Cancer is an ever-growing problem for our pets, so it’s no surprise that we’re always on the lookout for anything abnormal. Annual veterinary exams can help ensure your cat stays happy and healthy, but cats are very stoic animals that rarely show any symptoms of disease before it’s too late. To be proactive in our cat’s health, it’s important to take note of any of these symptoms and be sure to check with your veterinarian to rule out any problems.

#1 – Weight Loss

While some cats could stand to lose a few pounds, noticing unwarranted and sudden weight loss is typically a sign that something is wrong. Because cancer cells take a lot of energy and nutrition away from our cats, it’s very common for them to start losing weight rapidly and without obvious explanation.

#2 – Lethargy

Cats sleep a lot, but when they’re awake they do remain fairly active and enjoy their playtime. If you notice your cat sleeping more than normal or showing no interest in play and activity, there’s a good chance he’s not feeling very well.

#3 – Lumps

Lumps are probably the most obvious sign of cancer in cats because they’re often easily seen and felt. Lumps are not always dangerous, but it’s important to take your cat to the veterinarian if you find any. They can appear anywhere on the body and can grow very slowly or very quickly.

#4 – Bad Breath

Your cat’s breath probably doesn’t smell particularly good to begin with, but very foul and abnormal smelling breath can be a sign of cancer and other ailments. Hopefully your cat will just need a dental cleaning, but if you notice bad breath it’s important to take your cat to the veterinarian.

#5 – Sudden Lameness

Tumors can often be painful, especially if they are in bone tissue. Sudden lameness in cats is certainly a sign that something isn’t right and it’s best to rule out the cause as soon as possible. Not only are our cats obvious in pain and discomfort, bone cancers can spread quickly and it’s best to get them under control. Sometimes even an amputation is the best answer. But don’t worry, cats can get around very well on only three legs.

#6 – Sores & Wounds That Don’t Heal

If your cat is fighting something like cancer, it’s going to take all of the time her immune system has to offer. Therefore, it’s not uncommon for cats to develop sores or have small wounds that never seem to heal. Even tiny scratches can become inflamed and infected when they would normally be gone in a few days. If you notice this happening to your cat, take her to the vet right away.

#7 – Difficulty Breathing

Tumors often grow inside or push against the lungs and throat of our cats, making breathing very difficult. If you notice any wheezing or panting, be sure to take your cat to the vet as soon as possible. If left untreated, tumors in the chest cavity or throat can suffocate cats very quickly.

#8 – Loss of Appetite

If you notice your cat isn’t eating as much or has stopped eating altogether, it’s imperative to seek veterinary attention immediately. Regardless of the cause of his inappetence, cats can suffer from a dangerous side effect, called fatty liver, from not eating for just a day or two. Fatty liver, or hepatic lipidosis, is very common in cats that stop eating suddenly and can be just as fatal as the cancer that may be causing your cat to avoid food.

#9 – Abnormal Swelling

Some tumors can’t be seen or felt just under the skin, but you might notice that your cat’s chest or abdomen has become enlarged or distended. This could mean that something dangerous is growing inside and is a sure sign that your cat needs veterinary care.

#10 – Vomiting & Diarrhea

Vomiting and diarrhea is relatively common in cats and can be caused by just about anything, but persistent symptoms are a sign that something is definitely wrong. If you notice excess vomiting and/or diarrhea that lasts for a long period of time or gets progressively worse, cancer could certainly eb the culprit and your cat should see a veterinarian sooner rather than later.

The post 10 Signs Of Cancer In Cats appeared first on iHeartCats.com.

Samson the cat, aka Catstradamus, one of Instagram’s favorite and most giant cats, has died at the age of ten.

A behemoth of fur and paws with a heart of pure gold, Samson was a Maine Coon cat who ruled social media with almost 250k followers across multiple platforms. Fans loved the almost thirty-pound feline because he was an impressive specimen of a cat who knew how to enjoy life. And with his sweet face and charming kitty smile, it’s no wonder he was loved by so many. He ruled not only his home but also his dad’s heart.

Instagram

Saying Good-Bye to A Legendary Cat

Weighing an impressive 28lbs. and reaching lengths of four feet, Samson, also called Catstradamus, was an enormous cat. As a Maine Coon, he was expected to be large as the males of the breed average 13 – 18 pounds and lengths of up to 40 inches. Making others in his breed look like little kitties, Samson was something else with his amazing size. But at ten years old, his big body was feeling its size and age.

On Instagram, dad Jonathan Zurbel explained that hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis sometimes made it difficult for Samson to walk. But with his family giving due diligence to their furry king’s quality of life, Samson still enjoyed a good living. But an unexpected trip to the vet changed everything, and suddenly, Samson was gone, leaving his family, including kitty sibling Dante, to mourn their deal furry angel.

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“There is a giant hole in our hearts, nobody will ever fill your “murder mittens” those giant white paws, that sweet kind face, and your personality which was as beautiful as you looked,” shared Jonathan. “Such an honor to serve you and share our bond and pictures.”

Instagram

Instagram

“You were and still are a giant force of love and thanks for leaving me with this supportive community and page so I can continue to share you with the world, MY PRIDE & JOY. MY BEAUTIFUL SAMSON! “have a good time, one more chin scratch …’”

Instagram

“Samson you finally got your wings but you were an angel on earth…”

Memories of a Good Cat

Many know Samson for his enormous size, but did you know this extra-large kitty had the tiniest meow?

“Samson wasn’t very vocal, almost like he didn’t want to disturb me, when he was it was a tiny gentle meow,” Jonathan explained.

Instagram

“Huge cat, little meow.”

While being a lap cat wasn’t so much Samson’s jam, he enjoyed cuddles and giving his family lots of kisses. He also enjoyed napping in his special basket with his big paws in the air and wonderfully furry tummy on display. And here’s a Samson fact that will make you laugh…this fierce kitty once growled at a police car! Jonathan also shared someone once offered him $50,000 to buy Samson. But who can put a price tag on love?

Instagram

Instagram

With so many beautiful years together, Jonathan will continue sharing photos and memories of Samson because, like any good cat dad, he’s got more than a few pics and videos of his special cat. Pay tribute to Samson the cat on Instagram and Facebook.

Feature Image: @Catstradamus/Instagram

The post Famous For His Incredible Size, Samson The Cat Has Passed Away At Age 10 appeared first on iHeartCats.com.

Ordinarily, when we think about a cat living for a really long time, an age around 20 will likely come to mind. But one feisty feline named Rubble shattered the previous record by making it to the ripe old age of 31. 

After living his life without many health problems, Rubble suddenly became ill and passed away shortly before his 32nd birthday. 

Facebook

We all know someone who had a cat that we felt would live forever. In fact, I know multiple people whose purr children lived to be in their 20s. But Rubble the Maine Coon completely blew the average cat out of the water.

By reaching the age of 31, (150 in human years) Rubble managed to narrowly beat the former record holder, Scooter the Siamese. The Texas native had lived to be 30 years old before he passed away in 2016. 

Michele, Rubble’s mom, was gifted the stunning Maine Coon right around her 20th birthday. It was shortly after she moved out of her parent’s place, and she had found living alone to be lonely. It was perfect timing that a friend of her sister was looking for homes for a litter of kittens. The pair had been together ever since.

Facebook

“He would have been 32 in May, so it was such an achievement. He was an amazing companion that I had the pleasure to live with for such a long time,” said his mom, Michele.

Michele never had any human children but treated Rubble with an incredible amount of love as if he were her son. In fact, all that love is what she attributes to him living such a long life. 

But not long before his upcoming birthday, Rubble stopped eating his beloved favorite foods and opted only to drink water instead. This is when his family realized that Rubble was nearing the end of his time here on earth. 

“He became very thin. I went to work as usual and when I got home my husband said Rubble had gone over the road as he did every day and never came back, so we believe he went off to die as cats do.”

Facebook

Michele shared that Rubble was a wonderful companion and a lovely cat, who did get a little grumpy in his old age. This was the exact reason why she didn’t apply to break the Guinness World Record. She was sure that Rubble wouldn’t have appreciated so many people coming to see him.

But it’s obvious by what she said and how she described him that the pair had an absolutely lovely life together. How amazing is it that she was blessed to be able to share her life with such an incredible companion for 31 amazing years? We wish we could all be so lucky.

Rest in peace, sweet Rubble.  

Featured Image: Facebook 

The post The World’s Oldest Cat, Who Lived For Three Decades, Has Died At The Age Of 31 appeared first on iHeartCats.com.

Saying goodbye to someone you love is one of the hardest things that you will ever deal with in life. And that’s not just for humans, but also for our furry family members. Losing a cat many times leaves an irreplaceable hole in our heart, regardless of all the memories that you have of times cherished together. But thankfully, there are ways to commemorate and honor our best friends. And most importantly, we need to remember them for who they were and the endless joy and love they brought to our lives.

Here are 3 amazing ways you can remember and honor a cat that has passed away:

1. Journal About The Happy Times:

All deaths are tragic, whether it’s sudden or after a long life lived. It’s important once your cat has passed away that you think about the happy times the two of you had together, and focus your mindset on that. It’s only fair to yourself that you keep yourself positive, give yourself time to deal with the loss, and preserve their memory in the way that they deserve. Talk about your cat with others, write down happy memories the two of you shared, and of course, keep the photos out that capture the moments in time the two of you had.

2. Plant A Tree in Their Honor

Many people think to give donations in their cat’s honor or perhaps even get some permanent ink, but planting a tree in their honor is also a perfect way to let their legacy live on for years to come. Pick a nice spot in your yard and plant a young tree, and as the years pass, you’ll be able to watch that beautiful tree grow big and strong. Each day that passes you’ll have a living legacy that you can always look to when you want to be reminded of your special friend.

3. Memorial Bracelet That Feeds 22 Shelter Cats In Your Kitty’s Name

We (the team at iHeartCats.com) created this so that we could honor our kitty’s memory and make a real impact in their name. This fashion forward bracelet serves as a memory of the cat you loved and helps feed 22 shelter cats who are waiting to be loved. Click here to get yours.

When a cat crosses over the Rainbow Bridge, they always take a piece of your heart with them. We crafted a unique and symbolic bracelet that memorializes the relationship you have with a cat who has passed on. Each piece features the following elements, all designed to honor the memory of your beloved cat:

» 1 Paw Bead: Symbolizes the paw prints they left on your heart
» 1 Heart Bead: Symbolizes the piece of your heart they took with them
» 22 White Ceramic Beads: Each bead represents a meal donation made in honor of your cat. For each purchase, 22 meals will be donated to rescues and shelters through RescueBank.

RELATED: Looking for more creative pet loss gifts?

The post 3 Amazing Ways To Honor A Cat That Has Passed Away appeared first on iHeartCats.com.

On August 2nd, 2019, Ed Sheeran was faced with a horrible tragedy. Less than a week after Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner’s dog was hit by a car, Ed Sheeran lost his first cat, Graham, in the same horrible way. Sheeran had only known his beloved cat since 2014, so the death of Graham was a shock to both him and everyone else that was close to him.

When Graham was first adopted, Sheeran was so excited and proud of his new kitten. He would often post pictures of Graham and he even made a Twitter account for him.

Graham’s Twitter account has not been active in years, but he would post simple, realistic tweets for pet parents. Some tweets included a simple “meow” while others were just talking about the daily activities of Graham’s life. Every once in a while, Graham would even post a cute “selfie.”

Screenshot: @GrahamShizza/Twitter

Even though Sheeran was often busy with his music and tours, he always made sure Graham was in good hands. Sheeran often had his manager, Stuart Camp, and his manager’s girlfriend, Liberty Shaw, watch over Graham while he was away. The couple fell in love with the cat just as quickly as Sheeran did.

Since Sheeran was busy finishing up his Divide tour, it is likely that he hasn’t had time to properly mourn Graham’s passing. However, he did make an adorable tribute to Graham on Instagram. He simply posted a photo of Graham as a kitten next to his guitar. The caption that goes along with it is just an emoji of a broken heart. It is such a simple tribute, but it is also a very sweet and heartbreaking one.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B0nnh1QBTJK/

Even though Graham is no longer with him, Sheeran and his wife, Cherry Seaborn, are still parents to two other adorable cats, Dorito and Calippo. These two cats are sisters, and they have been with Sheeran and Seaborn since birth. 

It is clear that Dorito and Calippo will miss Graham greatly, but Sheeran will continue to care for his other two cats and enjoy his time with them as much as possible. In fact, he and Seaborn recently made a cute Instagram page for Dorito and Calippo to share their daily activities with the world.

Image: @thewibbles/Instagram

This story between Sheeran and Graham proves that we should never take our furry friends for granted. Graham was a huge part of Sheeran’s life, but one day he was just gone. It is a scary thought, but that is why you should continue to cherish the moments with your dogs and cats while you have the chance. They are such an important part of our lives.

https://www.instagram.com/p/m9563XOX-0/

Featured Image: @stuartcamp73/Instagram
H/T: bustle.com

The post Ed Sheeran Posts an Short, Sweet Farewell to His Recently Deceased Kitty appeared first on iHeartCats.com.

It can be difficult to know exactly what to say or do when someone you care about loses a pet they love. Everyone grieves differently, but there’s a few things you can do for just about anyone that will let them know that you’re there for them, and they don’t have to feel alone at such a painful time. Below are a few suggestions to show that you care.

Be Patient

We all cope with loss in different ways – some people feel just as strongly about losing a beloved cat as they would a close family member, sometimes more. Remember that this person didn’t just lose a pet, they lost a best friend, and the one they’d usually cuddle up with and cry to in situations like this! Your friend will need time to mourn, perhaps more than some people might think is necessary, but be patient, no matter how long they need.

Be Supportive

Whether they need time alone, a shoulder to cry on, or just a friendly hug, be supportive of the way they’re healing. Don’t try to push a friend who wants to sit under a blanket missing their cat out into the sunlight because you think it’s the best way to feel better. Again- we all cope in different ways. Be respectful of the way they choose.

Help Them Say Goodbye

There are a number of ways to help your friend say goodbye to their pet. You can offer to be there to support them if their pet is being euthanized (they may not be in any shape to drive after anyway.) You could also offer to organize a memorial for their pet, or even just make a donation to a charity in their pet’s memory. At times like these, any small gesture goes a long way.

Help Them Remember

A much-loved cat is never really gone. Their memory will hold a special place in your friend’s heart for the rest of their lives. You can help them commemorate their lost pet with a trinket like the Lava Bead Rainbow Bridge Bracelet. This little reminder will stay on your friend’s wrist, reminding them that a very important piece of their special pet will be with them everywhere they go, forever.

This bracelet feeds 7 shelter cats in memory of your loved one’s departed cat.

Encourage Them To Love Again

Shelters are full of hopeful kitties waiting for someone to love them. When your friend’s heart has healed, suggest adoption. It can be hard opening your heart to loving another pet, but sometimes the best way to remember the one you loved before is to give another a comfortable life in their honor. Besides, ’tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.

The post What to Do When Someone You Care About Loses A Cat appeared first on iHeartCats.com.