cats

Why a Cat Stops Using the Litter Box

If your cat suddenly stops using the litter box, it can feel confusing, frustrating, and honestly a little heartbreaking. As a veterinary assistant, I want you to know two things can be true at once: litter box issues are often fixable, and they are also one of the most important behavior changes...

Cat With a Cold Home Remedies

When your cat starts sneezing, gets watery eyes, or sounds a little congested, it is natural to want to help right away. The good news is that many mild “cat colds” (most often upper respiratory infections) can be supported at home with comfort care. The important part is knowing what actually...

Stop Male Cat Spraying

Male cat spraying can feel personal, but it is almost always communication, not spite. As a veterinary assistant, I see this a lot: a sweet cat, a frustrated family, and a house that suddenly smells like ammonia. The good news is that most spraying can be reduced dramatically, and many cats stop...

Why Cats Urinate on Furniture

When a cat urinates on a couch, bed, or favorite chair, it is rarely “spite” . In clinic, we treat this as a medical or behavioral red flag . Furniture is soft, absorbent, and holds scent well, so it can become a target when a cat is uncomfortable, stressed, or trying to communicate. The most...

Cat Constipation Home Remedies

When a cat is constipated, it can look like lots of trips to the litter box, small hard stools, straining, or even crying out. As a veterinary assistant, I can tell you this is one of those issues where gentle, simple changes at home can help. It is also important to know when constipation is a...

Cat Diarrhea: What to Do

Finding diarrhea in the litter box is stressful, and I get it. As a veterinary assistant, I have seen how quickly a simple tummy upset can turn into dehydration, especially in kittens and senior cats. The good news is that many cases improve with smart, gentle care at home, as long as you know what...

Cats and Colds: Symptoms and Solutions

If your cat is sneezing, sniffling, or has watery eyes, it is natural to think, “Oh no, a cold.” The good news is that many mild kitty “colds” improve with supportive care at home. The important part is recognizing when it is a mild upper respiratory infection (URI) versus something that...

How to Acclimate a Kitten to a New Home

Bringing home a kitten is exciting and, honestly, a little overwhelming for everyone involved. Your kitten just left their mom, littermates, and familiar smells. Even the most confident baby cat can act shy, vocal, or extra restless those first days. The good news is that with a calm setup and a...

Feral Cats Explained

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I hear the same question a lot: “Is that cat outside a stray, or is it feral?” Knowing the difference matters because it changes what is safest and kindest for the cat, for your pets, and for your family. This guide gives you a practical...

My Cat Is Limping: What Should I Do?

If your cat is limping, trust your instincts. Cats are masters at hiding pain, so a limp often means something is truly uncomfortable, even if your cat is still eating, purring, or acting mostly normal. The good news is that many causes are treatable, but the most important step is knowing when...

Cat Stomach Ache Signs and Next Steps

If your cat seems off and you are wondering if it is a stomach ache, you are not alone. Cats are masters at hiding discomfort, and tummy trouble can look like subtle behavior changes long before you see vomiting or diarrhea. As a veterinary assistant, I love helping pet parents spot early clues,...

Why Does My Cat Twitch His Tail?

If you have ever watched your cat’s tail flick, whip, or twitch like it has a mind of its own, you are not imagining things. A cat’s tail is a powerful communication tool, and those small movements can often mean anything from “I’m focused” to “Please stop petting me.” The key is...

Kitten Diarrhea Treatment: Must-Know Advice

Diarrhea in kittens is common, but it is never something to shrug off. Because kittens are tiny, they can dehydrate quickly, and dehydration can become dangerous fast. The goal is to (1) keep your kitten safe and hydrated, (2) identify likely causes, and (3) know when you need a veterinarian right...

Diarrhea in Kittens: Help & Care

Seeing diarrhea in a kitten can be scary, especially because little bodies get dehydrated fast. The good news is that many cases are mild and fixable, but some are true emergencies. In this guide, I will help you sort out what is urgent, what you can do at home safely, and what your vet will likely...

My Cat Is in Heat: What Can I Do?

If your cat is suddenly extra vocal, clingy, or restless, you might be seeing her first heat cycle. It can feel intense, but the good news is that a heat cycle is temporary and there are safe, practical ways to help your cat stay comfortable while you make a long-term plan. As a veterinary...

Cat UTI Symptoms and Behavior Guide

If you have ever thought, “My cat is acting weird in the litter box,” trust that instinct. Urinary tract issues in cats can show up as subtle behavior changes before you ever see anything obvious. And because urinary problems can move from uncomfortable to dangerous quickly, it helps to know...

How to Get a Cat to Eat Slower

If your cat eats like they are in a race, you are not imagining it. Fast eating is common, especially in multi-cat homes, cats with a history of food insecurity, or cats who simply love their meals. The good news is that most “speed-eaters” can learn to slow down with a few simple changes that...

Hairballs in Cats: Quick Treatment Guide

Hairballs can feel like a normal “cat thing” until your cat is gagging frequently, bringing up large clumps of hair, or vomiting food and foam instead. The good news is that most hairballs are manageable with a few steps that are commonly recommended by veterinarians and focused on healthy...

Trusted Signs of a Female Cat in Heat

If your sweet girl cat suddenly seems louder, clingier, and a little restless, you are not imagining it. Those changes often point to estrus , also called being in heat . As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I have seen how stressful a heat cycle can feel for both cats and their people,...

Teaching a Kitten Not to Bite

Kitten bites can feel like a tiny surprise attack, but in most cases they are completely normal behavior. Kittens explore with their mouths, practice hunting skills, and learn social boundaries through play. The goal is not to punish biting. It is to teach your kitten what is acceptable, and to set...