News

Newspaper CatWhat is going on in the world of Welwyn Hatfield Cats Protection? Here’s the place to find out!

What is the best diet for my cat?

17 July 2020

Cats can be fastidious about what they eat and perhaps with good reason! They are “obligate carnivores” that have a hard time processing plant proteins. They need meat to survive and cannot stay healthy on a diet of vegetables and grain. Meat contains essential nutrients for cats, such as taurine, arginine, arachidonic acid, niacin and vitamins A and B12. Cats that are deficient in these nutrients are likely to suffer from a range of serious ...
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FIV cats Q&A

25 May 2020

Q. What is feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)? A. FIV in cats is a virus similar to human HIV, although there is no risk of people catching HIV/AIDS from infected cats. FIV damages the white blood cells so infected cats have lower immunity to other viruses and bacteria. Infection is permanent – FIV cannot be cured. Infected FIV cats are identified by a blood test. Q. What are the symptoms of FIV infection? A. The symptoms following infection with the virus ...
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Lucy’s Law will help kittens too......

29 January 2020

New legislation to end puppy and kitten farming was announced by the Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, in May last year. Known as ‘Lucy’s Law’, it will mean that puppies and kittens can no longer be sold by a third-party seller – such as a pet shop or commercial dealer – unless they have bred the animals themselves. Instead, anyone looking to buy or adopt a puppy or kitten under six months must either deal directly with the ...
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Caring for an older cat

11 January 2020

Compared with some animal species, the average life expectancy of domestic cats is relatively long and, thanks to advances in veterinary medicine, is only going to increase. Many cats will live to 17 or 18, with some entering their early 20s and beyond. A one year old cat is comparable to a 20 year old human, with every subsequent year adding four years to its human age equivalent. Therefore, a cat that is 16 years old will be developmentally the same as an 80 year old human; in fact the oldest...
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Is your cat overweight?

28 September 2019

Obesity in cats can be hugely detrimental to health which is why knowing when your pet is carrying excess weight is so important. Sometimes, particularly when weight gain is gradual, you get so accustomed to seeing your pet looking a certain way that you don’t stop to question it. According to International Cat Care, between 39 and 52 per cent of cats in the UK are overweight or obese. A cat is typically classified as ‘overweight’ when they are 10 to 19 per cent heavier than ...
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Preventing boredom in indoor cats

06 September 2019

Some cats are “innies” and some our “outties”. Some have the best of both worlds. But for those that are housed exclusively indoors, boredom can set in if their environment lacks enrichment.There is plenty to suggest that indoor-only cats live longer, safer lives than their outdoor counterparts. But this is only true if their lives are fun and engaging. If you are going to have your cat inside, it is important to make its environment as ...
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Why should cats be kept in at night?

26 May 2019

Not long ago, it was common for cats to be allowed out at night to roam freely and fulfil their natural instinct to hunt. These days, many owners prefer to keep their cats inside at night, where they feel they are safer, and this is something that we recommend.With one in four cats killed on the road – usually at night – it isn’t surprising. At night, car headlights can dazzle cats, meaning they’re more likely to get hurt or killed. Cars...
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Cats Questions and Answers

12 May 2019

Q. When is a kitten old enough to leave its mother and littermates?A. 12 weeks is the best time as the kitten will have learned from play with its brothers and sister, plus it will also have had its first vaccinations. Your vet can advise.Q. When should a kitten be vaccinated?A. The first vaccinations should be no earlier than nine weeks, with the second ones three weeks later. Boosters should then take place annually thereafter. The kitten shouldn’t mix with other animals until fully ...
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Free Cat Care Talks

13 January 2019

Cats Protection have launched a brand new Educational micro-site. This was primarily set up to share resources for teachers and fun activities for children. It now contains brand new talks, featuring new props, video content, updated curriculum links and two cat-related story books. This has now increased it's base to community groups, libraries and older groups such as secondary schools and colleges.These workshops are free charge, so if you are interested in booking an education talk, please ...
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Hyperthyroidism in cats

15 December 2018

What is it? Hyperthyroidism is a common endocrine condition affecting cats. The condition involves the over-production of hormones from the thyroid, which, in turn, increases the body’s metabolic rate. This has implications for the entire body and prompts a number of changes. While cats of all ages can develop Hyperthyroidism, it is most prevalent in older animals of 10 years+. Less than 6% of cases occur in younger cats and the average age of onset is 12 years. It is estimated that ...
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Autumn - Interesting facts

03 December 2018

Whether walking down the stairs or stepping into the litter tray, cats have a preference for which paw they put forward first. Male cats are more likely to be left-pawed, while female cats are more likely to be right-pawed. Most members of the cat family have claws that curve downward, which means that they can’t climb down trees head-first. One exception to this is the Margay, a small wildcat from Central and South America, which has specially adapted ankle joints that can move ...
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How to give your cat a tablet

11 November 2018

There will usually be a time in your cat's life where you will need to give them a tablet by mouth. Not all tablets are suitable for crushing or giving with a meal, as food in the gut may hinder proper absorption of the medication. In other circumstances, your cat may simply refuse to take the tablet no matter how much tasty food you try to disguise it in. Giving a tablet by mouth is often a daunting prospect, as cats are more likely than dogs to struggle ...
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