Constipation is a relatively common problem in cats. It is most frequently seen in older cats but can occur at any age. Symptoms of constipation The most common symptom of constipation is straining, either in the litter box or outside of it. However, it is important to establish whether your cat is straining to urinate or defecate. Urinary problems can cause a similar type of straining and the inability to ...

Description Snowshoes are often favored by people who like the Siamese look but are not fond of the extremely svelte body and head type of today’s show Siamese. A number of today’s Showshoe breeders also breed Traditional Siamese and other traditional breeds. The Snowshoe is a medium-sized shorthaired cat with a semi-foreign body style that combines the heftiness of its American Shorthair ancestors with the ...

Description Once you get past the shock of seeing a naked cat, you’ll notice other distinct differences. The ears, for one thing, look large enough to intercept satellite signals. And most striking of all, the perfect cat should be as wrinkled as an animated raisin. The Sphynx isn’t more wrinkled than any other cat, though—you can just see the wrinkles. Adults should retain as many wrinkles as possible, par ...

Obesity is becoming an increasingly common problem for our cats. Currently, in the United States, veterinarians estimate that over 50 percent of the feline patients seen are either overweight or obese. Even more alarming is the fact that many cat owners fail to recognize that their cat is overweight. Body condition and weight in cats Cats that are not overweight have an ideal body condition. These cats have ...

Description If you want a cat with the high spirits of the Abyssinian but with a glorious, semi-long coat, look no further than the Somali. Somalis are no longer simply longhaired Abyssinians—the years of selective breeding have created a number of differences. A medium to large breed, Somalis are larger than their Aby relatives. The body is medium long, lithe and graceful, showing well-developed muscular s ...

Description The Pura is a small cat with large eyes and ears. The Pura’s body is moderately stocky and muscular with a firm midsection. The legs are heavy and muscled at the body, tapering down to small, short, oval feet. The tail length is short of the shoulder when laid alongside the torso. It tends toward slender but is not whippy and has a blunt tip. Adult males weigh 6 to 7 pounds; adult females weight ...

If you own a cat (or one owns you), you’ve almost certainly heard the hacking sounds and cleaned up the unpleasantness that accompany coughing up a hairball. While a common malady among felines, they can occasionally be serious. Here’s a primer. Causes Cats groom themselves with their rough tongues, in part to rid their coats of loose hairs — some of which get swallowed. Usually it just passes though their ...

Description The Siberian is a large, strong, luxuriously furred cat who takes up to five years to attain its full size and splendor. At maturity, these cats are powerfully built, with an overall appearance of strength and size, along with excellent physical condition. However, the facial expression reveals the breed’s true nature: sweet, loving, and thoroughly domesticated. The overall appearance is one of ...

A surprising number of plants can be harmful to your cat, sometimes producing mild symptoms like an upset stomach, and sometimes resulting in death. An Easter Lily, for example, can be fatal for the cat who eats it. In fact, lilies in general are among the most dangerous. Oleanders, azaleas, and yew plants are also extremely toxic. Households with cats should keep the following information handy and make su ...

Description With its big, baby blue eyes, beautiful and distinctive pattern, and sleek, super-short fur, the Siamese is the most universally recognized cat breed on the planet. They are graceful, elegant and long—long bodies, long heads, long tails, long necks, long legs. The unique, tubular body is fine-boned, trim, elongated, svelte and muscular. The head is a medium-size tapering wedge with a flat forehe ...