cat adoption

Cats are extremely particular about their environments. Upon adding another cat to the household, many pet owners are met with resistance and even aggression. Aggression between cats can cause serious stress on the entire household. Cats can happily coexist, but the transition can require behavioral work.

Types of Aggression

Cats often exhibit territorial aggression. When a new cat comes into the home, your original cat may immediately mark them as an intruder. Many pet owners code territorial aggression as male, but female cats can be just as territorial with one another. One cat will be the clear agitator. They will chase, ambush, or stalk the other, typically blocking their access to certain areas such as bedrooms or litter boxes.

In other cases, cats may show defensive aggression. This occurs when cats feel threatened, whether in form of punishment, attack, or environmental stress. A defensive cat will sit flat on the ground with their legs pulled under the belly, ears back and tail tucked.

Not every form of aggression is cause for concern. Cats often exhibit play aggression, an often intense but harmless form of entertainment. Play aggression caan look like regular aggression between cats: stalking, biting, swatting, chasing, etc. However, in play aggression, there is no clear agitator or victim; the roles will swap regularly. Their bodies and ears will lean forward rather than backward. Play aggression is especially common among kittens and is considered completely normal feline behavior.

Managing Aggression

Luckily, there are ways to manage aggression between cats. Begin by separating their resources evenly. You should have separate yet identical food bowls, litter boxes, and beds for each cat. Consider adding additional perches or hiding spots for each cat. Not only does this limit territory disputes, it decreases stress in the environment. Your cats will always find their needs fulfilled in a more comfortable manner.

Stop fights when they occur, but do not intervene. Make a loud noise to distract the aggressive cats. Do not punish them; this will make them feel more threatened. Instead, try your best to separate the cats for the time being. Reintroduce them to one another slowly.

If your cat’s behavior changes suddenly, it may also be a sign of illness. Sick cats often experience increased irritability and thus are more likely to become aggressive. If this is the case for you, schedule an appointment with your vet as soon as possible.

At Claws N Paws Day Spa, your dog or cat can find professional grooming services. Right next door, you can board your cat comfortably in our cats-only boarding facility. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact us today at 714-962-1005.

Diabetes mellitus is an increasingly common—and often silent—occurrence among cats. Unlike human diabetes, we know surprisingly little about the causes of feline diabetes. Thankfully, it is still very treatable. If you live with a cat, it is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of diabetes so they can receive the proper treatment.

What is Feline Diabetes?

Similar to human diabetes, feline diabetes is split into Type I and Type II. In Type I diabetes, the pancreas fails to secrete an adequate amount of insulin. In Type II diabetes, the pancreas cannot process incoming insulin properly. Cats with either type of diabetes have elevated levels of glucose in their blood.

Symptoms

Veterinarians diagnose diabetes in approximately 0.5% to 2% of all cats. However, this number is most likely underdiagnosed. Symptoms of diabetes can be subtle and thus difficult to spot. Keep a close eye on your cat, and you will stand a better chance at identifying feline diabetes early.

Look out for increased thirst and increased urination. Experts conclude that these are the most common signs of feline diabetes. You might notice larger clumps in the litter box, indicating more output during urination. Additionally, while diabetes can occur in any cat, it is more common among obese cats. In more severe cases, diabetic cats may experience weight loss and/or muscle wasting. Muscle wasting refers to nerve damage in the hind limbs. As a result, cats with muscle wasting may walk lower to the ground or experience difficulty moving.

Diagnosis

If you suspect your cat may have diabetes mellitus, schedule a vet visit. Diabetes is fairly common, but it can also be fatal. Your vet will ask you about clinical symptoms and run a variety of blood tests. 

Treatment

Diabetic cats almost always require insulin therapy. Follow your vet’s instructions and dosage carefully. Insulin injection may seem like a daunting task; always remember to stay calm. Over time, the task will become routine and thus more comfortable for both you and your cat.

Diet is also a component of treatment. Diabetic cats benefit from a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet. Sometimes, this means switching from dry food to wet, canned food. Ask your vet for their best recommendations for your feline friend.

At Claws N Paws, your pet’s needs are important. Our professional grooming salon provides full-service grooming to both cats and dogs. Additionally, your cats can find a place to stay in our cats-only boarding facility right next door. We are currently open, with certain provisions in place to best protect our clients and staff from the current pandemic. For more information, see our blog on reopening. To schedule an appointment, call us at 714-962-1005.

The flu affects millions of Americans every year, but did you know that our feline friends can also contract a flu-like illness? Rather than experiencing a defined “flu season,” cats can develop an upper respiratory infection based on environmental factors. You should know the symptoms and causes of feline upper respiratory infection in order to properly assess your cat’s health.

Symptoms

The feline upper respiratory tract consists of the nose, the throat, and the sinus area. The most common symptoms of upper respiratory infections are sneezing, congestion, and conjunctivitis or excessive eye discharge. Some cats may experience behavioral symptoms such as depression and/or loss of appetite. In severe cases, cats may develop a high fever or experience difficulty breathing. Cases of upper respiratory infection typically last for seven to ten days.

Causes

The most common cause of feline upper respiratory infections is viral disease. Most cases are caused by infection with feline herpes virus (FHV or FHV-1) and/or feline calicivirus (FCV). These cases account for approximately 90% of all upper respiratory infections diagnosed in cats. In some rare cases, the infection may be caused by either Bordetella bacteria or feline chlamydia.

Because viral diseases cause most upper respiratory infections, cats kept in large groups are most likely to develop them. Rescue centers, breeding catteries (or “kitten mills”), and feral cat colonies experience the most cases of feline upper respiratory infection. Furthermore, unvaccinated cats, kittens, elderly cats, and immunocompromised cats are more likely to develop an infection. Feline upper respiratory infections are not contagious to healthy people or other animals.

When to Contact the Vet

As a precaution, you should take newly-adopted cats for a vet examination less than a week after adoption. Otherwise, most healthy cats recover from upper respiratory infections within one to two weeks. During this time, monitor your cat’s behavior. If possible, isolate them from other cats in the house. You should contact your vet if your cat experiences more severe symptoms, such as refusal to eat for 24 hours, green or yellow eye discharge, or difficulty breathing.

Treatment

Treatment is largely based on symptoms. Sometimes, vets will prescribe antibiotics to treat secondary bacterial infections. In extreme cases, your cat will need to be hospitalized. General care is always important; you will need to keep your cat comfortable and warm, occasionally wiping the snot and discharge from their nose and eyes.

Claws N Paws owns and operates a full-service grooming salon in Fountain Valley, CA. Right next door, you can find our cats-only boarding facility. Upon our recent reopening, Claws N Paws has issued various safety precautions in order to observe COVID-19 restrictions. This information can be found on our blog about reopening. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact us at 714-962-1005.