We’ve all seen the memes about dogs fawning all over their owners while cats are a bit more MEH. And while there surely is some truth to the stereotype of cats being more independent, there are plenty of them who are quite attached to their owners. And yes, some cats even get separation anxiety. No matter what your cat’s personality, they will need you to plan for the times you won’t be around them. The holidays are approaching, which means you may be traveling. And with traveling comes decision time on what to do with your beloved kitty if you are not able to take them with you.

Let's get one thing straight—kittens are universally adored because, dang, they're cute. They are playful, mischievous, and there always seems to be a smile associated with watching a kitten play with a paper ball or following a laser pointer. But here you sit, thinking about adopting a senior cat? How did I know this? You would not have clicked on this blog if you weren’t debating the idea.

Congratulations on your new kitten—your bundle of joy, mischief, snuggles, a few loving nips and scratches, purrs, and the softest fur you’ll ever feel. You're already likely feeling like you could have never loved another living being this so much, which hopefully means you want to do everything you can to prolong the life of this wee furry feline.

Cats are natural predators and take immense pleasure in the thrill of the hunt...along with belly scratches, of course. In fact, if you’ve got an outdoor cat, you’ve likely received the occasional or more-than-occasional gift of a dead mouse. However, research shows that cats do tend to live longer as indoor cats and, as many of us live in areas that are teeming with coyotes and other wildlife, it’s often the only alternative. So how do you keep your indoor cat happy and healthy? There are plenty of ways, and we share seven of them below.

October is pet wellness month and because, as veterinarians, we know that you want your fur babies in your life for as long as possible, we’d like to help you put your pets on the path to wellness. We’re taking the opportunity in this blog post to talk about the many ways you can help improve your cat wellness. From prevention and vaccinations to regular exams and watching for symptoms of illness, there are many things you can do to ensure your cat is as healthy as possible.

It’s a silent killer that has no cure, but it’s easily preventable. We may think of heartworm disease as more of a dog problem and, while more dogs than cats contract heartworms, mosquitoes find cats just as tempting of a meal as they do dogs. One shelter found during a year-long study that 26% of cats had been infected with heartworm larvae at some point in their lives, with 10% of heartworms making it to adulthood.

The most common reason for euthanasia in cats or, really, pets in general in the United States is behavioral issues. These cat behaviors can range from aggression and biting to elimination or “potty issues” or “potty training issues”. And while there are circumstances where euthanasia is warranted for truly bad and potentially dangerous behavior, it’s also possible to head some of these problems at the pass by getting to the root of the issue.

Getting your cat in a carrier and taking them to the vet can be incredibly stressful for both of you. It's extremely common for cat owners who adore their cats to only take their cat into the vet when they are sick because it will stress their cat out. The big problem is that cats will try to hide their symptoms until they fall critically ill. If your feline family member does develop health issues and it is detected early it is more likely to be treated and resolved. With early detection, treatment is likely to be less expensive and easier to manage.