Sometimes it is difficult for cat parents to figure out if their cat's vomiting is just a harmless and isolated incident or if it is something more serious which requires veterinary care.

Trying to determine the cause of the vomiting can be very challenging, not only because cats are more discriminating eaters than dogs and are less likely to ingest something they shouldn't, but also because -unfortunately- cats are real masters at masking illnesses. Therefore, we don't know what's wrong with kitty until the situation has escalated into something serious. The problems can go from a hairball, "a bad mouse" for the ones who go hunting outside, to kitty eating too fast or changes in the diet.

Some of the causes for vomiting can be:

- Internal parasites

- Viral or bacterial infections

- Ingestion of foreign objects that will cause blockage in the intestinal tract

- Adverse reactions to certain medications, such as some antibiotics or pain meds

- Accidental ingestion of human or canine medications

- Accidental ingestion of poisonous plants

- Food intolerance or allergies

- Gastrointestinal diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), pancreatitis, lymphoma, liver disease.

- Heartworm infection

- Fear or stress

- Severe constipation

- Motion sickness (during car rides)

 Some vets feel that occasional vomiting (once or twice a month) should not be a cause for alarm as long as kitty looks healthy, is eating properly and the energy level is good. It's also important to take into consideration the age of the cat. Vomiting in younger ones may be due to parasites, bacterial infections, food allergy or even the ingestion of a foreign object, whereas vomiting in older/senior kitties, may be associated with hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, pancreatitis and even lymphoma.

If there is blood in the vomit, then we have an EMERGENCY SITUATION. The presence of blood may be due to ingestion of a foreign object which is damaging internal organs, and if the vomit looks like coffee grounds, it could be a sing of intestinal bleeding. Then, we need to seek immediate veterinary care.

From CATNIP, newsletter from Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at TUFTS University.

 www.happymeows.com

There are several reasons why we should groom our feline companions:

1) First, it is a great bonding experience between kitty and his/her human. A cat being groomed by his/her person echoes the caring attention from its mother during early kittenhood.

2) By brushing or, even better, combing, the dead cat's hair is removed from the coat. If not removed, that hair may end up as a hairball in the cat's stomach or intestine.

3) As part of the grooming routine, it is important to check the cat's ears for dirt, wax buildup and parasites. Same thing with the nails, if they grow too long they can ruin furnishings, hurt the owner and, what's worse, the overgrown nail will get inside the pads of the cat's feet and cause an infection.

TOOLS NEEDED TO GROOM A CAT AT HOME.

a) a fine-toothed metal comb = a 7-inch staimless steeel comb is ideal for longhaired cats because it goes "through" the hair and not just on the surface, as most brushes do. Also, brushes tend to split and break long hair. When using a comb, short, quick and upward strokes should be used, so the hair is lifted and not pulled. If there are mats, they should be teased out with the fingres or the comb, making sure we are not pulling the skin. Tip= when a mat is too tight, use some cornstarch. Put a tiny bit between your fingers and rub it against the mat. It will loosen it and make it a lot easier to work on it.

b) a rubber comb = also called "curry brush", is great for removing loose/dead hair. Many kitties love the "massage feeling" thet get with a rubber comb.

c) A chamois (optional) = for shorhair breeds like the Abyssinian and the Bombay, a chamois really adds a great silky sheen.

d) Nail clippers = We cannot stress enough the importance of getting good clippers. Human nail clippers should not be used and nails should never be cut sideways because they will split. All you need to cut is "the hook" of the nail, that wat kitty's nails won't get stuck on the carpet, stratching post or ... your clothes!

e) Cotton balls = Damp cotton balls are more than enough to clean the cat's ears. Cotton swabs should not be used unless you know the anatomy of the cat's ear very well; otherwise, you could cause internal damage. If the cat builds up a lot of wax inside one or both ears or there is a foul odor, you should consult your vet. 

WHEN IS IT A GOOD TIME FOR A GROOMING SESSION?

It can be any time of the day, usually when the cat is relaxed and comfortable. When the session is over, you can reward your kitty with his/her favorite treat or even a super treat like a small piece of ham, the size of a dime (all cats love ham but it's very high in fat). You can also treat kitty to a play session with his/her favorite toy, so he/she will learn to relate being groomed to something positive. Short hair cats will do fine with a grooming session once a week or even every 10 days. Long hairs need more attention, particularly when they are shedding their winter coats. It is recommended that their coats be checked at least a couple of times a week. Most important: never look at grooming your cat like a chore. It should be regarded as a bonding experience and spending quality time together.

www.happymeows.com

Did you know that a cat's tail is one of its best mood barometers?

The tail is part of the spine and it's used for balance. And it also serves an important role in communication.

An upright tail when the cat is standing or walking lets you know he is alert. When he flicks his upright tail at you, it's usually meant as a greeting.

A relaxed tail  in a cat is horizontal or somewhat down.

A lashing or thumping tail reflects irritation. If you are petting your cat when this happens, it's a good idea to back off.

When a cat is resting, an occasional twitching or sweeping motion of the tail mean he is still relaxed but alert.

A frightened cat will puff out the hairs on his tail (piloerection), so it looks more than twice his size.

A tail in an inverted "U" shape indicates that the cat is fearful and potentiaslly defensively aggressive.

A submissive cat will tuck his tail between his legs, trying to be as small and invisible as possible.

From "Think Like A Cat." How to Raise a Well-Adjusted Cat, not a Sour Puss. Pam  Johnson-Bennett. Feline Behaviorist.

 www.happymeows.com

 The United States has definitely become a nation of “cat lovers!” There are approximately 88.3 million owned cats -as opposed to 74.8 million owned dogs- and 56% of cat owners have more than one cat. And these numbers do not include the many stray and feral cats that continue to live within and around human communities.  

American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA).  

2007-2008 National Pet Owners Survey

 www.happymeows.com

Even though cats and dogs are members of the order Carnivora, which includes a diverse group of animals that are all predatory, their evolutionary paths diverged more than 30 millions years ago and cats evolved as strict carnivores.  This means that they have existed for all these years by feeding almost entirely upon small animals, such as mice and voles. Because felines adhered to such a specialized diet throughout their evolutionary history, this has resulted in specific physiological and metabolical adaptations that manifest themselves as unique nutritonal requirements. As a consequence, there are some nutrients that cannot be made by their bodies nor can they be obtained solely from plants products; therefore, they require the consumption of animal tissue to meet those requirements. That is why cats are known as "obligate carnivores": they must have meat/animal tissues in their diets.

From "THE CAT. Its Behavior, Nutrition and Health."  Linda P. Case

www.happymeows.com