Cameron Park Veterinary Hospital
Cat Specific Questions:
Cats spend much of their day (and night) grooming themselves. This is a natural instinct for cats because they like being clean. The cat's rough tongue acts as a comb and it will collect hair much in the same way that your comb occasionally collects hair from your head. Since hair is difficult to digest, it tends to build up in the stomach or intestine. This can cause vomiting, constipation, or even loss of appetite. Normally, the cat will try to eliminate the hairball itself. In the event that the cat is unable to, then you may need to apply certain medications to help the cat to eliminate the hairball. Prevention is the best policy, though, so brushing your cat daily is a good practice because any hair you can remove is hair that your cat will not end up swallowing.
Do indoor cats live longer than outdoor cats?
Yes, indoor cats typically live much longer than cats that are allowed outdoors. Indoor cats are less likely to become exposed to feline leukemia and other cat-related diseases. They are also less likely to be killed by cars, dogs, or other cats.
Kneading is a very common behavior for cats and is a sign that a cat is comfortable, and happy.
Is it okay to feed my cat milk or cream?
A cat's digestive system does not digest cow's milk well. It can cause diarrhea, which can lead to further nutritional problems (your cat won't be able to absorb nutrients from his food).
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