

How does vomiting bile differ from other types of vomiting?

You probably know that ‘bile’ is the name that most people use to describe the secretion extracted by the gallbladder, which is attached to the liver. The biliary salts secreted by the gallbladder play an essential role when it comes to ensuring normal digestion, but an excess can lead to all sorts of gastrointestinal symptoms.

Cats can suffer from a wide range of gallbladder pathologies, such as bile duct inflammation or gallbladder stones. In most cases, the stones do not completely block the duct, so there will be some amount of biliary salts released into the animal’s systems – which is why most cats don’t even show any gallbladder stone signs.

Bile is composed of bilirubin and bile salts, so the color of the vomit will differ from instances where your feline friend vomits because they have to throw up a hairball, for example.

Most of the time, the vomited material will have a light or dark green or yellow color and might be covered in a bit of foam. Therefore, it looks completely different compared to white foam vomit, which could be caused by occasional indigestion or foreign objects lodged inside the gastrointestinal tract.

Reasons why your cat might vomit bile

It is difficult to assess the exact cause of why your pet might end up with this symptom, especially if you don’t know if they have recently eaten something they shouldn’t have.

If you take your cat to the vet on a regular basis for check-ups (at least once or twice a year), it’s quite likely that a condition such as liver disease might be discovered during a routine examination. In that case, your cat will be put on a special diet, and you’ll know what to expect.

But sometimes, the causes of vomiting bile in cats can be more or less unknown. They can range from gastritis or inflammation of the intestines to more specific reasons, such as intoxication or kidney pathologies. Here are a few other possible causes:

• Liver disease
• Cholangiohepatitis/Feline cholangitis
• Infections
• Severe parasite infestations
• Diet changes
• Pancreatitis
• Obstructions
• Cancer

Diagnosis

First of all, if this is a more or less common occurrence (meaning your cat vomits bile once a day or several times a day), it wouldn’t hurt if you took a shot of the vomited matter. It might not sound appealing, but it could provide your veterinarian with some information that might seem irrelevant to you (such as the color that we mentioned).

You should also tell your vet what you are feeding your cat or if they tend to go outside and might have been exposed to toxins, other animals, or any other factor that might have led to this outcome.

The most basic tests that the veterinarian will first perform are going to be biochemistry and a complete blood count, followed by urinalysis (if it is possible). Imaging diagnostic methods such as an ultrasound or even an X-ray could provide essential additional data.

Depending on the ultrasound machine, the vet might be able to see whether the lining of some organs is going through inflammation or might actually see the gallbladder stones.

Contrast radiographic techniques can also be helpful, especially for discovering foreign objects, obstruction, or occlusion.

Treatment

Vomiting bile is a symptom, so the focus of the diagnosis is to discover exactly what’s wrong with your cat’s body. Only after this phase is completed will your vet be able to initiate therapy with a specific medication. Vomiting bile is not a disease itself, so besides symptomatic treatment options, there’s not much that your veterinarian can do until they understand what’s at the root of the problem.

Depending on the cause, there are various therapy options. Naturally, if your cat is diagnosed with a type of cancer, there will be several treatment choices you will have to consider with your vet.

Antibiotics are utilized for infections and your vet might recommend changing your cat’s diet if the vomiting seems to be idiopathic or only caused by the diet. Probiotics could also prove their worth in this situation, especially if your cat has a hard time passing stools, too. There could be a number of other recommendations that you might receive from your vet, depending on your cat’s health status and symptoms.

Can you prevent your cat from vomiting bile?

There’s not a lot of things that you can do in the way of preventing this clinical sign from affecting your cat. We recommend choosing a very high-quality diet, especially since cats don’t tend to eat as much as larger animals, so even though it might seem expensive, it will do your pet a world of good.

Giving your cat probiotics as a prevention method can be another good idea as it ensures that the digestive process takes place properly.

Finally, make sure that you do not miss your appointments at the veterinary clinic. Senior cats should be seen by a vet at least twice a year because they tend to develop common geriatric conditions such as hyperthyroidism or kidney failure, so you need to constantly keep an eye on their health.

Vision problems exist in cats just like in any other animal species, including humans. Sometimes, cats can lose their sight due to age, but in other cases, the cause could be something pathological and that requires immediate medical assistance.

In today’s article, we’re discussing everything you should know about feline blindness – from its most common causes to whether or not your cat might be able to recover at least part of their sight back after losing it.

What causes blindness in cats?

Cataracts

Cataracts is a condition that can affect felines that are living with hypertension and diabetes. Sometimes, it can also be a result of the normal aging process. A cat with cataracts will have a part of its lens opaque, which will make the transmission of light partially or fully impossible.

Cataracts can affect one eye or both or just parts of the ocular globe (lens). Veterinary medicine has evolved so much over the past decades that these days, and depending on the cat’s general health condition, some cataract cases can be solved through surgery. Lens implantation is possible as it is in people.

Corneal ulcers

This is a lesion that can be caused by various factors, with one of the most common ones being exposure and development of Feline Herpesvirus (FHV).

Unlike cataracts, corneal ulcers come with a wide range of symptoms, whether that be eye discharge, conjunctivitis, sensitivity to light sources, or consistent pawing at the affected eye. Treatment is possible, but because cats tend to self-harm themselves, they might have to wear an Elizabethan collar. If the damage is extreme, surgery might be required.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma can be an emergency as sometimes, the amount of fluid that accumulates inside the eye can lead to the complete loss of the organ. Moreover, it puts pressure on the optical nerve, the one that is in charge of transmitting the electrical signals from the brain to the eye and the other way around.

This pathology is more common in Siamese and Burmese cats but it can also be caused by infectious diseases such as FeLV, FIP, or FIV – and sometimes even toxoplasmosis. Although the condition itself cannot be cured, there are ways to relieve the pressure and treat the inflammation. Progressive loss of sight is to be expected.

Hypertension

Hypertension can affect cats of all ages, but it is particularly more common in senior pets. Chronic hypertension can have a plethora of negative effects on an animal’s health, including the detachment of the retina, for example, as well as hemorrhages behind the eye.

Hypertension itself can be caused by primary conditions such as heart diseases, kidney pathologies, diabetes, or hyperthyroidism. If your cat is older than 7, you should make sure you stick to your vet’s schedule and take them to the animal hospital for check-ups at least once or twice a year.

Old age

Everyone’s vision starts to become poor as they age, whether they are animals or humans. But even though cats do have a likelihood of going blind, especially if they are champions when it comes to longevity, this will happen gradually.

It will take years before a cat loses their sight completely simply because they are growing old. It’s not something that you notice from one day to the next and your veterinarian is likely to update you on the progression.

Medications

Some drugs have severe side effects, and there have been cases documented of an antibacterial drug called Enrofloxacin (an antibiotic that works for treating many types of infections).

While this medication still acts in more or less confusing ways, apparently, it can produce retinal degeneration in some cats – not in all, but it’s still a risk that many vets are not willing to take when it comes to the treatment of bacterial infections in this species.

Trauma

Depending on the extent of damage that the cat’s body has sustained, especially in a car accident, for example, they might lose their sight forever.

Sometimes, it is the ocular globe itself that becomes damaged, whereas in other situations, the optical nerve suffers to such an extent that it becomes incapable of doing its job.

Cancer

The most common type of eye cancer that cats can develop is called melanoma, and it often affects more than one tissue type inside the eye. Iris melanoma eventually leads to glaucoma or abnormalities of the pupil, as well as chronic inflammation or hypertrophy in the eye.

Some cats can also develop sarcoma, especially after trauma and after having developed chronic uveitis.

Conjunctivitis

Although conjunctivitis is an extremely common eye pathology in cats, dogs, and other animals, if it is left untreated and depending on the type of microorganism that has led to it, it can lead to blindness.

This cause is somewhat rare compared to the others that we have mentioned previously. Still, it is a good idea to keep an eye on your cat’s vision and nothing if something weird seems to be going on.

How to tell if your cat is going blind

Not a lot of cats show clinical signs until they have almost completely lost their vision, and the reason for this is that those that spend almost all their life indoors (in the same space) have a way of getting around objects, furniture, and other obstacles based on other senses – smell and their whiskers being two examples.

However, if your cat does go blind all of a sudden, they will experience some sort of distress, and it’s quite likely that something about their eyes will look a little unique and will get your attention.

Other cats might simply bump into things, especially seniors that have lost their sight progressively, but will not exhibit any worrying symptoms in the short run. You can ask your vet a variety of questions about how a cat with normal eyesight should behave if you don’t have any knowledge on this.

Caring for your blind cat in the long run

Blind cats can become disoriented a lot quicker and easier compared to their counterparts, so it is highly recommended that you keep them indoors only.

Not only does this allow them to live in a safe space, away from predators, but it also prevents encounters with other cats that might transmit parasites, viruses, bacteria, or other diseases.

Blindness doesn’t make cats completely oblivious of what’s happening around them, but it does make them slightly more vulnerable, so try to talk to your feline companion as often as possible and in a reassuring tone.

Keep the feeding station and the litter box in the same place they’ve always been. And even if you keep your cat only indoors, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to get them microchipped and fit them with a collar and an ID tag (just in case they get lost).

References

Enrofloxacin-associated retinal degeneration in cats, K.N. Gelatt et al, 2001, (view website)

Feline ocular post-traumatic sarcomas: Current understanding, treatment and monitoring, Carissa Wood & Erin M. Scott, 2019, (view website).

How fast or slow should a cat’s heart beat? The heart rate is an important vital for all animals, specifically those that are known to have cardiac conditions. You may need to measure your pet’s heart rate at home under the guidance of your veterinarian on a regular basis to make sure that your cat does not require immediate veterinary assistance.

Read on to find out more about what a cat’s heart rate can tell you, what other symptoms tachycardia and bradycardia might be associated with, and what drugs are currently used to treat heart disease in this species.

What is the normal heart rate for cats?

The heart rate range that cats are supposed to have when they are completely at rest is 80 to 160 beats per minute. The average stands at 120, so that is the number of BPM that you can expect from your pet when you measure their heart rate at home.

Whenever cats are taken to the animal hospital or are put in another stressful situation, their heart rate can increase to 200 or even 220 in a physiological manner.

What causes a cat’s heart to beat faster?

Rapid heart beating can be defined as any number that goes beyond 160 beats per minute. As previously mentioned, there could be normal factors that cause this, such as stress and anxiety or even the cat’s age (kittens’ hearts tend to beat a little faster). In young cats, a heart rate of 200 to 260 beats per minute can most of the time be no reason for concern.

Generally, if an adult cat’s heart beats at over 200/220 beats per minute and they are exhibiting other symptoms, too, pet owners should seek out veterinary assistance immediately.

Other clinical signs of a rapid heart rate in cats are listed below:

• Respiratory distress (coughing, choking, wheezing)
• Weakness
• Nervousness
• Decreased or absence of tolerance for any type of physical activity
• High blood pressure
• Abdominal or chest pain
• Lack of appetite for food or water

A rapid heart rate can be caused by a number of various factors, such as actual heart conditions (myocarditis, congestive heart failure, cardiac arrhythmia caused by severe electrolyte imbalances), or generalized diseases such as poisoning, pancreatitis, cancer, metabolic disease, hypothyroidism, a trauma that leads to shock, or fever.

What causes a cat’s heart to beat slower?

If a cat’s heart rate is lower than 80 beats per minute, they need to be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Bradycardia also has multiple causes, such as heart disease, trauma to the head, increased potassium levels, intoxication with certain substances such as insecticides or alcohol, and more.

Some of the other symptoms that are noticeable in this case are the following:

• Lethargy
• Intolerance to exercise
• Lack of muscle coordination
• Seizures
• Fainting
• Hypoventilation

Bradycardia tends to affect cats less than it does their canine counterparts, even in situations such as when they become hypothermic. Cats can have a slower heart rate when they are intubated or sedated or when they have undiagnosed diseases such as breathing complications, neurologic conditions, or kidney failure.

How to measure your cat’s heart rate at home

Even though the most accurate way of measuring a cat’s heart rate is by using a stethoscope, since you might not own one at all, you can at least attempt to get a somewhat correct measurement indirectly.

When your cat is resting on one side, place your hand on their thorax and measure the number of beats that you can feel per 15 or 30 seconds. Multiply that number by 4 or 2 to find out the heart rate for a full minute.

Another location you can use for the same purpose is on the cat’s left side, behind the front leg. In this way, you’ll be measuring the pulse without them even realizing what you are doing.

At the veterinary clinic, vets use a stethoscope to measure a cat’s heart rate, but this can sometimes be complicated by the patient’s purring. Cats sometimes purr when they’re brought to the vet so as to soothe their own anxiety – making the physical diagnosis of respiratory and cardiac conditions a little difficult.

How are heart conditions diagnosed in cats?

Whether your cat has a primary heart condition ( the heart rate isn’t, in fact, influenced by other diseases affecting other organs or their system in general) or not, the veterinarian will recommend an EKG and an ultrasound exam.

These two diagnostic tests are used to establish that the cardiac muscles are functioning normally, that there are no abnormalities in terms of electrical conduction, or that there is no damage produced to the heart walls or valves.

A Holter monitor placed for a period of 24 hours can be utilized in cats, too, although it can sometimes be challenging to prevent them from removing the device or the electrode patches.

How can feline heart disease be treated?

The most common medications for treating heart conditions in cats are listed below:

• Amiodarone
• ACE inhibitors
• Atenolol
• Carvedilol
• Digoxin
• Diltiazem
• Furosemide
• Mexiletine
• Vetmedin (pimobendan)
• Sotalol
• Spironolactone

Two nutritional supplements, taurine and L-carnitine, are thought to have beneficial effects on some patients. However, the actual effectiveness of these supplements is not comparable to the formerly mentioned medications, especially in patients that otherwise have normal levels of both in their bloodstream.

The right type of drug is selected based on the exact heart pathology diagnosed and the specific part of the organ affected.

Final thoughts

The heart rate is an important vital to keep an eye on in cats, especially when it comes to patients that have a history of heart complications.

Your veterinarian will show you how to measure your cat’s heart rate and what signs to look out for, but if you notice any of the clinical symptoms that we have mentioned in this article, seek out veterinary assistance as soon as possible.

Keeping track of your cat’s vitals can help you understand if your pet is healthy or not – especially since this species is so well-known for hiding symptoms of disease until the condition has become severe.

Your cat’s body temperature can provide a number of clues as to what is happening inside your feline friend’s body. In today’s article, we’re looking at what the normal body temperature of cats is, how to measure your cat’s temperature, and also when you should be worried and take your pet to the vet clinic.

What is the normal body temperature for cats?

While the body temperature of people is somewhere around 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees F), the normal body temperature for cats is approximately 38.6 degrees C (101.5 degrees F).

Naturally, it can vary depending on several factors, such as the cat’s health, age, recent physical activity, or the conditions she has had to spend time in (cats that are left out in the freezing cold can quickly become hypothermic, especially if they have nowhere to hide and save their energy).

Usually, the variations that are accepted range from 37.5 to 39.1 degrees C (99.5 to 102.5 degrees F).

Cats are naturally more comfortable than humans in heat, so that’s why even when the weather is scorching in the summer, you might see your feline companion seeking out the warmest spots in your home.

How to measure your cat’s body temperature

For this purpose, you can use two types of thermometers – an infrared one or a rectal one. The second is considered more accurate than the first, but getting into your pet’s anus and waiting for a good 20 seconds until it beeps can be very challenging.

If you decide to use an infrared thermometer, make sure you point it to your cat’s inner ear, as close to the ear canal wall as possible. There could be several inaccuracies in terms of measurement with this device, so your cat’s body temperature could actually be higher by .1 or .2 depending on how well you’ve operated the thermometer, if they have moved, and other such factors that might have affected the whole process.

If at all possible, ask someone to assist you with taking your cat’s body temperature. It will be much easier if someone calms down your cat or even restrains them as you are using the thermometer. Make sure to use vaseline or petroleum jelly if you decide to use the rectal device.

You can measure a cat’s temperature even when they’re standing or sitting if you’re using an ear thermometer, whereas, with the rectal measurement, they should be lying on their side.

When should you take your cat to the vet?

Every time you notice that the readings are below or above the normal limits for a cat’s temperature, you should consider going to the animal hospital. Both fever and hypothermia are emergencies.

If your cat’s body is colder than 37.2 degrees C (99 degrees F) or hotter than 40 degrees C (104 degrees F), go to the veterinary clinic immediately.

Hypothermia

Hypothermia is somewhat less common in cats, if not only for the reason that the majority of pets these days do find the opportunity to retreat to a warmer place in case the weather gets dangerously cold – even the cats that spend time indoors and outdoors will usually do this.

Naturally, indoor cats are always better protected, not only against inclement weather but also potential predators, parasites, or viruses, and bacteria.

Hypothermia in cats causes symptoms such as the following:

• Lethargy
• Shivering
• Skin that is cold to the touch
• Superficial breathing
• Pale gums

If you measure your cat’s temperature and it is below 37.2 degrees C, try to raise it immediately. In case you don’t own an electric heating pad, at least boil some water, pour it into two glass bottles, cover them with a blanket or towels, and put them close to your pet’s body. You can also use a magic bag for the purpose, the one that can be heated in the microwave.

If your cat is conscious and manifests any interest in drinking water, give them mildly heated bone broth or any type of strained chicken or meat broth instead of plain cold water.

Fever

A fever in cats can be considered when their body temperature reaches at least 102.6 degrees F (39.2 degrees C). Anything above 40 degrees C (104 degrees F) should be a reason to feel worried because the cat might not have simply basked in the sun for a good couple of hours, but they might have also contracted a disease such as an infection.

Fevers can be caused by a range of conditions, such as bacterial or viral infections, but also inflammation, internal injuries, trauma, severe pain, and even some medications.

Besides the obvious increase in body temperature, pet parents might notice the following symptoms:

• Weakness
• Dehydration
• Lack of appetite for food or water
• Tremors
• Tachycardia
• Digestive distress (diarrhea or vomiting)

Final thoughts

While you do not need to measure your cat’s body temperature every single day, sometimes keeping track of variations might be a good idea – especially if your pet has a chronic disease. If you notice any of the symptoms that we have mentioned above, do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian.

The respiratory rate is an important vital to keep an eye on when it comes to cats and other species, for that matter. Significant changes in the respiratory rate can sometimes suggest pain, inflammation, or other, more complicated health conditions.

In today’s article, we’re looking at what the normal respiratory rate for cats should be and what situations can lead to cats experiencing tachypnea (rapid breathing) or bradypnea (slow breathing).

How fast should cats breathe?

Cats should normally take anything between 10-15 and 30 breaths per minute. The respiratory rate should always be measured when the cat is at rest, so either sleeping or just relaxing.

Depending on whether the cat played or engaged in some strenuous activity or not, the respiratory rate can sometimes reach the limit of 50-60 breaths per minute. Anything beyond that can be viewed as pathological, though, especially in animals that have other health issues that might not have been diagnosed and that are also engaging in physical effort.

A respiratory rate higher than 50 when the cat is resting means you should contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

While the breathing rate can differ largely from one animal to the next depending on their age (kittens tend to breathe faster than their adult counterparts, for example), health status, and other factors, in this case, the breed makes no difference.

Rapid breathing in cats

Also known as tachypnea, rapid breathing might not be the symptom of a disease if it happens for physiological reasons. It is perfectly normal and to be expected that a cat breathes faster when she runs or hunts than she does when she sleeps.

However, if it is associated with other signs or if it shows up in animals that are known to have chronic conditions, especially heart disease, rapid breathing should always be a sign that should convince pet owners to get to the emergency veterinary clinic.

If the cat takes more than 30 breaths when completely at rest, this can be considered tachypnea. Besides the increased frequency itself, the pet might show additional clinical signs, such as the following:

• Open mouth breathing
• Lack of appetite/interest in food or water
• Gagging or coughing
• Wheezing
• Lethargy
• Longer or more frequent sleep sessions

Tachypnea in cats can be caused by several different factors, and they range from allergies and asthma to stress, heat, pain, pulmonary edema, and respiratory infections. One of the most worrying causes is heart disease, which can often go undiagnosed (especially since cats are very good at showing symptoms of illness in general).

Rapid breathing can also be caused by intoxication, in which case it is accompanied by symptoms such as blue gums (a sign that there’s not enough oxygen in the animal’s blood), a condition called cyanosis and that can appear in other complications, too, such as pneumothorax, severe pneumonia, carbon monoxide poisoning, respiratory paralysis, or shock.

The treatment for tachypnea in cats varies a lot depending on what it was caused by. In some cases, it could be an infection that responds well to antibiotics, while in other cases, it could be an inflammatory condition or an allergy that can be treated with the appropriate medications.

Slow breathing in cats

A lower respiratory rate isn’t supposed to be a major cause of concern if the cat is completely healthy and is resting. However, no cat should take fewer than 15-20 breaths per minute – when the rate is lower than that, it’s time to feel just a little worried, especially if there are other noticeable signs, such as labored breathing, wheezing, gagging, and more.

Bradypnea can appear in medication overdoses, carbon monoxide poisoning, or sleep apnea, a condition that can affect cats that are overweight or obese.

If your cat is known to have any type of heart condition, you should keep an eye on how they are resting and how well they are breathing. Both bradypnea and dyspnea can sometimes be a sign that their heart is not functioning normally and that it might be time for you to take them to the clinic to have their medications changed or dosage adjusted.

How to check your cat’s respiratory rate at home

The simplest way to check your cat’s breathing rate at home would be to measure the number of times their chest rises and falls when they are sleeping.

Of course, some cats can be in a deep sleep, so they might take just 10-20 breaths per minute, but if they are exhibiting no other symptoms whatsoever and they have behaved completely normally for the whole day, that’s probably nothing to worry about.

To make your life just a little easier, you can count the breaths for just 15 seconds and then multiply that number by two. If your pet has changed positions, sniffed, moved, or anything else has happened, you have to start over since the result might be inaccurate. When purring, cats always have a higher breathing rate than normal.

Resources

Impact of Obesity on Lung Function in Cats with Bronchoconstriction, Alicia Caro-Vadillo et al, 2022, Vet. Sci. (learn more)

Cats are extremely good at hiding signs of disease, which means that their pet parents have to pay attention to as many symptoms as they can. Like any other species, cats have a number of vitals that have to be within a normal range in order for the animal’s health or life not to be in danger.

Read on to find out more about what these vitals are and how to check them in the comfort of your own home.

What are cat vitals?

The three main types of vitals that pet guardians need to keep an eye on, whether it’s cats, dogs, or other types of pets, are the following:

• The respiratory rate
• The body temperature
• The heart rate

But because sometimes these might not be so easy to measure, we could add two others to the list – the capillary refill time and the mucous membrane color. These two can also provide important information as to whether your pet’s body is functioning normally or not.

These vitals are something that your veterinarian also checks when you take your cat to the animal hospital – whether for a check-up or because you are worried that they might be sick.

Normal temperature of cats

When it comes to the body temperature of this species, the normal range that should be expected is 99 to 102.5 degrees F (37.2 to 39.2 degrees Celsius).

The temperature can increase or decrease depending on a number of various factors, such as external ones (sitting in the cold for too long can make a cat develop hyperthermia) or internal ones (infections, trauma, poisoning, and more).

Normal respiratory rate of cats

In a resting state, your pet should take 10-15 to 30-40 breaths per minute. Anything lower than that should be a matter of concern and should convince you to get to the emergency veterinary hospital.

A higher respiratory rate (tachypnea) can occur in low oxygen levels in the blood, asthma, choking, or anemia. A low respiratory rate (bradypnea) can be the result of bleeding, trauma, heart failure, intense pain, or a side effect of some medications.

Normal heart rate of cats

A cat’s heart can beat anything between 110/140 to 180/200 times per minute. This is the resting heart rate, which means that it should be measured when the pet is sleeping or when they have been lazing around for a while.

The more relaxed your pet is, the lower their heart rate will be. This is why it can be quite challenging for vets to determine the exact heart rate of a cat when they are brought to the vet since some can be extremely stressed and experience tachycardia as a result of anxiety.

The heart rate tends to vary depending on age. Kittens’ hearts beat faster, averaging between 220 and 260 beats per minute.

Normal mucous membrane color of cats

Assessing the color of your cat’s mucous membranes can be a little difficult sometimes, especially if your pet is very fluffy, doesn’t like being handled, or they are born with spotted gums or develop lentigo throughout their life.

The normal color should be light pink. While cats’ noses don’t have to be moist all the time, a too dry one could be a sign of fever. The gingiva should also be pink all the time and moist.

Abnormal colors range from white and yellow to blue, red, and chocolate brown. All of these can be signs of disease. Yellow can indicate liver or gallbladder health complications. White or pale mucous membranes can be a sign of anemia, whereas blue membranes can be a sign of intoxication or oxygen depletion.

What is capillary refill time?

The capillary refill time can be defined as the amount of time it takes for the cat’s mucous membrane to regain its normal pink color after you or the veterinarian have applied pressure to an area. Normally, the color should return in about two seconds.

If the CRT is higher than 2 seconds, you should get your cat to the vet clinic as soon as possible.

How to check your cat’s vitals at home

Out of all of these vitals, the respiratory rate is the easiest one to assess. When your cat is sleeping or resting on their side, just count the number of times their chest rises and falls over a period of 30 seconds (and then multiply it by 2) or a whole minute.

The heart rate can be a little more challenging to measure. You can place your hand either inside your cat’s groin so as to feel your pet’s femoral pulse or behind the shoulder blade. You can count the heartbeats per 15 seconds or 30 seconds and multiply to get the number for the whole minute.

To measure your cat’s body temperature, you can use two types of thermometers – an infrared one or a rectal one. While the value provided by the rectal one is more accurate, it can be difficult (if not impossible) to use it on your cat, especially if you need to do the procedure alone, without anyone helping you. Besides, it should be in your cat’s anus for 20-30 seconds or more, depending on the model, which makes everything even more challenging.

The infrared thermometer can be used inside your cat’s ear or as close to their inner ear as possible. If you hold it at a 90-degree angle and make sure you do not insert it too deeply, you can rest assured that you are not damaging your cat’s eardrum. Once it beeps, you have the measurement ready.

Final thoughts

Besides all of these vitals, another one that can be very useful when it comes to cats is blood pressure. Senior cats are more likely to have hypertension, and it can affect a variety of their other organs, especially their kidneys, so ask your vet to check it whenever you go in for a check-up.

The cat breed also has a say when it comes to what vitals need to be checked more often. For instance, Maine Coons and Burmese cats have a higher chance of developing heart disease, so in their case, the heart rate and the respiratory rate should be checked more often.

Cats are known for their incredible sense of hearing, but like any other animal out there, they can lose it as they age, or they can be born deaf. 

In today’s article, we’re looking at the most common reasons why cats can end up being deaf, how you can tell if your feline friend is deaf, and how to better care for a deaf cat in general. 

Can cats be born deaf?

Deafness can be congenital in some cases. For example, if the kittens become exposed to toxins or even viral diseases when they are still in their mother’s womb, they can develop a range of degenerations, including those pertaining to the ear. 

Deafness can also be hereditary, so genetically transmitted from the parents to the litter. A certain gene in cats causes white and blue-eyed cats to be partially or completely deaf. 

Some breeds just have a higher likelihood of being born deaf (especially if they are also white and blue-eyed), such as the following: 

• Maine Coon
• Ragdoll
• Manx
• Scottish Fold
• Devon & Cornish Rex
• Turkish Angora
• Persian

If a cat is not born with deafness, then it can be developed during their life by a variety of factors, all of which will be discussed below. 

What can cause deafness in cats?

• Old age

Any animal or human will lose their hearing as they become older and older. By the time they are considered seniors, cats might have lost a good part of their sense of hearing, but in some cases, they will still hear better compared to most people. 

Deafness due to old age is expected to happen gradually, though, and shouldn’t necessarily be related to any other pathologies. Unfortunately, as your cat grows old, the flexibility of the inner ear structures decreases, which leads to the tissues losing their ability to vibrate as well (and transmit sound). 

• Medications and toxins

Some drugs have deafness as a side effect, and most of them are either in the diuretic or antibiotic category. Despite them being extremely potent and good at what they are supposed to do, these medicines do come with adverse reactions – your vet should advise you of the risks before they initiate a certain treatment for your cat’s condition. 

Even basic antiseptics such as chlorhexidine can lead to a cat losing their hearing, not to mention very common antibiotics such as gentamicin or diuretics such as furosemide.

As for toxins, a wide range of household cleaning products can end up inside a cat’s ear – even as a result of grooming. 

Heavy metals such as mercury, arsenic, or lead, can also lead to deafness in cats. 

• Ear-related pathologies

The most common auricular pathologies that can cause deafness in this species naturally pertain to the structures of the inner, middle, and external ear. When left untreated, even an external canal infection can lead to deafness.

As a pet owner, it is important for you to pay attention to the clinical signs that your cat might show and that might be related to the health of their ears. Cats are quite asymptomatic in general, but prevention is worth a pound of cure in this case. 

Other ear-related pathologies that can cause deafness are ear bone damage (which can occur in the event of an accident), tumors, or inflammatory polyps. If a blockage has been caused by a foreign body or a growth, it can be removed – but the hearing can be recovered partially or completely depending on the amount of damage that was sustained. 

• General pathologies

Some conditions might not affect the ear directly but could lead to the cat becoming deaf. These range from hypothyroidism to infectious diseases or nerve damage. 

Symptoms of deafness in cats

The most obvious sign that can be seen in deaf cats is unresponsiveness to any sort of sound. Partially deaf cats might be able to detect the presence of a sound or even a specific frequency, but might be incapable of telling its exact source (in terms of direction). 

While it is true that cats don’t respond to being called by name as their canine counterparts do, they should definitely respond to sounds, such as a can of cat food being opened or even a noisy toy being used behind them. 

Deaf cats tend to have a much louder meow compared to their healthy counterparts – they cannot hear their own voice, and if they do hear it partially, they might think that they need to be louder. They also have a higher likelihood of becoming scared of sounds or objects that they think have appeared out of nowhere.

As for cats that haven’t been born deaf, they can show a variety of other symptoms, especially if they are connected to diseases. Here are a few examples:

• Pawing at the ears
• Local pain or inflammation
• Bad smell coming from the ear canal
• Disorientation (along with the cerebellum, the ear has an important role in maintaining a cat’s balance)
• Ear discharge

Diagnosis of deafness in cats

Your vet can use a range of tests to determine if your cat is deaf in both or one of their ears and what the cause of the deafness might be. They could use an otoscope to look at the inside of your pet’s ears and tell if there are any lesions, wax accumulations, discharge, foreign bodies, growths, or anything else present.

Additional tests for diagnosing general pathologies such as hypothyroidism can be used and they range from regular blood tests to more complex ones.  

Can feline deafness be treated?

If the cause has produced temporary deafness, then your cat might be lucky enough to be treated for the pathology – and might recover, if not all of their hearing, most of it. But if the deafness is congenital or hereditary or has been caused by old age, there is no specific treatment available. 

Tumors or growths can be removed surgically. 

For infections, local and general antibiotics could prove their worth. Damage to the ear tissues can sometimes be permanent.

As a species, cats rarely respond well to wearing hearing aids, which means that you, as a pet parent, will need to adjust to your cat’s deafness instead of the other way around being the case. 

Prevention & living with a deaf cat

If your cat wasn’t born deaf, there are some ways to delay and prevent them from becoming deaf for as long as possible. Make sure that their ear hygiene is as good as possible – a clean living environment makes it more difficult for cats to develop ear infections. Indoor cats have a lower likelihood of developing them, too, especially compared to their outdoor counterparts. 

If you notice any pawing or scratching at their ears, go to the veterinarian as soon as possible – the quicker you get treatment for your cat’s ear pathology, the lower the chances of them becoming deaf. 

As for lifestyle, deaf cats are easier to scare, so you’ll have to approach your pet gently. Play with your cat using visual toys instead of those that make sounds. 

Try to teach your pet some visual cues so that they know when their meal time is approaching when it’s time to play, or when cuddling might be in order. Most cats learn quickly, so you shouldn’t have any issues with these techniques. 

Some cats are more likely to suffer from inherited conditions than others, which is also why veterinarians and pet owners might view a few breeds as generally being more unhealthy when compared to others.

In today’s article, we’re looking at the top hereditary diseases that affect cats. If you’re interested in getting a cat with a pedigree or a specific breed from a cattery, make sure you always ask the breeder for a certificate of health from a veterinarian, according to which the health of the kitten’s parents is not only on par, but they also don’t seem to suffer from any genetic diseases.

7 Common Hereditary Diseases in Cats

1. Manx Syndrome

Also known as sacrocaudal dysgenesis, this is a hereditary condition that makes everyday living for the animal (and the pet owner) quite complicated. Cats that are born with this disease can’t control their urinary bladder or their hind legs, not to mention that their bowel movements are also very difficult to manage.

Manx Syndrome is a manifestation of a lack of development of the spine and spinal cord. While some cats with this syndrome have been documented to live for up to a decade or more, they need special care. Cats that are diagnosed with this issue should never be used for reproduction.

2. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

A variety of breeds, including Maine Coons, for example, are more genetically predisposed to having heart conditions compared to others. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a condition where the muscle in the organ becomes so thick that it makes pumping blood difficult, if not impossible.

It’s also more common for these cats to develop blood clots, whether in larger blood vessels or smaller ones. And while veterinary medicine has come a long way when it comes to treating heart failure or other heart-related conditions in animals, a patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has a much shorter life span.

3. Burmese Head Defect

A recessive gene is responsible for creating this defect in Burmese cats. The appearance itself shouldn’t be so important, but unfortunately, these cats are sometimes born with brachycephaly, incomplete development of the skull, and a double paper jaw.

Any kitten that’s born with this defect cannot survive due to its anatomy, as these features often make normal breathing and feeding impossible, not to mention that the majority of them are born with meningoencephalocele. Testing for Burmese Head Defect exists these days.

4. Deafness

Have you ever heard the rumor that white-furred, blue-eyed cats are deaf? This is actually true in most cases (unless the cat isn’t actually completely white or really blue-eyed) because it is a genetic mutation that leads to these pets being born with deafness.

While treatment for deafness in cats doesn’t exist at this time, at least you can get your cat tested so that you know how you should modify your pet’s living environment to make your pet’s lifestyle a comfortable and healthy one.

5. Type II Diabetes

While type II diabetes is most likely caused by obesity and a poor diet, it’s also true that some cats can be more likely to get it because of their genetic background. Some of these breeds are the following:

• Burmese
• Norwegian Forest Cat
• Tonkinese
• Siamese
• Maine Coon
• Abyssinian
• Russian Blue

So, if you’ve adopted or purchased a kitten of any of these breeds, you should make sure that you pay attention to their diet and don’t allow them to put on weight even after getting them neutered or spayed.

6. Progressive Retinal Atrophy

PRA is a genetic condition that affects not just cats but also dogs. Some of the breeds affected by this hereditary disease range from the Ocicat and Abyssinian to Somali and Persian.

As its name suggests, progressive retinal atrophy eventually leads to blindness – and if this is not a health condition that you’re looking forward to managing in your feline friend, definitely ask your breeder to provide a health certificate from a vet that can attest that the kitten’s parents are PRA-free and have been so for the past 12 months.

7. Scottish Fold Disease

While the Scottish Fold breed itself is adorable, and there’s no doubt about that, it’s also true that it’s a result of years and years of breeding. Unfortunately, one by-product of that breeding process is a disease that goes by the name of osteochondrodysplasia, and that has some rather severe clinical manifestations, such as joint problems, pain, and arthritis.

Not all Scottish Fold kittens are born with this condition, of course. Unfortunately, those that are born with it can only be treated symptomatically, so at one point, their cartilage and bones will become damaged, and the amount of pain they are in becomes so severe that they will require continuous treatment with pain killers.

What other conditions might cats inherit from their parents?

Two other common hereditary diseases in some cats are polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). Historically, up to 50% of all Persian cats used to be diagnosed with PKD, which should give you a clue as to how injudicious the breeding of this type of cat was.

Fortunately, these days a test for PKD does exist, making it possible for breeders to avoid using those males and females for reproduction.

As for FLUTD, it tends to affect more than 3% of all cats across the globe. While it can be transmitted genetically, it can also be caused by a complex of other factors ranging from stress, a too-low water intake, depression, and more.

For a long time, cerebellar hypoplasia used to be a misunderstood condition in many species. It is a condition that affects a number of animal types, such as cattle and horses, but also pets like dogs and cats.

In today’s article, we’re looking at cerebellar hypoplasia in cats, also called ‘Wobbly Cat Syndrome’ – its symptoms, why some cats are born with it, if it can be treated, and what the general prognosis when it comes to caring for a pet with this syndrome is.

What causes wobbly cat syndrome?

As its medical name suggests, cerebellar hypoplasia is a dysfunction of the cerebellum, the part of the brain also known as the little brain, which is in charge of maintaining an animal’s balance (motor control, to be more specific) and posture.

Fine movement is also controlled by the cerebellum. In a nutshell, cerebellar hypoplasia is a condition where this organ does not develop to its normal size. It is a congenital issue, so kittens are born with it.

However, unlike most other hereditary diseases that can affect this species, Wobbly Kitten Syndrome can actually be caused by certain factors, especially diseases that the queen contracts while she is pregnant with her litter.

If a cat mother comes in contact with the Panleukopenia virus, the chances of at least one, if not all of the kittens in the litter being born with cerebellar hypoplasia are quite high.

Exposure to certain poisonous substances during pregnancy can lead to the same outcome.

The only positive thing about wobbly cat syndrome is that it cannot be passed to other kittens, so it is not contagious. Moreover, it rarely causes any discomfort in the kittens themselves besides the potential harm that they might be exposed to if they hit themselves on objects in a home, for example.

Symptoms of wobbly cat syndrome

First of all, not all types of wobbly cat syndrome cause the same clinical signs. There are three types of cerebellar hypoplasia depending on the severity of the clinical signs that they cause – mild, moderate, and severe.

Severe CH cats almost always require a very high amount of care and attention as they can’t feed themselves, relieve themselves, or even take a few steps without falling or tripping. The majority of these pets aren’t even capable of using a litter box on their own, so they need a lot of special care.

Cats with moderate wobbly kitten syndrome will experience head tremors and might trip and fall every now and then, especially when they are anxious or nervous. The ones that only have mild cerebellar hypoplasia will show the same symptoms and lose their balance on occasion, but for these cats, special care isn’t necessary at all times, so they can lead normal lives with their owners.

Diagnosis of cerebellar hypoplasia in cats

The clinical picture can sometimes be sufficient enough for your veterinarian to get to a clear and accurate diagnosis. However, imaging techniques such as a CT scan or an MRI can determine whether the cerebellum is underdeveloped, and as such, they can confirm the diagnosis.

Can wobbly cat syndrome be treated?

Unfortunately, treatment for this type of condition does not exist at the time we are writing this. Given that kittens are born with cerebellar hypoplasia, their cerebellum never develops as it is supposed to – it never reaches its normal size and potential, therefore affecting the organ’s functionality.

Consequently, most cats that are born with this condition cannot be treated with specific medications. Some adjustments to the way they live can be performed, though, which means that some of these cats can have somewhat normal lives, especially if their symptomatology isn’t too severe.

Kittens born with CH should never be allowed to rest on high surfaces or climb onto cat trees or any other type of furniture. They can’t land on their feet as well as their counterparts, so they can easily hurt themselves by comparison.

It is also highly recommended that all kittens with CH are kept indoors exclusively as they could become the victims of predators outside. While most do try to feed and drink by themselves, along with using the litter box, their pet owners need to ensure that everything is at ground level – low-entrance litter boxes are best for these animals. Food and water bowls should be placed directly on the floor.

How long do cats with wobbly cat syndrome live?

Cerebellar hypoplasia does not affect a cat’s life expectancy, so you can expect the kitten to live for as long as any other one can.

If they are left outside, though, their life expectancy can be much lower, simply because they are not equipped with the same reflexes, so they will have some trouble defending themselves, jumping, or running from danger.

Is wobbly cat syndrome painful?

No. Most cats that have this syndrome don’t even realize that they are different compared to the others they might share their living space with. So long as their owners accommodate their needs as best as possible, these pets can lead normal, happy, and healthy lives as much as any other cat.

The major focus is to prevent them from hitting their bodies onto obstacles in their environment, whether that be a door threshold or anything else.

Tremors in cats are considered a clinical sign and not a disease itself. They almost never happen on their own – whether they are caused by an accident, an illness, or poisoning, there’s something at the root of this symptom.

In today’s article, we’re looking at what causes tremors in cats, how they are diagnosed, if they can be treated, and if there is any way for you to prevent this from affecting your own feline friend.

What causes tremors in cats?

Tremors can be caused by a truly wide variety of illnesses or health complications, but one of the most common ones seems to be poisoning. As you probably know if you have been a cat parent for a while now, this species can be extremely sensitive to a variety of medications, topical products, and even foods (or plants), so they have a much higher likelihood of experiencing the worst in terms of symptoms.

Here are some examples of toxicological causes that can lead to shaking and tremors in cats:

• Permethrin
• Piperazine
• Essential oils
• DEET
• Amphetamines (or exposure to human ADHD medications)
• Methomyl or carbofuran (carbamate insecticides)

However, tremors and twitches can be caused by many other factors, including neurologic causes, orthopedic ones (especially those that affect a certain nucleus), and even cardiovascular and metabolic imbalances. Respiratory distress can also cause tremors in some situations.

Trauma or any other type of injury can also lead to the cat experiencing tremors, and any type of severe pain, too. Low blood sugar can do the same, especially in severely malnourished animals or those that are suffering from malabsorption or metabolic diseases such as diabetes.

There are also cats that are born this way due to genetic factors, although the type of twitching or tremors that they experience might look a little different. This is called ‘Wobbly cat syndrome’ and is characterized by mild head tremors or an abnormal gait with excessive swaying from side to side.

As you can see, the sky’s the limit when it comes to the exact causes of tremors in this species. Even pain, inflammation, a too-low body temperature, or hyperthermia can cause your cat to shake. Extreme fear or anxiety are two other possible reasons, especially if your feline companion is not accustomed to interacting with other animals or people and you take them to the vet.

How are tremors in cats diagnosed?

In this specific health complication, the diagnosis can be quite complex because finding what is at the root of the shaking, tremors, or twitching can be a little challenging.

When you take your cat to the veterinary clinic, you will be asked a number of questions such as when the tremors started, what seemed to have caused them, if your cat ate anything out of the ordinary over the past few hours, if you’ve seen them exhibit and unusual behaviors, and a lot more information that’s a part of a detailed anamnesis process.

If your cat experiences tremors on occasion and the cause doesn’t seem to be too apparent, the vet will also ask you to shoot a video of these episodes at home so that you can show them the footage the next time you go to the animal hospital.

As for the tests that you can expect, they can range from anything, such as a complete blood count and urinalysis, to blood biochemistry or imaging techniques, such as an ultrasound, an X-ray, MRI, or a CT scan.

Metabolic complications such as hypocalcemia or hypoglycemia can be diagnosed with simple blood tests, and sometimes, even kidney abnormalities can be discovered in the same way.

If your veterinarian suspects that a neurologic issue is what is causing the tremors that your cat is experiencing, they might resort to more advanced diagnostic methods, such as the analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid.

Treatment options

Tremors are the clinical manifestation of a health complication. Since they are merely the symptom and not the main disease, the cat can sometimes receive symptomatic treatment, but this type of therapy is not going to do much in the way of solving the main problem.

Once the underlying disease is discovered, the vet will administer the appropriate treatment – in case it exists. Some of these conditions can be treated whereas others, especially those that involve severe damage to any major part of the nervous system, mainly the brain and the spine (which can get hurt very badly, especially in accidents), might not be treatable.

Many poisoning cases nowadays are treated successfully, especially if you bring your cat to the veterinary hospital as soon as possible and you do not wait for the toxins to produce potentially untreatable conditions such as organ failure.

If a growth such as a tumor is putting pressure on one part of the nervous system and the tremors are a result of that, surgery could be a possibility, too.

Can you prevent your cat from experiencing tremors?

It depends on the exact cause. Of course, you can do your best at hiding potentially toxic foods and other items in your household so that your cat never has access to them and, therefore, never experiences tremors for this reason.

You can also ensure that your cat spends as much time indoors as possible, therefore making the possibility of an accident minimal. Outdoor cats are always more exposed to such dangers, and others too, such as parasites, potentially life-threatening diseases, and even viral illnesses that can be passed to humans.

Activated charcoal can be very handy to have around in your home if you are a cat parent, but giving them to your feline companion in case they eat anything potentially toxic is a little challenging (especially if you are alone). Besides, most cats do not tend to react well when being forced to ingest something, so if you have any suspicion that your pet ate poisoned food, go to the veterinary clinic as soon as possible.

In today’s article, we are looking at the way activated charcoal can save a pet’s life, if there are any side effects to using it, and more.

What is activated charcoal?

First of all, activated charcoal is completely different from regular charcoal. It is available in several different forms – powder, liquid, or tablet, and all of these forms are safe to give to cats.

Activated charcoal cannot be considered an antidote for whatever toxic substance or food your cat might have had to eat because it does not neutralize poisons. It simply binds to them and prevents them from getting into the main blood circulation. It then allows the digestive contents to be released to the outside through the feces.

How does activated charcoal work in cats?

The most important aspect when it comes to activated charcoal is that it needs to be administered as soon as possible. But even in some cases, it might not be as effective as you might think.

Although it pertains to a completely different species, one of the best examples would be chocolate and the havoc it can do to a dog’s system – activated charcoal is more often than not completely useless in a case like this because chocolate can be digested very quickly, so its main poisonous ingredients, theobromine, and caffeine, can end up in the blood circulation very, very fast.

On the other hand, if the cat ingests a part of a plant that’s poisonous to them and other animals, it will take some amount of time for the leaves or stem to be digested and for the toxic compounds to end up in the blood flow. This is where activated charcoal can prove its worth.

But it would be incorrect to assume that any type of poison can be inactivated/absorbed by this type of treatment, so the best way to go about things would be to get veterinary assistance as soon as possible.

When is activated charcoal not a good idea for cats?

The type of exact poison can lead the vet to decide for or against the administration of activated charcoal in this species. If the toxin is something that might be eliminated in a more effective manner with gastric lavage, that will be the elected therapy method.

Cats that are already very dehydrated as a result of them having suffered from digestive distress for several days (whether that be because of diarrhea or vomiting) may be treated with very low amounts of activated charcoal, keeping in mind that it can lead to significant electrolyte imbalances in the blood flow. For some, that might not even be an option.

On the other hand, if the cat is already severely constipated, even though activated charcoal might indeed block the toxins from being absorbed into the main circulation, it might aggravate constipation, therefore creating the need for an enema to be performed or laxatives to be administered shortly after.

What else can be done if activated charcoal is not the solution to the problem?

Depending on the type of poison that has led to the intoxication case, there could be a specific antidote that the veterinarian might be able to use when you bring your cat to the animal hospital.

If one does not exist, supportive therapy with IV fluids and symptomatic medication for any of the clinical signs, along with gastric lavage, might be a solution.

Do keep in mind that some toxic substances can act very fast, so time is of the essence when it comes to saving a cat’s life if she ate something she was not supposed to.

Common side effects of administering activated charcoal to cats

The most noticeable adverse reaction that can happen in cats, but also in other animal species, is their feces color being changed for a couple of days following the treatment. This happens because of the distinct color of the activated charcoal solution or tablet.

However, the black color doesn’t necessarily mean that there is bleeding somewhere in the digestive tract – this is what it usually means, especially when the cat hasn’t received any activated charcoal.

If the product did not manage to absorb all the toxins, the cat might end up developing some bad reactions as a result of the poisons, but not the activated charcoal itself.

How much activated charcoal can a cat have?

The answer to this question is that it depends on the exact form and concentration. In general, cats should receive about 1 to 2 grams of activated charcoal per every kilogram of body weight.

Just to be on the safe side of things, make sure you do not attempt to induce vomiting at home, even with a hydrogen peroxide solution. Cats can have a variety of bad reactions when handled in this way, and the last thing you’d want in a situation like this would be for your feline friend to run and hide so that you can’t even take them to the vet clinic.

How much does an activated charcoal treatment cost in cats?

The product itself can be bought at pretty much any drugstore across North America, but giving it to cats at home calls for a little attention and care. If you can’t handle the task yourself and you risk causing aspiration pneumonia, it’s always better to have your vet do it.

If this is the only type of treatment that your pet requires, it might set you back anything between one and a couple hundred dollars. If your cat also needs to be hospitalized and will have to receive supportive therapy, you can expect a rather costly vet bill, sometimes worth more than a thousand dollars.

Cats are much more sensitive compared to dogs, especially when it comes to sickness. But their sense of smell typically allows them to detect substances that they should never ingest. Unfortunately, most of the rodenticides currently available can be made with inodorous ingredients, which means that even cats can suffer from rat poisoning.

In today’s article, we are looking at how you can tell your cat accidentally ingested rat poison, what you should do about it, how this health complication is diagnosed, and more.

A note on rat poison

When the topic of rodenticides arises for any homeowner, they’ll almost think of the varieties that contain anticoagulants. But the truth is that other types exist, too, and they consist of calcium bombs and neurotoxins, along with phosphides.

While a vet can at least initiate a type of therapy where the cat is treated symptomatically for all of these kinds of rat poisons, it definitely pays off for them to know the exact brand you have used to get rid of rats in your house.

Some common names for rodenticides that contain massive doses of vitamin D, for example, are Hiperkil and Rampage.

Those containing neurotoxins, also known as Bromethalin, are often marketed as Trounce or Assault. The anticoagulant ones are the most common ones of all, and their commercial names can range from Warf and Prolin to D-Con.

Phosphides are very common, but they are mostly utilized for killing larger rodents such as gophers or moles. It is among the riskiest rodenticides available today as it can produce problems even in people.

Knowing the exact brand that you have used can be very helpful in the sense that the vet can simply look up the active substance and choose the treatment accordingly.

Symptoms of rat poisoning in cats

The majority of the rodenticides we have previously mentioned do share some clinical signs, but others can be quite specific depending on what they are made with.

For example, here are a few examples of what your cat might experience if they were poisoned with an anticoagulant product:

• Vomiting blood
• Pale gums
• Labored breathing
• Bloody nose
• Hematomas all across their body

Vitamin D3 rodenticides can cause different symptoms by comparison:

• Anorexia
• Weakness
• Tremors
• Extreme halitosis (bad breath)
• Changes in the urination/water drinking frequency (due to kidney failure)

Bromethalin products cause more severe clinical signs because they lead to brain swelling. This is one of those rat poisons that doesn’t even have an antidote, so the cat could end up losing their life if they have a massive dose.

Here are a few symptoms in this case:

• Tremors
• Vomiting
• Walking as if drunk
• Coma
• Anxiety or weakness
• Death

When it comes to phosphides, the clinical picture that the cat will exhibit can be very uncomfortable to watch:

• Stomach bloating
• Seizures
• Excessive drooling
• Abdominal pain
• Collapse

Do consider that a cat can suffer from rat poison toxicity even if they did not directly eat the substance itself – they might have caught a mouse or another rodent and have eaten that, so they could get it into their system indirectly.

Diagnosis and treatment of rat poisoning in cats

If you do not know just what type of rodenticide your cat had, so you can’t communicate the brand or the estimated amount that your pet ingested to the veterinarian, they will attempt a symptomatic anti-toxic treatment.

Of course, they will have to collect some blood samples for the lab so that they can determine the exact substance that has led to the clinical picture.

Depending on the rat poison that your cat came in contact with, the vet might use a variety of medications and techniques to try and stabilize them. These could range from blood transfusions to using activated charcoal so as to prevent the substance from being absorbed into the blood flow, or, depending on how labored your cat’s breathing is, they might involve artificial respiration, too.

Another goal would have to be administering as many fluids as possible (at a safe rate, of course) so that your cat’s body manages to naturally flush out the toxins. Naturally, this all depends on the exact type of rodenticide since some can cause kidney failure.

If the cat has had phosphides, the vet will try to use treatments such as fluid flushing through an IV, they may have to pump your cat’s stomach or they may give them antacids.

Preventing rat poisoning in cats

It can take a while for your cat to recover from a case of rodenticide toxicity, and if you do not want to give both yourself and your feline friend a lot of hardship, you should do your best to keep your rat poison away from your pet.

Make sure that the rats that you do kill using various products never manage to cross paths with your cat so that the risk of them feeling playful and taking a bite out of the rodent is minimal.

Try to avoid using rat poison indoors if you keep your cat inside the house at all times.

If you’ve noticed your cat experiencing hypersalivation every now and then, it’s probably not something to be worried about. But sometimes, drooling in cats can be a sign of poisoning or disease, so if your pet doesn’t ever show this behavior, you should take them to the vet.

In today’s article, we’re looking at everything you should know about drooling in cats – from its possible causes to how it is treated and if you can do something to prevent it.

What causes hypersalivation in cats?

Drooling doesn’t necessarily have to be produced by something negative, something that can affect your pet’s well-being and even life. It can happen in dangerous situations, of course, but the truth is that cats are incredibly stressed animals, especially when they are taken out of their typical environments.

Physiologically, cats can experience hypersalivation under the following circumstances:

• When being taken to the vet
• When they’re forced to engage in contact with another human or animal
• When they’re hungry, and they’re offered food
• Whenever they feel nervous or anxious for any other reason

But there are other causes that are pathological, and that can actually lead to the cat feeling very sick. Here are a few examples:

• Insect stings
• Poisoning through the ingestion of toxic substances or plants
• Oral injuries
• Side effects of medications
• Rabies
• Nausea as a result of having a gastrointestinal infection or digestive upset
• Infectious diseases such as FIV, FeLV, or Feline Herpesvirus
• Upper respiratory infections
• Liver or kidney failure
• Oral cancer

Other symptoms to look out for in a cat that’s drooling

Drooling could be the only clinical sign that you notice in your feline friend, in which case it could be physiological. It is not uncommon for cats to have been extremely attached to their mothers when they were kittens, for example, so they would drool whenever they substituted their human to their mothers and knead on their lap.

Cats that are extremely stressed might also yowl, and their pupils might dilate because of the way their nervous system is affected.

If a pathological cause is at the root of this behavior, there might be additional symptoms that become discernible to the pet owner, such as the following:

• The presence of blood in the drool
• Vomiting
• Respiratory distress
• Lethargy
• The absence of any appetite for food or water
• Swollen local lymph nodes
• Abdominal pain

Diagnosis of hypersalivation in cats

Hypersalivation is considered a symptom and not a disease per se. If the cat is not experiencing it due to anxiety or nervousness, the veterinarian’s main purpose will be to discover the exact cause that has led to this outcome.

The reason for that is in the absence of a correct diagnosis, the veterinarian will not be able to administer a specific treatment – they might be able to somewhat stabilize the cat at first, especially if their condition is not very bad. But symptomatic therapy can only do so much – the cause needs to be identified as soon as possible.

A physical examination is what will be performed when you bring your cat to the animal hospital first. The vet will test your pet’s blood with exams such as a complete blood count or blood biochemistry.

If there is any type of respiratory or cardiac distress, they will use a combination of diagnostic methods, whether that be imaging techniques and a physical examination or something different.

For any type of abdominal pain that could be suspicious in the sense of cancer or whatever other kinds of inflammation in the cat’s internal organs, an ultrasound or an x-ray could be used for the diagnosis. If the case seems to be complicated, a CT scan or an MRI might be necessary.

If there seems to be fluid inside the abdominal cavity, a cytology test will be performed to try and discover the types of cells present in that fluid. There are many diagnostic methods available these days at most veterinary practices, so you shouldn’t feel too worried about having your cat properly diagnosed.

Can drooling in cats be treated?

The answer to this question is that it actually depends on every medical condition in part. In severe poisoning cases, time is of the essence. If the cat does not get the appropriate treatment as early as possible and also depending on how aggressive the toxic substance is, they could end up losing their life.

Anything else, whether that be a digestive issue that doesn’t stem from an infectious disease, could be treated – while also taking into account the animal’s age and their health status in general.

Viral infectious diseases are very challenging to treat and the survival rate in most of these cases is not too good, which is why we urge you to get your feline friend vaccinated as early as possible.

Is there any way to prevent hypersalivation in cats?

It depends on the cause of the drooling in the first place. If you know for a fact that your cat is easily stressed, you could at least make a bit of effort to soothe them.

Although less popular nowadays, there is always the possibility of your vet doing a house call if there really is no other option. Cats are much more comfortable when they are not taken out of their environment, especially when it comes to vet visits.

If your pet is generally anxious, you could try a few supplements for that or even diffusers. Catnip might be an option depending on whether your specific pet responds to it or not. Worse comes to worst, your vet could prescribe some anxiety medication.

Most importantly, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Making sure you keep up with your cat’s normal vet visits and taking them to the clinic for a check-up once every six months or so can prevent a lot of conditions, especially in their senior years.

Do a bit of research as to what the most common toxic substances for cats can be in a household, whether that be plants and flowers or things such as rat poison.

Cats can suffer from depression just as much as dogs can. Pet lovers might think that these aloof little creatures don’t really get attached to their human or animal families, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

In today’s article, we are looking at the clinical manifestations of depression in cats, its causes, and several ways of making a depressed cat feel a little better.

What causes depression in cats?

The factors that can lead to this condition can be very different, and the way they affect our feline friends can also be unique from one animal to the next. For example, some cats are very adaptable, so they might have nothing against accepting a new animal member or even moving to an entirely different environment.

But the majority of cats don’t really appreciate changes that much, so any modifications to their normal routine, living space, or the people or animals they interact with can lead to a depressive episode.

Being sick and having to see the vet day in and day out can be another reason why cats get depressed.

The majority of cats that are taken out of their environments tend to become sad, but that’s not the only way they are affected. They can become nervous or incredibly anxious to the point that they get scared by every little noise.

And even if most cats are solitary and actually like being left alone, if they get used to a person or another animal for many years, the loss of that presence will affect them in a more or less significant manner.

Needless to say, abandonment and the absence of an appropriate diet or clean water can also make a cat depressed. Physical pain can lead to the same outcome, especially in chronic diseases. Cats don’t really appreciate having their independence taken from them, so it’s very hard for them to cope with being sick.

Symptoms of feline depression

We might have already mentioned anxiety as one of the signs that pet owners can notice in their depressed cats. But that’s not the only symptom that these furry friends can show. Another very common one is hiding behind the furniture and refusing to communicate with human and animal friends.

Some of the other clinical signs that can be discerned in a depressed cat are listed below:

• Preferring alone time
• Being needier than usual
• Refusing to eat or drink water
• Vocalization in search for their animal or human companion
• Looking out the window for hours on end
• Sleeping for longer periods of time
• Inappropriate elimination (peeing and pooping in the most unlikely of places)
• Spitting or hissing whenever they’re bothered or forced to interact

The symptomatology can differ a lot depending on each cat’s personality and circumstances. If they’ve always lived indoors and shared their life with another cat, and that cat has now passed, you will undoubtedly notice your other feline friend getting sad.

On the other hand, cats that have spent the majority of their life outdoors and that have not created strong bonds with other animals might have a lower chance of becoming depressed.

Their mentality is more of a ‘fight or flight’ situation, and since they have to fend off the attacks of predators, be stealthy, and also make an effort to get food, they’re just too busy with all of these tasks to get depressed.

But some cats are just more sensitive, so they tend to suffer a lot more whenever something drastic changes in their life.

What can you do about it?

Treating depression can be quite challenging, mostly because it can go unnoticed for a long time, especially at first, and because cats aren’t so keen on having to put up with yet another change after they’ve lost a loved one, for example.

Here are a few tips on how you can make your feline friend feel just a little better.

Get another cat

As counterproductive as it might seem, especially if you’ve recently lost another feline companion, getting a new cat can break the routine and can help your older one feel a little better.

Whether that happens because they’re irked by the kitten’s behavior or because they don’t know exactly how they are supposed to react, it’s something that will definitely distract them from feeling sad.

Use supplements

There are some supplements that can make a difference in terms of improving the symptoms of depression in cats, and they range from omega-3 fatty acids that help your cat’s brain function better to L-tryptophan or L-theanine. Ask your vet about these products and whether they might be a good fit for your cat.

Spend more time with your pet

The lonelier your cat gets, the more likely it is for them to feel even more depressed. If you have never had a schedule where you play with your pet for at least 15-30 minutes every evening, you should consider creating one.

Get new toys, a cat bed, a cat tree, or whatever else you need to invest in to make your cat feel better. A cat perch can also provide them with some entertainment, especially when you are at work.

Try feline pheromones

Feline pheromones can help your pet calm down for a bit whenever they get very sad and start vocalizing in your house. Not all of them work as well or even have the same effects on cats, but trying one can’t hurt, right?

Get help

When everything else fails, you can ask your veterinarian if they can’t prescribe medication to your cat so that they feel less depressed. There are some options in terms of such drugs these days, but we suggest that you first try to change things up in their living space and routine and only then resort to this solution.

Also, there are veterinary behaviorists these days that can help you find out what is at the root of the problem if your cat seems depressed for no apparent reason.

Many things can be toxic to pets, in general, and even more so to cats. This species is known for exhibiting poisoning symptoms after ingesting a wide variety of foods, but also pieces of plants, foreign bodies, and more.

As a responsible pet parent, you should always do a little research before deciding to buy houseplants or flowers. In today’s article, we’re looking at whether peonies pose any health threat to cats and what that is exactly.

Are peonies risky for cats?

The short answer to this question is yes. Unfortunately, peonies are among the most toxic flowers that animals can ingest, and in this case, at least, not only cats are sensitive to them.

Horses, dogs, and many other species are just as sensitive and can quickly develop several health complications, which we will go into more detail about in the sections below.

All of the plants in the Paeonia genus have a compound called paenol, which makes these flowers toxic.

Symptoms of peony poisoning in cats

The signs of peony toxicity can largely depend from one animal to the next and based on several factors, such as the cat’s health status in general and the exact amount of leaves or petals ingested.

Unfortunately, nibbling on peonies can have some rather serious health consequences on your feline friend’s well-being, such as the following:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty breathing
• Oral inflammation
• Excessive salivation
• Changes in urination or defecation
• Increased appetite for water

Gastrointestinal distress is the most common clinical sign of ingesting parts of the peony plant, but there are cases where the cat might have eaten so much of the flower that they could even develop nervous symptoms such as lethargy, depression, tremors, or seizures.

In theory, at least, your cat’s condition should not get so severe as to cause death. However, we always advise taking your pet to the veterinary clinic immediately after you realize they’ve nibbled on a peony or two.

Diagnosis

When it comes to peony poisoning cases in this species, anamnesis plays a special part in establishing a correct diagnosis.

Naturally, there are a number of procedures that the vet can do even if you do not know for sure what your cat ingested, but if you communicate to them exactly what your cat ingested, you’ll make their job a lot easier.

When you take your pet to the animal hospital, you can expect the veterinarian to first perform a physical examination and look at details such as whether your cat’s drooling, whether they are behaving normally, if they’re breathing and swallowing properly, as well as whether their pupils are dilated.

Treatment

Flushing your cat’s stomach might be an option depending on how much time has passed since they’ve ingested part of the plant.

Antiemetics to deal with the vomiting or rather, the instinct to vomit continuously can also be administered. There are many other choices in terms of the symptoms that your cat is showing, but the primary goal of the vet team will be to make sure that your pet is first stabilized.

Depending on how severe their clinical manifestation is, your cat might have to be hospitalized for one or a few more days. In most cases, though, especially if you bring them to the veterinary clinic as soon as possible, you might be able to take them home in a few hours’ time after the treatment was initiated.

Recovery

Your vet will give you some valuable guidance as to what you are supposed to do in the following days to make your cat feel as comfortable as possible. Fortunately, even though peonies are indeed toxic to cats and other animals, very few cases where the patients lose their life have been recorded in the past.

Preventing paeonol poisoning in cats

The most important thing to keep in mind when it comes to keeping flowers in your home or in your garden is to always pick species that are safe for your cat.

There are many that can cause various health problems, including succulents, for example, and the outcome from ingesting some of those plants might not be as easy to manage as it could be if your cat nibbled on a peony – even in the most challenging of cases.

While the best way of going about things would be to keep your pet away from such plants at all times, it could be that you can’t control your cat’s movements outside, for example. If they keep getting into your neighbor’s garden, you may need to resort to alternative solutions, such as using repellent products around that area.

The majority of cats have some type of interest in new things, so getting them used to safe plants even from when they are very young might curb their enthusiasm later on. Besides, even if your cat loves to eat plants, you can provide them with safer choices such as catnip or cat grass (barley or oat).