Natural Pet Health

It may be hard for a pet owner to notice a pet cat getting older. Outside, pet cats may show the same things- playing with toys around the home, taking naps sprawled on a favorite spot inside the home, snuggle up with you on the sofa. But inside, it might be a whole different thing.� And health care for cats as they get older may change a little bit.

When caring for an aging cat, there are some things that a concerned pet owner should know about. When a cat approaches somewhere between the ages of eight or 12 years, this is the equivalent of a human being approaching middle age. This will be the time that your cat may be needing a bit of extra attention.

They’re cute, they’re loveable, and they can tear up your favorite chair before you can say, “bad cat!”

Well, of course I’m talking about America’s favorite pet – the cat. (I know, some of you think the dog is America’s favorite pet. But, us cat lovers know better.) But, as most people who have cats (particularly indoor cats) also know, these adorable creatures can make messes outside their boxes and tear up furniture if not properly trained. And the best time to do the training is when the cat is young.

Symptoms and signs of cancer in pets and humans depend largely upon the organ or the tissue that has developed cancer cells. For example, the symptoms of liver cancer in dogs and cats are far removed from the symptoms of oral cancer. Cats with cancer of the digestive system will show signs of vomiting, diarrhea and anorexia while a lump in the peripheral skin indicates lymph cancer.

Some cancers are highly progressive and spread very fast. The first tool in your hands is to educate yourself and be aware of all the symptoms properly. Timely approach to treatment is the only way to prolong and make life comfortable for your cat.

Cats can have a variety of health problems as they mature. Here are some common cat ailments and ways to avoid them.

Cats have this innate ability to self-groom. Observe any cat, from feline to lion, and you will notice immediately after eating they lick their paws they gently ��wash�� their face. They groom themselves constantly and because they do, they swallow the hair that accumulates on their paws. As a result, fur balls are swallowed and this leads to vomiting. In order to avoid this from occurring, brushing the cat’s coat frequently is recommended as well as keeping the cat hydrated.

A lot of people would like to know whether their dogs and cats can catch common colds like humans do. The answer is YES and NO!

Symptoms like a runny nose, sneezing and coughing can develop as a result of a viral, bacterial or fungal infection in the canine or feline respiratory system. But while human colds are usually associated with a change in season, cat and dog colds are independent of seasonality and are usually caused by a virus.

Many pet owners bring their dog or cat to a vet, kennel or cattery while traveling. The risk of infection increases greatly. In addition, the holidays are often a time of high-travel, and pets may come along for the journey.

These days, cats are among the most popular pet you can own.� There are several breeds available, with the most popular being Persian and Siamese.� Cats are a domesticated animal, with origins dating back some 8,000 years and beyond.� Like any other pet that you may own, including dogs, cats cost money to take care of properly.

When you get a cat, you’ll need to think about the costs.� You’ll obviously need food, and you’ll also need to plan ahead for vet costs.� You’ll also need litter, which can tend to get quite expensive as the years go by.� Your cat will need a litter box, food dish, and water dish.� You should also invest in some toys as well, such as a scratching post, cat toys, a pet carrier, and a bed.� You should also look into getting an ID collar as well, just in case your cat ever gets lost.

Generally a cold is an inflammation of the nose and throat characterized by increased production of mucus. While human colds are associated with a change in season, cat colds are independent of seasonality and are usually caused by a virus.

The most important thing to note is that a virus must run its course and cannot be killed by drugs. Treating viral infections, especially in the feline respiratory tract is futile.

That said, cat owners should remember that although the symptoms of cat colds are similar to those experienced by humans, there is a vast difference in how feline colds should be managed. One of the common viruses that cause cold-like symptoms in cats is feline calicivirus, which belongs to a family of viruses that continually change their compositions. Moreover, feline upper respiratory infection� tends to progress due to a vulnerability to secondary infections.

After having given you a lifetime of love, loyalty and companionship, a senior dog needs a reason to live in its older days. Even though it remains debatable whether dogs experience emotions like humans or not, they definitely deserve the same compassion as any other senior member of your family.

With advanced age, senior dogs become more vulnerable to the same dog skin problems that they had to face while young. The skin is the first line of defense against the attacks of external pathogens. And senior dogs are prone to have a dry skin and loose some of the shine of their coats as oil secreting glands slow down. Graying hair and a dry skin are the key indicators of advancing age.

Ear mites are a constant problem for all pets. The presence of ear mites can cause considerable anguish to the pet and the owner alike. Cat ear mites are contagious and pass on to other pets in the household. They can spread to other cats, dogs or other animals too.

The manner in which a cat reacts to ear mites can vary among cats. Some cats do not react or exhibit external symptoms even when they are infected with a large number of mites.

But some cats may show extreme symptoms at the presence of a small number of ear mites. It is therefore, hypothesized that different breeds of cats show different levels of sensitivity towards this condition.

Tumors form due to abnormal multiplication of cells and can be benign or malignant. Benign tumors are harmless and do not spread. Malignant tumors are progressive and characterized by an uncontrollable growth that metastasizes to other parts of the body.

Apart from the above mentioned properties, tumors can further be classified according to the category of the cells that they affect. Eyelid tumors are a less common type of feline cancer that mostly affects white and older cats. They are also more prevalent among cats that remain outdoors in the sun for long periods of time.