Hairballs in Cats

 

Cats are fastidious groomers. When they clean their bodies by licking, their tongue picks up loose hair. It is usual for a cat to ingest hair while grooming and expels the hair when it defecates. However, accumulated hairs sometimes do not get digested in the stomach. A cat then removes the accumulated hair, formed like a ball, by vomiting. Hairballs are more common among long-haired cats. You can minimize hairballs by brushing your pet’s coat, most especially in the shedding season. Brushing can help remove loose hair that your cat may otherwise ingest. Choose an appropriate brush or comb depending on your pet’s coat type. Grooming sessions help your cat have a healthy coat and are an excellent way to bond with your pet. Diet can also help in managing hairballs. Give your pet fiber-rich foods as these assist in digestion and naturally expelling ingested hair out of your cat’s body.

 Any sign of skin and/or hair coat issue should prompt a visit to your veterinarians Murrieta CA.

External Parasites Of Cats

Cats can harbor external parasites that feed off their blood or body tissues. Some of these parasites can be transmitted from pets to people and can thrive inside the home and outdoors. The most common external parasites of cats are ticks, fleas, mites, and lice.

Ticks

Ticks are blood-sucking parasites and are important carriers of disease such as Lyme disease and Ehrlichia.

Fleas

Fleas have well-developed jointed legs that enable them to jump several feet so they can easily transfer from one vulnerable host to the next. They are very prolific and lay eggs everywhere. Some pets are extremely sensitive to flea bites because of an allergen that is present in flea saliva. A single flea bite or two can make them suffer intense itching.

Mites

There are different types of mites that can affect cats. There are the skin mites that cause skin irritation, itching, and hair loss, and there are the ear mites.

Lice

A heavy louse population can cause anemia especially in pets with compromised immune systems and also in kittens.

Work with your Murrieta, CA vet in creating a preventive program that will be beneficial for your pet.

Aggressive Behavior In Cats

Although cats have been domesticated for a very long time, they have been known to display instinctive behaviors when subjected to stress or during social interactions. Unfortunately, these behaviors lean more on the aggressive side considering that cats are natural predators. A cat’s aggressive tendencies should be nipped in the bud before they can become deeply rooted. There are various factors that can trigger displays of aggressive behavior in cats. These include the following:

Status-related aggression

Cats are naturally inclined to form a social hierarchy in the household. This is common in multi-cat households. The most dominant cats occupy the highest rungs of the social ladder while the more submissive ones are on the lower rungs.

Play aggression

Have you noticed your cat playing? You will surely notice that they move as if they are hunting and stalking prey.

Consult your veterinarians Murrieta, CA if you have problems with your cat’s behavior.