Make the most of sunshine as spring arrives
Sunlight is vital for all living things. While plants use it for photosynthesis, cats and dogs use sunlight to utilise vitamin D for healthy bones more effectively.
Calcium, phosphorus, glucosamine and vitamin D may be present in food, yet without sunlight they cannot be used fully. In winter-born kittens, limited sun exposure can increase the risk of rickets.
Sunlight supports metabolism, helpful hormones, circulation and vitality. Controlled sun exposure can help not only healthy pets but also cats and dogs on long treatment plans.
Most cats dislike travel
Cats usually dislike journeys. Leave the carrier open at home, not only on trips, so your cat gets used to it. A little catnip inside can help acceptance.
Avoid travelling in the hottest part of the day, do not feed for about five hours before a long trip, line the carrier with absorbent newspaper and do not blow cold air directly onto the cat.
My cat is going to have kittens
Feline pregnancy lasts about 58–60 days. Plan the week around birth from the mating date. The queen should accept a birthing area beforehand; otherwise she may choose an awkward spot indoors.
Restlessness, over-grooming and signs of labour may appear as birth nears. Keep in touch with your vet from mating through to after the kittens are born.
What are whiskers for?
Whiskers are a major sensory system: they help with orientation, distance judgement, balance and hunting behaviour, and can reflect mood. They must not be pulled or trimmed.
Similar sensory hairs also sit around the eyebrows, chin and forelegs and work together.
Cats and the March season
Mating activity in cats often increases from late winter. Queens may stop calling when pregnant; toms may fight or call loudly due to hormones—night-time noise is common in March.
Emboli in cats
An embolus (clot, fat, air, etc.) blocking a vessel is life-threatening. Cats with heart disease may show sudden hindlimb weakness after surgery. Early diagnosis helps but outcomes vary; close post-op monitoring is essential.
Hairballs
Shedding increases with the seasons. Swallowed fur can form balls in the stomach or gut. Fibre-rich diets and malt pastes can help passage in stool.
Advanced hairball problems may cause vomiting, inappetence, dehydration and weight loss—see your vet if signs persist.
What a character!
Indoor cats are curious: jumping on curtains, desks, keyboards, stealing small objects. Provide patience, routine and a safe home.
White blue-eyed cats and deafness
Some white-coated Angora and Persian cats have blue eyes. Certain genetic combinations link blue eyes with higher deafness risk; sometimes only one blue eye means deafness on that side.
Not every white blue-eyed cat is deaf, but early hearing assessment is wise.