Educational Resources for Cat Owners
Being a cat parent is a journey, and we’re here to help you navigate it. Browse various resources to ensure a happy, healthy, and fear-free life for your feline companion.
Immediate Action Resources
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Help! I Found a Cat/Kitten. What Do I Do?
Access this quick-read decision tree to determine the next best step after finding a cat or kitten in need.
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Steps to Finding a Lost Cat
Read 5 tips from Pet FBI on how to start searching for a lost pet, including appealing to its sense of smell and using social media to amplify your message.
Health & Wellness
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Cat Care 101
Whether you’re thinking about bringing a new cat or kitten home or already have, this document includes basic care information to welcome them in comfortably.
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Cat Health Practices at Every Life Stage
Review the key areas to have checked and discussed at each wellness exam with your vet based on your cat’s age.
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Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) in Cats
Feline arthritis, more correctly termed degenerative joint disease (DJD), is very common in cats. Read more on the diagnoses and how to develop a treatment plan for your cat.
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Diabetes in Cats
Feline diabetes, known as diabetes mellitus, has become an increasingly common condition in cats. Get details on risk factors and treatment options.
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Feline Acne
Not only is acne a common skin disorder in humans, but it is also a relatively prevalent disorder found among felines, regardless of age or gender.
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Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease
There are 4 diseases of the lower urinary tract (bladder and urethra) that are seen in cats. Learn more about them as well as symptoms to watch for.
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Feline Upper Respiratory Infection (FURI)
Learn about Feline Upper Respiratory Infection (FURI), such as what symptoms to watch out for and when to go see a vet.
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FeLV and FIV
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) can cause many types of illness as well as death in infected cats. Read how to spot the signs and prevent and/or manage symptoms.
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Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
Review frequently asked questions (FAQs) and answers around FIP.
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How to Tell if Your Cat is in Pain
Behavioral changes in your cat are the primary indicator of pain. As the person who knows your cat best, you are an important member of their healthcare team and key in helping to detect the signs of pain as soon as possible.
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Hospice Care for Your Cat
Hospice care focuses on the quality of life of a cat who has an advanced/life limiting illness, and helps them live as comfortably as possible..
Palliative care focuses on relief from pain and other symptoms associated with an illness.
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Increasing Water Intake
There are many medical conditions, including kidney and bladder problems, that increase the amount of water that cats need to drink. This guide provides tips to encourage your cat to drink more water.
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Vaccinations for Your Cat
Vaccines help to protect against specific infectious diseases caused by some viruses and bacteria. Learn about common vaccines and why and how often your cat should receive its vaccinations.
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Visiting Your Vet
Visits to the vet are an important part of caring for your cat, but transporting them to and from their appointments can be stressful. See how you can make it a bit easier on your cat (and yourself).
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Your Cat's Life Stages
Cats’ lives are broken into four stages: kittens, young adults, mature adults, and seniors. Each stage requires special attention to certain health and behavioral areas.
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Poisons and Other Hazards for Cats
Learn about things in your home that are hazardous to your cat/kitten.
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Ringworm in Cats
Ringworm is a fungal infection that affects the skin, but the good news is that like any other fungal infection, it is very treatable.
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Senior Cats and Their Unique Needs
Our cats can live longer, better lives than ever before. Learn more about their requirements as they age to ensure they stay happy and healthy.
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Spaying and Neutering
Read about the benefits of spaying and neutering your pets, including the prevention of unwanted litters and the elimination of many of the behavioral problems associated with the mating instinct.
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Obesity in Cats
Did you know as few as two pounds above your cat’s ideal weight can put it at risk for developing certain serious medical conditions? Get tips on how to keep your cat at a healthy weight.
Nutrition & Care
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Canned vs. Dry Food
Why is canned food better for cats?
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Enrichment: Keeping Your Cat Entertained
All cats need mental and physical stimulation to satisfy their natural instincts and promote their physical and emotional well-being.
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Feline Nutrition
How can you be sure that you’re feeding your cat the right diet? It can be tricky to decide what’s best, but this guide walks you through the details to make your choices easier.
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How to Groom Your Long-Haired Cat
Read about daily grooming habits and helpful tips to keep your long-haired cat’s coat looking and feeling its best.
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All About Cat's Coats
Learn about the different types, textures and lengths and what makes each coat type different.
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Managing a Cat that Won't Eat
Loss of appetite can be a sign of an underlying illness or pain that needs veterinary attention. Discover some of the reasons for inappetence in cats.
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Why Do Cats Like Catnip?
From the euphoria-inducing highs to the calm-inducing lows, discover how these plants affect your cat's neurological system in a safe and non-addictive manner.
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Identifying Different Types of Cats
Browse the Alley Cat Allies visual guide to identifying cats, including information on coat lengths, coat colors, coat patterns, and markings.
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Skin and Ear Care for Cats
Read common questions about how to properly care for your cat’s skin and ears with helpful answers from Blue Cross For Pets.
Behavior & Training
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Cats and Their Body Language
One of the primary ways cats communicate is through their body language. To better equip yourself on understanding your cats’ behavior, check out this visual guide.
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The 3-3-3 Rule
The ‘Rule of Three’ helps gauge how long it may take for your cat to fully acclimate to its new environment in stages: three days, three weeks, and three months.
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Dealing with Litter Box Issues
Troubleshooting why cats stop using the box and how to fix it.
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Preventing Litter Box Issues
Location, depth, and cleanliness matter more than you think! Learn the golden rules of litter box management to prevent common issues before they start.
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Alternatives to Declawing
Unlike human nails, cats’ claws are attached to the last bone in their toes. Removing them is like cutting off a person’s finger at the last joint of each finger.
Learn more about alternatives to declawing.
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Cat to Cat Introductions
Learn the best ways to introduce the “new” cat to the resident cat(s).
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Cat to Dog Introductions
Get tips and tricks for successfully introducing a cat and dog in the same household.
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Teaching Your Cat to Use a Scratching Post
Cats scratch on things for two reasons: to shed their dead nail sheaths and to mark their territory. To save your furniture from damage, provide them with a scratching post or two and show them how to use it.
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Feline Aggression
Understanding the underlying causes of owner-directed aggression in cats plays a crucial role in guiding effective treatment. Learn how to identify and avoid triggers while establishing a positive relationship.
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Feline Behavior Guidelines
A report from the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP).
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Home Modifications for Pain
If your cat has been diagnosed with muscle or joint pain, or a mobility problem, small adjustments to the home environment can play a key role in improving their comfort and quality of life.
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Facts About Cat Ears
Learn how ear movement acts as a "mood ring" for feline communication.
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How to Feed a Cat: Addressing Behavioral Needs
What we feed our cats is very important, but so is how we feed them.
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Urine Marking and Spraying
One of the most common behavior complaints about cats is urine marking, or spraying. The good news: This problem can almost always be adequately managed.
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Interactive Cat Play
Playing for cats should be an interactive experience. Proper play gives your cat physical exercise and helps stimulate its brain.
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Keeping Cats Indoors
Developed from The Ohio State University, this resource checklist helps you learn what indoor-housed cats need to enjoy their lives with you.
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How to Leash Train Your Cat
Learn how to gradually de-sensitize your cat to the touch and feel of a harness, making it a pleasant experience for everyone!
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How to Socialize Shy or Fearful Cats
Read the first-hand encounters of the Best Friends Animal Society and how they‘ve worked with cats and kittens to rid them of fear, become house pets and find forever homes.
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Teaching Kids to Interact Safely with Cats
When bringing home a cat or kitten, it’s important to teach kids how to approach and interact appropriately with their new pet. Get tips to make the “welcome home” experience seamless.