Cat Health Questions | Questions You've Asked (Or Wanted To)

Common cat health questions that Cat Lovers Only readers have asked, or that I've seen being asked around the Internet are addressed here.

General Questions

A. The answers to this are many and varied, depending upon the type of problem and the cause. The first step is to rule out a physical cause by taking your cat to the vet. Then, you can work through any emotional issues and behavior problems. See my cat litter box problems guide for more help.

A. Your cat should be tested for worms once per year by your veterinarian. Keep in mind that worms can be present whether you see them or not, and an infected cat may not show any signs or symptoms. Here are some common types of cat worms and how to spot them.

A. Your cat may exhibit various hacking and coughing behaviors when trying to deal with hairballs. Hairballs in cats are quite common, and may contain fur, food, and other ingested items that ball up in the gut.

An actual cough, however, is relatively rare in cats and warrants a call to your veterinarian for guidance.

A. Many cats are overweight. Just as in humans, overweight cats may develop weight related illnesses and medical conditions. Here are tips to help your cat stay slim and trim (more...).

Cat Health Questions Regarding Food

A. No. Cats and dogs have different nutritional requirements. For example, cats require that an amino acid called taurine be in their diet in sufficient quantities. Without it, your cat may go blind or develop heart problems including cardiomyopathy.

If your cat is eating too much dog food and therefore not getting enough of what a cat needs, that is a problem. You'll need to adjust your lifestyle and feeding schedules to ensure your cat is getting adequate nutrition.

A. Yes. Chocolate poisoning is more common in dogs, but many animals may have reactions to it, including cats. While small quantities may not kill your cat, chocolate should be off-limits for kitty.

I've put this one on here because I've seen elsewhere on the Web where people have asked this question and the answer was given as "no" so I wanted to make sure that cat owners are informed.

A. I hear stories about people feeding their cats cheesecake, macaroni and cheese, vegetarian meals, and all kinds of things.

Cats are obligate carnivores. They need meat and they can't get all the nutrition they need from a plant-based diet. So, broccoli is fine, but your cat needs a steak to go with it.

Your cat's physiology is designed for a low carbohydrate diet, so cheesecake is not a good idea. Feeding scraps of meat (without spices or sugary sauces) is probably OK in moderation, but if your cat's diet becomes unbalanced, she may become malnourished.

Also, the meat you feed your cat should be from animals that are not fed hormones. So, free range chickens and grass fed beef is the way to go.

Unless you want a beggar, don't feed directly from the table or the stove/oven. Prepare the food and feed your cat at a later time. Preparing homemade cat food recipes are another option.

Poisons and Your Cat

Q. I want to keep my cat away from my plants, my garden, and other areas of my house. I've heard that I can use mothballs as a cat repellent. Someone said I shouldn't because they're poisonous.

A. Yes, the two different substances that mothballs are made of are both poisonous to cats. If you feel you must use mothballs as a cat repellent, then put them in a glass jar with a metal lid. Punch small holes in the metal lid so that the fumes can escape. The smell should keep your cat away.

Q. I've heard that many household items, including common cleaners, contain chemicals that may be poisonous to cats. Is this true? Where can I get a list of these items?

A. No. Human medications are the number one cause of poisoning in pets, according the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.

A small amount of Tylenol can kill a cat, and aspirin takes your cat's body about 3 days to metabolize. Never try to treat your cat with drugs for humans, unless instructed by your veterinarian to do so, and keep all medications under lock and key so your cat does not accidentally end up poisoned.

Cat Parasites

Q. There's black build up in my cat's ears. What is that from? Does my cat need treatment?

Without seeing it, it's hard to say, but a black build up in your cat's ear is likely caused by a parasite known as ear mites. It often is described as looking like coffee grounds. Ear mites in cats are treatable, but a veterinarian should clean your cat's ears since doing this improperly can cause damage, and doing it incompletely will not cure the problem.

A. After the cleaning procedure is done correctly, a home remedy may help, but most of the time their effectiveness is less than optimal. Ideally, your vet should do the cleaning and prescribe treatment.

Get Answers From Veterinarians

There are many question and answer type sites popping up on the Internet. Beware when getting any answers to cat health questions on the Internet.

While even different authoritative sources can have conflicting information, many of the question and answer sites are filled with misinformation, rumor, and innuendo.

Your veterinarian is your best source for health information regarding your cat.

That having been said, JustAnswer.com has expert advice and immediate answers to specific questions from trained veterinarians and cat experts.

Simply type your question into the box below, and for a nominal fee, you'll get an expert answer.

Books that Address Cat Health Questions

The Encyclopedia of the Cat contains information on cat health, first aid, parasites, and home nursing kittens.

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