A single vomit in a cat who stays bright, eats, drinks and behaves normally is usually something to watch at home, not an emergency. Call your vet promptly if your cat vomits more than twice in 24 hours, or shows blood in vomit, unproductive retching, weakness, or not eating or drinking. Knowing cat vomiting when … Read more
Indoor cats are commonly cited as living 15 to 17 years, while outdoor cats are cited at 2 to 5 years in the PetMD summary of University of California-Davis research — averages, not promises for any single cat. Traffic, predators, fights, infectious disease, parasites and poisons are the main outdoor risks listed by vets and … Read more
Scratching is normal and necessary: it conditions claws, stretches muscles, and leaves visible and scent marks. Punishment does not work — it teaches the cat to scratch when you are out, and adds stress. A good scratcher is sturdy and tall or long enough for a full-body stretch, placed beside the furniture the cat already … Read more
Purring is a continuous vibration made as a cat breathes both in and out, which is why it can run on without a pause. Kittens can purr from about two days old, before they can see or hear, and mother and kittens use it to stay in contact while nursing. Cats purr for several different … Read more
Kittens up to six months usually need three meals a day, and from six months to one year, two meals a day. Healthy adults do well on one or two meals a day, and two measured meals make appetite changes easier to spot. How often should you feed a cat depends mostly on age: kittens … Read more
You look up from your phone and your cat is watching you, completely still, eyes fixed on your face, as if you owe an explanation. If you have wondered why does my cat stare at me like that, there is rarely one answer: a relaxed stare with slow blinks usually signals comfort and trust, a … Read more
Cat sleeping positions give clues about warmth, safety and comfort, not one fixed message. A curled cat is usually keeping warm and protecting its belly, a cat on its back or side usually feels safe enough to expose its belly, and a cat sleeping on you is usually choosing warmth, your familiar scent and a … Read more
Cats knead because it is a leftover nursing behaviour that still means comfort, warmth and safety in adulthood. Kittens press their paws while nursing, and adults keep the habit to settle themselves, mark a spot with scent from glands between their toes, and pat down a sleeping place. Your cat climbs onto your lap, turns … Read more
True lilies and daylilies can cause fatal kidney failure — even from pollen or vase water — so keep them out entirely. Never use a dog flea product on a cat: permethrin can cause tremors, seizures and death in cats. Never give paracetamol (acetaminophen) at home — Cornell lists it as contraindicated in cats at … Read more
If you want weird cat behaviors explained without the guesswork, start here: most strange things cats do – kneading, head-bunting, chattering at birds, slow-blinking and racing around at night – are normal communication, hunting instinct or self-soothing. A behaviour only becomes a worry when it is new, intense, or paired with appetite, toilet or energy … Read more