We have a post to put here later. Mama is just too tired to do a good job proofreading it at the moment, but please come back later today and it will be here.
Purrs,
Carmine and Milita
~~UPDATE~~
You can read mama's new post below this one :)
Thursday, June 30, 2011
How to Tell if Your Cat is Sick - Part 2
In my last post, I discussed some ways in which you can tell if your cat is not feeling well. In this post, I will continue that discussion so that you have the best chance of spotting illness or pain early in your feline.
Skin and Coat: Changes in your cat's skin and coat is one sign that your furry friend may not be feeling well. A healthy feline's coat is slightly lustrous, clean, and soft, according to the website How Stuff Works. If your cat's coat is looking unkempt, dry, oily, or dull, he or she may not be feeling well.
If you see bald patches or spots with thinning hair on your cat, he or she could be experiencing an allergic reaction, flea infestation, or obsessively grooming oneself in reaction to stress.
As you probably already know (if you are a cat owner), cats are very diligent about keeping themselves clean. If you suddenly see your feline stop bathing or grooming himself or herself, he or she may be ill or in pain.
Of course, sometimes when a kitty looks unkempt, it is merely a sign that he or she needs more grooming attention from his or her human. It is always best to ask your veterinarian about changes you notice in your feline's grooming habits.
Ears: The appearance of the ears is another way in which you can determine if your pet is healthy. You should look inside your cat's ears periodically. Checking your pet's ears during grooming time is a good way to get into a routine. Ear mites look like dirt or coffee grounds in the ears. While some felines will itch or rub their ears if they have ear mites, not all of them do. Seeing a blue or yellowish tint in or around the ears indicates something may seriously be wrong with your kitty and you should call your vet immediately if you notice this.
Cats who spend time indoors and outdoors or who stay outdoors all the time also need to have their ears inspected regularly. In winter, a kitty's ears can develop frostbite in as little as an hour's time. Additionally, if your cat gets into a fight, his or her ears are easy targets for scratches and bites. Examining your pet's ears regularly will help you avoid infection if injury occurs.
Gums: Changes in the gums are another sign that something is wrong with your pet. In order to open your cat's mouth, How Stuff Works recommends placing one of your hands on top of your feline's head with your thumb on one side of the mouth and fingers on the other side. Lift your cat's head up so that his or her nose is pointed upward. Next, take your other hand and put one finger where your cat's front teeth meet. Push down on the lower jaw gently to open the mouth.
It is not uncommon for a feline's gums to take on the color of his or her coat. Additionally, orange cats can have harmless freckles on their lips, noses, and inside their mouths.
Your cat's gums should be a pink color (if not the color of his or her coat). White gums may mean your kitty is suffering from anemia. If your cat's gums have a bluish tint, he or she may not be getting enough oxygen. Finally, if you notice the gums have a yellowish tint, there may be something amiss with your furry friend's liver.
Eyes: A cat's eyes are also a good source of information about his or her health. Cat pupils come in different shapes naturally. However, if the shape or size of your feline's pupils change, it could be an indication that something is amiss. Additionally, if your pet's eyes appear milky, cloudy, or filmy, your furry friend may be suffering from cataracts, viral ulcers, or another type of vision problem, asserts the website How Stuff Works.
The iris, the colored part of the eye, is often a shade of blue, yellow, or green in cats. Some cats even have two different colored irises. If you notice changes to your pet's iris or if you notice the appearance of spots or splotches in the iris, call your veterinarian. Sometimes the iris looks like Swiss cheese, as if it's falling apart as a feline ages, even though it isn't.
The sclera, the white part of the eye should be white; you may also be able to see some small blood vessels as well. However, you should be concerned if the sclera is "bloodshot," contains ulcers or splotches of color, is yellow, or has obvious signs of injury like scratches, bruises, or scrapes.
Felines also have a third eyelid known as the nictitating membrane. Normally, you probably do not notice this eyelid very much. However, one of the ways you can tell your cat is sick is if his or her third eyelid is up - partially occluding the eyeball.
Finally, the pink fleshy part under your furry friend's eyelids is known as the conjunctiva. As with the third eyelid, you probably don't usually notice the conjunctiva. If the conjunctiva swells, it may give your cat's eye a "meaty" appearance and is an indication that something may be wrong.
If you notice any of the signs or symptoms discussed in this post or my last post, it is best to call your veterinarian for his or her opinion and recommendations on your cat's health.
May all the beloved felines and their humans remain healthy :)
Source:
How Stuff Works: How to Tell if Your Cat is Sick
Monday, June 27, 2011
How to Tell if Your Cat is Sick - Part 1
Cats are notorious for being able to hide their illnesses and pain from everyone. They've had to do this historically in order to not appear vulnerable to predators. However, their great ability to hide pain and illness can also make it difficult for feline parents to recognize when a cat is sick or in pain. Getting to know your cat's routine and his or her habits is very important for being able to recognize the early signs of possible illness or pain in your pet.
Appetite and Eating: Knowing your cat's eating habits will help you recognize when something is amiss with his or her appetite or eating. For instance, if you feed your cat dry food in the morning and it typically lasts all day, you'll recognize your cat is not eating as much or doesn't have an appetite if his or her bowl is half-full at the end of the day. If you feed your cat wet (canned) food everyday and he or she is typically excited about it, you can assume he or she has no appetite if your cat doesn't come running for his or her wet dinner as usual. However, if your cat comes running for his or her dinner and then doesn't eat much (or anything at all), your cat may not feel as if he or she can eat much. Loss of appetite and/or changes in eating habits is one sign your fur baby may be ill.
Drinking: Your cat's drinking habits are another important thing you should know about him or her. If your cat is not drinking as much as usual, he or she may become dehydrated and may need to get fluids at your veterinarian. In order to tell if your pet is dehydrated, gently lift up the skin between his or her shoulder blades and release it. If the skin falls back into place immediately, your feline is hydrated. If the skin does not snap back into place immediately, your cat is likely suffering from dehydration.
Similarly, if your furry friend begins drinking more water than usual, it could be a sign of a serious problem, such as diabetes.
Elimination: Though it may not be the most comfortable thing to think about, it is important to know your cat's usual elimination habits. If your feline is litterbox trained and typically uses his or her litterbox, he or she may be ill or in pain if he or she suddenly stops using it and eliminates elsewhere. Of course, a refusal to utilize the litterbox could simply mean that the box is not clean enough for your furry friend. However, if after cleaning the box and filling it with fresh litter, your cat still refuses to use the litterbox, there is likely something amiss with your pet.
Personality and Behavior Changes: Personality and behavior changes are another sign that may indicate something is wrong with your pet. If your cat typically greets you at the door when you come home and stops doing so, there may be something wrong. If your furry friend usually follows you around your home, but stops doing so and begins sleeping in another room while you are at home instead, this could mean your fur baby is ill. Lethargy and sudden aggressiveness are some other changes you might see in your pet if he or she is not feeling well.
These are just a few of the signs that may indicate your pet is not feeling well. I hope you will return to learn about other signs that your feline may be ill or in pain.
Appetite and Eating: Knowing your cat's eating habits will help you recognize when something is amiss with his or her appetite or eating. For instance, if you feed your cat dry food in the morning and it typically lasts all day, you'll recognize your cat is not eating as much or doesn't have an appetite if his or her bowl is half-full at the end of the day. If you feed your cat wet (canned) food everyday and he or she is typically excited about it, you can assume he or she has no appetite if your cat doesn't come running for his or her wet dinner as usual. However, if your cat comes running for his or her dinner and then doesn't eat much (or anything at all), your cat may not feel as if he or she can eat much. Loss of appetite and/or changes in eating habits is one sign your fur baby may be ill.
Drinking: Your cat's drinking habits are another important thing you should know about him or her. If your cat is not drinking as much as usual, he or she may become dehydrated and may need to get fluids at your veterinarian. In order to tell if your pet is dehydrated, gently lift up the skin between his or her shoulder blades and release it. If the skin falls back into place immediately, your feline is hydrated. If the skin does not snap back into place immediately, your cat is likely suffering from dehydration.
Similarly, if your furry friend begins drinking more water than usual, it could be a sign of a serious problem, such as diabetes.
Elimination: Though it may not be the most comfortable thing to think about, it is important to know your cat's usual elimination habits. If your feline is litterbox trained and typically uses his or her litterbox, he or she may be ill or in pain if he or she suddenly stops using it and eliminates elsewhere. Of course, a refusal to utilize the litterbox could simply mean that the box is not clean enough for your furry friend. However, if after cleaning the box and filling it with fresh litter, your cat still refuses to use the litterbox, there is likely something amiss with your pet.
Personality and Behavior Changes: Personality and behavior changes are another sign that may indicate something is wrong with your pet. If your cat typically greets you at the door when you come home and stops doing so, there may be something wrong. If your furry friend usually follows you around your home, but stops doing so and begins sleeping in another room while you are at home instead, this could mean your fur baby is ill. Lethargy and sudden aggressiveness are some other changes you might see in your pet if he or she is not feeling well.
These are just a few of the signs that may indicate your pet is not feeling well. I hope you will return to learn about other signs that your feline may be ill or in pain.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Dangers of the Great Outdoors to Cats
Many cat owners debate on whether they should allow their furry friends to go outside or whether they should keep their furry friends as indoor-only cats. Consider this: according to Traci M. Jones who wrote, "Perils in the Life of an Outdoor Cat," the average lifespan of a cat who spends all of his or her time outdoors is approximately a year and a half whereas the average lifespan for a cat who spends all of his or her time indoors is more than 15 years. There are several dangers to consider when deciding whether to allow your cat to spend time outdoors, and if so, when and where.
Heartworm: Cats, like dogs, can get heartworm when they spend time outdoors. This occurs when an infected insect bites a cat. If you allow your cat to spend any time outdoors, please be responsible and provide your furry friend with heartworm prevention. You can get heartworm prevention through your veterinarian.
Diseases: While there are vaccinations for some diseases, vaccinations have not been created against every disease your cat can get outdoors through other animals. Furthermore, according to Tracie M. Jones, while there are vaccinations against feline leukemia and feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), they are not reliably effective.
Fleas, Tics, and Worms....Oh my! While fleas, tics, and worms do not pose life-threatening dangers to your cat, fleas, tics, and worms can make your cat - and you - very uncomfortable. When a cat gets fleas and brings them into your home, the fleas are just as likely to start biting you as they are your kitty. Additionally, getting rid of fleas is time-consuming and challenging! If you allow your cat to spend time outdoors, please be a responsible pet owner by putting regular flea and tic prevention on your kitty. You can purchase good quality flea and tic prevention, like Frontline or Advantage, from your veterinarian. Please do not utilize over-the-counter flea and tic prevention products such as Hartz as these products are often not safe for your furry friend.
In addition to fleas and tics, kitties can contract different types of parasites and worms while spending time outdoors. For instance, cats can contract ringworm by digging in dirt. Ringworm is very contagious to humans as well.
Toxic plants: There are hundreds of toxic plants to cats. If ingested, these plants can cause everything from vomiting to coma to death, depending on the plant ingested and how much was eaten. A few of the plants toxic to felines include: all types of lilies, cherries, daisies, spring parsley, tulips, irises, tomato plants, wisteria, and yews.
Cruel people: You might have a fence in your backyard, but this means nothing to your furry friend. To your furry friend, a fence is merely an obstacle to get over, not a barrier to keep him or her in your yard where he or she might be safe. If your cat jumps your fence into a neighbor's yard, your neighbor may or may not mind. If your neighbor doesn't want a furry visitor in his or her yard, though, your neighbor may not have any problem shooting, hitting, poisoning, or harming your fur baby in any other way.
Cats may not even be safe in your own backyard. I heard a very tragic story where a cat was taken from his own backyard and dunked in paint thinner! The cat ultimately lost his life due to the insanely cruel actions of another person.
Automobiles: In addition, if your cat escapes from your yard, he or she runs the risk of getting hit by an automobile. I used to live in the country where there are no speed limits on roads and it was not an uncommon occurrence to see a poor fur baby laying on the side of the road. It's horrible to think about, but the sad truth is, a lot of people never see cats (speed limit or not) until it's too late.
All of these dangers pose very real threats to our fur babies, but that doesn't mean you can't let your furry friend enjoy the great outdoors. If you choose to keep your cat strictly indoors, you can buy him or her nature DVDs that allow him or her to see the outdoors from the safety of your home. Window perches are another great way to allow your feline to enjoy the outdoors while inside. If you want to let your kitty go outside, my best advice would be to either build (or buy) him or her a secure outside enclosure or to put a harness and leash on your feline and take him outside with you so you can supervise his or her outdoor time.
Heartworm: Cats, like dogs, can get heartworm when they spend time outdoors. This occurs when an infected insect bites a cat. If you allow your cat to spend any time outdoors, please be responsible and provide your furry friend with heartworm prevention. You can get heartworm prevention through your veterinarian.
Diseases: While there are vaccinations for some diseases, vaccinations have not been created against every disease your cat can get outdoors through other animals. Furthermore, according to Tracie M. Jones, while there are vaccinations against feline leukemia and feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), they are not reliably effective.
Fleas, Tics, and Worms....Oh my! While fleas, tics, and worms do not pose life-threatening dangers to your cat, fleas, tics, and worms can make your cat - and you - very uncomfortable. When a cat gets fleas and brings them into your home, the fleas are just as likely to start biting you as they are your kitty. Additionally, getting rid of fleas is time-consuming and challenging! If you allow your cat to spend time outdoors, please be a responsible pet owner by putting regular flea and tic prevention on your kitty. You can purchase good quality flea and tic prevention, like Frontline or Advantage, from your veterinarian. Please do not utilize over-the-counter flea and tic prevention products such as Hartz as these products are often not safe for your furry friend.
In addition to fleas and tics, kitties can contract different types of parasites and worms while spending time outdoors. For instance, cats can contract ringworm by digging in dirt. Ringworm is very contagious to humans as well.
Toxic plants: There are hundreds of toxic plants to cats. If ingested, these plants can cause everything from vomiting to coma to death, depending on the plant ingested and how much was eaten. A few of the plants toxic to felines include: all types of lilies, cherries, daisies, spring parsley, tulips, irises, tomato plants, wisteria, and yews.
Cruel people: You might have a fence in your backyard, but this means nothing to your furry friend. To your furry friend, a fence is merely an obstacle to get over, not a barrier to keep him or her in your yard where he or she might be safe. If your cat jumps your fence into a neighbor's yard, your neighbor may or may not mind. If your neighbor doesn't want a furry visitor in his or her yard, though, your neighbor may not have any problem shooting, hitting, poisoning, or harming your fur baby in any other way.
Cats may not even be safe in your own backyard. I heard a very tragic story where a cat was taken from his own backyard and dunked in paint thinner! The cat ultimately lost his life due to the insanely cruel actions of another person.
Automobiles: In addition, if your cat escapes from your yard, he or she runs the risk of getting hit by an automobile. I used to live in the country where there are no speed limits on roads and it was not an uncommon occurrence to see a poor fur baby laying on the side of the road. It's horrible to think about, but the sad truth is, a lot of people never see cats (speed limit or not) until it's too late.
All of these dangers pose very real threats to our fur babies, but that doesn't mean you can't let your furry friend enjoy the great outdoors. If you choose to keep your cat strictly indoors, you can buy him or her nature DVDs that allow him or her to see the outdoors from the safety of your home. Window perches are another great way to allow your feline to enjoy the outdoors while inside. If you want to let your kitty go outside, my best advice would be to either build (or buy) him or her a secure outside enclosure or to put a harness and leash on your feline and take him outside with you so you can supervise his or her outdoor time.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Adopt-a-thon to Help Cats and Dogs Displaced by Joplin Tornado
The Joplin Humane Society will be holding an adopt-a-thon on June 25 and 26 to give pets displaced by the May 22 tornado a second chance at a forever home. The event is being sponsored by the ASPCA and PetSmart Charities.
The ASPCA awarded the Joplin Humane Society a $100,000 grant to provide nearly 1,300 displaced cats and dogs emergency shelter and care. The shelter has worked tirelessly to try to reunite as many pet owners as they could with their cats and dogs. They have even held cats and dogs twice as long as the mandatory waiting period in order to ensure they could reunite as many pets with their owners as possible.
During the adopt-a-thon, nearly 600 cats and dogs will be up for adoption. The adoption fee will be waived during the event. All animals will come with their age-appropriate vaccinations, collars, ID tags, microchip, and will be spayed/neutered. Additionally, all cats have been tested for Feline Leukemia and FIV and all dogs have been tested for heartworm. All dogs have also been "SAFER" tested for aggressiveness, according to the Joplin Humane Society. Cats and dogs will all go home with a "goodie bag," and cats will also be provided with a carrier.
You do not have to be a Missouri resident in order to adopt during this event. All adoptions will be on a first-come basis and all potential adopters must fill out an application to be considered. After a cat or dog has been adopted, the organization will follow up with a call in order to ensure the adoption is working out and to answer any questions adopters may have.
Adopters of these pets do not have to give the pet back to its former owner if he or she comes forward, however, an adopter may volunteer to do so.
If you are interested in a special needs pet, please check out the Joplin Humane Society's Facebook page. All potential adopters need to apply for special needs pets in advance. Special needs pets will have a variety of needs. For instance, a special needs cat may have Feline Leukemia, be FIV positive, be a senior, or have a broken bone. Likewise, a special needs dog may have heartworm, be a senior, or have a temporary medical injury.
If you are interested in adoption both a dog and a cat during the event, you must fill out both the dog and the cat adoption application forms. You can find the cat adoption application form here and the dog adoption application here. The organization requests you print, fill out, and bring the application with you when you attend the adopt-a-thon.
During the adopt-a-thon, tours of the ASPCA Mobile Animal Crime Scene Investigation Unit, dog and cat rescue demonstrations by the Missouri Emergency Response Services team, and other activities will also take place. Food and music will also be present during the event.
To reiterate, you do not have to be a Missouri resident to adopt a cat or dog at this event and all adoptions are free of charge.
If you can afford it and have room in your home and heart for a pet, I hope you will attend the adopt-a-thon on June 25 and 26. Please spread the word about this great event; all these precious animals deserve a second chance at a forever home.
You can get more information about the adopt-a-thon by visiting the Joplin Humane Society website.
Sources:
Joplin Humane Society
CatChannel: Adopt-a-thon to Help Joplin Tornado Cats and Dogs
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Meet, Jewel
I recently became roommates with one of my friends and his kitty, Jewel, so I thought it was time to introduce her. :)
Jewel is 13 years old and pretty healthy. She enjoys talking a lot to her daddy and sometimes to me, too. She really loves Pounce treats in every flavor and sometimes she'll stand on her hind legs to get one.
While Jewel is learning to tolerate my babies, Carmine and Milita, I don't think she will ever love them the way Carmine and Milita love each other. One thing she DOES love about my babies, though, is that she gets to eat wet food everyday! As part of Carmine's prescription diet, he's required to eat wet food daily, and we all know you can't feed one cat a yummy meal and not the rest of them :)
Jewel enjoys laying in sunbeams and laying outside in the sun on the deck. Napping and following her daddy around the house are among her other favorite activities. I recently discovered she likes playing with fishing pole toys as well. Something cute Jewel does is that she lays under blankets, especially in wintertime.
We think Jewel has some Egyptian Mau in her. She has big, beautiful green eyes and a gray coat with some orange underneath.
I'm sure I'll have a lot of fun stories to share about Jewel as time goes on. I'm enjoying having another sweet, loving kitty to spoil! :)
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Heat Stroke in Cats
In the heart of summer, the extreme heat may lead you to become dehydrated, and to experience physical symptoms such as dizziness and heart palpitations - signs that you may be suffering from heat stroke. Likewise, the heat can lead your cat to experience heat stroke as well. While our furry friends cannot tell us they are too hot, you can observe several signs in them that will tell you they are overheated.
At-Risk Cats:
Some cats are more prone to developing heat stroke than others. However, remember that ALL cats can suffer from heat stroke.
Cats who are especially prone to developing heat stroke include: kittens, senior cats (8 years old and older), obese cats, and cats who have dense coats, such as Persians.
Signs of Heat Stroke in Cats:
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways in which you can help keep your kitty from overheating during the summer months. First, keep your cat indoors during summer months in a cool interior room of the house (preferably with some air conditioning or a fan). Some cats enjoy laying in the bathroom because the tile floor is often cooler than carpeted spaces.
One suggestion About has regarding keeping your cat cool that I really like is to take a bag of frozen peas and put them in your cat's bed. The peas will mold around him and he or she will have somewhere very cool to sleep.
Never leave your furry friend alone in a parked car, even for a few minutes. The temperature in a parked car rises very quickly, even in the cooler months, so it is essential that when you are traveling with your feline that there is plenty of ventilation.
In order to ensure your cat stays hydrated, ensure he or she always has a supply of fresh, cool, water. You might want to put more bowls of water down for your kitty during the summer because staying hydrated is so important. You can even drop an ice cube in your cat's water to encourage him or her to drink it.
If your cat shows the signs of heat stroke, it is essential that you begin cooling your cat as soon as possible. Get your kitty wet with cool, but NOT cold water. Next, wrap some cool, damp towels around him or her so that he or she can continue to cool down while you take your furry friend to the vet. If your cat exhibits the signs of heat stroke, it is essential that you take him or her to the vet (or a vet hospital) immediately, as this is a life-threatening condition.
You can help your cat stay cool this summer by utilizing these techniques. If you have found other techniques to work for keeping your feline cool, please feel free to share them in the comments section.
At-Risk Cats:
Some cats are more prone to developing heat stroke than others. However, remember that ALL cats can suffer from heat stroke.
Cats who are especially prone to developing heat stroke include: kittens, senior cats (8 years old and older), obese cats, and cats who have dense coats, such as Persians.
Signs of Heat Stroke in Cats:
- Anxiety - your cat may be agitated or pace around.
- Lethargy.
- Panting.
- Gums that are dark red or pale in color.
- Bright red tongue.
- Increased internal body temperature - according to About, normal body temperature for felines is between 100.5 to 101.5 degrees. An internal temperature of 104 degrees or higher is cause for concern.
- Diarrhea and/or vomiting.
- Collapse.
- Nose bleed.
- Muscle tremors.
- Increased heartbeat.
- Lethargy.
- Hyperventilation or respiratory distress.
- Coma.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways in which you can help keep your kitty from overheating during the summer months. First, keep your cat indoors during summer months in a cool interior room of the house (preferably with some air conditioning or a fan). Some cats enjoy laying in the bathroom because the tile floor is often cooler than carpeted spaces.
One suggestion About has regarding keeping your cat cool that I really like is to take a bag of frozen peas and put them in your cat's bed. The peas will mold around him and he or she will have somewhere very cool to sleep.
Never leave your furry friend alone in a parked car, even for a few minutes. The temperature in a parked car rises very quickly, even in the cooler months, so it is essential that when you are traveling with your feline that there is plenty of ventilation.
In order to ensure your cat stays hydrated, ensure he or she always has a supply of fresh, cool, water. You might want to put more bowls of water down for your kitty during the summer because staying hydrated is so important. You can even drop an ice cube in your cat's water to encourage him or her to drink it.
If your cat shows the signs of heat stroke, it is essential that you begin cooling your cat as soon as possible. Get your kitty wet with cool, but NOT cold water. Next, wrap some cool, damp towels around him or her so that he or she can continue to cool down while you take your furry friend to the vet. If your cat exhibits the signs of heat stroke, it is essential that you take him or her to the vet (or a vet hospital) immediately, as this is a life-threatening condition.
You can help your cat stay cool this summer by utilizing these techniques. If you have found other techniques to work for keeping your feline cool, please feel free to share them in the comments section.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Types, Treatment, and Prevention of Sunburns in Cats
As I noted in an earlier post, cats can get sunburned just like humans. Sunburns raise the risk of your cat developing skin cancer in the future. Thus, it is important to know how to prevent sunburn. It's also important to be able to spot the signs and symptoms of sunburn in your cat so that he or she can get prompt treatment for it if it occurs.
While white cats are especially prone to sunburns, any place where a cat has thin fur is also prone to getting burned. These places include a feline's ears, stomach, and nose.
Prevention:
Prevention is always best when it comes to sunburns in pets. There are several ways in which you may prevent your furry friend from getting a burn in the warmer months. First, make sure your cat stays out of the sun during the sun's peak hours - between 10am to 4pm.
Next, if your kitty goes outside, lays in sunbeams, or sits in the window while the sun is out, you can put sunscreen on him or her to protect your kitty from burns. Some veterinarians recommend using a sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or higher that is safe to use on infants. Ask your veterinarian for his or her recommendations for your furry friend. Be sure to apply the sunscreen to your cat's thin-skinned areas if he or she is not white or light-colored. If your furry friend is white or light colored, it is best to apply sunscreen all over his or her body to protect against sunburn. You should reapply sunscreen every two hours for best protection.
Finally, make sure your cat always has access to shade, whether he or she is spending time indoors or out. If your kitty likes spending time sunbathing or looking out the window, you can buy UV window film from your local home improvement store. The film is easy to apply and remove. The film is also available for sliding glass doors. As an added bonus, the film also helps keep your home cooler during the summer.
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of sunburn in your cat will help you know when your pet needs medical attention.
Types of Sunburns:
First degree burns: When your cat has a first-degree sunburn, the top layer of his or her skin is affected. The burn will be red or pink in appearance.
Second degree burns: When your feline is suffering from a second degree sunburn, not only is the top layer of skin burned, but so is the layer of skin underneath the top layer. The burned skin will be red in appearance. There may also be blisters present.
Third degree burns: A third degree sunburn affects all the layers of a feline's skin. The affected area may appear white and dry or crusty.
Cats who are suffering from any degree of sunburn may begin to experience itchiness and/or pain. If your furry friend itches a sunburn a lot, it may also lead to bleeding and/or infection.
Treatment:
If you notice your cat has ANY degree of sunburn, it is important to get him or her veterinary care as soon as possible.
Treatment for sunburns in cats depends on what type of burn your furry friend has. Cleaning the burn, shaving the hair around the burn, antibiotics, and topical creams may be needed for first and second degree sunburns. Treatment of third degree sunburns requires hospitalization with intravenous fluids, daily bandage changes and wound care, topical creams, and possibly skin grafts.
Please take care of your cat's skin this summer to prevent your kitty from getting burned.
While white cats are especially prone to sunburns, any place where a cat has thin fur is also prone to getting burned. These places include a feline's ears, stomach, and nose.
Prevention:
Prevention is always best when it comes to sunburns in pets. There are several ways in which you may prevent your furry friend from getting a burn in the warmer months. First, make sure your cat stays out of the sun during the sun's peak hours - between 10am to 4pm.
Next, if your kitty goes outside, lays in sunbeams, or sits in the window while the sun is out, you can put sunscreen on him or her to protect your kitty from burns. Some veterinarians recommend using a sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or higher that is safe to use on infants. Ask your veterinarian for his or her recommendations for your furry friend. Be sure to apply the sunscreen to your cat's thin-skinned areas if he or she is not white or light-colored. If your furry friend is white or light colored, it is best to apply sunscreen all over his or her body to protect against sunburn. You should reapply sunscreen every two hours for best protection.
Finally, make sure your cat always has access to shade, whether he or she is spending time indoors or out. If your kitty likes spending time sunbathing or looking out the window, you can buy UV window film from your local home improvement store. The film is easy to apply and remove. The film is also available for sliding glass doors. As an added bonus, the film also helps keep your home cooler during the summer.
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of sunburn in your cat will help you know when your pet needs medical attention.
Types of Sunburns:
First degree burns: When your cat has a first-degree sunburn, the top layer of his or her skin is affected. The burn will be red or pink in appearance.
Second degree burns: When your feline is suffering from a second degree sunburn, not only is the top layer of skin burned, but so is the layer of skin underneath the top layer. The burned skin will be red in appearance. There may also be blisters present.
Third degree burns: A third degree sunburn affects all the layers of a feline's skin. The affected area may appear white and dry or crusty.
Cats who are suffering from any degree of sunburn may begin to experience itchiness and/or pain. If your furry friend itches a sunburn a lot, it may also lead to bleeding and/or infection.
Treatment:
If you notice your cat has ANY degree of sunburn, it is important to get him or her veterinary care as soon as possible.
Treatment for sunburns in cats depends on what type of burn your furry friend has. Cleaning the burn, shaving the hair around the burn, antibiotics, and topical creams may be needed for first and second degree sunburns. Treatment of third degree sunburns requires hospitalization with intravenous fluids, daily bandage changes and wound care, topical creams, and possibly skin grafts.
Please take care of your cat's skin this summer to prevent your kitty from getting burned.
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