cats Archives - Companion Care

February 5, 2025

Why We Love Pets: 10 Reasons

Our cats and dogs are so lovable! For National Love Your Pet Day on February 20, let us count the ways.

Pets enrich our lives and are a delight to take care of
They accept us for who we are
They’re always available to share time together
Usually, they have a forgive-and-forget attitude, especially if offered a treat
So, so, so cute!
Their antics are more entertaining than TikTok
Sharing a nap together
They give us something to talk about when we need to make human conversation
But pets don’t require small talk, and that’s a relief
However, if you enjoy talking to yourself, you can always say you’re talking to your pet

More Inspiration for National Love Your Pet Day

We love celebrating pets! Here are three more articles with ideas and inspiration. Tell you pet we love them!

There are a million reasons we love pets, and a million more to love our own special cat or dog! The best way to show your pet love is to ensure their best health. Learn more about Wellness Care to help your pet live their happiest, healthiest life.

Our Favorite Memories of 2023

January 24, 2024

Looking Back on a Great Year & Looking Forward to the New Year

We’re thankful for our wonderful patients, clients and team. We at Companion Care Animal Hospital made a lot of memories in 2023. Here are a few of our favorites!

January: Baby Cat Makes Us Smile

Nobody puts Baby (Cat) in a corner! But sometimes Baby Cat puts herself in the corner. We love our sweet and sour clinic kitty.

February: Falling in Love with Patients

Sadie came to us for her first appointment, and we were smitten. And Maddy glammed up for her appointment.

March: St. Patrick’s Day

What a treat to treat three Irish-breed dogs in March. Abby is an Irish Setter and Charlie and Pippa are Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers.

April: Veterinary Receptionist Week

Jan and Morgyn are absolutely worth celebrating, and we appreciate their dedication to our patients and clients.

May: Cinco De Mayo

Taco puppy! We loved it.

August: Mufasa’s 17th Birthday

This beautiful kitty belong to Veterinary Technician Samantha, and we were elated to celebrate his birthday.

August: Flea & Tick Awareness

Ok. This isn’t a “favorite” memory, but it’s still a very important reminder to check your pets for ticks and to keep up-to-date with their flea and tick preventatives. We found the pictured tick on a patient and were able to remove it successfully.

October: Pumpkin Decoration Contest

Competition was fierce for our pumpkin decoration contest! But you ultimately chose these three creative entries.

December: Photos with Santa

We featured over 150 photos of Santa with your pets on our Facebook page! Of all the dogs, cats (and even a hamster!), here are just a few examples.

We hope you and your pets are looking forward to a happy and healthy 2024! We look forward to making more memories with all of you.

Raw Food Diet for Cats

January 11, 2024

Cats Are Carnivores, But There Are Better Solutions than Risking Raw Food

Recently, we’ve been getting more questions about a raw food diet for cats and dogs. We wrote about the problems with a “Raw Food Diet for Dogs”, and now we’re dishing out the details for cats.

A quick Google search on the subject of raw food diet for cats shows many pro-raw results. It’s important to note that most of these sources also market and sell raw cat food, so their position is going to be biased in favor of their business results.

What Do Veterinarians Have to Say about a Raw Food Diet for Cats?

Cats are obligate carnivores, which means a healthy diet consists of at least 70% meat. A cat’s diet needs to contain:

Animal protein
Fat
Vitamins and minerals

When feeding a cat a raw food diet, it’s difficult to get the balance right between protein and fat, while also accounting for important nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin D, zinc, copper, taurine, calcium and carbohydrates.

Commercially-available cat foods are usually formulated to balance the nutritional needs of cats, and are labeled as such. The Association of American Feed Control Officials has a useful article on “How to Understand a Dog of Cat Food Label.”

Joseph Wakshlag, DVM, an associate professor at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine makes the statement that byprodutcs in cat food can be helpful:

“But I’m actually a big fan of using byproducts,” Wakshlag says. “They have way more nutrients than straight meat. In chicken byproduct, for example, you’ll get things like vitamin A, vitamin D, zinc, and copper — instead of just the protein in a chicken breast.”

So, veterinarians are usually skeptical of raw food diets for cats. Sadly, we see the results of nutritional deficiencies and imbalances, which can seriously affect a cat’s health and quality of life.

Raw food diets are a not recommended and can create serious medical issues for your cat, like blindness from taurine deficiency or other irreversible problems.

Raw Food Diet for Cats

Foodborne Illness Risk is High with Raw Food Diet for Cats

Raw meat carries with it the risk of infection from bacteria like Salmonella, Listeria and E. coli. When feeding a cat raw meat, bacteria not only has a chance to spread from preparation surfaces, but also from food bowls, storage locations and wherever the cat may carry it.

When cats kill and eat fresh prey (like mice!), there’s much less chance for the growth and spread of bacteria. Slaughtered meat, however, sits around until consumption, and often grows illness-causing bacteria. This poses significant risk to both the cat, other animals in the household and humans.

If you’re looking into a raw food diet because you have concerns about your cat’s health, reach out to your veterinarian and make sure you’re getting your cat the care they need to enjoy life to the fullest.

National Cat Lover’s Month in December

December 12, 2022

10 Reasons We Love Cats!

Now, if you love cats, you might need more than one month a year to celebrate your adoration for felines (perhaps 12 would be the right number).

But it’s a wonderful time of year to show our thankfulness for the cats who deign to share their lives with us.

Cats are beautiful and elegant…
They are also curious and mischievous!
A cat’s love is something special. They don’t fall for just anyone!
A purring cat lounging in your lap is the most relaxing thing in the world.
Cats have an independent spirit that’s very admirable.
If we must compare them to dogs, cats are not as high-maintenance. No “walkies” needed. And they bathe themselves, mostly.
It’s true you don’t have to worry about a mouse problem in a home shared with a cat.
We love their playful and sassy moods.
Cats are so soft and lovely to pet, and it’s such a privilege when they want you to pet them.
Our cats are our best friends! And you always love your friends.

National Cat Lover's Month in December

If you have any cat haters in your life, share this article with them, “Don’t Believe the Myths about Cats.” And take a little time to learn more about your cat’s health. One of the best ways we can show our cats we love them is to help them be their healthiest selves.

Happy Cat Month!

September 27, 2022

Celebrate in September
(But Not TOO Loudly– Cats Hate That)

The CATalyst Council celebrates Happy Cat Month in September, and we are more than willing to join them. We love happy cats.

We can’t assume that cats are like humans (or dogs… or other animals). Happiness for a cat might not mean physical expressions of joy and affection or over-the-top antics.

How to Know if Your Cat is Happy

Cats give several tell-tale signs when they are truly happy. Here’s what to look for:

Purring
Kneading their paws
Drooling when getting attention (ew!)
Friendly, curious attitude
Being playful
Blinking slowly
Meowing at you (we’re sure you can tell the difference between a happy, sad and mad meow!)
Engaging in healthy eating, sleeping, grooming and litterbox behaviors. These regular parts of cat life show a healthy and happy cat more than anything else.

How to Encourage Happiness in Your Cat

The most important thing you can do for the happiness of your cat is to ensure their health and well-being. For instance, stress is a key cause of bladder and urinary tract disease in cats. And no living creature is at peak happiness when they are suffering from a health condition. Your cat’s annual exam is important and helps with early detection of health problems.

On an everyday basis, here are some other ways to help your cat be happy:

Reduce stress by making sure there are enough litterboxes in your home. One for each cat, plus an extra. If you have more than one story, place a litterbox on each floor.
Prevent boredom by playing with your cat and providing toys, boxes and treats.
Make your cat feel safe by giving them places to hide in their environment. Cats love to hide.
Make your home a cat oasis, with places to climb and things to scratch.
Feed your cat a high-quality diet, rich in protein.
Don’t hug your cat if they hate it. How to tell if your cat enjoys hugs.

Happy Cat Photos!

And now for the part of this article that will make you the happiest, photos of cute cats who are totally happy!

Happy Cat Month!

Happy Cat Month!

Happy Cat Month!

Happy Cat Month!

Happy Cat Month!

We hope you enjoyed that moment of peace and happiness. Check out our All About Cats resources for more ways to understand your favorite feline.

Bladder and Urinary Tract Disease in Cats

September 20, 2022

Bladder and Urinary Tract Disease in Cats

Understanding These Common Cat Health Conditions

For cats, bladder and urinary tract disease is the most common reason to visit their veterinarian. Research by Nationwide pet insurance experts recorded more than 16,000 insurance claims for this complaint.

So, it’s important to know the signs and symptoms of bladder and urinary tract disease in cats, along with what to expect at a veterinarian appointment.

Key Causes of Bladder and Urinary Tract Disease in Cats

Dr. Arnon Gal, a small animal internal medicine specialist at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital tells us that stress, not infection, is usually to blame for bladder and urinary tract diseases in cats:

“Generally speaking, infectious agents such as bacteria are infrequent in urinary tract disease in cats,” says Dr. Gal. Instead, the problem in cats is usually stress induced.

Also, Dr. Gal indicated these diseases are more common in male cats.

Kinds of Bladder and Urinary Tract Disease in Cats

All four elements of the urinary tract can be susceptible to disease, and they are:

Two kidneys
Ureters
Bladder
Urethra

Here’s a diagram from the Merk Veterinary Manual.

Bladder and Urinary Tract Disease in Cats

The kinds of disease a veterinarian would look for include:

Kidney failure
Kidney and bladder stones
Idiopathic cystitis
Urinary tract infections
Congenital defects
Cancer

Signs and Symptoms of Bladder and Urinary Tract Disease in Cats

Many bladder and urinary tract diseases share similar symptoms. Be on the lookout for:

Increased drinking
Urinating either more or less often
Difficulty urinating
Inability to urinate (call your vet right away!)
Blood in the urine
Foul-smelling urine
Pain in the back, where the kidneys are located
Urinating outside the litterbox
Vomiting
Bad breath
Overly tired
Dehydration
Loss of appetite
Weight loss

If you notice any of these symptoms, make a record of them and make an appointment with your veterinarian.

Bladder and Urinary Tract Disease in Cats

Treatment for Bladder and Urinary Tract Disease in Cats

If your cat’s disease is stress-induced, long-term treatment might be as simple as enrichment of their environment. Some cats will require a special diet.

More serious disease may require hospitalization, or outpatient fluids or antibiotics.

Kidney failure is the most serious condition. It’s progressive and irreversible, with treatment focused on improving quality of life.

Preventing Bladder and Urinary Tract Disease in Cats

Preventing disease (or catching it early) is the best thing any owner can do for their cat’s health. Here are some steps to take:

Know your cat’s eating, drinking and litterbox habits. That way you can spot a symptom of disease early on
Alleviate stress and boredom with enrichment, play and exercise
Provide enough litterboxes in areas convenient to your cats. One for each cat, plus an extra
Keep your cat at a healthy weight
Because urinary tract disease can be difficult to spot, keep up with your cat’s annual wellness exams

For more health tips, check out our Resources page. If you have questions about your cat, contact us.

People and Pets: We Need Each Other!

August 3, 2022

2 Big Ways Pets Help Humans

With National Dog Day on August 26 and INTERnational Cat Day on August 8, this month really shows how much people love their pets. And for good reasons! Along with all the love, joy and companionship our pets bring, research shows:

Pets help human mental health
Pets help human physical health

Pets are all-around good for us! Check out these amazing facts.

People and Pets: We Need Each Other!

Pets and People: Mental Health

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recognizes “The Power of Pets.” Various research shows that spending time with your pet decreases cortisol levels (the stress-inducing hormone). At the same time, interacting with your pet is shown to elevate oxytocin, serotonin, prolactin and dopamine (hormones involved in enhancing moods and feelings of happiness).

Here’s how these hormone changes affect mental health:

Reduce stress
Reduce loneliness
Help with anxiety and depression
Increase feelings of social support
Boost moods
Improves a person’s sense of purpose

Pets and People: Physical Health

From our infancy to our old age, pets can help improve our physical health, too. Here are just a few things research has uncovered:

Time with a pet can lower blood pressure and cholesterol, which is good for your heart
Caring for a pet requires increased physical activity, especially if you’re walking a dog a couple times per day
Some research shows that a child’s immune system can be improved by having a pet in infancy.
More research shows a child is 33% less likely to develop allergies when having a pet in the home

And Let’s Not Forget Service Animals

Service animals certainly improve the health and abilities of many humans. August also recognizes International Assistance Dog Week from the 2nd-8th.

Our article, “See Service Dogs in Action,” shows videos of service dogs helping people struggling with blindness, diabetes and autism.

And, Of Course, Pets Need Us, Too

Humans domesticated dogs up to 40,000 years ago. Cats domesticated themselves up to 12,000 years ago (of course they did). Domesticated animals have lost their ability to care for themselves in the wild and depend on humans. And what a privilege this responsibility is!

The most important way we help pets is to provide happy, healthy homes to the animals we’ve brought into our families. Another way is to support animals in shelters through volunteering, fostering or donation. Check out our resource, “3 Ways to Help Animals in Need” for more details.

We suggest looking into Animal Friends Humane Society and Animal Adoption Foundation, local no-kill shelters that are dedicated to the care of shelter cats and dogs.

Meet the Cats of Animal Adoption Foundation

June 6, 2022

Celebrate Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month with AAF

Animal Adoption Foundation is a non-profit, no-kill shelter for dogs and cats in Hamilton, OH. Volunteers and donors make sure these animals enjoy loving care before finding their fur-ever families.

Billie is the Cat of the Month