What plants are harmful or toxic to cats?

Here are 15 common plants that are toxic to cats, based on information provided by the ASPCA. The list below is by no means exhaustive, and you can view the ASPCA’s complete list for dogs, cats, and horses by clicking here.

In an emergency, you can reach the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at: (888) 426-4435. 

(Note: it’s always a good idea to program this, along with your local emergency vet’s number, into your phone.)

We all love enjoying the beautiful growth that comes with the change in seasons, and with a little precaution, everyone can stay safe!

1. Apple (parts)

While the flesh of an apple is safe for your kitty to enjoy, pet parents with apple trees in their yard should be very cautious. Parts of the fruit including the stems, leaves, and seeds contain cyanide, which is a threat if your cat starts to nibble the decaying fruit that’s fallen to the ground.

2. Aloe

While humans may use aloe gel to heal burns and scrapes, the plant can be toxic if your pet ingests it, leading to vomiting, lethargy, and diarrhea.

3. Azaleas

These flowers can cause symptoms from vomiting to cardiac failure… keep cats away! Rhododendron, a close relative, is also very toxic.

4. Lilies

These flowers are known to be particularly toxic to cats, and any part of them – even the water in the vase – can poison your kitty, causing kidney failure. Cats don’t even have to eat these to be effected – contact with the pollen can prove deadly. Keep felines FAR AWAY from these flowers.

5. Chamomile

Although we humans drink chamomile tea to relax, this plant is poisonous to our four-legged friends. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and “bleeding tendencies.”

6. Daffodils

The ASPCA explains that the bulbs contain the most poison. If too much is eaten, cats can suffer convulsions, tremors cardiac arrhythmias, and more.

7. Daisies

The ASPCA says that symptoms of ingestion include, vomiting, diarrhea, hyper-salivation, incoordination, and dermatitis.

8. Geranium

These popular plants aren’t exactly pet-friendly. Eating it can cause vomiting, anorexia, depression, and dermatitis in your cat.

9. Gladiola

Like daffodils, the most toxic part of this flower is the bulb. Symptoms following ingestion include salivation, vomiting, drooling, lethargy, and diarrhea.

10. Tulips

Also holding most of their toxicity in the bulb, tulips can cause vomiting, depression, diarrhea, hyper-salivation.

11. Sago Palm

Ingestion of these plants can lead to a host of scary side effects, including vomiting, melena, icterus, increased thirst, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, bruising, coagulopathy, liver damage, liver failure, and death, according to the ASPCA.

12. Oleander

These flowers are known to be poisonous to humans and animals alike. If eaten, your cat may drool excessively and suffer from abdominal pain, diarrhea, colic, depression, or even death.

13. Rhubarb

We love it with strawberries in pie, but don’t let your pet eat a rhubarb plant. Side effects include tremors, salivation, and kidney failure.

14. Philodendron 

Keep your cats away from this common plant. If ingested, it can cause oral irritation, pain and swelling of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing

15. Mistletoe

Pet parents should know that this festive plant is poisonous to cats, and should be especially cautious around the holidays. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure, difficulty breathing, and low heart rate.

h/t: ASPCA

The post 15 Common Plants That Are Toxic To Cats appeared first on iHeartCats.com.

What’s something both kitties and their parents loathe? A stinky, dusty litter pan! But PrettyLitter solves typical litter box woes by delivering a crisp, clean litter experience that also monitors health.

Made from silica gel, PrettyLitter creates less dust and controls odor better than clumping-litter competitors. Plus, you won’t be scooping any more messy, wet clumps from the litter pan when you make the switch to this safe and affordable option for your cat’s most purrsonal needs. Just scoop those poops and stir the litter! PrettyLitter’s revolutionary color-changing technology also lets cat parents keep daily tabs on their cat’s health by simply checking the color of the used litter.

Cat mom Valerie D. loves PrettyLitter so much she’s dubbed it the “Magical Kitty Glitter.” And she’s not the only happy cat lady. Thousands and thousands of cat people and their kitties have flipped over this amazing cat litter, and they’re delighted to tell you how much they love it!

Here’s Why Cat Parents and Their Feline Love Pretty Litter

#1 – Less Stink

Clay litter leaves odors at the surface, but the silica gels in PrettyLitter absorb the urine and odor, trapping it inside as the water in the urine evaporates out. And while this fantastic litter doesn’t make the poop disappear, it does eliminate the smell by drying out the kitty deposits. Odors are obliterated even before you have a chance to scoop.

Let Tara R. tell you why PrettyLitter is the “Best Litter in the world!!!”

Pretty Litter is AMAZING! It’s pretty, healthier (for me and my cats), and the best part… I DON’T EVEN SMELL THE KITTY LITTER BOX ANYMORE!!! I’ve got 2 cats, and no one coming into my home would even know that I had any cats until they saw them. =>” – Tara R.

For Tara and her cats, life is smelling far rosier. And Tara’s right; PrettyLitter is pretty and clean in its appearance. Filling the pan with this crystal litter is like giving your cat the bougiest of bathrooms while still staying on budget!

#2 – Less Dust

Silica Gel litter is made from minerals, so PrettyLitter is safe for your cat and friendly for the whole household. And because it’s not made from clay or corn, there’s far less dust. And less dust is about more than just a cleaner home. For cats with allergies or respiratory issues, PrettyLitter can help them breathe easier.

Suzi S. says her family made the switch, and her cat is already feeling the difference.

“My cat has had upper respiratory issues since I had her—after just 1 week of use, her sneezing has almost completely disappeared since switching to Pretty Litter!! No litter smell whatsoever, hoping this continues over the next 2-3 weeks. Highly impressed so far.”

#3 – Easy to Maintain

Cat parents also dig PrettyLitter because all you have to do to keep it clean is scoop the poop and stir the litter. The silica gel crystals do the rest by soaking up the urine rather than clumping around it. When it’s time to change the litter pan, simply throw away the used litter and replace it with a new bag.

Elisha P. is “So happy I went for it!”

“Best thing ever invented for cats! I wasn’t sure about this concept and thought it was probably too good to be true. Then, my good friend/cat lover said PL changed her life, and I trust every word that comes out of her mouth if it has to do with animals, so I ordered right away. Wow! It’s so easy to use! The poo just hardens and scoops out so easily, and the urine dissipates after stirring daily. I’m incredibly happy I invested in Pretty Litter because maintaining the litter box now is so easy, and I can’t smell a thing! Seriously if you’re on the fence, buy it! You won’t regret it!”

#4 – Lightweight Load

Instead of lugging heavy litter boxes home, grab a bag of lightweight PrettyLitter at the store or subscribe to their delivery service and have it delivered to your door for free. Either way, you won’t be hefting heavy boxes anymore!

The lighter weight is one reason Melissa Q. loves PrettyLitter:

“I wasn’t sure PrettyLitter would live up to the hype until the first time one of our cats used it, and we were able to spot the signs of what turned out to be a UTI. Also, as someone who is disabled and unable to pick up traditional litters, it feels so satisfying to be not only able to get my litter delivered but also be able to pick it up myself!”

Plus, the lighter weight of this non-clumping litter makes tossing the old and pouring in the new so much easier.

#5 – Cats Love PrettyLitter Too

It’s not just the pawrents who love PrettyLitter. Felines are raving too!

Sara W. says, “Hans Gruber approved.”

“Best litter ever!!! 100% worth it!!! Easy to clean, no smell in the house!!! Hans Gruber, my very picky cat, gives all 4 paws up for this product.”

#6 – Even Kitties With Litter Box Aversions Dig PrettyLitter!

If your cat won’t go in the litter pan no matter what you do, then you certainly know some struggles. But hope has arrived, feline fancier! For many kitties who won’t set paw in the pan, the first step into some soft PrettyLitter changes their mind.

Because of the litter box troubles in her home, Lori Y. says:

“I wish I hadn’t waited so long to purchase Pretty Litter for my two Bengals. I rescued a Bengal last year that had litter box issues. She has been a challenge, but I adore her and wouldn’t give up on her. She wouldn’t use a litter box no matter what I tried. More boxes, different litters and nothing worked. She peed in chairs, on towels, anything soft left on the floor. I decided to give Pretty Litter a try and bought a 3-month supply. WOW! She took to it immediately, and the bad behavior has stopped. Thank you so much for this superior litter. Xena Boo, Katniss, and I say thank you, Pretty Litter! Xoxo”

Bottom line: Cats who don’t care for kitty litter like PrettyLitter!

Related: The 11 Best Cat Litter Boxes For The Purrfect Potty Experience

#7 – Health Monitoring

Cats are known to hide illness, but PrettyLitter changes color so you can keep tabs on your kitty’s urinary health. After your cat goes potty, the soft silica gel absorbs the urine and changes colors depending on levels of acidity and alkalinity. And because the litter is white, blood in the urine will also become visible as it stains the silica gel red.

Here’s what the PrettyLitter colors can tell you:

• Dark Yellow or Olive Green – indicates typical ranges in urine
• Dark Green to Blue – indicates elevated alkalinity, meaning your cat could be at risk for developing urinary tract infections or stone formations
• Orange – indicates high acidity, a possible signal of kidney disease
• Red – indicates the presence of blood

Whether the litter reveals blood or abnormal ranges in pH, you’ll need to make an appointment with your veterinarian for a diagnosis. If your cat has been diagnosed with a chronic condition, keep an eye on things by monitoring color changes.

Gabrielle E. gains peace of mind from PrettyLitter and says it’s a “life-saving product.”

“Mi reina, Cleo, has a crystal build-up issue in her bladder, and this helps me balance her water-to-food ratio when she needs it. I had a beautiful boy, Oliver, who was euthanized due to the same issue. Thank you for creating something to help break that same traumatic cycle.”

#8 – Earlier Detection of Health Problems

Even if your cat doesn’t suffer from chronic urinary issues, PrettyLitter will alert you to something amiss sooner than traditional litters, thanks to its color-changing technology. And when you catch problems sooner, your kitty can get to the vet and feel better faster!

Kristy T. says she wasn’t convinced, but then, the litter changed color.

“I was skeptical at first but wanted to give it a try since I have 1 cat that has urinary health issues from time to time. Pretty litter helped catch when he had blood in is urine again, probably several days before I would have noticed it with other litters I’ve used. I was able to get his meds started earlier than normal. I will definitely continue to use!”

And this moment of early detection isn’t the only one users have shared. Check out how a senior cat got quick attention when mom Julie D. saw the litter change color.

“Well, it happened today…. my pretty litter turned red…. rushed my baby (13 years old!) to the vet and no blockage, but high red blood cell count – he has an infection with some inflammation. Tonight he seems like himself after an injection… THANK YOU PRETTY LITTER!!!! #wortheverypenny!”

And Julie is right. PrettyLitter is worth every penny. Plus, it will save you pennies too. Not only will you spend less money because you use less litter, but PrettyLitter can also help save you big on vet bills since health issues can be detected earlier when they’re easier to treat.

Related: 8 Best Self Cleaning Litter Boxes for Cats

From less odor and dust to health monitoring, PrettyLitter will be your family’s new favorite litter. And the makers couldn’t have created this incredible product without feedback from their loyal customers. Because of stories and comments from cat parents, PrettyLitter has evolved into the most magical cat litter you’ll ever meet!

The post Let These Cat Parents Tell You Why They Love PrettyLitter appeared first on iHeartCats.com.

Greetings, my pawsome human minions.

Forrest here, coming to you about a subject that haunts every feline home with its malodorous air. And it’s a subject my parents act surprised about any time it happens, even though they already know the answer. Anytime I pass one little puff of a poot, the both of them always make a big deal, fanning the air and groaning as they ask, “Forrest, did you fart?”

So, there we have it. Our question today is, do cats fart?

You know we do, but listen, farting is natural, and cats are all about living as close to nature as possible. So, of course, that means you’ll smell a little feline flatulence from time to time. But don’t act all shocked by it, ok? It’s something we all do because we all have digestive tracts. I’ve heard both my mom and dad rip more than a few, especially Dad…talk about noxious. So they have no room to be dramatic when it comes to passing gas.

But here’s the deal. If you notice your cat is farting up a storm big enough to power a small farm, then something might be going on inside his belly.

When The Occasional Toot Breeze Becomes a Fart Storm

Flatulence occurs when gas builds up in the digestive tract. Sometimes it comes up the esophagus and escapes as a belch. Coming out the back end, the gas passing is lovingly known as a fart. And the occasional stink cloud is a normal thing, but when your cat keeps letting them rip and they smell more ripe than usual, keep an eye peeled for other signs of tummy distress such as bloating, diarrhea, and vomiting.

What could be making those farts so stinky that even your cat flips a tail at them? To help you get to the eye of the fart storm, here are some of the causes behind excessive gas in cats.

Eating Too Fast

Cats typically eat their food slowly, but sometimes factors arise that make us feel we need to scarf our food. For example, if another cat is hanging around the food bowl, I’d be inclined to inhale the food to ensure the uninvited diner doesn’t get my share. The problem with eating too fast is the tendency to gulp air with the food. With that much air in the belly, it has to go somewhere, so presto stinko!

You might consider a puzzle feeder or lick mat to slow a fast eater. You can also dole out food in smaller portions so kitty doesn’t gulp all the vittles in one big heap. Also, if the scarfing is a result of cats competing for resources, start feeding them from separate bowls with a good distance between them.

Eating Too Much

Overindulging in a meal can be easy to do. After all, food is delicious. But when you overfill the stomach, everything gets uncomfortable and rumbly, leading to indigestion that can manifest as fart clouds. Food puzzles and small portions will also help with a cat who wants to overload their gut at every meal.

If your cat overeats, you may need to examine why. Is the food not providing all the necessary ingredients? Are you feeding your cat too much? Need help figuring out how much food is just right? Check out how to Avoid Overfeeding Your Cat With These 5 Tips.

Eating Bad Food

This is a no-brainer. Eating spoiled food means you’re snacking on gross stuff that can make you ill. The bad bacteria in spoiled food can lead to serious stomach upset and when the gut churns, so do the farts.

If food spoilage is the reason for your cat’s upset stomach, you likely identified what your naughty cat ate before symptoms began, especially if your cat has a bad habit of digging in the garbage. I know, some kitties can be so uncouth. If you have a garbage cat, choose trash cans with lids that are hard to knock over.

When it comes to plants, make sure your cat isn’t snacking on ones that can harm felines. Here’s a handy guide featuring 12 Cat Safe Houseplants & 13 Toxic Ones.

Eating Food Kitty’s Tummy Doesn’t Like

Allergies can tear up a tummy, bringing on diarrhea and flatulence that will continue on for as long as they’re eating the offending food. Keep this in mind if you’re starting your cat on a new diet. Do it slowly by tapering down the old food as you slowly introduce the new. However, if you notice sudden stomach discomfort in your cat, discontinue the new food immediately.

Here’s a weird fact about us magical felines: cats can become allergic to a specific food very suddenly. It may be the same vittles they’ve been munching for years, but one day you suddenly get a face full of farting due to your cat’s new allergy.

Eating Might Not Be the Problem

If you’ve tried to solve your cat’s farting problem to no avail, the tummy rumbles could be a sign of a gastrointestinal issue that requires veterinary attention. So, if symptoms don’t abate or if they become severe, contact your vet. If there’s blood in the stool, call them right away.

The bottom line, farting is normal. We all do it, so don’t act surprised when your cat randomly fluffs out a fart. And, in discussing feline farts and how eating can determine their rancidity, I would be remiss in not offering my usual reminder…don’t forget to feed the cat.

The post CattyCorner: Feline Flatulence Is Real & It Stinks appeared first on iHeartCats.com.

The litter box in your house might have a bad reputation, but a new name in kitty litter is changing everything pet parents know about how to keep cats healthy. We have partnered with PrettyLitter to give our readers an exclusive offer, 20% off your first order when you use code BESTPET20.

Before PrettyLitter, cat litter was often thought of as a necessary evil. A hassle. Large, heavy bags. The dusty mess. And the odor. Thankfully, PrettyLitter eliminates all these problems – even the odor! Best of all, PrettyLitter not only makes life easier for you, it can make life better for your cat, too.

Safe For Your Cat

Let’s get a little technical for a moment. PrettyLitter is made of silica gel crystals – NOT crystalline silica. These two sound like the same thing, but that’s where the similarities stop. Silica gel, which is found in PrettyLitter, is non-toxic and non-flammable. Silica gel is completely safe for humans and cats. Crystalline silica, on the other hand, can cause damage to the lungs known as silicosis.

PrettyLitter is also free of sodium bentonite, which is a clumping agent. Sodium bentonite expands when exposed to liquid, which is great for clumping litters, but not so great for your cat’s health. If your cat licks their paws after touching the litter, the clumping agents could expand, causing blockages. With PrettyLitter, you’ll no longer have to stress about your cat’s curiosity harming them.

Your cat’s health is our primary concern, so rest assured that using PrettyLitter in no way poses any risk to your cat. In fact, it’s the only litter that can help ensure the health and safety of your feline friend. It’s what inspired the creation of PrettyLitter.

“Having lost my cat to an illness, it was a heartbreaking experience watching her get ill without having been able to help her early on. I created PrettyLitter to give cat owners the power to keep daily tabs on their cats wellbeing.”  -Daniel Rotman, CEO of PrettyLitter

A Change In Color Tells You About Your Cat’s Health

With PrettyLitter, you get peace of mind. Our revolutionary formula can signal you to possible health issues before they become major problems. Simple changes in PrettyLitter color let you know there could be something wrong, possibly saving your cat’s life. Regular cat litter should turn dark yellow or olive green, so anything else could be a potential concern.

Potential health issues that can be associated with color change include:

• Blue Litter (ALKALINE) – If the litter turns blue or dark green, it could mean your cat’s urine has a high pH level. This could signal a possible urinary tract infection. High urinary pH can lead to bladder crystal and stone formation.
• Yellow Litter (ACIDITY) – Bright yellow or orange litter is a possible indication of abnormal acidity, such as metabolic acidosis & kidney tubular acidosis. Low urinary pH can lead to Calcium Oxalate.
• Red Litter (BLOOD) – If a pet parent finds splotches of red in their cat’s PrettyLitter, it could mean there’s blood in the cat’s urine. This could be a sign of bladder inflammation, bladder stones, or a urinary tract infection.

Less Litter, Lasts Longer

Each bag of PrettyLitter weighs just 4-6 pounds, so no more breaking your back as you lug around 20 or 30 pound bags of litter. Thanks to our revolutionary formula, PrettyLitter absorbs and eliminates moisture, so there’s no need to change the litter throughout the month. You’ll no longer need to have last minute runs to the pet store because PrettyLitter brings the litter to you for no additional charge.

A single bag of PrettyLitter typically lasts 3 to 4 weeks, so you use less. Throughout the month, all you have to do is scoop the poop. Most of the time, your cat’s litter box will be both out of sight and out of mind.

Free Shipping Right To Your Door

Never worry about running out of kitty litter again. Every month, you’ll receive another bag of PrettyLitter right to your door with free shipping! Just let them know how many cats are in your home, and you’ll receive the revolutionary litter accordingly.

PrettyLitter ships to the continental United States and most provinces of Canada. This forward-looking brand of kitty litter is affordable and odor-trapping. Protecting feline health has never been easier.

Goodbye Odor!

PrettyLitter is odorless and scentless. No more flowery scents covering up stinky cat litter. Instead, imagine if your cat’s litter box released no smells at all! More important, PrettyLitter, unlike clumping litter, absorbs moisture, eliminating the urine and trapping the odor. So you only need to scoop the poop.

Here’s The Deal!

iHeartCats.com is proud to partner with PrettyLitter. This amazing litter helps make your life easier while keeping tabs on your cat’s health too. For a limited time, receive 20% off your first order when you use code BESTPET20. So enjoy peace of mind like never before. PrettyLitter is so much more than just litter. It’s a lifesaver!

The post PrettyLitter Can Help Save Your Cat’s Life appeared first on iHeartCats.com.

If your cat is suffering from an illness, they might not be quick to let you know. Cats are notorious for hiding illnesses, which can be difficult for cat parents to handle. Luckily, PrettyLitter offers a unique type of litter that could detect some potential health concerns before it’s too late.

When your cat uses PrettyLitter, the litter may change colors to indicate that you should visit the vet. In most cases, it will appear like typical urine, but it could also change colors to detect alkaline, acidity, or even blood in your cat’s urine. What should you expect if this happens?

Alkaline

If the litter turns a dark green or blue color after your cat uses it, this is a sign of high alkaline in the urine. The amount of alkaline in a substance is determined based on the pH level. A high pH level indicates high alkaline, which is what causes the litter to change colors.

High alkaline in cat urine is often a sign of bladder crystal or bladder stone formations. The longer these go undiagnosed, the more painful it will be for your cat. Bladder stones and crystals typically occur when the natural minerals in your cat’s body aren’t being processed correctly. These crystals can make urinating difficult for your cat, and they can irritate your cat’s bladder.

High alkaline can lead to more serious concerns if the bladder stones or crystals are not treated right away. These stones could eventually cause extreme blockages, which could cause their bladder to rupture. Therefore, it’s best to visit your vet as soon as you notice dark green or blue litter.

Acidity

Normal cat urine is usually a yellow or olive green color, but PrettyLitter could turn orange. This indicates high acidity. Acidity is the opposite of alkaline because it’s present when the urine has a low pH level. However, it can be just as risky.

High acidity in cat urine can lead to metabolic acidosis or kidney tubular acidosis. As the name implies, “acidosis” is a buildup of acid in your cat’s blood. The amount of acid in a cat’s body is often due to what they eat. The more acid that builds up in their body, the harder it will be to help them heal.

If left untreated, these conditions could cause your feline’s health to significantly decline. Your cat could experience significant weight, bone, and muscle loss. So, orange litter is a sign that you should visit your vet right away too.

Blood

Red litter is likely the most obvious health indicator because it means there’s blood in the urine. Unfortunately, blood is the result of many common health concerns for cats, including bladder stones, bladder inflammation, and urinary tract infections.

Blood in your cat’s urine has a lot of similar concerns to high alkaline. The conditions associated with blood could eventually lead to extreme blockages or even ruptures in your cat’s bladder. Since blood has so many potential outcomes for your cat, you should always take your cat to the vet if their litter turns red. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Regular cat litter cannot alert you of potential health concerns, but PrettyLitter can change colors to detect alkaline, acidity, or blood. Some of these issues could be a matter of life and death for your cat if not treated right away. So, PrettyLitter can let you know if something’s not right, allowing you time to visit your vet as soon as possible.

Do you want to make sure your cat stays healthy at all times? Then, try PrettyLitter to help keep tabs on potential health concerns. We’re proud to have PrettyLitter as our partner, so you can now get 20% off your first month with the code BESTPET20!

The post What Happens If Your Cat’s Health Problems Aren’t Treated In Time? appeared first on iHeartCats.com.

As a cat parent, your cat’s health is the number one priority. Unfortunately, cats are notorious for hiding illnesses, so you might not even spot a serious health problem until it’s too late. Luckily, if you know what to look out for and how to reduce the risk of these health problems, keeping your cat safe will be much easier. Our partners at PrettyLitter, creators of the color-changing, health-monitoring kitty litter, have shared this beneficial information with us to help your cat live a long, healthy life.

Common Cat Health Concerns

While cats are great at hiding their pain, there are still plenty of ways to spot their major health concerns. Some of the most common health problems for cats have to do with the litter box, and some of them are similar to conditions humans can get.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

UTIs are likely the most common health problem for cats. They’re most commonly found in adult female cats, but if a male cat gets one, it can be much more dangerous for them. Bacteria is the main source of a UTI, causing your cat’s urine to have a higher pH, which often leads to crystalized urine. If this is not treated right away, it could cause a urinary blockage for your cat.

If your cat is suffering from a UTI, you might notice them trying to urinate more often. Additionally, they might be spending more time at the litter box, even if they don’t leave any urine behind. You may also notice other signs, such as having blood in their urine, drinking more water than usual, or not eating as much as usual.

Bladder Inflammation and Bladder Stones

These two medical problems have similar symptoms to UTIs. Bladder inflammation, which is also commonly referred to as cystitis, is simply an inflamed bladder with an unknown cause. It’s not as serious as a UTI, but it can still cause lots of discomfort for your cat. Meanwhile, bladder stones are small, rock-like crystals that are found in your cat’s bladder. They can also cause inflammation and blockages.

If your cat has either of these health problems, you may notice them struggling to urinate. Urination might appear painful for them or there could be hints of blood in their urine. You might even notice them trying to use the bathroom more frequently than usual, sometimes even in places outside the litter box.

Metabolic Acidosis and Kidney Tubular Acidosis

Acidosis refers to having too much acid in the body. So, metabolic acidosis is simply when acid in your cat’s body is too high, oftentimes related to chronic kidney disease. It can often be harder to diagnose than other health concerns. Then, kidney tubular acidosis, which is also referred to as renal tubular acidosis, is when your cat’s body is unable to get rid of the acid through urine. This causes extremely high acidity in your cat’s blood and low acidity in their urine.

Some common symptoms for metabolic acidosis include trouble breathing, twitching, heart disturbances, and seizures. For kidney tubular acidosis, possible symptoms include panting, weight loss, dehydration, muscle weakness, blood in urine, and frequent urination. Therefore, it’s best to catch these health problems early on before they worsen.

Related: 8 Best Self Cleaning Litter Boxes for Cats

How to Avoid These Health Problems

Just because your cat can’t directly tell you when something is wrong doesn’t mean you can’t stop major problems from happening. Here are some easy ways to help prevent your cat from getting ill.

Keep the Litter Box Clean

Keeping the litter box clean is the first step to keeping your cat healthy. If you neglect changing the litter and cleaning the box, then bacteria could easily build up inside. It’s important to limit your cat’s interactions with bacteria as much as possible, especially because bacteria in the litter box could lead to UTIs.

Related: The 11 Best Cat Litter Boxes for the Purrfect Potty Experience

Feed Your Cat a Healthy Diet

When it comes to your cat’s food, you need to choose it carefully. Make sure the food is high in protein and free of unnecessary fillers. Sometimes, cheap filler ingredients can greatly impact your cat’s health and cause allergic reactions. Also, wet food and fresh food are usually better than dry food for cats because they provide more moisture, preventing your cat from getting dehydrated.

Lower Stress Factors

Believe it or not, a lot of cat health problems can develop due to stress. By making sure your cat gets plenty of playtime and has lots of places in your home to explore, such as perches and hiding places, they will likely feel more relaxed. If you have more than one cat in your household, make sure each cat has their own litter box and water dish because that can be more comfortable for them as well.

Cats also don’t do well with major changes. If you move or have a kid, try to make the transition as gradual as possible. This is because if you surprise your cat with an unexpected change, they will not be happy.

Image: @eileen.thecat/Instagram

Visit the Vet Regularly

It’s no surprise that cats should visit the vet regularly, especially since they are good at hiding diseases. Make sure your cat goes in for regular checkups and gets all the necessary vaccinations. Then, if you’ve noticed anything unusual with your cat, that’s the perfect time to ask your vet about it.

Try PrettyLitter

The best way to stop you from worrying about your cat’s health is by trying PrettyLitter! PrettyLitter is an advanced form of crystal litter that can actually monitor your cat’s health. Bacteria can change the pH of your cat’s urine, so when your cat uses the bathroom with PrettyLitter, the litter can help detect whether or not something’s wrong with your cat.

If your cat has any of the major health problems mentioned earlier, PrettyLitter could detect it. The litter simply changes colors to reflect which problems your cat might have. Then, if you see an unusual color in your cat’s litter box, you’ll know to consult your vet right away.

When you use PrettyLitter, here are the colors you might see:

• Blue or dark green: this indicates a high urinary pH, which could signify UTIs or bladder stones.
• Orange: this indicates a low urinary pH, which could mean your cat has metabolic acidosis or kidney tubular acidosis.
• Dark yellow or olive green: this is the color of your typical cat urine.
• Red: this could mean bladder inflammation, bladder stones, or even UTIs.

With PrettyLitter, these colors can show up in your cat’s litter even before you notice any symptoms. That way, you can address the problem before it’s too late. In the long run, this litter’s advanced color-changing technology could save your cat’s life.

Are you ready to switch to a litter that can help you spot health problems easier? If so, switch to PrettyLitter today! We’re proud to have PrettyLitter as our partner, so you can now get 20% off with the code BESTPET20!

The post How To Protect Your Kitty From These 3 Common Health Issues appeared first on iHeartCats.com.

As a cat parent, your cat’s health is the number one priority. Unfortunately, cats are notorious for hiding illnesses, so you might not even spot a serious health problem until it’s too late. Luckily, if you know what to look out for and how to reduce the risk of these health problems, keeping your cat safe will be much easier. Our partners at PrettyLitter, creators of the color-changing, health-monitoring kitty litter, have shared this beneficial information with us to help your cat live a long, healthy life.

Common Cat Health Concerns

While cats are great at hiding their pain, there are still plenty of ways to spot their major health concerns. Some of the most common health problems for cats have to do with the litter box, and some of them are similar to conditions humans can get.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

UTIs are likely the most common health problem for cats. They’re most commonly found in adult female cats, but if a male cat gets one, it can be much more dangerous for them. Bacteria is the main source of a UTI, causing your cat’s urine to have a higher pH, which often leads to crystalized urine. If this is not treated right away, it could cause a urinary blockage for your cat.

If your cat is suffering from a UTI, you might notice them trying to urinate more often. Additionally, they might be spending more time at the litter box, even if they don’t leave any urine behind. You may also notice other signs, such as having blood in their urine, drinking more water than usual, or not eating as much as usual.

Bladder Inflammation and Bladder Stones

These two medical problems have similar symptoms to UTIs. Bladder inflammation, which is also commonly referred to as cystitis, is simply an inflamed bladder with an unknown cause. It’s not as serious as a UTI, but it can still cause lots of discomfort for your cat. Meanwhile, bladder stones are small, rock-like crystals that are found in your cat’s bladder. They can also cause inflammation and blockages.

If your cat has either of these health problems, you may notice them struggling to urinate. Urination might appear painful for them or there could be hints of blood in their urine. You might even notice them trying to use the bathroom more frequently than usual, sometimes even in places outside the litter box.

Metabolic Acidosis and Kidney Tubular Acidosis

Acidosis refers to having too much acid in the body. So, metabolic acidosis is simply when acid in your cat’s body is too high, oftentimes related to chronic kidney disease. It can often be harder to diagnose than other health concerns. Then, kidney tubular acidosis, which is also referred to as renal tubular acidosis, is when your cat’s body is unable to get rid of the acid through urine. This causes extremely high acidity in your cat’s blood and low acidity in their urine.

Some common symptoms for metabolic acidosis include trouble breathing, twitching, heart disturbances, and seizures. For kidney tubular acidosis, possible symptoms include panting, weight loss, dehydration, muscle weakness, blood in urine, and frequent urination. Therefore, it’s best to catch these health problems early on before they worsen.

How to Avoid These Health Problems

Just because your cat can’t directly tell you when something is wrong doesn’t mean you can’t stop major problems from happening. Here are some easy ways to help prevent your cat from getting ill.

Keep the Litter Box Clean

Keeping the litter box clean is the first step to keeping your cat healthy. If you neglect changing the litter and cleaning the box, then bacteria could easily build up inside. It’s important to limit your cat’s interactions with bacteria as much as possible, especially because bacteria in the litter box could lead to UTIs.

Feed Your Cat a Healthy Diet

When it comes to your cat’s food, you need to choose it carefully. Make sure the food is high in protein and free of unnecessary fillers. Sometimes, cheap filler ingredients can greatly impact your cat’s health and cause allergic reactions. Also, wet food and fresh food are usually better than dry food for cats because they provide more moisture, preventing your cat from getting dehydrated.

Lower Stress Factors

Believe it or not, a lot of cat health problems can develop due to stress. By making sure your cat gets plenty of playtime and has lots of places in your home to explore, such as perches and hiding places, they will likely feel more relaxed. If you have more than one cat in your household, make sure each cat has their own litter box and water dish because that can be more comfortable for them as well.

Cats also don’t do well with major changes. If you move or have a kid, try to make the transition as gradual as possible. This is because if you surprise your cat with an unexpected change, they will not be happy.

Image: @eileen.thecat/Instagram

Visit the Vet Regularly

It’s no surprise that cats should visit the vet regularly, especially since they are good at hiding diseases. Make sure your cat goes in for regular checkups and gets all the necessary vaccinations. Then, if you’ve noticed anything unusual with your cat, that’s the perfect time to ask your vet about it.

Try PrettyLitter

The best way to stop you from worrying about your cat’s health is by trying PrettyLitter! PrettyLitter is an advanced form of crystal litter that can actually monitor your cat’s health. Bacteria can change the pH of your cat’s urine, so when your cat uses the bathroom with PrettyLitter, the litter can help detect whether or not something’s wrong with your cat.

If your cat has any of the major health problems mentioned earlier, PrettyLitter could detect it. The litter simply changes colors to reflect which problems your cat might have. Then, if you see an unusual color in your cat’s litter box, you’ll know to consult your vet right away.

When you use PrettyLitter, here are the colors you might see:

• Blue or dark green: this indicates a high urinary pH, which could signify UTIs or bladder stones.
• Orange: this indicates a low urinary pH, which could mean your cat has metabolic acidosis or kidney tubular acidosis.
• Dark yellow or olive green: this is the color of your typical cat urine.
• Red: this could mean bladder inflammation, bladder stones, or even UTIs.

With PrettyLitter, these colors can show up in your cat’s litter even before you notice any symptoms. That way, you can address the problem before it’s too late. In the long run, this litter’s advanced color-changing technology could save your cat’s life.

Are you ready to switch to a litter that can help you spot health problems easier? If so, switch to PrettyLitter today! We’re proud to have PrettyLitter as our partner, so you can now get 20% off with the code BESTPET20!

The post 3 Common Kitty Health Issues And How To Spot Them appeared first on iHeartCats.com.

As a cat parent, your cat’s health is the number one priority. Unfortunately, cats are notorious for hiding illnesses, so you might not even spot a serious health problem until it’s too late. Luckily, if you know what to look out for and how to reduce the risk of these health problems, keeping your cat safe will be much easier. Our partners at PrettyLitter, creators of the color-changing, health-monitoring kitty litter, have shared this beneficial information with us to help your cat live a long, healthy life.

Common Cat Health Concerns

While cats are great at hiding their pain, there are still plenty of ways to spot their major health concerns. Some of the most common health problems for cats have to do with the litter box, and some of them are similar to conditions humans can get.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

UTIs are likely the most common health problem for cats. They’re most commonly found in adult female cats, but if a male cat gets one, it can be much more dangerous for them. Bacteria is the main source of a UTI, causing your cat’s urine to have a higher pH, which often leads to crystalized urine. If this is not treated right away, it could cause a urinary blockage for your cat.

If your cat is suffering from a UTI, you might notice them trying to urinate more often. Additionally, they might be spending more time at the litter box, even if they don’t leave any urine behind. You may also notice other signs, such as having blood in their urine, drinking more water than usual, or not eating as much as usual.

Bladder Inflammation and Bladder Stones

These two medical problems have similar symptoms to UTIs. Bladder inflammation, which is also commonly referred to as cystitis, is simply an inflamed bladder with an unknown cause. It’s not as serious as a UTI, but it can still cause lots of discomfort for your cat. Meanwhile, bladder stones are small, rock-like crystals that are found in your cat’s bladder. They can also cause inflammation and blockages.

If your cat has either of these health problems, you may notice them struggling to urinate. Urination might appear painful for them or there could be hints of blood in their urine. You might even notice them trying to use the bathroom more frequently than usual, sometimes even in places outside the litter box.

Metabolic Acidosis and Kidney Tubular Acidosis

Acidosis refers to having too much acid in the body. So, metabolic acidosis is simply when acid in your cat’s body is too high, oftentimes related to chronic kidney disease. It can often be harder to diagnose than other health concerns. Then, kidney tubular acidosis, which is also referred to as renal tubular acidosis, is when your cat’s body is unable to get rid of the acid through urine. This causes extremely high acidity in your cat’s blood and low acidity in their urine.

Some common symptoms for metabolic acidosis include trouble breathing, twitching, heart disturbances, and seizures. For kidney tubular acidosis, possible symptoms include panting, weight loss, dehydration, muscle weakness, blood in urine, and frequent urination. Therefore, it’s best to catch these health problems early on before they worsen.

How to Avoid These Health Problems

Just because your cat can’t directly tell you when something is wrong doesn’t mean you can’t stop major problems from happening. Here are some easy ways to help prevent your cat from getting ill.

Keep the Litter Box Clean

Keeping the litter box clean is the first step to keeping your cat healthy. If you neglect changing the litter and cleaning the box, then bacteria could easily build up inside. It’s important to limit your cat’s interactions with bacteria as much as possible, especially because bacteria in the litter box could lead to UTIs.

Feed Your Cat a Healthy Diet

When it comes to your cat’s food, you need to choose it carefully. Make sure the food is high in protein and free of unnecessary fillers. Sometimes, cheap filler ingredients can greatly impact your cat’s health and cause allergic reactions. Also, wet food and fresh food are usually better than dry food for cats because they provide more moisture, preventing your cat from getting dehydrated.

Lower Stress Factors

Believe it or not, a lot of cat health problems can develop due to stress. By making sure your cat gets plenty of playtime and has lots of places in your home to explore, such as perches and hiding places, they will likely feel more relaxed. If you have more than one cat in your household, make sure each cat has their own litter box and water dish because that can be more comfortable for them as well.

Cats also don’t do well with major changes. If you move or have a kid, try to make the transition as gradual as possible. This is because if you surprise your cat with an unexpected change, they will not be happy.

Image: @eileen.thecat/Instagram

Visit the Vet Regularly

It’s no surprise that cats should visit the vet regularly, especially since they are good at hiding diseases. Make sure your cat goes in for regular checkups and gets all the necessary vaccinations. Then, if you’ve noticed anything unusual with your cat, that’s the perfect time to ask your vet about it.

Try PrettyLitter

The best way to stop you from worrying about your cat’s health is by trying PrettyLitter! PrettyLitter is an advanced form of crystal litter that can actually monitor your cat’s health. Bacteria can change the pH of your cat’s urine, so when your cat uses the bathroom with PrettyLitter, the litter can help detect whether or not something’s wrong with your cat.

If your cat has any of the major health problems mentioned earlier, PrettyLitter could detect it. The litter simply changes colors to reflect which problems your cat might have. Then, if you see an unusual color in your cat’s litter box, you’ll know to consult your vet right away.

When you use PrettyLitter, here are the colors you might see:

• Blue or dark green: this indicates a high urinary pH, which could signify UTIs or bladder stones.
• Orange: this indicates a low urinary pH, which could mean your cat has metabolic acidosis or kidney tubular acidosis.
• Dark yellow or olive green: this is the color of your typical cat urine.
• Red: this could mean bladder inflammation, bladder stones, or even UTIs.

With PrettyLitter, these colors can show up in your cat’s litter even before you notice any symptoms. That way, you can address the problem before it’s too late. In the long run, this litter’s advanced color-changing technology could save your cat’s life.

Are you ready to switch to a litter that can help you spot health problems easier? If so, switch to PrettyLitter today! We’re proud to have PrettyLitter as our partner, so you can now get 20% off with the code BESTPET20!

The post How To Keep Your Kitty Safe From These 3 Common Health Issues appeared first on iHeartCats.com.

With so many people spending time at home, litter box odor is likely more noticeable than ever. You shouldn’t have to smell your cat’s stinky litter all day, especially when you’re inside for the majority of the time. However, a litter box is a part of your cat’s life that just can’t be avoided. So, what are some ways that you can help your home smell less like your cat’s stinky litter? We have partnered with PrettyLitter, and they wanted to share these great tips on how to better manage litter box odor.

Choose the Perfect Location

Many cat parents assume that the best place to keep the litter box is in the most secluded room possible, but that’s not always the case. If the room you choose isn’t well-ventilated, then it could actually make the litter box stench even worse. So, instead of just settling on the least-visited room, consider all your options and find out which room has the best ventilation. That way, the odor will leave the room quickly instead of sticking around.

Also, the type of litter you use actually has an impact on where you should keep the litter box. For example, many cat parents prefer to keep the litter box in the bathroom. However, super-absorbent litters don’t do as well in a bathroom due to the humidity. Baths and showers would get absorbed by the litter, causing it not to last as long. If you only want to keep your litter in the bathroom, that’s okay, but you just need to keep in mind that your litter might not last as long. For crystal litter, it would likely last only 3 weeks as opposed to 4.

Use the Right Amount of Litter

Oftentimes, people don’t fill their cat’s litter box enough. They assume that using minimal litter will stop them from wasting litter, but it actually causes the odor control to not be as effective. For most litters, the litter box should be filled with a minimum of 2-3 inches for best odor control. If the litter box isn’t full enough, all the urine could sink to the bottom, causing it to get smelly faster.

The type of litter box can also have an effect on the smell. Open litter pans are the most common types of litter boxes because they’re easy to find and easy for your cat to access. However, there’s nothing standing between you and the litter, so they are the worst when it comes to odor control. A covered litter box can reduce the smell a bit, but all other things should be considered too. A new litter box alone can’t fix your odor problems.

Instagram: @leo.mainecoon

Consider Your Cat’s Diet

What many cat parents don’t realize is that certain types of cat food can have a significant effect on the smell of the litter box. In general, dry food tends to be a bit less stinky than wet food, which makes sense because the food itself is usually smellier in wet forms. Also, fish-flavored food is typically the smelliest protein to choose. 

However, every cat food brand has different formulas and different ingredients, so these suggestions are not the case for every brand. After all, food is typically not the only cause of a smelly litter box, but if you think it might be a concern, you should consider making changes to your cat’s diet.

Keep up with Litter Maintenance

Of course, cleaning the litter box is an essential part of controlling the odor. How you clean your litter box greatly depends on what type of litter you use though. Certain types of litter require less maintenance than others. For example, clay litters will need to be replaced more often than crystal litter. So, follow cleaning instructions based on the type of litter you use.

If you don’t clean your litter box thoroughly on a regular basis, then the litter box odor will get worse much faster. For low maintenance litters like crystal litter, all you have to do is scoop the poop and then replace the litter after 3 to 4 weeks. How you clean your litter all depends on the type of litter, so it’s best to choose one that’s great for odor control.

Instagram: @leo.mainecoon

Consider Using Crystal Litter

Crystal litter is one of the best types of litter when it comes to odor control. So, if your house often smells like the litter box, you should consider switching to a brand of crystal litter like PrettyLitter. One bag of PrettyLitter can have excellent odor control for up to 4 weeks, and it’s all thanks to the crystal litter that it’s made of.

Crystal litter is made with silica gel beads, which are solid particles of sodium silicate. These small beads have microscopic pores, which allow them to absorb many times their own weight in moisture. The porous granules that make up crystal litter are the key to perfect odor control.

PrettyLitter and other crystal litters are the best at odor control because the litter is made of porous silica gel beads that trap all the odor at its source. Then, they eliminate the moisture to keep your cat’s litter long-lasting. Unlike many other litter brands, crystal litter is scentless, so it actually controls the odor instead of just masking it.

You won’t have to worry about the terrible litter box smell anymore if you use crystal litter. Choosing a crystal litter like PrettyLitter is the best way to handle a stinky litter box in your home.

If you’re sick of your home constantly smelling like the litter box no matter what you try, then it might be time to make the switch. With PrettyLitter, you’re choosing the best in odor control. You’ll never have to smell your cat’s business again! We’re proud to have PrettyLitter as our sponsor, so you can now get 20% off your first month with the code BESTPET20!

The post 5 Simple Ways To Get Rid Of That Litterbox Smell appeared first on iHeartCats.com.

One of the most common diseases in cats is diabetes. Those most at risk are overweight house pets, particularly males. According to Diabetic Cat Care, it can take weeks or even months for symptoms to show up and possibly longer for a owner to notice. Meanwhile, their cat’s health is deteriorating. Diabetic Cat Care gives the following as symptoms to watch for as signs that your cat may have diabetes.

#1 – Increased Thirst

This can be hard thing to notice, since most of us have multiple bowls and even automatic waterers; if you have more than one cat, it’s even harder. If you think you are refilling the bowls more frequently, separate the cat you think may be doing it so you can monitor them, as this can be a sign of several illnesses that need to be addressed by a vet.

Image source: @CelloPics via Flickr

#2 – Increased Urination

Of course, if your kitty is drinking more, she will also be urinating more. Again, you may have to separate your cats to figure out which one is going, unless you notice your cat make more trips to the litterbox than usual.

Image source: @AllishaVargas via Flickr

#3 – Increased/Decreased Appetite

Kitties can be fussy eaters or gluttons by nature, so you are going to have to take into account your cat’s normal dinner behavior. The important thing is to notice anything out of the norm for your cat.

Image source: @ayako via Flickr

#4 – Weight Loss

If you have a skinny cat that just is not gaining weight, or is losing it, regardless of how much you feed him, it’s time to take a trip to the vet. It could be something as simple as worms, or it could be something much more serious. Better safe than sorry.

Image source: @littlemoresunshine via Flickr

#5 – Poor Coat

Again, there are many things that can cause a poor coat – food, shampoo/conditioner, allergies, lack of grooming, etc. But if you notice your cat’s coat is just the same as it used to be (dull, flakey dandruff, etc), and you haven’t changed any of your habits, it’s time to see the vet.

Image source: PaulLong via Flickr

#6 – Behavioral and/or Mood Changes

Just like us, cats can become grumpy when they are not feeling well. If your cat is not acting like herself – grumpy, doesn’t want to be touched, sleeping often – there is probably something wrong. Even if it ends up not being diabetes, you should have her checked out.

Image source: @Tambakothejaguar via Flickr

#7 – Diarrhea/Vomiting

Neither of these are ever a good sign. If your cat starts having chronic diarrhea or is throwing up, go to the vet.

Image source: @QuinnDombrowksi via Flickr

#8 – Breathing Abnormalities

Diabetic cats will sometimes have trouble breathing and/or have breath that smells fruity or like nail polish. If your cat is having issues breathing, go to the vet immediately.

Image source: TheGrimAtheist via Flickr

#9 – Lethargy

Lethargy may be the hardest symptom to notice in a cat. After all, most adult cats sleep up to 20 hours a day. But, if your cat normally plays and is no longer interested, or doesn’t even get up at the sound of dinner being served, something may be wrong.

Image source: @IanBarbour via Flickr

#10 – Weakness in Hind Legs/Limping

Although many older cats develop arthritis, look for a marked weakness in the hind end, especially when walking or jumping. If you notice your cat having problems, go to the vet.

Image source: Christmatos via Flickr

The post 10 Signs of Diabetes in Cats appeared first on iHeartCats.com.