Category: cats

Overweight Cats Risk Serious Disease

Q: My cat Fred’s fat underbelly swings when he walks. I think it’s cute, but his veterinarian says he needs to lose weight. What’s wrong with a cat being overweight? A: Fred has lots of company: The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention reports that 60 percent of U.S. cats are overweight or obese. That statistic…


Feds Seize 68 Lions, Tigers and Other Animals From ‘Tiger King Park’ in Oklahoma

THACKERVILLE, Okla.—Federal authorities have seized 68 animals from an animal park in Oklahoma featured in Netflix’s “Tiger King.” The U.S. Department of Justice announced Thursday that the seizure of the federally protected lions, tigers, lion-tiger hybrids, and a jaguar as part of a court-approved agreement to resolve a DOJ complaint against Jeffrey and Lauren Lowe…


Firefighter Saves Trapped Kitten From Catastrophe

A Santa Ana, Calif. kitten used one of its nine lives after its head became trapped in a piece of furniture, but the feline was spared from further harm by the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA). A family called firefighters in late April to report a distressed kitten trapped in the hole of a bunk…


Ask the Vet: Protect Cats Traveling in a Motor Home

Q: My spouse and I want to take our dog and two cats on a month-long trip across the United States in our 30-foot recreational vehicle. The dog is no problem, but we are concerned about whether this is feasible with the cats. What’s your advice? A: Your family can make this work, but only…


Ask the Vet: Probiotic May Reduce Dog’s Tear Staining

Q: Cosette, my 5-year-old white toy poodle, has always had bronze staining beneath both eyes. Every year, her veterinarian examines her eyes and says they look fine, so I assume the bronze staining isn’t a medical problem. What causes it, and what can I do about it? A: Tear staining is the most common cause…


We Are All Cats, Aren’t We?

We are all cats. You know what I mean? Perhaps not, if you were quarantined from social media and missed the video of the lawyer in Texas who joined a virtual court hearing via Zoom using a kitten filter. The lawyer couldn’t figure out how to turn off the filter, the judge tried to help,…


Animal Lovers Turn to Adopted Pets for Company During Pandemic

Toiletries aren’t the only hot commodity during the ongoing pandemic—one Orange County animal shelter says pets are being adopted at an unusually high rate as people seek furry companionship during the lockdown. The Laguna Beach Animal Shelter has seen an uptick in adoptions in recent months, said Laguna Beach Police department civilian services administrator Jim…


Ask the Vet: Secondhand Smoke Causes Cancer in Cats

Q: Tao, our 11-year-old part-Siamese cat, was diagnosed with lymphoma. He has always been an active, healthy indoor cat, so I don’t understand how this could have happened. What causes lymphoma in cats? A: I’m sorry to hear about Tao’s lymphoma, also called lymphosarcoma. It’s the most common cancer in cats—and the incidence is higher…