cats

Find a Cat That Got Outside

If your cat just slipped out the door, take a breath. Many indoor cats do not go far at first. They usually hide nearby because the outdoors is loud, bright, and scary. Your best chance of getting your cat back quickly is to search smart, not frantically. When a cat escapes, the first few minutes...

How to Stop Cats Spraying Indoors

Cats are wonderful little creatures, but indoor spraying can make even the most devoted cat parent feel overwhelmed. The good news is that spraying is usually a manageable problem once you understand why it is happening and you address both health and behavior. As a veterinary assistant, I always...

My Cat Is Old and Losing Weight: Step-by-Step Help & Care

If your senior cat is getting bony, dropping pounds, or suddenly looks “smaller” even though they still seem interested in food, you are right to take it seriously. In older cats, weight loss is often the first visible clue that something medical is going on, and the sooner you act, the more...

Helping Your Cat Adjust to a New Home

Bringing a cat into a new home is exciting, but for your cat it can feel like being dropped into a brand-new world with unfamiliar smells, sounds, and routines. The good news is that most cats adjust beautifully when we slow things down and let them build confidence at their own pace. As a...

Fun Tips for Cat Spay Recovery

Spaying is a very common surgery, but for your cat it is still a big day. The good news is that most healthy cats bounce back quickly with a little planning, a calm setup, and some creative ways to keep them comfortable and entertained while they heal. As a veterinary assistant, I like to remind...

How to Introduce Your Cat to a New Cat

Bringing a new cat home can feel exciting and a little nerve-wracking, especially if your resident cat has ruled the house for years. The good news is that most cat-to-cat introductions go well when we slow down and let their nervous systems set the pace. As a veterinary assistant, I have seen the...

How to Get Rid of Fleas on Cats

If your cat is scratching, overgrooming, or you are spotting tiny black specks in their coat, fleas may be the culprit. I know how stressful this feels. The good news is that flea control is very doable when you treat the cat and the home at the same time, and you stick with it long enough to break...

Natural Remedies for Diarrhea in Cats

As a veterinary assistant, I can tell you this with love: diarrhea is one of the most common reasons worried cat parents call the clinic, and it can go from “messy” to “serious” faster than many people realize. The good news is that many mild cases improve with simple, evidence-based...

Prevent Cats From Chewing Wires

Cats are curious, clever, and sometimes a little too interested in the spicy, snaky things under our desks. Wire chewing is not uncommon, and it can be dangerous. As a veterinary assistant, I have seen everything from minor mouth irritation to emergency burns and breathing trouble after an...

Miralax Dosage for Cats

Constipation is one of those issues that can sneak up on cats. One day they are acting normal, and the next you are noticing fewer litter box trips, straining, hard stools, or a cat who just seems uncomfortable. As a veterinary assistant, I have seen how quickly constipation can turn from “a...

Blood in Cat Poop

Seeing blood in your cat’s poop can stop you in your tracks. I get it. In the clinic, we see everything from mild irritation that clears up with simple steps to true emergencies that need same-day care. The key is to look at what the blood looks like , where it appears , how your cat is acting ,...

How to Remove Ticks From a Cat

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I can tell you this with love: ticks are common, and they are sneaky. The good news is that removing a tick from your cat is usually very doable at home if you have the right tools, a calm plan, and you know what to watch for afterward. This guide...

How to Groom a Cat With Matted Hair

Mats happen to the best-loved cats. One missed brushing week, a winter coat change, or a senior kitty who cannot twist around like they used to, and suddenly you find tight clumps of fur that pull at the skin. The good news is that many mild mats can be handled at home with patience, the right...

Cat in Heat Care and Training Tips

When your cat goes into heat (also called estrus), it can feel like your sweet, calm companion suddenly turned into a loud, restless, affectionate escape artist. If you are dealing with yowling at 2 a.m., rolling on the floor, and nonstop attention-seeking, you are not alone. I am Shari Shidate, a...

Stop Your Cat From Pooping on the Floor

If your cat is pooping on the floor, I know how stressful and confusing that can feel. As a veterinary assistant, I can tell you this is rarely “spite” or revenge. It is usually a sign of a medical issue, a litter box problem, stress, or a mismatch between what your cat needs and what the home...

What Does It Mean When Your Cat Has Diarrhea?

As a veterinary assistant, I know how alarming it is to find diarrhea in the litter box, especially when your cat seems “mostly fine” otherwise. The good news is that many cases are mild and short-lived. The not-so-good news is that diarrhea can quickly lead to dehydration, and it can also be a...

How Do I Know My Cat Is Sick?

Cats are masters at hiding illness. In the clinic, I have seen many quiet kitties who looked fine at home, but their bodies were working overtime to cope. The good news is that you do not have to guess. If you know what to watch for and you trust your instincts, you can catch problems earlier and...

How to Tell if a Cat Is Pregnant

If you have an unspayed female cat who has been outdoors, slipped out for a few hours, or lives with an unneutered male, pregnancy is definitely possible. The tricky part is that early pregnancy can look a lot like a normal heat cycle, a little weight gain, or even a mild tummy upset (mild stomach...

Introducing a New Cat to Your Home

Bringing home a new cat is exciting, and it can also feel a little nerve-wracking, especially if you already have pets. In my work as a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I have seen the same truth play out again and again: slow introductions help reduce stress, lower the risk of fights,...

My Cat Is Constipated: What Can I Do?

If your cat is straining in the litter box, passing tiny dry stools, or going longer than usual without a bowel movement, it can be stressful for both of you. Constipation is common, and many cases can be helped at home, but it can also signal pain, dehydration, an intestinal blockage, or another...