Cat Fact Files

This condition, once common in cats fed only on complete dried foods, resuits in a blockage in the urethra in male cats. The combination of this diet, dehydration and early castration can lead to the formation of salt crystals in the bladder that block the urethra. A cat suffering from the effects of this condition [...]

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There are a couple of ‘complication’s in which you can intervene to help the kittens and/or the litter mother. Most kittens are born head first, but many can be born tail first (breech). This is not really a complication, but in some instances you may need to encourage the cat with a helping hand if [...]

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The staff at your veterinary surgery should be able to give you details of local pet cemeteries. Alternatively, you can find them listed in business telephone directories. It is usually possible either to transport the cat’s body yourself or to arrange for the veterinary practice to transter the body to the cemetery. Many pet cementeries [...]

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Pet insurance has become a necessity for most cat owners. The sophistication of many policies now means that you can obtain a range of cover from basic veterinary costs to more unusual referrals to specialists. This becomes especiaily important if your kitten develops a physical or psychological problem later in life and your budget has [...]

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You can contact a breeder through professional registers of your local veterinary surgery. You will need to discuss breed standards to ensure that any resulting kittens measure up and will therefore find good homes. You will also need to talk about the fee structure, and then arrange to have your queen mated. An alternative for [...]

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The average lifespan of a domesticated cat is somewhere between 12 and 15 years. Of course, some individuals may not reach 12 years while others may survive beyond 20 years. There is little information about longevity in wild cats, but it is thought that the domesticated cat lives twice as long as its feral relative. [...]

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Cats have a fur coat to keep them warm and are equipeed to survive normal weather conditions. Some breeds, such as the Norwegian Forest and Siberian Forest cats, are extremely hardy and can survive in rough condition. A cat caught out in bad weather will want to return home as fast as possible. If it [...]

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There are indication that pure white cats are more vulnerable to skin cancer caused by over-exposure to direct sunlight. Experts suggest that it is safer to keep a white cat in daytime shade during the brighter summer months. Sphynx cats and those with very short hair are more vulnerable to the the adverse affects of [...]

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There are a number of causes for eye infections in cats. It is advisable to first of all have the worst-case scenarios eliminated through professional examination. In some cases, the cat may have been exposed to bad weather, have been caught in the eye by a branch or plant. In more serious cases, the infection [...]

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Most commonly, a coughing cat is attempting to regurgitate a developing fur ball with its vomit. In other cases, the cat may have consumed grass in order to bring up a digestive irritation or fur ball. In rare cases, the coughing may be a sign of feline calici virus: If you have any suspicions that [...]

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