Cat Blog: Expert Articles on Behaviour, Health & Care
Expert articles on cat behaviour, health, nutrition, breeds, and more — written for cat lovers by cat lovers.
The Cat World blog publishes in-depth articles on cat behaviour, health, feeding, breeds, and care. Posts are listed newest first; use the category filters below to narrow the list to the topic you need.
Every article is educational and written for everyday cat owners — practical, evidence-aligned, and free to read.
Do Cats Grieve When Another Pet Dies? Signs and How to Help
When a companion cat or dog dies, the survivor often changes: searching, calling, eating less, clinging or withdrawing. Here is what the evidence says, which signs need a vet, and how to support a cat through the loss.
Siberian Cat Guide: Coat, Personality, Allergies and Health
A large, triple-coated forest cat from Russia, the Siberian is playful, athletic and slow to mature. Here is what the breed is like to live with, the truth about the allergy claims, and the health checks worth asking about.
Burmese Cat Guide: Personality, Care and Health
Every Burmese descends from one cat brought to San Francisco in 1930. Here is what the breed is like to live with, how to care for one, and the health conditions worth knowing about.
Heartworm in Cats: Why Indoor Cats Are at Risk and How to Prevent It
Heartworm is usually thought of as a dog disease, but cats catch it too, and in cats there is no approved cure. Here is how it spreads, what the signs look like, why indoor cats are not safe, and how prevention works.
Why Is My Cat Sneezing? Causes, Reverse Sneezes and When to See a Vet
A single sneeze is rarely a worry, but a cat that sneezes day after day may have a viral infection, an irritant, dental disease or something stuck in the nose. Here is how to tell what is normal and when to call the vet.
Dehydration in Cats: Signs, the Skin Tent Test and What to Do
Cats hide illness and often drink little, so dehydration can creep up unnoticed. Learn the early signs, how to do (and not over-trust) the skin tent test, and when it is a vet emergency.
How to Read a Cat Food Label: What Actually Matters
Front-of-bag claims sell the food; the small print tells you what is in it. Here is how to read the nutritional adequacy statement, ingredient list and guaranteed analysis.
Do Cat Pheromone Diffusers Work? What Feliway Can and Can't Do
Plug-in pheromone diffusers promise a calmer cat, but the research is mixed. Here is what the products actually contain, which problems they have the best chance of helping, and how to give one a fair trial.
Cat Litter Types Compared: Clay, Silica, Pine, Tofu and Paper
Every litter is a trade-off between dust, odour, tracking, cost and what your cat will actually step in. Here is how the main types compare and how to switch safely.
Kitten Teething: Timeline, Signs and How to Help Sore Gums
Kittens lose 26 baby teeth and grow 30 adult ones in their first months. Here is the teething timeline, the signs to expect, safe ways to soothe sore gums, and when a vet should look.
Leaving Your Cat While You Travel: Cat Sitter vs Boarding, and How to Prepare
Cats are territorial creatures of routine, so a trip away is stressful for them. Here is how to choose between a home sitter and boarding, how long a cat can safely be left, and exactly what to prepare.
Adopting a Shelter Cat: How to Choose the Right One and Settle Them In
Choosing a shelter cat is about matching temperament to your home, not just picking the cutest face. Here is how to read a cat in a kennel, what to ask staff, and how to make the first weeks go smoothly.
Feline Stomatitis: Why Your Cat's Mouth Is So Painful and What Actually Helps
Feline chronic gingivostomatitis is an intensely painful inflammation of the whole mouth. Learn the signs, what is thought to cause it, and why dental extractions are usually the treatment that works.
Cat Eye Discharge and Conjunctivitis: Causes, Safe Cleaning, and When to See the Vet
Watery, goopy or crusty eyes are one of the most common reasons cats see a vet. Here is what causes eye discharge, how to clean it safely, and which signs mean an eye problem cannot wait.
Cat Diarrhea: Common Causes, What You Can Do at Home, and When to Call the Vet
Loose stool is one of the most common reasons cat owners phone the vet. Here is how to judge how serious it is, what typically causes it, what is safe to try at home, and the red flags that mean you should not wait.
Why Is My Cat Hiding? Normal Behaviour vs a Sign of Illness
Hiding is a normal cat instinct, but it is also one of the most common ways a sick or frightened cat shows that something is wrong. Here's how to tell a harmless retreat from a red flag, how to help a scared cat, and when to call the vet.
Cat Tail Language: What Your Cat's Tail Is Actually Telling You
A raised tail, a puffed tail, a twitching tip, a slow swish: your cat's tail is a running commentary on their mood. Here's how to read the signals, why context matters, and when a limp or drooping tail means a trip to the vet.
Sunburn and Skin Cancer in White Cats: Protecting Pale Ears and Noses
White and pale-eared cats burn in the sun just like fair-skinned people, and years of sunburn can turn into squamous cell carcinoma on the ear tips, nose and eyelids. Here's how to spot the early changes, what treatment looks like and how to cut the risk at home.
Living With a Blind Cat: Causes of Vision Loss and How Cats Adapt
Cats cope with blindness far better than most owners expect — a cat who loses their sight gradually can navigate a familiar home almost as if nothing changed. Here's what actually causes feline vision loss, how to tell it's happening, and how to set up a home a blind cat can live confidently in.
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) in Cats: The Inherited Condition Every Persian Owner Should Know
PKD isn't the kidney disease most owners have heard of — it's an inherited condition, present from birth, that slowly fills the kidneys with cysts. Here's how it differs from ordinary chronic kidney disease, why Persians carry the risk, and what genetic testing can do about it.
Polydactyl Cats: The Genetics and History Behind Cats With Extra Toes
Some cats are born with six, seven, or even more toes per paw. Here's the genetics behind polydactyly, the story of Ernest Hemingway's famous six-toed cats, and what owners actually need to know about caring for those extra digits.
The Devon Rex: The Pixie-Eared Cat With a Poodle's Coat
Enormous ears, a loosely waved coat you can see the skin through, and a personality that owners routinely describe as 'more dog than cat' — the Devon Rex is one of the most distinctive and least understood breeds in Cat World. Here's the story behind the look, and what actually living with one involves.
Tooth Resorption in Cats: The Hidden Dental Disease Causing Silent Mouth Pain
Up to 60% of cats develop tooth resorption at some point, and most owners never see it coming — the cat keeps eating, keeps purring, and shows nothing on the outside while a tooth quietly dissolves from the inside. Here's how to recognise it, why it happens, and what treatment actually involves.
Why Do Cats Bury Their Poop? The Instinct Behind the Litter Box Scratch
That furious post-poop scratching session is older than the litter box itself — a leftover survival habit from cats who needed to hide, not just clean up. Here's the real reason behind it, why some cats skip it entirely, and when a change is worth mentioning to a vet.
Feline Lymphoma: The Most Common Cat Cancer, and Why the Diagnosis Isn't as Grim as It Sounds
Lymphoma is the single most frequently diagnosed cancer in cats, but the word hides enormous variation — some forms are an emergency, others are managed for years with a pill twice a day. Here's what the diagnosis actually involves, and why the type matters more than the word.
Does My Cat Have a Fever? How to Tell, Normal Temperature, and When It's an Emergency
A cat with a fever won't feel hot to the touch the way a feverish person does, and the usual tells — warm ears, a dry nose — are unreliable. Here's what a fever actually does to a cat's body, the only way to confirm one at home, and the temperature that means stop waiting and call the vet.
Lumps and Bumps on Cats: When It's Nothing and When It's Cancer
Finding a lump while petting your cat sends most owners straight to the worst-case scenario, but the majority of feline lumps turn out to be harmless. Here's how vets actually tell the difference, why cats are the exception to the usual lump-and-bump reassurance, and when a new bump genuinely can't wait.
High-Rise Syndrome: Why Cats Fall From Windows (and How to Prevent It)
A cat's famous balance doesn't make it immune to falling from an open window — and the injuries that follow have a real name in veterinary medicine. Here's why it happens, why mid-range falls are often worse than long ones, and the simple fixes that prevent it.
Environmental Allergies in Cats: The Itch a Food Trial Won't Fix
If your cat is chewing its paws, scratching its ears raw, or losing fur in patches and a new food hasn't helped, the cause may not be diet at all. Here's how feline atopic dermatitis works, what triggers it, and how it's actually managed.
The Abyssinian: A Guide to One of the World’s Oldest-Looking, Most Athletic Cat Breeds
Short-coated, constantly in motion, and marked with a shimmering, wild-looking ticked coat, the Abyssinian is often mistaken for a tiny cousin of the cats painted on Egyptian tombs. The real story is stranger and more recent. Here's the breed's actual history, what living with one is really like, and the health issues specific to its bloodline.
Cat Pregnancy and Giving Birth: Signs of Labor, the Delivery, and the First 24 Hours With Newborn Kittens
Whether it was planned or your 'indoor' cat found a way outside, a pregnant queen leaves owners with a lot of questions fast. Here's how to recognise true labor, what a normal delivery looks like, and how to help without getting in the way.
Halloween Cat Safety: Candy, Candles, Costumes, and Keeping Black Cats Safe
A steady stream of costumed strangers at the door, flickering candles, chocolate within easy reach — Halloween packs more cat hazards into one evening than almost any other night of the year. Here's how to get through it without a vet trip.
The Scottish Fold: The Owl-Faced Cat Behind One of the Cat World's Biggest Welfare Debates
Those forward-folded ears and round, owl-like face have made the Scottish Fold one of the most recognisable — and most photographed — cat breeds alive. But the same mutation that folds the ears also affects cartilage throughout the body, and it's why some veterinary bodies and cat registries want the breed's breeding stopped. Here's the full picture: the history, the health science, and what responsible ownership actually looks like.
Bottle-Feeding an Orphaned Kitten: A Complete, Step-by-Step Guide
A kitten found alone without its mother needs warmth, the right formula, and correct feeding technique within hours, not days. Here's how to bottle-feed a kitten safely — temperature, hold, schedule, and the mistakes (real cow's milk, incorrect latch, skipped burping) that cause the most preventable emergencies.
Microchipping Your Cat: What It Does, What It Doesn't, and What to Do the Day Your Cat Goes Missing
A microchip is the single most effective way to get a lost cat back home — but only if it is registered and kept up to date. Here's how the tiny implant actually works, the mistakes that leave chips useless, and a calm, step-by-step plan for the first 24 hours if your cat disappears.
My Cat Had a Seizure — What Now? Causes, First Aid, and When It's an Emergency
A cat seizure is frightening to watch and easy to misread — some are dramatic full-body convulsions, others look like a strange twitch or a blank stare. Here's how to tell what you're seeing, what to actually do while it's happening, and when a single seizure becomes an emergency.
Why Is My Cat's Third Eyelid Showing? Haw's Syndrome and Other Causes
A pale membrane creeping across the corner of your cat's eye isn't dirt or sleepiness — it's the third eyelid, and it only becomes visible when something is off. Here's what it does, what usually causes it to show, and how to tell a harmless case from one that needs a vet today.
Cat Ear Infections (Otitis): Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Head-shaking, ear scratching and a bad smell from the ears usually mean one of three things: mites, yeast, or bacteria. They look similar from the outside but need different treatment — here's how vets tell them apart and what actually clears them up.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in Cats: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Long-Term Management
Chronic, on-and-off vomiting or soft stool is easy to write off as 'just a sensitive cat.' Sometimes it is — and sometimes it's inflammatory bowel disease, a common and manageable condition that gets missed for years because its symptoms look so ordinary. Here's how it's diagnosed and what long-term management actually looks like.
The Russian Blue: A Complete Guide to Cat World’s Quiet, Silver-Coated Aristocrat
Reserved with strangers, devoted to their one or two people, and wrapped in a dense silvery-blue coat that shimmers when they move — the Russian Blue is one of the most distinctive and least understood pedigree breeds. Here's the full story: where it came from, what it's really like to live with, and the health quirks worth knowing.
Travelling With Your Cat: Road Trips, Motion Sickness and Overnight Stays
A vet visit is a ten-minute carrier ordeal. A road trip is hours of it. Here is how to prepare a cat for real travel — car sickness, rest stops, hotel rooms and all — without turning the whole trip into a stress test.
Cat Dementia: Recognising Feline Cognitive Dysfunction and Helping Your Senior Cat
Night-time yowling, staring at walls and forgotten litter boxes are not just "old age". Learn the signs of feline cognitive dysfunction, what mimics it, and how to keep a confused senior cat comfortable.
Ticks on Cats: How to Remove Them Safely and Keep Them Away
Found a tick on your cat? Here is how to remove it properly, what diseases to watch for, and how to prevent ticks year-round.
Catios: How to Give an Indoor Cat a Safe Slice of the Outdoors
An indoor cat is safer and lives longer, but a bare living room can leave a curious cat bored. A catio — an enclosed outdoor space — offers fresh air, birdwatching and real stimulation without the traffic, predators and disease of free roaming. Here's how to plan, build and introduce one.
Feline Hypertension: The Silent Cause of Sudden Blindness in Cats
High blood pressure in cats causes no obvious symptoms for months or years — until it costs a cat its eyesight overnight. Here's what drives feline hypertension, why it's almost always secondary to another disease, and why a simple cuff test at the vet is worth adding to every senior check-up.
Living With a Deaf Cat: What Causes It, How to Tell, and How to Adapt
A deaf cat isn't a diminished cat — it's a cat that reads the world through its eyes, nose, whiskers, and paws instead of its ears. Here's how to recognise hearing loss, why it's so common in white cats specifically, and the small household adjustments that keep a deaf cat safe and confident.
Anal Gland Problems in Cats: Scooting, Swelling, and What to Do About It
A cat dragging its bottom across the carpet or licking obsessively under its tail isn't being funny or gross — it's usually telling you its anal glands are full, impacted, or infected. Here's what these glands do, how to spot trouble early, and when scooting turns into an emergency.
Vestibular Disease in Cats: Why Your Cat Suddenly Can't Walk Straight
A cat that wakes up with a tilted head, falling over, and eyes flicking back and forth looks like it's had a stroke. Most of the time it hasn't — but the only way to know that is a same-day vet visit. Here's what vestibular disease actually is, and what recovery looks like.
Cat Eye Discharge & Conjunctivitis: When It’s Nothing and When It’s Not
A little crust in the corner of a sleepy cat's eye is normal. Thick discharge, squinting, or an eye held shut usually isn't. Here's how to tell the difference, what's actually causing it, and when to stop watching and call the vet.
Introducing Your Cat to a New Baby: A Calm, Room-by-Room Plan
A new baby changes every routine your cat relies on — new sounds, new smells, and a lot less of your attention, all at once. Here's how to spread that change out over months instead of one overwhelming afternoon, so the introduction goes smoothly for everyone.
Is My Cat in Pain? The Hidden Signs Cats Hide and How to Spot Them
Cats are built to hide pain, not show it — a limp or a yelp is the exception, not the rule. Here's what to actually watch for, from the facial cues vets use in the clinic to the quiet behaviour changes owners miss for weeks.
Cat Food Allergies vs. Food Intolerance: How to Tell the Difference
Itchy skin, sudden diarrhoea, or ear infections that won't quit — a cat's reaction to something in the bowl can look like almost anything. Food allergies and food intolerance are often lumped together, but they have different causes, different timelines, and different fixes.
Why Does My Cat Stare at Me? Decoding the Feline Gaze
You look up from your phone and there it is: your cat, sitting a few feet away, watching you with unblinking intensity. It can feel unnerving, even judgemental. But a cat's stare is one of the richest signals in its body language — and reading it correctly, alongside the ears, tail and pupils, tells you whether you're being adored, asked for dinner, or warned to back off.
How Old Is My Cat in Human Years? Feline Life Stages and Age-Appropriate Care
The old rule of multiplying by seven is one of the most stubborn myths in pet care — and it is wrong. Cats race through their first two years and then slow down, so a one-year-old cat is already a teenager and a sixteen-year-old cat is in its eighties. Here is how feline ageing really works, how to read a cat's age from its body, and how its needs change at every stage of life.
Why Do Cats Love High Places? Vertical Territory and How to Give Your Cat More of It
The top of the wardrobe, the fridge, the highest shelf on the bookcase — if there is a summit in your home, your cat has claimed it. Wanting to be up high is not stubbornness or mischief; it is one of the deepest instincts your cat has. Here is why height matters so much, and how to give your cat the vertical world it is quietly asking for.
Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome: The Rippling Skin, the Midnight Sprints and the Cat That Attacks Its Own Tail
The skin on your cat's back suddenly ripples, its eyes go wide, and it bolts across the house or savages its own tail. Feline hyperesthesia syndrome looks alarming and is often misunderstood. Here is what it is, what triggers it, and how it is actually managed.
Feline Pancreatitis: The Silent Illness Behind a Cat That Won't Eat
Pancreatitis is one of the most under-recognised diseases in cats — vague, easy to miss, and surprisingly common. Here is how to spot it early, what the vet can actually do, and how to help a recovering cat at home.
Raw Diet for Cats: The Real Benefits and the Real Risks
Raw feeding is one of the most polarised topics in cat care. Here is what the evidence actually shows about the benefits, the genuine risks, and how to do it as safely as possible if you choose to.
The Norwegian Forest Cat: Norway's Viking-Age Forest Dweller
Norway's national cat is a Viking-age survivor built for sub-zero forests: a glossy, water-shedding double coat, a triangular face, and a calm, independent temperament often mistaken for the Maine Coon's.
How to Bathe a Cat: When You Actually Need To, and How to Do It Without Bloodshed
Most healthy cats never need a bath — they are self-cleaning machines. But when one truly does, a little preparation is the difference between a five-minute job and a bathroom that looks like a crime scene.
Cold-Weather Cat Safety: Antifreeze, Frostbite, and the Winter Hazards Owners Overlook
A fur coat is not a survival suit. As the nights draw in, cats face a very different set of dangers — a teaspoon of antifreeze, a warm car engine, salted pavements — and most of them are quietly preventable.
How to Switch Your Cat to a New Food Without the Upset Tummy
Changing your cat's food seems like it should be simple — pour the new bag, done. But swap it overnight and you'll often be rewarded with vomit on the rug, a litter tray full of diarrhoea, or a cat that stages a hunger strike and turns its back on the bowl entirely. Cats are creatures of habit with sensitive stomachs, and the fix is almost always the same: go slow. Here's the vet-backed, day-by-day way to transition your cat's diet so their gut — and your carpet — stay intact.
FIV in Cats: Why "Feline AIDS" Is Not the Death Sentence It Sounds Like
An FIV diagnosis lands like a hammer — the words "feline AIDS" are terrifying, and too many cats are still put to sleep on the strength of a single blood test. The reality is far gentler: most FIV-positive cats live long, ordinary lives, and with a few sensible precautions they can even share a home with other cats. Here's what the virus actually does, how it really spreads, and how to give a positive cat a full life.
Why Are My Two Cats Suddenly Fighting? Redirected Aggression and How to Rebuild the Peace
Two cats who groomed and slept curled together are now hissing, swatting, and drawing blood — seemingly overnight. Here's what really flips the switch, how to break up a fight safely, and the step-by-step reintroduction that rebuilds the bond.
Why Does My Cat Sleep on Me? The Meaning Behind Where Your Cat Chooses to Sleep
Your cat could sleep anywhere in the house, but it chooses your chest, your feet, or the crook of your knees. Here's what that choice actually says about warmth, trust, and the bond between you.
Why Is My Cat Panting? Heavy Breathing, What’s Normal, and When It’s an Emergency
Dogs pant all the time. Cats almost never do — and that difference matters enormously. A panting cat is sometimes just hot or overexcited, but it can also be the only outward sign of heart or lung disease. Here's how to tell the harmless from the life-threatening, and exactly what to do.
Why Does My Cat Make That Weird "Stink Face"? The Flehmen Response Explained
Your cat sniffs something, freezes, and pulls a wide-eyed, open-mouthed grimace like it just smelled something awful. It isn't disgust — it's a superpower. Meet the flehmen response and the secret second nose your cat uses to read the world.
Why Does My Cat Follow Me Everywhere? Inside the Mind of the Velcro Cat
From the kitchen to the bathroom to the shower door, some cats shadow their humans all day. Here's what that following behaviour really means, when it's simply love, and when a suddenly clingy cat is trying to tell you something is wrong.
Toxoplasmosis, Cats and Pregnancy: The Litter-Box Fear That Is Mostly Wrong
Being told to rehome your cat when you're expecting is common advice — and mostly wrong. Here's what toxoplasmosis actually is, where the real risk comes from, and how to stay safe without giving up your cat.
Fireworks, Thunder and the Vacuum: How to Help a Noise-Phobic Cat
Sudden loud noises can send a cat diving under the bed for hours. Here is why cats are so sensitive to sound — and a practical, vet-backed plan to keep yours calm through fireworks, storms and everyday bangs.
Spaying and Neutering Your Cat: A Complete Owner’s Guide
What spaying and neutering actually involve, the real health and behaviour benefits, the right age to do it, and exactly how to care for your cat afterwards.
Foods Toxic to Cats: The Kitchen Dangers That Can Poison Your Cat
Chocolate, onions, grapes, that splash of milk — some of the most everyday foods in your kitchen are genuinely dangerous to cats. Here is what to keep well out of reach, and what to do if your cat gets to it.
Cat Dementia: Spotting and Managing Feline Cognitive Dysfunction
The 3 a.m. yowling, the blank stare at the wall, the forgotten litter tray — an ageing cat's odd new habits may be feline dementia. Half of cats over fifteen show signs. Here's how to recognise cognitive dysfunction, rule out the treatable conditions that mimic it, and keep a confused old cat calm and comfortable.
How Do Cats See the World? Inside the Science of Feline Vision
Cats are near-blind up close, colour-muted, and short-sighted — yet they run rings around us in the dark. Here's what your cat actually sees.
The Silent Epidemic in Your Cat's Mouth: Gingivitis, Periodontal Disease and Tooth Resorption
By age four, most cats already have some form of dental disease — and because cats hide pain so well, the majority go untreated. Here's how to spot the warning signs, what the three main conditions actually are, and how to protect your cat's mouth for life.
FIP in Cats: The Disease That Was a Death Sentence — and the Treatment That Changed Everything
For decades a diagnosis of feline infectious peritonitis meant almost certain death, usually in a young cat. That has changed. Here's what FIP is, how to spot it, and why there is now real hope.
How to Get Your Cat to Drink More Water: A Vet-Backed Guide to Feline Hydration
Cats are famously bad drinkers — and chronic mild dehydration quietly fuels kidney disease and urinary problems, two of the most common reasons cats end up at the vet. Here is why your cat drinks so little, how to tell if it is getting enough, and the practical tricks that genuinely raise water intake.
Declawing Cats: What the Surgery Really Does — and the Humane Alternatives That Work
Declawing sounds like a tidy nail job, but it is the amputation of the last bone of every toe. Here is what the surgery actually involves, the lasting problems it can cause, why much of the world has banned it, and the humane alternatives that let your cat keep its claws and your furniture stay intact.
Why Is My Cat Drooling? Happy Dribbles, Warning Signs, and When to Worry
A little drool while your cat purrs on your lap can be pure contentment — but a wet chin also sits at the top of the list of signs that something is wrong in the mouth. Here's how to tell a happy dribble from a warning sign, the causes vets see most, and the red flags that mean you shouldn't wait.
The Slow Blink: How to Say "I Love You" in Cat
That lazy, half-lidded gaze your cat gives you across the room isn't sleepiness — it's the closest thing cats have to a smile. Science now backs up what cat lovers long suspected: the slow blink is a real signal of trust, and you can blink back.
The Hunter in Your Living Room: Why Cats Hunt — and How to Play So Yours Thrives
Your cat has never gone hungry a day in its life, yet it still stalks the curtains, ambushes your ankles, and stares down birds through the glass. That drive isn't a quirk — it's the single most important thing to understand about your cat, and getting play right is how you meet it.
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV): What Every Cat Owner Should Understand
FeLV is one of the most important infectious diseases in cats worldwide — but it is also widely misunderstood. Here is how it spreads, what a positive test really means, and why a diagnosis is no longer the death sentence many people assume.
Hepatic Lipidosis: Why a Cat That Suddenly Stops Eating Is an Emergency
Fatty liver disease is the most common life-threatening liver disorder in cats, and it starts with one simple sign: a cat that stops eating. Here is why appetite loss is an emergency, and exactly when to call the vet.
Cat Vaccinations Explained: Core vs Non-Core Shots, the Schedule, and What Your Cat Actually Needs
Which shots does your cat really need, how often, and are they safe? A plain-English guide to FVRCP, rabies, FeLV, the kitten schedule, and adult boosters.
Worms in Cats: Roundworms, Tapeworms, and the Deworming Every Owner Overlooks
Even a pampered indoor cat can carry intestinal worms — and most owners never know until they spot something wriggling in the litter box. Here's how to recognise roundworms and tapeworms, how cats actually catch them, why deworming matters for your family as well as your cat, and how to keep them gone for good.
The British Shorthair: A Complete Guide to the Original Teddy-Bear Cat
Plush, round, and famously unbothered, the British Shorthair is one of the oldest and most beloved pedigree cats in the world. Here's the full story of the breed behind the Cheshire Cat — its history, that dense blue coat, its calm dignity, and what it really takes to live with one.
Why Does My Cat Lick Me? The Sandpaper Tongue, Allogrooming, and What It Really Means
That rough, insistent, weirdly determined lick on your hand or your hair isn't random. It's one of the most intimate things a cat can do — a behaviour lifted straight from kittenhood and the tight social bonds of a cat colony. Here's what your cat is actually telling you.
How Often and How Much Should You Feed Your Cat? Meal Frequency, Portions, and Free-Feeding
Two meals a day or a bowl that's always full? A precise scoop or a rough guess? How you feed your cat matters as much as what you feed — and small changes here quietly prevent the most common problem vets see: a slowly ballooning cat.
Why Does My Cat Knock Things Off Tables? The Paw-Batting Habit Explained
You set a pen on the desk, your cat locks eyes with you, extends one deliberate paw, and pushes it clean over the edge. It looks like spite — but the real reasons are instinct, curiosity, and a lesson your cat has quietly taught itself about you.
Clicker Training Your Cat: The Five-Minute Skill That Makes Everything Else Easier
Everyone knows you can't train a cat. Everyone is wrong. Clicker training takes five minutes a day, costs about the price of a coffee, and quietly solves problems from carrier panic to counter-surfing. Here is exactly how to start — and what to do when your cat stares at you blankly.
HCM: The Silent Heart Disease That Affects One in Seven Cats
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common heart disease in cats — and its cruellest feature is how quiet it is. Many affected cats look perfectly healthy right up until a crisis. Here is what HCM actually does, the warning signs owners can spot at home, and the sixty-second check that catches trouble early.
How to Introduce a Cat and a Dog Without a Disaster
The old "cats and dogs" cliché exists for a reason — but the fighting is almost always a failure of introduction, not a law of nature. Done slowly and in the right order, most cats and dogs settle into an easy truce or even a genuine friendship. Here is the week-by-week method that actually works.
Feline Chin Acne: Those Black Specks on Your Cat's Chin Explained
It looks like your cat rolled its chin in dirt or pepper, but it will not wipe off. Feline acne is one of the most common — and most misunderstood — skin problems in cats. Here is what causes those blackheads, why the plastic food bowl is often the culprit, and how to clear it up without turning it into a war.
Ringworm in Cats: The Fungus That Isn't a Worm — and How to Clear It From Your Home
It is not a worm, it is often not itchy, and the bald patch heals long before the infection does. Ringworm is one of the few cat illnesses you can catch yourself — and the one owners most often treat only halfway. Here is how to identify it, cure it properly, and clear the spores out of your home.
Allergic to Cats? What Fel d 1 Actually Is — and What Genuinely Reduces Symptoms
Around one in five adults reacts to cats, and most of them are told the same useless thing: get rid of the cat. The real culprit is a single sticky protein called Fel d 1 — and understanding how it behaves explains why some interventions work brilliantly and others are a waste of money.
Moving House With a Cat: The Week-by-Week Plan That Prevents a Lost Cat
Summer is peak moving season, and it is also when the most cats go missing. A cat's sense of home is built on territory and scent — both of which a move destroys overnight. Here is what to do in the weeks before, on the day itself, and in the critical fortnight after you arrive.
Does My Cat Have Separation Anxiety? The Signs Owners Miss — and What Actually Helps
The myth that cats do not care whether you are home has been thoroughly demolished by research. Some cats genuinely struggle when left alone — and the signs are so easily mistaken for spite, mess, or a litter box problem that most owners treat the symptom and never spot the cause.
Leash Training Your Cat: How to Take an Indoor Cat Outside Safely
Walking a cat on a leash is real, and for an indoor cat it can be the single biggest enrichment upgrade you ever make. But it is nothing like walking a dog — rush it and you get a frozen, flattened cat. Here is the slow, step-by-step method that actually works.
The Sphynx Cat: Everything You Need to Know About the Hairless, High-Maintenance Charmer
With their bare, wrinkled skin, enormous ears and relentless need for attention, Sphynx cats look alien and behave like affectionate little dogs. But 'no hair' does not mean 'no grooming' — this is one of the most demanding breeds you can own. Here is what living with one really involves.
Pica in Cats: Why Some Cats Eat Wool, Plastic, and Other Things That Aren't Food
Some cats suck on wool, chew plastic bags, gnaw cardboard, or swallow hair ties. This compulsive eating of non-food items is called pica — usually harmless-looking, occasionally life-threatening. Here is why cats do it and how to keep yours safe.
Why Is My Cat Overgrooming? Bald Patches, Stress Licking, and What to Do About It
A thinning belly, a bald strip down the back legs, the sound of constant licking — overgrooming is one of the most misread signs in cats. Here is what it really means and how to fix it.
My Cat Can't Poop: A Complete Guide to Feline Constipation
Straining in the litter box, hard little pellets, or nothing at all for days — constipation is common in cats and occasionally an emergency. Here is how to spot it, help at home, and know when it is time to call the vet.
Why Is My Cat Spraying? Urine Marking Explained — and How to Actually Stop It
Spraying is not a litter-box failure or spite — it is a stressed cat leaving a scent message. Here is how to tell spraying from ordinary peeing, what triggers it, and the steps that genuinely make it stop.
Your Cat Is Not Just Slowing Down: Spotting Arthritis, the Pain Cats Are Built to Hide
Most cats over 12 have arthritic changes in their joints, yet very few are ever diagnosed. Cats almost never limp — instead they quietly stop jumping, stop grooming, and get written off as 'old'. Here is what to actually look for.
Wet vs Dry Cat Food: Which Is Really Better for Your Cat?
It is the most-argued question in cat nutrition. The honest answer isn't one or the other — it's understanding what each format actually does, starting with the one thing that matters most: water.
Why Does My Cat Headbutt You? The Meaning Behind Bunting and Cheek Rubbing
That gentle bonk your cat presses into your face or hand has a name — bunting — and it's one of the highest compliments a cat can pay you. Here's what's really going on when your cat headbutts you, why scent is at the heart of it, and the one similar-looking behaviour you should never ignore.
Why Is My Cat Vomiting? What Is Normal, What Is Not, and When It Is an Emergency
Almost every cat throws up sometimes — but how do you tell a harmless one-off from a warning sign of something serious? Here's how to read your cat's vomiting, what you can safely do at home, and the red flags that mean a trip to the vet can't wait.
Ear Mites in Cats: The Tiny Parasite Behind All That Head-Shaking and Scratching
If your cat won't stop scratching at its ears, shaking its head, or you've spotted dark, crumbly gunk that looks like coffee grounds inside the ear, ear mites are a prime suspect. Here's how to recognise them, get rid of them properly, and stop them coming back.
Why Your Cat Brings You 'Gifts': The Truth Behind Dead Mice on the Doorstep
You open the back door and there it is: a dead mouse laid out like a trophy, or a limp bird deposited on the kitchen floor. It's grim, it's baffling, and — oddly — it's a compliment. Here's what your cat is really telling you, and how to handle it without hurting your bond.
Whisker Fatigue in Cats: Why Your Cat Paws Food Onto the Floor and Ignores a Full Bowl
Your cat cries for dinner, then eats around the edges, scoops kibble onto the floor, or backs away from a bowl that's clearly full. "Whisker fatigue" is the popular explanation — here's what's real, what's overblown, and the harmless fix worth trying.
Stress-Free Vet Visits: How to Turn the Carrier From Enemy to Safe Space
For most cats, the worst part of the vet isn't the vet — it's the carrier, the car, and the fear that builds before they ever leave home. Here's how to break that cycle.
How to Give Your Cat a Pill Without the Battle: A Vet-Backed Guide
Few things test a cat owner's patience — and forearms — like trying to medicate a cat that has other ideas. But pilling a cat is a learnable skill, and done well it takes about five seconds and barely ruffles the fur. Here's the calm, safe, vet-backed method for tablets and liquids, plus what to do when your cat simply refuses.
Feline Asthma: Why Your Cat Coughs Like a Hairball Is Coming — but Nothing Comes Up
That dramatic, hunched-down cough where your cat stretches its neck out, hacks repeatedly, and then… nothing appears? It is very often mistaken for a hairball — but it can be feline asthma, a chronic inflammatory disease of the lower airways. Here's how to tell the difference, what a genuine asthma attack looks like, and how modern inhaler treatment lets asthmatic cats live full, comfortable lives.
Your Kitten's First Week at Home: A Calm, Day-by-Day Guide to Settling In
Bringing home a new kitten is pure joy — and a little overwhelming. The first week sets the tone for years of trust, so a slow, structured start matters far more than most new owners realise. Here's exactly what to buy, how to kitten-proof, why one quiet room beats the run of the house, and how to handle litter, food, sleep, play, and that crucial first vet visit so your kitten settles in confident instead of frightened.
Why Does My Cat Meow So Much? Decoding Feline Vocalization and Excessive Meowing
Some cats barely make a sound; others keep up a running commentary from dawn to dusk. If your cat has become a non-stop talker — or has suddenly gone quiet — there's almost always a reason behind it. Here's what the different meows, chirps, and yowls actually mean, the medical and behavioural causes of excessive vocalisation, and how to turn down the volume without ignoring a cat who genuinely needs something.
How to Trim Your Cat's Claws: A Stress-Free, Step-by-Step Guide
Snagged jumpers, scratched arms, and claws caught in the carpet are usually a sign your cat's nails need a trim. Done properly, clipping is quick, painless, and something most cats learn to tolerate — even enjoy. Here's exactly how to do it: the right tools, where the dangerous 'quick' is, how often to clip, and how to win over a cat who hates having its paws touched.
Cat Flu: Why Your Cat Is Sneezing, Snotty, and Watery-Eyed — and How to Help
Sneezing fits, gummy eyes, a runny nose, and a cat who has gone off its food are the classic signs of feline upper respiratory infection — what most people call cat flu. It is one of the most common illnesses in cats, especially kittens and shelter cats. Here's what causes it, how to nurse a cat through it at home, and the warning signs that mean a vet visit can't wait.
Straining in the Litter Box: Feline Urinary Problems (FLUTD) and the Emergency Every Cat Owner Must Know
Frequent trips to the litter box, straining, blood in the urine, or peeing in odd places are the classic signs of feline lower urinary tract disease. Most cases aren't infections at all — and in male cats, a sudden inability to pass urine is a genuine, hours-count emergency. Here's how to tell the difference.
Why Does My Cat Bite Me? Love Bites, Play Aggression, and Petting Overstimulation Explained
Your cat is purring on your lap one moment and sinking its teeth into your hand the next. Biting isn't betrayal — it's communication. Here's how to read the warning signs, tell a gentle 'love bite' from genuine aggression, and respond in a way that builds trust instead of fear.
Fleas on Cats: How to Spot Them, Get Rid of Them, and Keep Them Gone
Fleas are the most common external parasite a cat will ever face — and the most misunderstood. The cat you can see is only 5% of the problem; the other 95% is hiding in your carpet. Here's how to recognise an infestation, treat your cat safely, and break the life cycle for good.
Hyperthyroidism in Cats: The Overactive Thyroid That Hides Behind a Hearty Appetite
It's the most common hormone disorder in older cats — a tumour that quietly revs the metabolism into overdrive. The cruel twist is that an affected cat often looks ravenously healthy while wasting away. Here's how to spot it early, what the diagnosis means, and why it's one of the most treatable serious illnesses a senior cat can get.
Is My Cat Overweight? How to Help Your Cat Lose Weight Safely
More than half of pet cats carry too much weight — and most owners don't realise it. Here's how to tell, and how to slim your cat down without putting their life at risk.
Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats: Early Signs, Diet, and Living Well With a CKD Diagnosis
Chronic kidney disease is one of the most common serious illnesses in older cats — and one of the most manageable when it's caught early. Here's how to spot the subtle first signs, what the diagnosis really means, and how diet, hydration and home care can give a CKD cat months or years of good life.
Cat Zoomies Explained: Why Cats Suddenly Sprint Around the House
Your calm, dignified cat is dozing on the sofa — then, with no warning, explodes into a wild lap of the living room, ricocheting off the furniture. These sudden bursts have a real name and a genuine explanation. Here's what the zoomies mean and when they're worth a second look.
Why Do Cats Chatter at Birds? The Strange Chirping Sound Explained
Your cat spots a bird through the window, freezes, and starts making a rapid, stuttering 'ek-ek-ek' sound you've never heard anywhere else. It's one of the most distinctive — and misunderstood — noises in a cat's repertoire. Here's what the chatter actually means.
Poisonous Plants for Cats: The Common Flowers and Houseplants That Can Harm — or Kill
A bouquet on the kitchen table or a leafy houseplant on the windowsill can be a hidden emergency. Some plants cause nothing worse than a sore mouth — others, lilies above all, can kill a cat within days. Here's what to keep out of your home and what to do if your cat takes a bite.
Feline Diabetes: Spotting the Signs, Managing Insulin, and the Real Chance of Remission
Diabetes is one of the most common hormonal diseases in cats — and one of the most treatable. Caught early and managed well, many cats not only thrive but stop needing insulin altogether. Here's how to recognise it and what care really involves.
Why Do Cats Eat Grass? The Surprising Science Behind a Carnivore Eating Plants
Cats are obligate carnivores — so why does yours nibble the lawn or chew your houseplants? The answer is more interesting than the old 'they're sick' myth suggests.
Why Do Cats Love Boxes? The Surprising Science of the Cardboard Obsession
Order a parcel and you'll often find your cat has claimed the empty box before you've unpacked the contents. The pull a plain cardboard box exerts over cats is real, reliable, and rooted in some fascinating biology.
The Internet's Most Famous Cats: A History of Viral Felines
Before influencers, before viral videos, the internet belonged to cats. Here's how a handful of felines accidentally became global icons.
Why Cats Scratch the Furniture (and How to Redirect It Without a Fight)
Shredded sofa arms and clawed door frames are one of the most common complaints from cat owners. The good news: scratching is entirely normal, deeply necessary, and almost always redirectable once you understand what your cat is actually doing.
Cat Hairballs: Why They Happen, When to Worry, and How to Reduce Them
That dramatic hacking sound followed by a damp tube of fur on the carpet is familiar to almost every cat owner. Here's what hairballs actually are, when they signal a problem, and how to cut down on them.
Cat Coat Patterns Explained: A Visual Guide
From classic tabbies to rare colour-point patterns, feline coat genetics produce some of nature's most striking designs. Here's what every pattern is called and how it forms.
Senior Cat Care: A Complete Guide to Looking After Cats Over 10
Cats are living longer than ever — many reach their late teens and beyond. Here's how to adapt diet, vet care, and your home so your older cat thrives in its golden years.
Why Do Cats Hate Water? The Truth About Cats and Bathing
Most cats recoil from a bath — but a few breeds will happily dive into a full tub. Here's the real reason behind the feline aversion to water, and the cats that break the rule.
How to Help a Shy or Fearful Cat Build Confidence
Some cats are born cautious; others become fearful through negative experiences. The good news is that with the right approach, even very shy cats can learn to trust.
Introducing a New Cat: A Calm, Step-by-Step Two-Week Guide
Bringing home a second cat is one of the most stressful events of your resident cat's life — but a slow, structured introduction over two weeks works for almost every pair.
Why Your Cat Wakes You Up at 4am (and How to Stop It)
If your cat treats 4am as breakfast time, you're not alone. Here's why cats wake their owners early — and the two-week routine that actually fixes it.
Keeping Your Cat Safe in Hot Weather: Heatstroke, Hydration, and Summer Hazards
Cats are remarkably good at hiding heat stress until it becomes dangerous. With warmer months ahead, here's what every owner needs to know to keep their cat safe through the summer.
Why Cats Purr: It's More Complicated Than You Think
Purring is one of the most comforting sounds in the world. But cats don't only purr when they're happy — and the mechanism behind it has some remarkable properties.
Catnip Explained: How It Works, Why Some Cats Ignore It, and Whether It's Safe
That rolling, drooling, wild-eyed reaction your cat has to a sprinkle of dried herb is one of feline biology's most fascinating quirks — and the science behind it is stranger than you'd expect.
The Perfect Litter Box Setup: What Most Cat Owners Get Wrong
Litter box problems are the number one reason cats are surrendered to shelters. Most of them are entirely preventable with the right setup.
How to Clean Your Cat's Teeth: The Complete Guide to Feline Dental Health
Over 70% of cats show signs of dental disease by age three — yet teeth cleaning remains the most neglected part of cat care. Here's everything you need to know, from daily brushing to professional cleanings.
Cat Dandruff: Causes, Treatments, and How to Prevent It
Those white flakes on your cat's coat and your furniture aren't just cosmetic. Cat dandruff is a signal worth understanding — and in most cases, entirely fixable.
The Ragdoll Cat: The Breed That Goes Limp When You Pick It Up
Ragdolls are large, blue-eyed, colour-pointed cats with an unusual tendency to go completely floppy when held. They're also among the most gentle and people-oriented cats alive.
The Maine Coon: Everything You Need to Know About the Gentle Giant
The Maine Coon is the largest domestic cat breed in the world — and one of the most distinctive. Shaggy coat, tufted ears, dog-like loyalty, and a voice like a small bird.
The Siamese Cat: One of the World's Most Vocal and Devoted Breeds
The Siamese is ancient, striking, and famously loud. If you want a cat that will hold a conversation with you, this might be your match.
Why Cats Sleep So Much: The Science Behind Feline Rest
Cats can sleep 12–16 hours a day, and some manage even more. Far from laziness, this is a deeply adaptive behaviour rooted in biology.
How to Introduce a New Cat to Your Home (and Existing Pets)
The first few weeks determine whether two cats will coexist peacefully for life. Most introductions fail because they're rushed. Here's how to do it properly.
Living With a Bengal Cat: Beauty, Energy, and a Lot of Personality
Bengals are among the most visually stunning domestic cats. They're also among the most demanding. Here's what you need to know before bringing one home.
A Complete Guide to Grooming Your Cat at Home
Regular grooming isn't just cosmetic — it's an important part of your cat's health routine. Here's how to do it properly, including the bits most guides skip.
The Best Cat Toys in 2026: What Vets and Behaviourists Actually Recommend
Not all cat toys are equal. Some barely get a second glance; others become lifelong obsessions. Here's what genuinely works, based on feline behaviour science.
Keeping Indoor Cats Happy: Enrichment Ideas That Actually Work
An indoor cat that's bored and under-stimulated will find its own entertainment — and you won't like most of it. Here are practical enrichment strategies that work.
The Persian Cat: Elegance, History, and What It Takes to Own One
The Persian is one of the oldest and most recognised cat breeds in the world. Behind that glamorous coat and serene expression lies a genuinely rewarding companion — with some specific care requirements.
The 8 Most Common Cat Health Problems (and When to See a Vet)
Catching health issues early makes a huge difference in outcomes. These are the conditions vets see most often — and the warning signs to watch for.
Decoding Cat Body Language: What Every Posture and Tail Position Means
Cats communicate volumes through posture, tail position, and ear angle. Once you learn the vocabulary, your relationship with your cat changes completely.
What to Actually Feed Your Cat: A No-Nonsense Guide
With hundreds of cat food options on shelves, knowing what's genuinely good for your cat versus clever marketing can be tricky. Here's what matters.
Why Do Cats Knead? The Science Behind 'Making Biscuits'
That rhythmic pushing motion your cat does on your lap has a fascinating origin rooted in kittenhood — here's what it means.
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