Filed under: Cats, Ask A Vet, Animal Sites We Love

By Dr. Marty Becker, via Vetstreet

Q. My 11-year-old daughter desperately wants a cat. She’s a good student and a responsible kid, and we’re running out of reasons to say no. But her stepdad is allergic to cats, and her dad is making an issue of it. Any advice?

A. Yes, I do have advice: The adults need to stop fighting with one another and set a good example for the child. Or did you mean advice about getting a pet? Yes, I can help you there too.

SEE ALSO: 5 Ways to Control Allergies to Pets

While those with severe, potentially life-threatening allergies should probably not adopt a cat or dog, most people with mild to moderate allergies can tolerate life with these animals, even if their allergists would rather they didn’t. Depending on how severe your husband’s allergies are and how well controlled they can be by working with an allergist, it’s possible to minimize the health impact of a cat.

Continue reading 5 Ways to Control Cat Allergies

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Nom nom nom. (photo: photoxpress.com)

Let’s talk about stinky goodness, shall we? It’s one of our cats’ favorite topics, so we might as well discuss it here, right?

Pimp is officially an addict to wet food. I was giving him a can on some nights, as a treat, and he soon came to expect it. Now, when I go in the kitchen any time after dark (his little feline internal clock is set!), he meows and meows and stands expectantly where I’d put his plate.

He eats Wellness cans, and I always stand in front of the selection at the store wondering in the world he would prefer. I’m not a cat! Tuna sounds good, right? But is that too cliche? How about turkey? Salmon? Wait … surf or turf?

For some reason I always assume he’ll like the fishy stuff, so that’s what I go for. But then I have to decide between pate, sliced, minced or cubed. Pate or *something else* — that I can understand. But does my cat really know the different between all these fine, fancy cuts?

Turns out, yes, he kind of does.

Cubed gets kind of pushed around the plate as he tries to lick the gravy around it. Minced gets eaten a little bit more, but it’s still just in the way of the gravy. Sliced, though, now that gets eaten! Maybe because the pieces are a little bit bigger? Longer? I have no idea. Again, I’m not a cat. To me, I’d think the smaller bits would be easier to lap up.

So now I’ve got it figured out, right? He prefers fish and sliced — and absolutely inhales salmon-flavored sliced cans for five days, until he decides he doesn’t like it anymore … and it’s back to the drawing board!

Do you guys go through this with your kitties, too? I wish they could do their own food shopping and just buy what they’re in the mood for!

Amy LiebermanHost of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” tackles growing problem of pet obesity.… full story

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Filed under: Dogs, Cats, Funny Animal Videos

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I always joke that my cat Priscilla stores essentials in her furry belly pouch, but what would she be toting if she carried a real purse? A mouse? Keys? Tiny tubes of catnip-flavored lipgloss?

Our feline friends may be lucky enough to do without the trappings of handbags, but we can only pretend to be as carefree. Luckily for us, many designers have decided to let the cats out of the bag this season, and put them on it instead.

The Black Leather Cat Bag by La Lisette is handmade in Amsterdam, and gets two paws up for its charmingly cartoonish eyes and brass snap nose.

Alternatively, the ASOS Cat Print Across Body Bag may seem familiar because of it’s Miu Miu-inspired kitty print, but you’ll look like anything but a copycat while wearing it.

About the Author: Stephanie Harwin is the founder of Catsparella.com, an award-winning cat culture blog dedicated to her passion for finding and sharing all of the coolest cat-related content online. Read more about her here.

Filed under: Pet Health, Animal Sites We Love

Via Vetstreet

February is Dental Health Month, which means it’s time to lavish some attention on your pet’s teeth. It’s important to take proper care of canine and feline teeth, because if left untreated, plaque and tartar buildup can progress to painful periodontal disease. The bacteria from periodontal disease can spread to other organs and cause illnesses. More than 85 percent of cats and dogs over four years old are affected by periodontal disease – you don’t want your four-legged companion to become part of that alarming statistic.

Here are five steps to help your pet’s teeth and gums remain healthy:

1. Beware of Bad Breath
If a musky scent is coming from Fluffy’s mouth, don’t ignore it. This could be a warning sign that she has periodontal disease or another oral disease such as stomatitis, a common feline condition that causes painful inflammation of the gums and mouth tissues.

SEE ALSO: Warning Signs Your Pet Has Gum & Teeth Issues

Other dental-health warning signs include bleeding gums, yellow or brown teeth, pawing at the mouth, and loose or missing teeth.

Continue reading 5 Best Ways to Keep Your Pet’s Teeth Healthy

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