Why Do Cats Sleep so Much?

There are a number of reasons behind cats sleeping for large portions of the day. Many cat owners don’t know that cats have very different sleeping patterns from humans. They have retained a lot of the habits of their wild ancestors, including the need to hunt at certain times of day when it’s cooler and safer, and they’re more likely to find their preferred prey.

You’ll rarely find your cat in a deep sleep, but it’s not impossible. Cats tend to have a kind of dozing deep sleep pattern rather than dropping into hours of deep sleep every night like humans. Your domesticated cats will take cat naps throughout the day to regain energy and be more active during twilight hours.

What does this mean for your cat’s sleeping pattern? It means your cat wakes up later in the day and will be more active between dusk and dawn. Have you ever noticed your cats sleeping while doing housework or working? That’s typical cat behavior for domesticated cats of any breed. Older cats will, however, sleep more than other house cats.

The Difference Between Nocturnal and Crepuscular

A nocturnal animal, such as an owl, will only be active at night. They sleep during the day and are active when it’s dark so that they can hunt certain types of prey. But the other reason that owls are night hunters is that their body’s build is better suited for staying active at night. They have evolved with certain traits to adapt to that time of day, while other birds are day hunters and will sleep at night.

Cats are an interesting case. Over the many years of evolution that feline species have gone through, they’ve come out with eyes that are perfect for use in low-light conditions. Their bodies have adapted to hunting during twilight hours, and their eyesight works at its best. Additionally, they are extremely stealthy creatures, so catching prey who use twilight hours to run around is much easier.

To summarise this section: Nocturnal animals are night hunters with bodies better built for being incredibly silent and feeding on other late-night animals, while crepuscular animals (like cats) are better adapted to low-light conditions rather than full darkness.

Your cat is likely to exert a lot of their energy during the twilight hours, so it’s good to be a cat owner who isn’t a light sleeper or is also active at night so that your cats don’t disturb your sleep much. Kittens won’t completely follow crepuscular habits, but they’ll quickly show signs of them once they are awake more often.

How Much Do Cats Sleep a Day?

You can expect a house cat to sleep between 12 and 16 hours in a single day. That’s the average, but they may sleep more or less than that. If you’re wondering how much sleep is healthy for your cat, don’t compare them to other species or even your own sleeping pattern. If you feel like your cat is sleeping too much or is lethargic and hard to wake up, seek veterinarian advice. Particularly if they can’t stay awake or won’t wake up.

Why is My Cat Sleeping so Much?

Your cat is having a long cat nap because it’s normal for them to do so. They will wake for food or may switch positions now and then, but cats don’t really “come alive” until the evening. This makes them an excellent companion for people who work nights or from home, but it also means that anyone in a standard 9 to 5 job doesn’t need to feel bad about leaving their kitties at home all day. Trust us, they mostly sleep and will only wake up to eat, use the bathroom, or if something startles them.

Why is My Cat Sleeping More Than Usual?

When you feel that your cat may be sleeping more than usual, it’s important to monitor their sleeping schedule and daily routine.

Older cats sleep more often than younger cats, but they will still have several hours of activity each day.

It’s hard to say this, but if your cat is very old and spends a lot of their time asleep or laying around, they may be near the end of their life. Cats live an average of 12 to 18 years, depending on their breed.

If your cat is otherwise healthy but seems to be sleeping far too much, an underlying medical issue could go untreated.

Does a Medical Issue Cause Your Cat’s Sleeping Habits?

Lethargy indicates something else going on inside your cat’s body that needs to be checked out.

Any of these symptoms should be a cause for concern that leads you to book a health check-up with your cat’s veterinarian:

• Abnormal sleepiness
• Lack of energy/low energy
• Little or no response to stimuli or changes in their surroundings
• Spending more time sleeping than usual
• Not eating as much because they’re sleeping instead

All of these symptoms are connected to lethargy. Although there may be nothing serious going on, having your cat checked out would be better if a more critical illness, injury, or medical condition causes your cat to sleep more than they used to.

What to Do if Your Cat Won’t Wake Up

If you’re struggling to wake your cat up, there are several steps you can take before the situation becomes a bit more serious:

1. First, try to wake them by calling their name and petting them.
2. If that doesn’t work after a few minutes of trying, shake their treat bag to see if that gets their attention. Try waving the open bag under their nose, too.
3. Here’s where the situation is getting more serious. Try gently moving your cat to see if they respond to the change.
4. This is where you call your emergency vet. Tell them your cat isn’t responding and you want to bring them in.

Remember to check your cat’s breathing when attempting to wake them. You can do this by putting your finger under their nose or resting your hand on their side. If you can’t feel any breath and their chest isn’t rising, perform cat CPR if you know how to, or immediately drive to your nearest veterinarian practice with your pet.

The post Why Do Cats Sleep So Much? The Explanation Behind Your Napping Feline Friend appeared first on .

Below is a complete guide detailing everything you need to know about dandruff, including what it is, what causes it, its symptoms, and how to get rid of cat dandruff.

What is Cat Dandruff?

Like people, cats can also have dandruff. These skin flakes hide in their fur and on their beds and household furniture.

So what exactly is dandruff in cats? Feline dandruff is categorized as grey or white flakes that can be seen across your cat’s skin and hair, resulting in mild to excessive scratching due to dryness and itchiness. Dandruff in cats can be fairly mild, but in some rare instances, it can indicate a bigger health condition or other concerning skin problems.

What’s the Difference Between Cat Dander and Cat Dandruff?

It’s a misconception that dandruff and dander are the same things. Dander is completely normal and is something all cats produce. Some cat owners are led to believe that it is a sign of serious health concerns when it is perfectly healthy. To put it simply, dander is known as dead skin cells removed to make way for new skin cells.

On the other hand, Dandruff is a skin condition characterized as irritable, dry, sensitive, flaky skin. It often occurs when the sebaceous glands in your cat’s skin start to overproduce oil. Whereas these natural skin oils are good for keeping your cat’s fur in tip-top condition, too much of one thing can cause problems. In this case, the overproduction can begin to harshly irritate the skin, causing excess shedding.

Dander and dandruff can be evident across your cat’s body, but dandruff can be more obvious as you can see it on their coat, bedding, and furniture.

Main Causes of Cat Dandruff

If you’re certain it’s not cat dander you’re seeing across their fur and your home, you may ask, ‘why does my cat have dandruff?’. It can be caused by many things, which are all listed below.

Poor Diet

Your cat’s dandruff can often result from a poor diet that lacks essential nutrients to keep them healthy inside and out. A balanced diet not only helps their internal health but will also provide nourishment for their skin and fur too.

Obesity

Overweight cats often find it difficult to groom properly, which can cause flaky dandruff. When cats groom themselves, they also help to distribute the natural oils, but if they can’t reach certain areas, the oils will build up, causing irritation.

Poor Grooming Practices

Most cats are adept at keeping themselves clean, but the odd few lack the skill. When cats neglect to groom themselves, the undercoat and overcoat will retain loose hairs and dead skin cells, causing them to develop dandruff.

Dehydration

Dehydration in cats isn’t uncommon and can be a prominent cause of itchy and dry skin. Moreover, dryness and itchy skin can also be caused by the temperature of your cat’s environment.

Disease or Illness

Cancer, hormonal conditions, a fungal infection, and kidney disease can attribute to a cat’s dandruff. In addition, food or general allergies can also be a cause of excessive shedding and difficult flaky skin. The reaction can cause the skin to become sensitive and itchy.

Furthermore, when your cat falls ill to a disease or illness, they can often be too uncomfortable to groom themselves properly.

External Parasites

On the other hand, if they are attacked by parasites such as mites, fleas, or lice, they can overgroom to relieve their discomfort resulting in dry skin. In addition, a parasite named Cheyletiella mites can cause a harmful contagious form of cat dandruff known as ‘walking dandruff’.

What are the Symptoms of Dandruff in Cats

The most prominent symptom of cat dandruff is the troublesome white flakes that spread out within your cat’s fur. However, there are several other signs to look out for that may suggest that your cat is struggling, including:

Excessive grooming (this can result in hair loss and eventual bald spots)

• Redness of the skin
• Scratching
• Gnawing
• Change in behavior
• Lethargy

How to Get Rid of Cat Dandruff

As troubling as this issue may sound, there are plenty of ways you can treat cat dandruff.

Switch to a High-Quality Diet

Your cat’s diet should consist of many nutrients that will benefit their overall health and skin health. In this instance, you may need to invest in cat food high in omega-3 fatty acids. You can also get your hands on formulas specially made for skin health.

Diets for Overweight Cats/Using Supplements

If your cat is overweight, plenty of options are available to help them drop the extra weight. These formulas contain fewer calories while offering vital nutrients to keep them healthy. In addition, you can also purchase supplements such as fish oil that can add extra moisture and nutrition to wet or dry food.

Hydrating Your Cat

If you feel dehydration is the prime culprit, it’s worth switching them onto a wet food diet to add extra moisture. Furthermore, try introducing them to a water fountain. A fountain is a great tool to encourage cats to drink more as they prefer running water sources.

Groom Them

If you’ve noticed that your cat doesn’t groom itself enough, it may be helping out. Brushing your cat regularly can help remove dead skin cells and loose and dead hair.

Cat Shampoo

An effective way to treat dandruff can be to try a specialized shampoo. Not only can it help to remove stubborn flakes and loose hair, but it can also help soothe and moisturize fur and skin.

Purchase a Home Humidifier

A humidifier can keep the airflow in your home moist to help your cat maintain healthy skin. This is especially effective in particularly hot and humid areas or homes that become particularly dry during the summer.

Seek Advice

If your cat’s flaky skin could be a side effect of a medical condition, it’s worth taking your feline friend to see a vet. Your vet may be able to provide a remedy or prescription to help ease the skin and fight irritation and dryness.

Sources:

1. Wallenbeck I, Identification Of Dander-specific And Serum-specific Allergens In Cat Dandruff Extract, Europe PMC
2. Dr. Lori Teller, Don’t Brush Off Feline Dandruff, Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
3. Itchy Cat – When It Is Not Fleas, International Cat Care

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As they get bigger, you may ponder the best time to switch from kitten food to adult food. There’s much to know about the transition to an adult food that is worth considering. This includes factors such as the difference between your average house cat and larger breed cats, ensuring they don’t exceed the ideal adult body weight and the key difference between kitten food vs. cat food. Read on to find out more.

Can Kittens Eat Adult Cat Food?

At such a young age, kittens have their own nutritional needs compared to adult cats. Kitten food has more nutrients, such as protein, fat, DHA, and extra calories, than adult cat food. Kittens will rely on these increased levels of nutrients to be able to develop and grow effectively.

It’s not all about nutrition, either. Dry kitten food, in particular, is smaller so that their tiny mouths and teeth can pick it up and break it down.

Note: It’s worth noting that if a particular cat food states that it is suitable for all life stages, it’s perfectly acceptable to feed it to your kitten. However, the crucial thing to remember here is that you must pay special attention to the feeding guidelines. Just because it’s safe for your kitten to eat doesn’t mean they will require the same volume of food as an adult cat.

When Can Kittens Eat Wet Food?

Kittens can begin eating wet food when they are between four and eight weeks old. At this time, they are weaning or have been weaned and require a more balanced kitten food to support their needs.

When Can Kittens Eat Dry Food?

Kittens can begin to eat dry food around the same time (four to eight weeks old), but it’s ideal to provide soft foods. If you eventually plan on introducing them to dry food, you must soften the kibble with water to make it easier to chew and digest.

The Importance of Making the Switch

As mentioned previously, kittens require a different level of nutrients compared to adult cats. Since they are growing fast and have significantly higher energy levels, they need these nutrients to support these factors and won’t get what they need from an adult formula.

When they mature, your kitten’s nutritional needs will also change. It will no longer rely on the extra support and therefore need to transition to adult cat food to prevent unnecessary weight gain.

When Can Kittens Eat Adult Food

You can begin feeding your kitten cat food when they reach their first birthday. To avoid digestive upset, you will need to gradually introduce adult cat food over a short period. You must transition your kitten over a seven to ten-day period.

How to Make the Switch From Kitten to Adult Cat Food

Take a look at the guidelines below, which detail how to make the switch to adult cat food

• Day 1 – 2: Use 1/4 of the new food and 3/4 of the kitten food.
• Day 3 – 4: Use 1/2 of the new food and 1/2 of the kitten food
• Day 5 – 6: Use 3/4 of the new adult food and 1/4 of the kitten food
• Day 7 – 10: Primarily use the adult cat food

Note: Since larger breeds, such as the Maine Coon will mature slower, you will have to wait 18 months to two years before transitioning your kitten food to cat food.

Potential Problems

When kittens eat cat food, it’s not uncommon for them to experience digestive distress. If this is the case, it’s completely safe for them to resume eating their previous kitten food. This also applies if you’ve found that your kitten has seemingly lost their appetite.

What to Do if Your Kitten Experiences Issues

Apart from giving your now adult cat kitten food, there are also a couple of things to consider to help them with the transition process.

1. First, when choosing your adult cat food, ensure it’s a brand offering high-quality ingredients and nutrients.

Take the time to analyze what the food offers your feline friend. In particular, look out for the ingredients here and the amount that the food contains:

• Protein – to support rapid growth and development. Felines require far more protein than dogs
• DHA – contains fatty acids for brain and vision development
• Fat – this also impacts rapid growth and development
• Taurine – this supports vision, digestion, and heart muscle function.
• Vitamins & Minerals – vitamin A, magnesium, and copper are crucial for kittens during development.

All the ingredients above are vital to your cat’s well-being as they can help maintain their eyesight, heart health, immune system, and more. If you’re unsure about the best option, give your fur friend a talk to your vet.

2. If you’ve attempted to transition to dry adult cat food, consider feeding them wet food instead.

As expected, wet food has a higher water content that is integral to your cat’s weight and urinary health. In addition, wet alternatives can help prevent dehydration in cats.

3. It’s a long shot, but it’s crucial to understand that cats can develop food allergies. This is uncommon, but it can happen. If you notice troubling signs and symptoms in your kitten, take them to your vet.

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In this article, we will look at kitten’s eyes in more detail. We’ll look at when they first open their eyes to when their eyes change color. If you were wondering if you could predict the color of your cat’s eyes, read on for clues. We will also look at how to keep your cat’s eyes healthy.

When Do Newborn Kittens Open Their Eyes?

The first thing we need to acknowledge before answering this question is that kittens are born blind with both eyes sealed closed, with the only functional senses being smell and touch. Between 8-12 days, the kitten’s eyes will open slowly. A newborn kitten will have blue eyes, likely changing color as they mature. After two weeks, a kitten’s eyes will be open fully, and they will have baby blue eyes. At this stage, a kitten’s eyes are still very much developing.

It is worth mentioning that these developmental milestones are for reference only, and all kittens develop at their own pace. Usually, at around four to five weeks of age, a kitten will have blurred vision, which means that they may stumble and have issues with coordination. A kitten’s eyes are usually fully developed around five to seven weeks, but their color is not yet fully matured – this can occur from around three to six months.

When Do Kittens’ Eyes Change Color?

As we have established, most kittens are born with blue eyes. After a few months, the kitten’s eyes will slowly change color to the color they will remain in adult life.

Common eye colors include green, yellow, orange, brown eyes, and copper colored eyes but some cat breeds typically have blue eyes in adult life, such as Siamese, Ragdoll, Himalayan, and Tonkinese. When a cat’s eye color matures, it is common to see flecks of different colors. These derive from the pigment cells called melanocytes, which dictate the final color.

The Science Bit…

There are two layers in the iris: the stroma and epithelium, and these pigmented cells determine eye color. These cells work together to contribute to the overall pigment. If the eye has a lot of pigment, the cat’s eye color will be golden or orange, whereas less pigment creates green. If a cat does not have pigment in their eyes, they will be blue-eyed.

It can take a year for a cat’s eye color to develop fully.

Can You Predict a Cat’s Final Color?

It can be difficult to predict what color your cat’s eyes will be as the color has nothing to do with gender or coat color/pattern. A kitten’s eyes will commonly change from green to yellow to orange and then copper, but as we’ve discussed, certain breeds, such as Siamese and Ragdoll, are predisposed to have blue eyes.

Sadly, there is no way of knowing what color eyes your adult cat will have. But we also think that this creates a beautiful surprise as they mature. Will they have a majestic amber eye color? Unusual yellow eyes or beautiful blue eyes?

Are Your Cat’s Eyes Healthy?

It can be normal for a cat’s eyes to change color slightly as they age, but a sudden color change over a short period could indicate serious health issues. Eye color change can be a symptom of an eye infection, but it can also be a symptom of a serious condition called uveitis which can cause permanent damage if left untreated. If your cat’s eyes change color and look abnormally red, orange, or yellow, please consult your vet for advice as soon as possible. If your cat’s eyes return to their original blue color, it can also signify vision loss or eye damage.

Eye color changes later in life can be a sign of a serious eye condition, so if you notice any changes, seek veterinary advice immediately.

Final Thoughts

Getting a kitten is an amazing experience; seeing them open their eyes for the first time is a special milestone. One of the most wonderful things about owning a cat is not knowing their adult eye color – there’s no way of knowing. Watching as your cat’s eye color changes over the weeks and months is a beautiful experience – and we believe that cats’ eyes are stunning no matter their color.

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Purina has a line of cat food that claims to be the first of its kind. What sets this food apart, you ask? It is designed to reduce the major allergen found in cat hair and dander, making it an interesting option for pet owners who may be extra sensitive to the dander of their beloved fluff balls.

Allergen Reduction

The brand claims that by the third week of feeding Purina Pro Plan LIVECLEAR, the major allergen in cat hair and dander. The brand also claims its decades of research backs this up.

According to Purina, the allergen-reducing effect stems from a protein derived from eggs, which binds to a common allergen Fel d1 in the cat’s saliva and neutralizes it. All cats carry the Fel d1 allergen, so this is an option for any and all cats.

Nutrition and Key Benefits

• Reduces the major allergen in cat hair and dander by neutralizing Fel D 1, a common allergen in cat saliva, with a key protein from eggs
• Discovered through over a decade of research, Purina claims the LIVECLEAR food was shown to reduce the major allergen in cat hair and dander by an average of 47% in the third week of daily feeding.

At the end of the day, the most important aspect of what we feed our pets is nutrition. This food is available in a variety of recipes, including the turkey and rice recipe, chicken, chicken and rice recipe, and salmon and rice recipe. It is fortified with Omega 6 and vitamin A and is available in a formula with added pre and probiotics for digestive health.

The post Save Now on Purina Pro Plan LIVECLEAR appeared first on .

Pure Balance products are especially popular for their natural ingredients, flavors, and recipes that are especially effective in aiding your pet’s health. Some of these cat food products avoid certain ingredients for allergy reasons, whereas others may contain them for those pets who would benefit. Unfortunately, you can’t avoid every allergen. However, our article will break down ingredients and potential allergens and irritants so you won’t have to spend too long reading extensive ingredient lists when trying to find the right cat food.

The 5 Top-Rated Pure Balance Cat Food Recipes

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These problems can be easily remedied, thanks to the creation of cat litter that can control and manage your kitty’s waste. However, there’s such a wide range of cat litter brands out there, how do pet parents know which one is best? This guide will look at some of the best dust-free cat litter products to help you make cleaning up a little less daunting.

Key Takeaways:

• Though cat litters are marketed as dust free, they may not be 100% dust free.
• Natural cat litters are eco-friendly but some can be hard on your pet’s paws.
• Cats can be finicky about their cat litter.
• Non-clumping cat litter means cleanup takes a little longer than usual.
• Disposable cat litter trays are great for senior cats to have around your home.

A Glance at Our Favorites

Pros

Cons

Bottom Line

Rating

Arm & Hammer Platinum Clump & Seal Cat Litter

Low tracking Absorbs waste

Strong scent

Excellent litter for homes with multiple cats that often track litter outside of their litter tray.

3.6

Buy on Chewy

Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat Unscented Clumping Litter

Good odor control 99.9% low-tracking

Heavy litter weight

This litter is an excellent choice for households with sensitive noses, as it's completely unscented and has odor control.

4.5

Buy on Chewy

World's Best Unscented Clumping Corn Cat Litter

Flushable Quick-clumping formula

Not suitable for corn allergies

A more eco-friendly cat litter option for households that want to reduce the waste that they can only throw away.

4.2

Buy on Amazon

Ever Clean Extra Strength Unscented Clumping Litter

Automatic litter box-friendly Unscented

Sticks to litter tray

If you have a cleaning schedule set-up for your cat's litter box already, this is a great alternative to other clumping litters.

4.6

Buy on Amazon

PetSafe ScoopFree Unscented Non-Clumping Litter

No dyes Convenient

Expensive

If you need some back-up litter trays in your home, these refill trays could be a great alternative to buying an entire litter box.

4.6

Buy on Amazon

Nature's Miracle Multi-Cat Scented Clumping Litter

For multi-cat homes Controls odors

Heavy

Cover up unpleasant smells with this scented cat litter made for multi-pet households.

4.1

Buy on Amazon

Purina Tidy Cats Scented Clumping Clay Cat Litter

Easy cleanup Odor control

Expensive

Clay cat litter is very common, so your cat should have no trouble getting used to this new low-dust alternative.

4.6

Buy on Amazon

Naturally Fresh Multi-Cat Clumping Walnut Cat Litter

Plant-based Sustainable

Hard texture

For the eco-conscious pet owners out there, try this plant-based cat litter to replace your usual brand.

4.0

Buy on Chewy

Cat's Pride Total Odor Control Scented Clumping Litter

Convenient packaging Lightweight

Has a scent

Though many cat litters are unscented, this product uses odor control and a scent to cover the smell of waste.

4.2

Buy on Amazon

Okocat Mini Pellets Unscented Clumping Wood Litter

Natural product Absorbs odor

Doesn't clump well

For homes that prefer a more natural cat litter, try Okocat's wood litter pellets for a softer toilet time.

4.3

Buy on Amazon

The 15 Top-Rated Dust-Free Cat Litters 

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Allergen Reduction

The brand claims that by the third week of feeding Purina Pro Plan LIVECLEAR, the major allergen in cat hair and dander by an average of 47 percent. The brand also claims its decades of research backs this up.

According to Purina, the allergen-reducing effect stems from a protein derived from eggs, which binds to a common allergen Fel d1 in the saliva and neutralizes it. All cats carry the Fel d1 allergen, so this is an option for any and all cats.

Nutrition and Key Benefits

• Reduces the major allergen in cat hair and dander by neutralizing Fel D 1, a common allergen in cat saliva, with a key protein from eggs
• Discovered through over a decade of research, Purina claims the LIVECLEAR food reduces the major allergen in cat hair and dander by an average of 47% in the third week of feeding

At the end of the day, the most important aspect of what we feed our pets is nutrition. This food is available in a variety of recipes, including chicken, chicken and rice, and salmon and rice. It is fortified with Omega 6 and vitamin A and is available in a formula with added pre and probiotics for digestive health.

PetSmart Treats Rewards members can save 35% off on your first autoship order at PetSmart.com.

The post Purina Pro Plan LIVECLEAR: Allergen Reducing Cat Food appeared first on .

However, buying organic cat food is not that simple. It is important that you know what the term ‘organic‘ means and that you know how to spot organic food. Also, knowing the added benefits of an organic diet for your cat is useful. To help you make an informed decision, here is our quick guide to the best organic cat food.

The Best Organic Cat Food

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