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18/11/2021

Can Cat Cancer Be Prevented? To a Certain Extent, Yes, And Here's How

Any way you cut, even just the word cancer, is scary. It can affect any part of the body, and the consequences are often dire. For pet owners, the thought of cancer is a particularly frightening one. The good news, though, is that while the disease is not 100% preventable, there are several things you can do to mitigate your cat’s risk of getting cancer.

Remember, too, that cancer is more treatable now than ever before. Even in animals, it is no longer the death sentence it once was. With appropriate veterinary care, countless pets have gone on to spend several happy, healthy years by their owner’s side following a cancer diagnosis. Still, taking steps to protect your cat is part of being a responsible and loving pet parent. As veterinarians, we are here to help keep your cat healthy. Read on to discover a few things you can do to lower your feline friend’s cancer risk.

Avoid Carcinogens
It may seem obvious to avoid things that are known to cause cancer. Unfortunately, you likely have known carcinogens in your home without even realizing it. Check the ingredients in household cleaners and any other chemicals you have lying around. If the products you use regularly are carcinogenic, swap them out for safer options. Because cats are such meticulous groomers, they ingest just about everything that ends up on their fur. For this reason, it is crucial to keep the toxic chemicals and carcinogens in your kitty’s environment to a minimum.

Have Your Cat Spayed or Neutered
Having your cat spayed or neutered drastically lowers the cat's risk of certain types of cancer (as well as other health problems). In females, going through repeated heat cycles without breeding increases the risk of mammary cancer. Spaying lowers this risk while eliminating the risk of ovarian and uterine cancers.

Neutering lowers your male cat’s cancer risk, too. It eliminates the possibility of testicular cancer and reduces the risk of prostate issues.

Unless your cat is used for breeding or has health issues that make it unsafe for them to undergo surgery, all veterinarians will recommend having cats spayed or neutered. These routine procedures are safe, effective, and provide numerous health benefits.

We should also point out that intact cats are also at risk for contracting sexually transmitted diseases, which can lead to cancer.

Try to Keep Cats Indoors
As veterinarians, we know that some cats seem like they were born to be outdoor kitties. The thing is, though, you can minimize so many risks by keeping your cats indoors (or on a leash for outdoor walks).

Some of the dangers that your outdoor cat may face are as follows:
Outdoor cats are much more likely to encounter carcinogenic chemicals than their indoor counterparts. Pesticides applied to neighbors’ lawns, automotive fluids in puddles, etc., all pose a threat to your furry friend. In addition to making them more susceptible to cancer, such chemicals could cause poisoning.
If your cat goes outside, you have no real way of knowing what they have access to. Keeping them inside is the best way to protect them from the unknown. There are plenty of ways to give your indoor cat an enriching life, and keeping them indoors will likely allow them to enjoy more years by your side.
Outdoor cats are also much more likely to get into fights with other cats who may not be vaccinated or well cared for. They can contract diseases such as feline leukemia by fighting with other cats.
Vaccinate Your Cat(s)
Having your cat vaccinated is part of being a responsible pet parent. If your feline friend is not already vaccinated against the feline leukemia virus, schedule an appointment as soon as possible. The feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is highly contagious, especially among young cats. To boot, cats who are infected are much more susceptible to several types of cancer.

The FeLV vaccine protects cats by preventing infection from the virus. If your cat is already infected, the vaccine will not cure the virus. Infected cats need to be kept away from unvaccinated FeLV-free cats, but FeLV-positive cats can live healthy lives with appropriate care.

Do Not Smoke
If you are a smoker and have a hard time convincing yourself to quit, consider this: Secondhand smoke is just as bad for cats as it is for people. It may be even more dangerous because cats are so much smaller than humans. Smoke damages your cat’s lungs and could make them more susceptible to asthma and lung cancer. Plus, the chemicals from the smoke settle on cats’ fur and are ingested during grooming. Yikes.

Stick to smoking outdoors if you or someone in your household is unable to break the habit. Doing so does not completely eliminate your cat’s risk of exposure to toxic chemicals, but it is much better than smoking inside or near your furry friend.

Maintain Your Cat's Health
A healthy lifestyle minimizes your cat’s risk of many health problems, including cancer. Feed a high-quality diet that meets their nutritional needs, but avoid overfeeding. Maintain a healthy weight, and make sure your cat always has access to fresh, clean water. Keep your home as comfortable and stress-free as possible, and provide things like scratching posts, vertical space, etc., to meet your cat’s needs.

Be sure to schedule regular cat wellness exams with your veterinarian, too. Even if your cat seems healthy, they need (at least) annual wellness exams. This provides an opportunity for minor issues to be detected and resolved before they become serious. Additionally, your cat’s yearly wellness appointment is a good time to get them caught up on vaccinations, prescribe parasite preventatives, and discuss their nutritional needs or any changes you have noticed.

While there is no way to guarantee your pet will never get cancer, following the suggestions above can considerably lower the risk of cat cancer. Maintain a good relationship with your cat’s vet and be mindful of any changes in your pet’s appearance or behavior. If you have any concerns or it’s been a while since your cat’s last checkup, give us a call to schedule an appointment.

18/11/2021

15/11/2021

Three things that will help you with your cat's visit to the veterinarian are:

1. Start early. If you get your cat as a kitten, it’s a great idea to get your kitten accustomed to riding in the car and being in the cat carrier. Bring your kitten to your vet's office on days when you don’t have an appointment so that they can get some love and affection from the staff. They’ll begin to associate coming here with positive feelings.

2. Make the carrier comfortable. Get the carrier out a few days before your cat’s veterinary visit. Leave the door open and put treats and toys inside. This will help your cat enjoy getting into the carrier rather than be afraid of it. The last thing you want to have happen is for your cat to associate the carrier solely with going to be poked and prodded.

3. Keep the kitty calm. Some cats do better at the veterinary hospital when an owner places a blanket or a towel over the carrier, so she can’t see the other animals in the waiting room. Another way to calm your cat is to use a natural feline pheromone product, like Feliway. You can use Feliway’s diffuser (plug it in at home), or it comes as a collar and a spray.

As veterinarians, the last thing we want to see is a stressed-out kitty and owner. Let us help! If you have any other questions about making vet visits easier and how to get your cat on the path to wellness

15/11/2021

Nail trimming

If your feline friend is particularly prickly or getting caught on your furniture, chances are her nails could use a trim. Regular physical activity and scratching behaviors wear down your cat’s nails naturally, but it’s a good idea to keep them trimmed for their own comfort—and yours.

Nail Trimming
Like brushing, it’s important to start slow and get your cat used to having her paws touched. At a time when your cat is calm and relaxed, gently press on each paw pad to extend the nail. It is important to only trim the white tips—the pink portion of each nail contains the quick, which is made up of nerves and blood vessels that cause bleeding and discomfort when cut.

Ready to start trimming? Place your cat on your lap facing away from you or enlist a friend to hold your cat while you trim. Gently extend each nail, trim the tips, and repeat every two weeks. Once you and your cat are accustomed to the process, it should be relatively short and painless—but if either of you are uncomfortable, you can always leave it to a veterinary or grooming professional.

11/11/2021

Shaving

If you have a long-haired cat, she may benefit from having her fur clipped—or in some cases, completely shaved—to keep her cool, comfortable, and mat-free. This is best left to the professionals, so contact your veterinarian for recommendations.

11/11/2021

Bathing

Can you bathe a cat? And if so, should you? While not typically necessary, bathing may be recommended to treat a skin condition, remove unwanted substances from the fur, or improve hygiene for cats who cannot physically groom themselves.

Bathing can be performed at home, in the veterinary hospital, or at a professional grooming facility. If you decide to bathe your cat at home, be sure to use a mild, veterinarian-recommended shampoo and warm water. Stick to your cat’s body—her face should only be gently wiped with a damp washcloth—and keep the entire process as quick as possible to reduce stress.

10/11/2021

Brushing

Regular brushing removes dead hair, dirt, and debris from your cat’s coat, helping to prevent mats before they become unmanageable and reduce hairballs, which build up in your cat’s digestive system—and ultimately end up on your carpet. In addition, you’ll cut down on shedding and the amount of time you spend getting cat hair off your furniture and clothes. As a bonus, brushing is also a positive way to interact and bond with your cat.

To keep your cat’s coat in tip-top shape, aim to brush her twice a week, but keep in mind that long-haired breeds may require more frequent grooming than their short-haired counterparts. There are many different grooming tools on the market, from fine-toothed combs to rubber grooming mitts. In general, a wire slicker or bristle brush is a safe choice, but if you’re not sure which will work best for your cat, ask your veterinarian for a recommendation.

No matter what you choose, it is important to let your cat familiarize herself with each tool before using it. Begin brushing her slowly and gently, starting with the areas she likes to be petted, such as along the back or under the chin. As she becomes more comfortable, you can work your way to other areas, like the abdomen, tail, and legs. If your cat objects to any of these areas, stop and go back to an area she prefers. Remember that initially, grooming sessions should be short and sweet. With time and patience, you’ll be able to get into a more thorough routine.

10/11/2021

10/11/2021

Is Cat Grooming Really Necessary?

Most people think cats can take care of themselves—and they’d actually prefer it that way—but even the most fastidious feline groomers could use a helping hand.

Regular grooming—including brushing, bathing, shaving, and nail trimming—offers many benefits, including promoting a healthy coat, eliminating odors and matted fur, and reducing hairballs. In addition, it provides an opportunity for you to check your cat for fleas and ticks, lumps and bumps, skin problems, and other health issues you may not otherwise notice.

To establish a successful grooming routine with your cat, it is important to make the experience as enjoyable as possible. Start slow and get your cat accustomed to the process by gently handling her as long as she will allow. Reward each positive experience with treats and praise and gradually repeat until your cat is comfortable.