Because of space limitations or personal preference, some people choose to keep their cats outdoors. For outdoor cats, special care must be provided to protect them as much as possible.Unfortunately, outdoor cats have a significantly shorter life span than those living indoors. They face increased ... more >>

Your cat has just delivered a litter of cute and cuddly kittens. You can trust that she will likely take care of them, but who will take care of Mom? The answer is you!Fortunately, most queens (female cats) need little help. All they ask for is peace, quiet and privacy as they deliver their new ... more >>

It happens before you know it. You turn around and the cute little kitten that you just got yesterday is having a litter of kittens of her own. As most people know, cats are quite good at reproducing. In fact, the average size of a litter is four kittens. For Siamese cats, it's even higher – six ... more >>

If you've ever seen a sleek sand-colored cat with big blue eyes and a coat that gets strikingly darker around the paws, face, ears and tail, you've probably had the pleasure of meeting a seal-point Siamese. This sophisticated beauty can range in color from flame to lilac to seal point. The pattern ... more >>

Before breeding your cat, learn what is involved in mating, reproducing and delivering healthy kittens. Sometimes, breeding isn't a good idea.The Male (The Tom)Puberty in a male cat, called a tom cat, sets in at 6 to 8 months of age when he is able to fertilize a female cat. The male's reproductive ... more >>

If you are not looking forward to the pitter-patter of little paws, there is a simple solution: Neuter or spay your pet. For cats, the most reliable and effective method for birth control is the removal of the reproductive organs.For some people, however, the procedure is too permanent. They may ... more >>

Good nutrition and a balanced diet are essential elements for good health in a cat. And that is especially true in the pregnant cat. Overfeeding or underfeeding at certain times during your cat's pregnancy can be detrimental to her as well as her developing kittens. When feeding the pregnant cat, ... more >>

Neutering can be a hot topic in many families. Many families decide against neutering their male pets because they do not like the appearance of their dog after the surgery. In 1993, Gregg Miller of Buckner, Missouri, felt the same way. It was time for him to make a decision about neutering his ... more >>

Pregnancy is the period of gestation when the young are developing in the mother's uterus. Normal gestation in cats is 58 to 68 days (the average is 63 days).The litter size in cats varies from one kitten to more than 10. Litter sizes are often smaller in young and old animals and largest when the ... more >>

Your cat (queen) is due to deliver her kittens sometime in the next two weeks. This is a good time to start preparing for that special day. One way is to buy or build a queening box (also called a kittening box), which is a place for your pregnant cat to deliver and care for her kittens.Cats are ... more >>

Pregnancy and giving birth can be a frightening, confusing and painful experience for both you and your cat. However, understanding proper pregnancy care can help make the process go more smoothly and help you know what is normal. It can also help you to determine when it is time to get the ... more >>

It's time to start thinking about spaying or neutering your cat. But, you are not quite sure if it is the right thing to do. If you're wondering whether you should just leave your cat as nature intended, consider the positive and negative aspects of spaying and neutering before making your ... more >>

You love your cat dearly and think, wouldn't the world be a better place if there were more cats just like her or him? However, before you breed your cat, take some time to consider whether or not it is the best thing to do and whether you are doing it for the right reasons. Make this decision ... more >>

Spaying (ovariohysterectomy) is a surgical procedure in which both ovaries and most of the uterus are removed from the body. It is most commonly performed to prevent reproduction, which consequently helps to control pet overpopulation.Ovariohysterectomy may also be indicated for: Some behavior ... more >>

It is a scene repeated all too often. A panicked owner and a pet in distress presented in labor. Sometimes what is happening is normal, labor takes time and the pet's guardian is simply overanxious. Sometimes the situation is more serious, and the pet may require medical intervention or even a ... more >>

It is a scene repeated all too often. A panicked owner and a pet in distress presented in labor. Sometimes what is happening is normal, labor takes time and the pet's guardian is simply overanxious. Sometimes the situation is more serious, and the pet may require medical intervention or even a ... more >>

As the weather warms and the days grow longer, predictably, veterinarians experience a rash of phone calls from panicked owners concerning the sudden onset of odd behaviors in their pets. Oftentimes, they report a decreased appetite, whining, crying, frequent urination or odd postural reactions. A ... more >>

Estrus in the queen (female cat) is defined as the time during the reproductive cycle when she displays interest in mating. Estrus begins when the queen allows the male to mount and breed, and ends when her receptive behavior ceases. In cats, mating behavior is required to induce ovulating.Domestic ... more >>

Neutering is a procedure used to "de-sex" an animal. This procedure has been used to control animal population growth, reduce unwanted sexual behavior in pets, and decrease or eliminate the possibility of certain disease conditions later in life (such as pyometra or infection in the ... more >>

For millions of pets and people, the tiny flea is a remorseless enemy. The flea is a small, brown, wingless insect that uses specialized mouth parts to pierce the skin and siphon blood. When a flea bites your cat, it injects a small amount of saliva into the skin to prevent blood coagulation. Some ... more >>

Feline heartworm disease is a serious parasitic disease caused by a long, thin worm, Dirofilaria immitis, that lives in the blood vessels and heart of infected cats. The disease is spread from dog to cat by mosquitoes. The mosquito bites a dog with heartworm infection, collects some of the ... more >>

Ticks, are irritating arthropods that prey on cats. Their goal in life is to find a warm-blooded creature so that they can feed. Veterinarians and pet owners have been battling these tiny parasites for decades and the war continues. Ticks are members of the Acarina order and are not insects. ... more >>

Fleas, ticks, heartworms and intestinal worms – for their small size, these parasites pack a lot of misery for you and your pet. Besides driving your faithful companion crazy, they pose a hazard to pets and people.Fortunately, you're not without the means to fight back. What follows are guidelines ... more >>

Many owners want to start their pets on the road to good dental health but struggle to choose the right dental product.Good dental hygiene starts with a healthy mouth, which is why owners should have their pets' teeth and gums checked by their veterinarian. At home, it is important to remember not ... more >>

Bad breath in a cat is often dismissed simply as "kitty breath." In fact, it may signal periodontal disease, which is the most common ailment suffered by dogs and cats over 3 years old. Preventing periodontal disease can result in longer, healthier lives for pets. To educate owners of ... more >>