vet approved Archives - Excited Cats

Why Do Cats Like Salt? 3 Vet-Reviewed Reasons

March 24, 2023 by Chantelle Fowler

Food sea salt of a coarse grinding and grey cat on the table

There’s nothing quite as tasty as a handful of salty nuts or a bowl of potato chips. But unfortunately, your cat might agree and try to snatch chips right out of your hand. As strange as it may sound that your obligate carnivore, protein-loving cat might try swiping your salty snack, it does happen! What’s … Read more

Chantelle Fowler

Chantelle is passionate about two things in her life – writing and animals. She grew up on the prairies in Canada surrounded by animals. As an adult, she chooses to share her home with five cats, two guinea pigs, and a bearded dragon. Chantelle, her husband, and their child take great pride in being THOSE kind of animal parents – the ones who spend a thousand dollars on wall-mounted cat shelves so that their cats can have an indoor jungle gym all year round. When Chantelle isn’t snuggling her cats on the couch or taking pictures of them being hilarious, she’s outside exploring in the Rocky Mountains, binging the same shows on Netflix over and over, and reading about whatever random topic pops into her brain.

Thiamine Deficiency in Cats: 9 Signs to Look For (Vet Answer)

March 24, 2023 by Dr. Iulia Mihai, DVM MSc (Vet)

Thiamine deficiency, or vitamin B1 deficiency, is a clinical syndrome associated with vascular lesions and nerve damage caused by an insufficient concentration of this vitamin in a cat’s body. This deficit is due to insufficient intake of vitamin B1 (part of the B complex group) in relation to the body’s requirements. It is predominant in … Read more

Dr. Iulia Mihai, DVM MSc (Vet)

Iulia Mihai is a veterinarian with over 13 years of experience in pet pathology, laboratory, and cancer. She studied at the University of Agronomical Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, Romania (EAEVE member), where she worked in the laboratory of the faculty clinic after graduation. She has a master’s degree in equine and pet pathology and studied epithelial cancer for her Ph.D. Iulia has a passion for internal medicine and parasitology and started volunteering at the faculty’s clinic in her third year of college. She has worked in a couple of veterinary clinics over the years as an internal medicine specialist. She enjoys writing and teaching people about cat nutrition, behavior, and disease prevention and treatment.

How Do Cat Eyes Work? Vet Reviewed Facts & FAQ

March 22, 2023 by Kit Copson

portrait of black cat with beautiful green eyes

If you’re wondering why your cat has such an air of self-importance and superiority about them, it might be because their senses are so powerful and complex that they consider us mere humans simply inferior—and rightly so! Did you know that cats can smell 14 times better than we humans can? Or that they can … Read more

Kit Copson

Kit Copson is a freelance writer and lifelong animal lover with a strong interest in animal welfare. She has parented various furry beings over the years and is currently a proud cat mom of two—one very chilled (unless hungry) Siamese and a skittish but adorable Domestic Shorthair—and dog mom of one—an adopted Bichon Poodle cross. When not writing about or spending time with animals, Kit can be found doodling in her sketchpad, reading, or more often than not, drinking tea.

Trazadone for Cats (Vet Answer): Uses, Side Effects & FAQ

March 17, 2023 by Christian Adams

Woman at home holding her lovely Devon Rex cat on lap and gives it a pill

Trazadone is a human antidepressant that is used off-label in cats to manage short-term events of high anxiety. In cats, Trazadone can help them be less stressed out by events that might be scary or disturbing. Times when Trazadone might be helpful include a veterinary visit, when traveling or moving, during thunderstorms, during construction or … Read more

Christian Adams

Christian is the Editor-in-Chief of Excited Cats and one of its original and primary contributors. A lifelong cat lover, now based in South East Asia, Christian and his wife are the proud parents of an 11-year-old son and four rescue cats: Trixie, Chloe, Sparky, and Chopper.

Cat Spinal Injury — Signs and Diagnosis (Vet Answer)

March 16, 2023 by Dr. Iulia Mihai, DVM MSc (Vet)

If your cat’s head is tilted awkwardly backward, their limbs are stiff or weak, or they seem paralyzed, they likely have a health condition at the level of the spine. Spinal cord injury in cats is called spinal trauma and can be caused by spinal fractures or tumors or be the result of a disease … Read more

Dr. Iulia Mihai, DVM MSc (Vet)

Kidney Disease in Cats — Causes, Signs & Care (Vet Answer)

March 16, 2023 by Dr. Iulia Mihai, DVM MSc (Vet)

Your cat’s two kidneys perform many vital functions in maintaining your pet’s health. They help eliminate toxins from the bloodstream (because they filtrate blood) and maintain water, electrolyte balance, acid-base balance, and blood pressure at normal values. They also regulate circulation and produce hormones (vitamin D, renin, and erythropoietin). When the kidneys stop working properly, … Read more

Dr. Iulia Mihai, DVM MSc (Vet)

FIV in Cats (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus): Causes, Signs & Care (Vet Answer)

March 14, 2023March 14, 2023 by Dr. Stacie Grannum

Similar to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), feline immunodeficiency virus, or FIV, attacks the immune system to a point that it cannot fight off common infections. Once a cat becomes infected with FIV, their immune system gradually weakens, decreasing its strength against secondary and opportunistic infections. This results in the rapid proliferation of the organism and … Read more

Dr. Stacie Grannum

Why Are My Cat’s Paws Peeling? (Vet Answer)

March 14, 2023 by Dr. Joe Mallat

It can be easy to overlook your cat’s paws, especially if he or she doesn’t like you touching that area. However, cats’ paws act as their hands and feet, so they serve a number of important functions. Running, jumping, climbing, feeling, grasping toys—all of these activities depend on the paws being healthy! Additionally, the paws … Read more

Dr. Joe Mallat

Joe is a veterinarian from Sydney, Australia. When he’s not working, he enjoys exercising, cooking, and exploring the wilderness in Australia. He has worked for 2 years at a mixed practice on the mid-north coast of New South Wales, treating animals of all sizes. His areas of particular interest include internal medicine, wound management and oncology. Joe’s love for the profession comes not only from helping cats, but also from helping their owners and working with wonderful teams of people.

Joe completed his Bachelor of Veterinary Biology and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Sydney in 2020.

Retinal Detachment in Cats: Causes, Signs, and Care (Vet Answer)

March 14, 2023 by Dr. Joe Mallat

tuxedo domestic shorthair cat with large dilated pupils

As a pet owner, having your cat diagnosed with retinal detachment can be overwhelming. It can happen quickly, with few (if any) warning signs, and the consequences—looking after a potentially blind or visually impaired cat—can be drastic. Thankfully, if retinal detachment is caught early enough, vision can be restored, meaning your cat can see again, … Read more

Dr. Joe Mallat

Joe completed his Bachelor of Veterinary Biology and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Sydney in 2020.

Will Cat Fur Grow Back Over Scar Tissue? (Vet Reviewed Facts & FAQs)

March 24, 2023March 10, 2023 by Christian Adams

If your cat has recently gotten injured or had surgery, you may be wondering whether their fur will grow back in the injured area after it heals. The answer is that yes, in some cases cat fur can grow back over scar tissue, though the process may be slower and less successful than normal hair … Read more

Christian Adams