cats

Why Cats Bury Their Poop (And Why Some Don’t)

If you have ever watched your cat carefully cover their poop like they are hiding a tiny secret, you are seeing instinct in action. But if your cat walks away without covering anything, that can be normal too. The key is understanding what’s typical for your cat, and knowing when a change is a...

Why Cats Are So Flexible

If you have ever watched a cat slip through a half-open door, fold into a tiny box, or twist midair to land on their feet, you have seen one of nature’s most impressive athletic designs. Cats are not just “stretchy” because they love a good sun-warmed stretch. Their flexibility comes from a...

Why Cats Butt Wiggle Before Pouncing

If you have ever watched your cat lock eyes on a toy (or your ankle), crouch low, and then do that unmistakable little butt wiggle, you are seeing a tiny, adorable piece of feline athletic preparation. It can look silly, but it is actually a smart, instinct-driven behavior that helps cats hunt and...

Can Cats Get Sunburned?

Yes, cats can absolutely get sunburned. As a veterinary assistant, I see it most often in light-colored cats, thin-coated cats, and hairless breeds. The tricky part is that cat sunburn often starts subtly, then turns into painful irritation, skin infection, or long-term skin damage if it keeps...

Why Cats Chatter at Pests

If you have ever watched your cat stare out the window at a bird, lizard, or squirrel and then suddenly make that rapid ch-ch-ch sound, you have witnessed one of the most fascinating little “sound effects” in the feline world. Cat chattering is common, especially when a cat can see prey but...

Can Cats Have Asthma? Signs Your Cat Is Struggling to Breathe

Yes, cats can have asthma, and it is not rare . Feline asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of the lower airways. When something triggers your cat’s sensitive airways, the bronchial tubes can tighten (bronchospasm), swell, and fill with mucus. That combination makes it harder for air to...

FIP in Cats: Symptoms and New Treatments

Feline infectious peritonitis, or FIP , is one of the scariest diagnoses a cat parent can hear. For a long time, FIP was almost always fatal. The encouraging news is that veterinary medicine has changed fast in this area, and many cats can now recover with timely diagnosis and appropriate...

Do Cats Get Jealous? Territorial Behavior Signs

Cats may not feel jealousy in the same way humans describe it, and we cannot truly know their subjective experience. But they absolutely can show jealous-looking behavior when something changes in their social world. In my work as a veterinary assistant, I see this most often after a new pet...

What Do Cat Worms Look Like?

If you have ever scooped the litter box and noticed something that looks like rice, spaghetti, or tiny sesame seeds, it is completely normal to feel alarmed. As a veterinary assistant, I can tell you this is one of the most common reasons people call the clinic. The good news is that many...

Why Do Cats Chase Their Tails?

Tail chasing can be completely normal cat behavior, or it can be your cat’s way of saying, “Something is not right.” As a veterinary assistant, I like to look at context : how often it happens, how intense it is, and whether your cat seems comfortable or distressed. Below, we’ll sort tail...

Why Does My Cat Meow at Night?

If your cat turns into a little “night singer” the moment you crawl into bed, you are not imagining it. Nighttime meowing is one of the most common behavior complaints families bring up in clinics, and it is often your cat communicating a real need (or a learned habit that has worked before)....

How to Get a Tick Off a Cat Safely

If you just found a tick on your cat, take a breath. Most ticks can be removed safely at home. The key is using the right tool, removing the tick in one piece, and keeping the bite site clean while you watch for any problems. As a veterinary assistant, I have helped many pet parents through this,...

Why Cats Groom Each Other

If you have more than one cat, you have probably seen it: one cat leans over the other and starts licking their head like a tiny salon appointment. It looks sweet, and often it is. This behavior is called allogrooming , and it is one of the clearest ways cats show social bonding and maintain...

Why Does My Cat Drool When I Pet Him?

Nothing makes your heart melt like a cat who leans into your hand and purrs like a tiny engine. Then you feel it: drool . If you are wondering why your cat drools when you pet them, you are not alone. As a veterinary assistant, I see this question often, and the good news is that drooling can be...

Why Do Cats Hiss?

As a veterinary assistant, I like to remind cat parents of one simple truth: a hiss is communication, not “bad behavior.” In most cases, your cat is saying, “I’m scared,” “I’m overwhelmed,” or “Please give me space.” Understanding what’s behind the sound helps you respond in a...

How to Tell the Sex of a Kitten

If you have a new kitten at home, it is completely normal to wonder, “Is this a boy or a girl?” The good news is that you can usually tell at home with a quick, gentle check. The key is to keep your kitten calm, use good lighting, and know exactly what you are looking for. As a veterinary...

Can Cats Taste Sweet Things?

If you have ever offered your cat a tiny lick of ice cream (and then wondered why they looked unimpressed), you are not imagining it. Most cats do not experience “sweet” the way we do. And the reason is one of my favorite little pieces of pet science because it is simple, surprising, and it...

Are Spider Plants Toxic to Cats?

As a veterinary assistant, I hear this question all the time: are spider plants toxic to cats? The reassuring answer is that spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are considered non-toxic to cats by widely used pet safety references like the ASPCA Animal Poison Control database. But here is the...

Hairballs vs. Vomit in Cats

If you live with a cat, you have probably found a “surprise” on the floor and wondered: Was that a hairball, or is my cat actually vomiting? As a veterinary assistant, I can tell you this is one of the most common worries I hear, and it is a good question. Hairballs can be normal sometimes, but...

Why Do Cats Loaf?

That adorable moment when your cat tucks their paws under their chest and turns into a little bread-shaped “loaf” is more than just cute. In most cases, the loaf position is a sign of comfort, warmth, and quiet alertness. But like many cat behaviors, context matters. A relaxed loaf can mean...