cats

If your cat has fleas, you are not failing as a pet parent. Fleas are tiny, fast, and annoyingly good at hitchhiking indoors on people, other pets, or even wildlife that passes through the yard. The good news is that getting fleas off your cat is absolutely doable when you understand a few key...

If your kitten suddenly becomes more vocal than usual, clingy, restless, or starts trying to bolt out the door, you may be seeing her first heat cycle. It can feel alarming, but it is usually a normal reproductive stage. It can also be stressful (and exhausting) for pet parents, so you are not...

Kittens are tiny comedians with sharp little teeth and very big feelings. If you are wondering how long the kitten stage lasts , you are not alone. In general, many families think of the “kitten stage” as birth to about 12 months , but definitions vary. Some veterinarians and behavior...

Bringing your cat home after a spay can feel a little nerve-wracking, especially if she is still sleepy or acting “not like herself.” The good news is that most cats recover smoothly with simple, consistent home care. I have walked many families through this as a veterinary assistant, and it...

If your cat has stopped using the litter box, it can feel confusing, stressful, and honestly a little heartbreaking. As a veterinary assistant, I want you to know two important things: this is common, and it is usually fixable. The key is to treat it like a health and comfort issue, not a behavior...

How to Tell if Your Cat Is in Heat

If your cat is suddenly louder, clingier, and a little extra dramatic, you are not imagining it. She may be in heat, which is the fertile phase of her reproductive cycle. For many families, the hardest part is that cats rarely bleed like dogs do, so the signs can feel confusing at first. As a...

When a cat starts acting “not quite like herself,” it can be scary and confusing, especially when it seems to come and go. As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I talk with pet parents every week who worry their senior cat is just “getting old” or, on the flip side, that...

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I hear this question all the time: “What shots does my cat actually need?” The honest answer is that every cat’s vaccine plan should be tailored to their lifestyle, age, and health status. The good news is that once you understand the basics,...

If your sweet, quiet cat suddenly turns into a talkative, wiggly, attention-seeking little drama queen, you are not imagining things. When an unspayed female cat reaches sexual maturity, she goes through repeating heat cycles (also called estrus). These cycles can show up as noticeable behavior...

Cat spraying can feel personal, especially when it hits your couch, laundry basket, or favorite rug. But in most cases, spraying is a communication behavior, not “spite.” The good news is that once you identify why it is happening, you can usually reduce it dramatically or stop it altogether....

If your cat seems hungrier than ever, is losing weight anyway, or suddenly acts like they have a motor that will not shut off, it is worth thinking about the thyroid. Hyperthyroidism is common in older cats, and the signs can be easy to miss at first. The good news is that feline hyperthyroidism is...

Finding cat pee on your bed is one of those moments that makes your stomach drop. As a veterinary assistant, I want you to know two things can be true at once: this is incredibly frustrating, and it is also valuable information. Cats are naturally clean, so when they pee on a bed it often points to...

Seeing diarrhea in your cat can be stressful, especially when it comes on suddenly or comes with a change in appetite or behavior. The good news is that many cases are mild and short-lived. The important part is knowing what is normal, what is not, and when to get your veterinarian involved right...

Car travel can feel like no big deal to us, but for many cats it is a perfect storm of unfamiliar sounds, motion, and scents. The good news is that most cats can learn to travel more comfortably with a little preparation and the right setup. As a veterinary assistant, I have seen anxious travelers...

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I can tell you one thing with total confidence: fleas move fast, especially on tiny kittens. The good news is that flea removal is absolutely doable at home when you know what to use, what to avoid, and when it is time to call your veterinarian. This...

As a veterinary assistant, I can tell you this: many cat skin problems are not “just cosmetic.” Skin is a living organ that reflects what is happening inside the body and in the environment. The good news is that many common feline skin conditions can be managed very successfully once you know...

If you have a cat who is suddenly making frequent trips to the litter box, straining, crying, or peeing outside the box, it is scary and frustrating all at once. I have been there with clients in clinic and with foster cats, and I want you to know this: urinary signs are common, but they are never...

If your cat is slowing down, skipping the windowsill, or acting a little grumpy when you touch their back, it is easy to chalk it up to “just getting older.” But arthritis is very common in cats, and many cats suffer quietly because they are masters at hiding pain. In fact, studies commonly...

If you have ever watched your cat suddenly become extra affectionate, extra vocal, and strangely determined to escape through the front door, you may be seeing a heat cycle in action. Cat heat can look dramatic, but for most healthy cats it is a normal reproductive hormone pattern in unspayed...

If it feels like your cat always has diarrhea, you are not overreacting. Ongoing loose stool is a common reason cats end up at the vet, and it can signal anything from a simple diet mismatch to parasites or chronic intestinal disease. The good news is that with the right steps, many cats improve...