Why You Should Keep Lilies Away From Cats And Other Need To Know Facts For Keeping Cats Healthy

Cat Eyes - by Betsy Seeton

Lilies are toxic for cats

 "Lilies are a popular flower, especially around Easter. But if you have cats, you might want to avoid having lilies in your home," writes Rose Hayes. "The entire lily plant -- leaf, pollen and flower -- can be toxic to cats." It can cause heart problems in both cats and dogs according to www.petanim.com.

"All Lillies are toxic to cats, especially day lillies. They can cause kidney failure," Rose writes. Symptoms of lily toxicity in include lethargy, loss of appetite and vomiting. These symptoms worsen as the kidney damage progresses until death.

Seek veterinary treatment early. If you suspect your cat has eaten any part of a lily or its pollen, call your veterinarian immediately.  

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Can proper dental care help prevent heart disease in my cat? 
It might sound farfetched, but it’s true. Proper dental care can cut down on your cat’s chances of suffering from heart disease. And that’s not all. Of course, as you might expect, poor dental hygiene can result in your cat suffering from tooth decay, tooth infection, and eventual tooth loss. But it can also lead to more serious, and less obvious, health problems, like lung disease and kidney disease.

Fortunately, it’s easy to make sure your cat gets proper dental care. First, you should brush their teeth once a week using a soft, child-sized toothbrush, and edible cat toothpaste. Choose cat treats and cat food that promote healthy teeth and gums. And make sure your cat gets a dental checkup once a year. Source: http://www.thecatsource.com/cat-health-tips/

by Betsy Seeton

Is it healthy for a cat to be spayed or neutered?
Many cat owners have questions about spaying and neutering. Primarily, they wonder how healthy these procedures really are for their pets.

The fact is that your cat being spayed (for females) or neutered (for males) is a very good thing. On average, cats that have had their reproductive organs removed live longer than those that haven’t. Among other things, these cats won’t suffer from cancers related to the reproductive system, like uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, and testicular cancer. Pets that have been spayed or neutered also tend to be calmer, happier, and more affectionate. And male cats that are neutered are less likely to feel the urge to run off and get into trouble. So not only is spaying and neutering good for your cat’s health, it can also be beneficial to their overall well-being. Source: http://www.thecatsource.com/cat-health-tips/

What Can You Do To Prevent Feline Urinary Disease?
There are many steps cat owners can take to prevent their cats from developing feline urinary tract problems. The most important thing you can do is to feed a high-quality canned food. Cats are supposed to get most of their water from their food.

A cat who eats only dry food is usually chronically dehydrated, which leads to his urine becoming concentrated. And concentrated urine can lead to cat bladder stones, and a whole host of problems that goes along with them.

Be sure your cat always has access to plenty of clean, fresh water, too.

You may want to consider giving your cat a natural remedy for pets that supports bladder health in felines. This remedy should contain herbal extracts of barberry and uva ursi, along with the homeopathic remedies Cantharis and Staphysagria. These natural treatments have stood the test of time for bladder infections in humans, and they have been proven to work very well in cats. Source: http://purraffection.com

by Betsy Seeton

Digestive Problems
In kittens, vomiting or diarrhea can quickly become life threatening. Whenever any cat vomits more than 24 hours or vomits and acts depressed, veterinary attention is needed.

Cats are discriminating about what they eat, so they don't have much digestive trouble. A few cats occasionally gobble their food so fast they regurgitate undigested (and usually unchewed) food immediately afterwards. If this happens, withdraw food for half an hour and then give smaller amounts.

If your cat vomits but continues to act alert and interested in food you may want to try home treatment for 24 hours before seeking veterinary attention. Source: www.placervillevet.com

Did you know cats don't taste sweet things?
If a cat has ever licked you, you know that his tongue feels rough, like sandpaper. The tongue is covered with hundreds of papillae - tiny backward facing hook like structures that act like a natural hairbrush, which a cat uses for grooming the coat. In the wild, cats use their rough tongues to lick meat off bones. Their taste buds are located on the sides, tip, and back of the tongue. Cats and kittens can taste bitter, acids, and salty flavors but not sweet tastes. When drinking, they curl their tongue in at the sides to form a cup or spoon to lap up the liquid. Source: http://www.buzzle.com