cats

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I can tell you this with total confidence: fleas on kittens are common, treatable, and worth taking seriously right away. Kittens are tiny, their blood volume is small, and a heavy flea load can make them sick faster than many pet parents expect. And...

If you live with a cat, you have probably felt that gentle rumble when they curl up beside you. Purring is one of the sweetest sounds in the pet world, but it is also more complex than many people realize. Cats purr for comfort, communication, and sometimes as a coping tool when they do not feel...

Bringing a new cat into your home can be exciting and also a little nerve-wracking, especially if you are trying to keep things calm for the whole family. The good news is that most cat-to-cat tension is not “bad behavior.” It is normal feline communication, stress, and territory instincts...

As a veterinary assistant, I can tell you one thing with confidence: cats usually do not “cry for no reason.” Crying, yowling, or constant meowing is communication. Sometimes it is simple and fixable. Other times, it is your cat’s early warning sign that something is painful, scary, or...

Fleas can make even the sweetest cat miserable, and they can also create real health problems in your home. The good news is that you can treat fleas effectively when you use a step-by-step plan and choose products made for cats. As a veterinary assistant, I always tell pet parents the same thing:...

If you have ever watched your cat’s tail flick, swish, or thump and wondered, “What are you trying to tell me?”, you are not alone. Cats communicate with their bodies constantly, and the tail is one of their clearest, most honest signals. The tricky part is that a “wagging” tail in cats...

Bringing a kitten home is exciting, and that first night can feel like a big test for both of you. The good news is most “first-night” struggles come down to one thing: your kitten is suddenly in a brand-new place without mom, littermates, and familiar smells. Your job is to make sleep feel...

When a cat starts pooping outside the litter box, it can feel confusing, frustrating, and honestly a little heartbreaking. Most cats are not being “bad.” They are either telling you something hurts, something scares them, or something about the litter setup is not working for their body or...

If your cat is pooping outside the litter box, I know how upsetting and confusing that can feel. The good news is that this behavior is very common, and in most cases there is a clear reason behind it. Many veterinarians and cat behavior professionals treat this as a clue, not a “bad cat”...

When a cat starts losing weight, it can be subtle at first. The scale drops a little, the spine feels a bit sharper under your hand, or their face looks less “filled out.” As a veterinary assistant, I can tell you this is one of those signs that deserves attention, especially if the weight loss...

Cats can live long, happy lives with diabetes, and I want you to know that right up front. As a veterinary assistant, I have watched many families go from overwhelmed to confident once they understand what is happening in their cat’s body and what routines actually make the biggest difference....

Cats are often experts at hiding pain. In the veterinary clinic, I have met many loving pet parents who did not realize their cat was hurting until the problem became severe. This is not anyone’s fault. Cats are both predators and prey in nature, so many are wired to mask weakness. That said,...

Cats are masters at hiding discomfort. And because cats often drink less water than dogs, dehydration can sneak up quietly until it becomes serious. (Cats also evolved from desert-dwelling ancestors and may rely more on moisture from food than a big water bowl.) If you have ever wondered, “Is my...

If your cat is biting, you are not alone. As a veterinary assistant, I see this all the time, especially with young cats, newly adopted cats, and cats who are under-stimulated or going through big routine changes. The good news is that most biting is not “bad behavior.” It is communication,...

When your cat has diarrhea, it is normal to feel worried and a little helpless. The good news is that many cases improve quickly with the right support at home. The key is knowing what to feed , what to avoid , and when to call your veterinarian , especially for kittens and senior cats. As a...

Cats are masters at hiding pain, so urinary trouble can sneak up on you fast. One day your cat seems normal, and the next they are straining in the litter box, peeing outside it, or crying out like something is truly wrong. As a veterinary assistant, I can tell you this is one of those situations...

When most people hear “allergies,” they think of sneezing. Cats can absolutely sneeze from allergies, but many allergic cats show it through skin and behavior instead. In my work as a veterinary assistant, I have seen many cats labeled as “moody” or “high maintenance” when they were...

Litter box training is one of those cat-care wins that can feel intimidating, especially if you are new to cats or bringing home a kitten, rescue, or formerly outdoor cat. The good news is that most cats are naturally drawn to digging and covering, so in many cases you are not so much...

As a veterinary assistant, I can tell you this is a very common, fixable issue I see: a cat with intestinal parasites (worms). The tricky part is that cats can have worms and look mostly “fine” at first. Also, many tummy troubles can look like worms, so symptoms alone are not a diagnosis. The...

Roundworms are one of the most common intestinal parasites we see in cats, especially kittens. The tricky part is that many cats can appear normal at first, while the worms quietly steal nutrients and irritate the gut. The good news is that roundworms are treatable, and you can dramatically lower...