As a cat owner we all love the sensation of running our hands through our cats’ soft fur! INTRODUCTION Despite the splendour of a cat’s beautiful coat, there lies beneath the surface some startling facts about function. The hairs give the cat sensory information, protects against harsh elements, such as heat, cold, wind, rain or…
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As you are all aware it is coming up to Christmas and as you know the weather can change rapidly. It Is highly important that your cat is kept safe and warm this winter. Keeping your cat warm Make sure you provide a warm place for your cat especially if your cat loves the outdoors….
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Pica is broadly defined as ingesting non-nutritive or non-digestible materials. What causes Pica in Cats? It is thought that pica is an obsessive behaviour that causes cats to eat non-edible substances. There are many suspected causes but the exact reason is not yet known. Many experts believe that pica is more common in cats that…
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What is chin acne? Acne, in cats, is a common dermatologic condition. Chin acne is a disorder resulting from follicular keratinization. Keratinization is the overproduction of keratin, a protein found in the outer layer of the skin. If this excess keratin becomes trapped in the hair follicles, comedones or “blackheads” form. In turn, if these…
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Leonardo DaVinci’s quote “The smallest feline is a masterpiece” is never more true than when it comes to feline anatomy. In addition to being a wonderful creature in so many ways, cats also have some unique anatomical abilities that they share with no other species. Did you know that cats have 244 bones in their…
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Dental health isn’t just essential to humans; it is also vital to animals too. As many as 85% of cats over three years of age may suffer from some form of gum disease or infected tooth. Gum disease or an infected tooth can affect the overall health of the animal. Because animals do not brush…
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Albeit the sense of touch in a cat is possibly the least important sense, it is still important to consider this for a number of reasons. Both the skin and the hair have a role to play. Firstly, the hair or fur serves as insulation against heat and cold. It also protects the cat against…
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Cats have keen vision; they can see much more detail than dogs. Concentrated in the centre of the retina of the eye, a specific type of cell called a cone gives cats excellent visual acuity and binocular vision. This allows them to judge speed and distance very well, an ability that helped them survive as…
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Dietary issues are frequently ignored or not properly addressed. However, nutritional support can play an integral role in the successful management of many feline conditions, including Feline diabetes. Nutrition can be integrated into the management of diabetes. The goal is to use the cat’s diet as a means to support its overall body health and…
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In 2005, scientists discovered that all cats lack one of a pair of proteins required to sense sweetness. The missing protein was the result of a deletion, the loss of part of a chromosome or sequence of DNA, in a gene. The deletion in the gene prevented one of the proteins, that enables the perception…
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Studies have shown that food allergies account for the third most common type of feline allergy. Although itchy, irritating skin problems are the most common signs of this allergy, an estimated 10 percent to 15 percent of affected cats also exhibit gastrointestinal signs, such as vomiting and diarrhea. The itching that typically signals the presence…
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Digestive enzymes are produced primarily in the pancreas and released into the duodenum (first part of the small intestine) to help digest food coming from the stomach. Their function in digestion There are three main types of enzyme that help break down macronutrients in food: 1. Protease, to break down protein 2. Lipase, to digest…
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One of the first reports in the literature regarding taurine was its isolation from ox bile in 1827; hence its name was derived from “Taurus” the bull. That’s why, among other reasons, today it is found associated with energy drinks like Red Bull, fueling the perception of strength and vitality. Taurine is an amino acid…
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Do you understand what your cat is saying to you?  Cats use body language to communicate to other animals how they’re feeling – with a bit of careful observation we can understand them too! TAILS TELL TALES Cats use their tails in several ways to express their mood.  It’s worth getting to know all of…
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Cats are obligate carnivores. This means that cats must eat raw meat and bone. Cats in the wild do not find cooked or dry food scattered on the ground. To feed they must hunt their prey, which would consist of mice, birds, rabbits, insects, lizards etc… They will often eat their prey whole, including the…
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All cats, small or large, are true carnivores, obligate carnivores. This means they must eat meat to survive. Cats cannot be vegetarians. Because they evolved to fill this top predator niche, their bodies are specifically geared for processing a prey-based diet. This is as true for a tiger as it is for the cat on…
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There are lots of good reasons why your cat scratches and claws around the house, none having to do with a desire to destroy your expensive belongings! Using their claws is a perfectly natural feline behaviour and provides a number of positive benefits to the animal. Among them: It helps stretch and tone their shoulders…
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Pet food manufacturers use a variety of marketing tactics to encourage pet owners to purchase their foods. Many pet food companies are producing products that are marketed as being “natural”, a term which resonates with many pet owners who are seeking healthy choices for their pets. But what does the term “natural” really mean and…
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According to Frances Simpson (1903): “One of the strangest and most profitable trades in London is the wholesale and retail business of horsemeat for cats. In barrows and carts the hawkers of this horse-flesh cry their wares throughout the city and suburbs, and find a ready sale for them. It isstated that 26,000 horses, maimed,…
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Beatrix was to be the chosen one! She came from a well-known breeder who has a tremendous knowledge of cats. We went to collect Beatrix in December 2010 and the breeder went through all the paperwork and gave us some tips on looking after cats.The breeder also gave us a few kilos of frozen minced…
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