Don’t Sugarcoat It: The Facts of Feline Diabetes
November is Diabetes Awareness Month, a time that calls attention to the impact this disease has on millions of Americans and to the daily health choices we make. But while most associate diabetes with humans, many do not realize that our feline friends are also susceptible to the disease. Dr. Audrey Cook, a professor at […]
A Scent-sitive Subject: Essential Oil Diffusers and Your Cat
Essential oils are often presented as a naturalistic approach to personal care and home fragrance. However, just because these oils are derived from plants doesn’t make them healthy, or even safe, for your cat. Dr. Murl Bailey, a professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVMBS), advises pet owners to […]
Finding Crouton: A Curious Twist of Feline Fate
Dr. Alison Diesel, a clinical associate professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and & Biomedical Sciences (CVM), was not looking to adopt a cat when she first met Crouton. “We had just lost the best cat in the world, Piddy, who had grabbed onto a piece of my heart and never let […]
Eating Your Greens: The Basics of Cat Grass
When confronted with the topic of healthy eating, we, as humans, are frequently reminded of the importance of including daily greens in our diets. Does your cat’s diet need the same? Dr. Lori Teller, a clinical associate professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, discusses the basics of cat grass […]
Detecting the Subtle Signs of Pain
The first step in caring for a sick or injured animal is being able to recognize the signs of pain that indicate something is wrong. Acute pain tends to be easier to identify, but chronic pain can have a variety of less-noticeable symptoms. To help pet owners recognize these symptoms, Dr. Daniel Eckman, a veterinarian […]
Handling A Hairball Hassle
As every cat owner knows, hairballs are not very pleasant for the cat or the person who cleans them up. They can also be an indication of other health issues, especially if they are happening frequently. In honor of National Hairball Awareness Day on April 26, Dr. Carly Patterson, a clinical assistant professor at the […]
The Truth About Feline AIDS
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is commonly known as Feline AIDS because of its similarities to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). FIV is relatively uncommon, but it can have serious impacts on a cat’s health and well-being. With proper care, cats with FIV can live many years and usually can share a household with other, FIV-negative cats. […]
Managing Feline Acne
Acne may be most common with teenagers, but many cats also develop this skin condition on the chin and lips. Fortunately, feline acne is usually minor and easy to treat. Brandi Miller, a veterinary student at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, has advice for managing cat acne and avoiding infections. […]
A Cat’s Five Senses
In the animal kingdom, big cats have developed several adaptations that allow them to be top predators in a variety of ecosystems. While modern house cats may not need to hunt to the same extent as wild cats, our pets have still kept several interesting abilities that enhance their senses. Dr. Carly Patterson, a clinical […]
Choosing the best diet for your kitten
Kittens have very specific dietary needs in order to grow into healthy, active adult cats. As carnivores, all cats need more protein than many other pets, but kittens also require a variety of nutrients to provide energy for growth and development. Dr. Deb Zoran, a professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & […]
