Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and meet my five hilarious cats: Clutch, Cyril, Alex, Zelda, and Zazzles.

One problem I’ve never had to deal with in my house is picky eaters. The most likely reason for this is competition. There was only one time that I had a single pet in the house, and that was Clutch, a cat that had come to me fresh from the mean streets of Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, UK, and a street cat is never going to pass up a meal!

Although it’s not always the case, most cats and dogs that are fussy eaters, or leave their food to come back to later, are only children. As soon as there is another mouth that might steal your food, you learn to eat what you are given when you are given it! The other reason many pets become picky is that they are in the process of training their humans.

Although it’s perfectly fine, and not at all dangerous, for a cat or dog to miss the occasional meal (as long as they’re not unwell or doing it on a regular basis), many owners will get quite worried if their pet refuses to eat their food. So what do they do? They race to the kitchen to find something more tempting, like some fresh chicken or fish, or some leftover rice pudding…you get where I’m going with this.

Animals aren’t silly, and once they realize that turning their nose up at their regular food will get them something even better, it’s only a matter of time before their cat or dog food is being replaced with a rotating smorgasbord of Michelin star-worthy meals. Fortunately, I have never fallen victim to this particular form of manipulation, and my cats remain unaware that things like cooked chicken pieces are anything but an ‘after-dinner digestif’.

However, they have managed to work out one way to manipulate their way into the occasional second breakfast or dinner.

Cats and Hobbits

Unless you’ve been living in a (Hobbit) hole, you’ll have heard of Lord of the Rings, and even those of you who haven’t watched the films (multiple times, in the extended versions, and with cast commentary) as I have, might have heard the quote from the mischievous Pippin:

Not to mention ‘elevenses, luncheon, and afternoon tea.’

We’ve established that my cats don’t shy away from a feed, and in fact, they can be downright greedy. But, they are also quite cunning.

Twice a day, all five cats gather together to meow and nag to make sure that Husband and I don’t forget to feed them. We never have, but obviously, they don’t want to leave anything to chance. If one of us has beaten the other home, or left for work early, we can usually tell if the cats have been fed by the enthusiasm of the group’s demands. On most days, one or two will come begging for some more later, but we are not going to be fooled by the food-loving Cyril into feeding them again.

Every now and then, maybe once or twice a month, I swear that the cats come together and agree to go for a second meal. They will come to either Husband or me, whichever one hasn’t already fed them, demanding, with all five voices, to be fed. It’s not until the food is down that a voice comes from downstairs, saying “I’ve already fed them!”

The Conspiracy Theory

You might be thinking that I’m reading too much into the behavior of a group of greedy cats, but here’s why I believe that this is a coordinated attack:

In order for their plea for ‘second breakfast’ (or elevenses, supper, etc) to work,

1. all five cats need to be in on it – if only a few (usually Cyril or Zelda) come begging, we can assume that they have all been fed, and that they are just hoping for second helpings.
2. they need to target the person who didn’t already feed them – for obvious reasons.
3. they can’t do it too often – if they were all begging for more food every day, we would never be fooled. It is because they only do this very occasionally that they manage to pull it off.

It might seem far-fetched to think that my cats are capable of such high-level espionage, but unless you can prove otherwise, I will continue to believe it!

Do your cats manipulate you? Tell me about it in the comments below.

The post But What About Second Breakfast? When My Cats Think They’re Hobbits by Dr. Karyn Kanowski BVSc MRCVS (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and meet my five hilarious cats: Clutch, Cyril, Alex, Zelda, and Zazzles.

Living with five dogs and five cats does involve a fair amount of cleaning, and Husband and I take particular pride in the fact that people are often surprised when they find out just how many pets we have. That comes down to a combination of housework, a lack of human children, and maintaining a (relatively) stress-free household (when it comes to the animals, at least!).

Apart from the obvious pet hair overload, a big factor that will influence the sort of olfactory impression your home makes is pheromone levels. More specifically, cat pee. One of the most common complaints from multicat households is inappropriate urination, due to territorial spraying and marking or cats peeing outside the litter box as a result of stress-induced cystitis. As a general rule, cats that live together will try to avoid physical attacks, favoring more subtle methods of chemical warfare. Cats also don’t like to let on when they feel threatened or stressed, so the pressures of this sort of conflict get channeled through the bladder wall.

What does this have to do with home improvements? Well, not to brag (and I know I’m tempting fate by writing this), but in a modest-sized house with five unrelated cats, we have never had a case of cystitis or territorial urination. And I think that it’s largely due to some of the little home improvements we’ve made over the years. Admittedly, they’re not all minor things, like the cat enclosure, for example, but they are mostly inexpensive and easily implemented changes and additions that virtually anyone can make.

Height & Hiding Places

One thing that will stress out your indoor cat the most is feeling like they can’t get away, from each other, from people, or, in our case, from dogs. We have lots of different shelves, cupboards, and scratching posts that our cats can use to get up out of the way, and we allow them on our kitchen countertops as well – except when we’re cooking, of course.

We have beds tucked in various places, including my wardrobe, on window sills, and in the catio, so there are always plenty of quiet spots for making biscuits or having a quick snooze. The cats are lucky that Husband is quite handy (being the owner of a handyman business!) and has built a brilliant outdoor enclosure for them, with artificial grass, shelves, and a sneaky entrance into the house, located behind the sofa. It’s fun to watch the Chihuahuas, Ned and Fred, trying to figure out where the cats have magically appeared from!

Places for Claws and Head Rubs

If you live with cats, expect that your carpet and furniture will suffer some damage, as it is unrealistic to think otherwise. Some feel that the preservation of their soft furnishings is enough to justify the mutilation of their pets, but declawing is not something that any cat should have to endure. By providing alternative scratching surfaces of different types, textures, heights, and locations, you can at least hope to minimize this damage.

These wall-mounted posts are a favorite of mine; they’re inexpensive and unobtrusive, and our cats absolutely love them. We have several of them placed around the house so that the cats have plenty of different places to scratch, and they are all showing signs of plenty of use.

Another pitfall of having multiple cats is the greasy marks that tend to accumulate on wall edges and door frames, where our cats love to rub their heads. They do this because it feels nice and allows them to leave a little pheromone calling card behind. Again, this isn’t something we can stop, but by installing a few of these little door frame brushes, we have been able to provide a more appealing option that the cats absolutely love to use.

Dog-Free Zones

We are incredibly lucky that, by and large, there is little friction between the cats and dogs, but Kodah, our Malinois x Shepherd, does like to chase them from time to time. It’s important that the cats have somewhere that they know they won’t be disturbed by any canine intrusions, which is why my office doubles as the ‘cat room’ (or perhaps it is the cat room that doubles as my office).

We’ve put in a baby gate, another really cheap item (especially if you can pick one up from FB Marketplace!) that allows the cats to have a space that is completely dog-free, with the freedom to come and go as they please.

As Kodah still likes to use his crate as his chillout zone, we occasionally lock him in to give the cats some shepherd-free time in the whole house, too.

Pheromones and Cleaning

Another important (and affordable) part of keeping our house smelling great is using the right cleaning products. Because we allow the cats on the countertops, we always keep a powerful antibacterial cleaner under the sink, one that is strong enough to keep things clean but is also safe for use around pets. The other two items we try never to run out of are Febreze pet odor eliminator and an enzymatic cleaner like Hepper’s Bio-Enzyme Stain & Odor Remover. One of the biggest mistakes pet owners make is using a regular detergent to clean up pet mess, which usually just masks the smell. If you’re dealing with any sort of pet odor, particularly around litter boxes, or if you have a Chihuahua that is proving to be quite challenging to toilet train, you need to use an enzymatic cleaner that will actually break down the particles. This will keep your pet from feeling inclined to use the same spot and help avoid the build-up of animal smells over time.

Sorry, I didn’t mean to sound like an infomercial!

Having a house full of pets can be wonderful, but it can be challenging, as well. If you share your home with cats, take some time to see your house through their eyes. Are there places to hide and jump onto? Do they have lots of places to scratch their claws, or are they expected to find one single cat tree? Do they have somewhere they can get away from people, kids, dogs, or other cats?

And if you’re worried that your home is not smelling its best, I recommend investing in a few bottles of an enzymatic cleaner to give the place a thorough de-stinking. Your nose, and your guests, will thank me.

The post Dr. Karyn’s Feline Tried and Tested Home Improvements by Dr. Karyn Kanowski BVSc MRCVS (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and meet my five hilarious cats: Clutch, Cyril, Alex, Zelda, and Zazzles.

Yesterday, my neighbor sent me a photo of Clutch peering over the fence from his custom-built catio (my cats aren’t spoiled at all!). The reason he’d spotted the furry little face in the dark was that Clutch had been singing, something he does on a daily basis.

His vocal gymnastics often follow a meal, as he stretches his legs on the kitchen countertops, walking off a delicious feast, but he can often be heard yodeling in the morning, evening, or in the middle of the day as he patrols his outdoor enclosure. To this day, I haven’t been able to work out the purpose or intended audience of these performances, and I’m starting to believe that Clutch sings for himself.

Clutch’s Catalog of Sounds (Pun Intended!)

Like most cats, Clutch uses a wide variety of sounds, along with the classic ‘meow’ used to communicate with us. Apart from the occasional friendly chip or grumble of irritation, he doesn’t seem to engage in a lot of inter-feline conversation, generally preferring the company of dogs or humans. He uses one meow for a general declaration of hunger, but there is a more urgent, insistent bleating reserved for when he knows there is chicken in the fridge. The singing is something that evolved over time; he hasn’t always been a performer.

While no one would describe Clutch’s overtures as being classically musical, I have started to suspect that my use of the word ‘singing’ might not be too far off. There is one other time that Clutch belts out a banger, and that’s when I am, too.

Duet or Dissent?

I enjoy a good private performance, whether it be in the shower cubicle or kitchen, and I fancy myself to be moderately proficient at karaoke. For a long time, however, I thought that Clutch strongly disagreed. No sooner had I completed the first few bars of a song than Clutch would rush to my side, meowing plaintively. At first, I thought he was complaining, or worried that I was injured, but I’m starting to wonder if he wasn’t attempting to join in, Kenny to my Dolly, Elton to my Kiki Dee, Bradley to my Lady Gaga…

But perhaps I’m getting ahead of myself.

Is Clutch Actually Singing?

I try not to anthropomorphize too much. Although it’s great to try to empathize with our pets and try to understand the whys and wherefores of their habits and behavior, the reality is that they are motivated by different things than us. However, by applying what we know about feline communication, I don’t think that it’s too farfetched to categorize Clutch’s vocal stylings as singing, and here’s why.

From what we understand, the classic feline meow, a vocalization used only by domestic cats, evolved alongside their domestication. The sounds typically exchanged between cats are usually a combination of yowls, purrs, chirps, growls, and hisses; they don’t tend to ‘meow’ at one another. From here, we believe that the meow is designed to communicate with us, their human servants, and while we are desperately trying to decipher the meaning behind their ‘words,’ it is far more likely that they are merely echoing back to us what our words sound like to them.

So if meowing is simply a form of mimicry, could Clutch actually have learned to sing from me? Part of me likes to believe that this is the case, while another part of me hopes that I can carry a tune better than he does! In any event, singing seems to make him happy, so I am happy, too.

We hope to have his debut album out by Christmas.

The post A Star Is Born: The Vocal Stylings of Clutch by Dr. Karyn Kanowski BVSc MRCVS (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and meet my five hilarious cats: Clutch, Cyril, Alex, Zelda, and Zazzles.

Have you met Cyril? If you haven’t, you are missing out! He’s the squishiest, most chilled-out, laid-back cat I’ve ever known, and he often gives me lifestyle envy. He’s also living the plus-sized life, which is something we’re going to be tackling in a future post. For now, I’d like to tell you about another of his unique characteristics – his reaction to certain sounds.

Back in 2021, I picked up a little virus; you may have heard of it. Covid something? Anyway, I had a wee bit of a cough, which apparently did not please He who shall not miss breakfast. Every time I had the audacity to clear my throat or attempt to bring up a lung whilst in Cyril’s general vicinity, I would get an angry little chatter in return.

How do I know it was angry? Well, the truth is, I don’t; it was just the vibe he was giving. There was no hissing or snarling, no swishing of tail or gnashing of teeth, just that chattering sound cats unleash when they’ve spotted a bird, rodent, or in my ginger cat Alex’s case, a hot dog. And there was an attitude. If you live with cats, you’ll know what I’m talking about. That air of superiority that lets you know, without a shadow of a doubt, that you are, and always will be, inferior to the feline species. And that’s fine, I know my place in the household hierarchy, but Cyril is not usually one to be so haughty. I’m perfectly comfortable being judged by a cat, but being judged by Cyril is like being judged by a sweet, kindly old man, like Morgan Freeman or Tim Walz. The look in his eyes seemed to say “I’m not angry, I’m just disappointed.”

Coughing Paranoia

It was difficult enough dealing with wary looks and suspicious glares when allergies or an inhaled drink set off a coughing fit during Covid, but now I was also dealing with cough-barrassment at home. Was nowhere safe?!

What’s even more worrying is that Cyril only cackles when I cough, never when my husband or anyone else does. It’s pretty hard not to take it personally. I almost had myself convinced that it was all down to Cyril’s love and concern for my health when he started to chatter at other noises as well.

First, it was the sneeze, but now the crinkling of an empty soda can has joined the clandestine cough on the list of sounds to be made only once I have established that I am in a Cyril-free zone. I cannot bear the idea of disrupting his snooze time; the poor cat is only managing 18, maybe 20 hours of sleep a day.

Why The Strange Reaction to Sounds?

Being an indoor kitty, one might theorize that Cyril’s chatter is nothing more than misplaced hunting sounds, but he will also make these vocalizations to birds spied on nearby rooftops.

I needed more information.

When researching the topic of cat chatter, I have found a number of different explanations for the sound, none of which were particularly surprising:

• mimicking prey
• excitement
• anticipation of biting prey

and one that confirmed my worst fears:

• expressing frustration with their humans.

Much like the quintessential meow, cats are rarely seen to chatter with other cats, meaning it is a sound reserved for specific occasions: hunting and telling people to shut up.

The Cat’s Meow

Feline-to-feline communication generally consists of chirps, hisses, growls, or yowls. The meow appears to have been developed as a way of trying to mimic the nonsensical sounds they hear coming from our mouths. Given that during my extensive history of meowing at cats, I don’t seem to have caused any offense, my assumption is that a cat’s meow is as decipherable a language to them as it is to us, in that, it isn’t. We think we’re being cute when we return their meow, when in fact, it is the cats that are humoring us by parroting our sounds.

So is Cyril annoyed at my coughing, or just confused by it? Is it a sign of his love and devotion to me that he persists in trying to communicate, even when my language has changed from coherent patterns to the strangled cry of a crushed Coke can? Are we doomed to stay locked in a cycle of indecipherable vocalizations until one of us gets bored and walks away (or in Cyril’s case, falls asleep)?

I think the answer is yes. Unless I manage to teach Cyril (and myself) morse code…

The post Would You Mind Keeping It Down? Cyril’s Strange Reaction to Sounds by Dr. Karyn Kanowski BVSc MRCVS (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and meet my five hilarious cats: Clutch, Cyril, Alex, Zelda, and Zazzles.

This is Zazzles. Zazzles is our most timid, quiet, and shy cat, and it is not unusual for us to go days without seeing her, apart from when she skulks out to grab a bite to eat. She is most often found hiding in my wardrobe.

This is also Zazzles. She rolls around on our bed and sofa, meowing until she gets a fuss, loving a tummy tickle and back scratch. She will often be found sprawled out on my bed or soaking up the sunshine on a window sill.

A Checkered Past

Zazzles was brought into the veterinary hospital where my (now) husband and I worked, and she was in quite a sorry state. Extremely thin and covered in fleas, she was desperately in need of flea and worming treatment and plenty of TLC. She limped on one of her back legs but didn’t show any signs of pain when it was manipulated. X-rays showed an old fracture that had healed incorrectly, resulting in a shortened limb. Repairing the old fracture would be difficult and painful, and amputation was a bit extreme. So although she walks with a limp, it doesn’t slow her down and she runs and jumps as well as any of our other cats.

For the first 2-3 years that she lived with us, we barely saw Zazzles. She would emerge for meals, then disappear back into one of her favorite hiding spots, and she certainly wouldn’t emerge if there were visitors in the house.

After we moved to Cornwall, things started to change…

Traffic

Not long after we moved across the country, we started seeing more of our little Torti kitty. It was infrequent at first, but we started seeing her sunbathing on windowsills, spending time with our dogs, and even sitting on our laps demanding a fuss. She was like a completely different cat!

One explanation for her personality reboot is that our home in Cornwall is at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, so the only traffic noise we hear is from cars slowly pulling into their driveways. Back in Essex, we lived on a fairly busy road, with the sound of cars zooming past a constant soundtrack to our lives.

This made us wonder if her previous injury was from being hit by a car. It would certainly explain the fractured femur and her timid nature in busy traffic areas.

Two Personalities

Although Zazzles was suddenly coming out and being social – even enjoying the laps of our houseguests – she retained her frightened, timid character as well. It’s as though she has two distinct personalities.

When she is confident and friendly, she is really confident and friendly! We sometimes have to force her off our laps when we need to get up, and we have even coined a term for her affectionate rubbing and rolling behavior: trolloping. She will roll and meow until you pay attention, and she’ll even meow to get our Shepherd, Kodah, to come and play with her.

A few hours later, scared Zazzles is back, skulking away like she expects to be beaten, hiding in my wardrobe, and running if I try to pick her up. She even treats mealtimes with suspicion when she’s in this mode.

We haven’t been able to identify any specific triggers to her regression, or if there is anything in particular that elevates her confidence. Instead of there being a gradual change to her whole character, It’s as though both personalities exist within this tiny cat, taking turns.

While I hope that eventually her confidence will win out, I am more than happy to love both Zazzles and Zazzles.

The post Zazzles and Her Multiple Personalities by Dr. Karyn Kanowski BVSc MRCVS (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and meet my five hilarious cats: Clutch, Cyril, Alex, Zelda, and Zazzles.

When looking at my ginger cat, Alex, it’s hard not to notice that he has remarkably long whiskers, particularly for a short-haired cat, and it made me wonder about some of the so-called ‘rules’ about whiskers. These are some of the claims made about whiskers, or as they are technically called, vibrissae:

• Cats use whiskers to gauge the width of a gap to see if they can fit through it
• Fatter cats have longer whiskers
• A cat’s whiskers are proportionate to the width of their body

But when I look at the various sizes of my cats compared with their whisker length, these theories don’t quite seem to add up.

Whiskers As A Measuring Tool

Have you ever watched a cat squeeze, jump, or run through a narrow gap? How often do they stop to test the width with their whiskers? And, judging by the contortions they’re capable of to navigate such narrow openings, how much attention are they paying to this ‘whisker feedback’ anyway?

Fatter Cats Have Longer Whiskers

One look at Cyril will tell you that this is simply not the case. As my squishy, huggable, resident fatty, Cyril is almost twice the size of our smallest feline, Zazzles. Even at a lean body weight, he is a large cat, but his whiskers are of quite a modest length.

Although whiskers fall out and are replaced like normal hair, they don’t grow longer if a cat puts on weight, so perhaps it’s a good thing that they’re not relying on them to suss out the accessibility of small spaces, or we’d be seeing a lot more tubby tabbies trapped in tiny openings!

Whiskers Are Proportionate to Body Width

I took it upon myself to measure the width of each of my cats at the shoulders, which, with the exception of Cyril (who is going on a diet), is the widest part of a cat’s body. I then measured the overall width of their whiskers at the longest whisker to see how they compared.

To look at, Clutch’s whiskers appeared to be most proportionate to his body, while Zazzles’ seemed quite short, even when accounting for her petite frame. When I looked at the ratios of whisker length to body width, I noticed something particularly interesting – the ratio of Clutch’s whiskers to body is 1.6 : 1.

And that, my friends, is known as The Golden Ratio.

Whisker width	23	19	18	16	22
Shoulder width	14	11.5	16	12	15
Ratio	1.7 : 1	1.6 : 1	1.1 : 1	1.3 : 1	1.4 : 1

The Golden Ratio

Also known as ‘Phi’ and ‘The Divine Proportion’, this is a ratio that is seen in nature time and time again. Although physics scholars are quick to dismiss the significance of this ratio when seen in biological organisms, the idea that features displaying these proportions are considered to be examples of ‘perfect beauty’ is one that visionaries like Leonardo DaVinci subscribed to, as shown in his famous Vitruvian Man. Although it can easily be dismissed as coincidence or chance, there are many instances in nature and architecture where this divine ratio can be observed, from the spirals of a nautilus shell, the design of the pyramids, to the proportions of the human face. And now, in Clutch’s whiskers.

As I mentioned, when looking at the various features of my five cats, it was Clutch’s whiskers that seemed to be most in proportion with his face and body, so it’s interesting that his whisker-to-body width ratio is arguably divine!

The long-whiskered Alex’s ratio is an impressive 1.7 to 1, while Cyril’s is a somewhat embarrassing 1.1 to 1.

What Is The Purpose of Whiskers?

Many people will still claim that because they are far-sighted, cats use their whiskers to help navigate their surroundings. However, this seems neither logical nor practical. Waiting for those delicate hairs to come into contact with something before making their move does not exactly fit with smooth and stealthy feline motion.

Given the level of sensitivity of feline vibrissae, it is far more likely that they have evolved to detect changes in airflow created by the slightest movements of animals, allowing them to locate prey in the low light conditions of dusk and dawn, the most popular time for feline hunting. It would also explain why our cats tend to get quite agitated when windy weather wreaks havoc with their navigational instruments!

Does Whisker Length Matter?

Is Clutch better equipped for hunting because his whiskers follow the golden ratio? Or does Alex’s far-reaching vibrissae give him a strategic advantage?

Being that my cats live indoors and are not required to catch their dinner, I can’t really judge them on their relative hunting skills, but my instincts tell me ‘no’. I think Cyril’s preference for lazing on his back over elevating his heart rate would impact his prey count far more than his short whiskers.

Has domestication and selective breeding altered the divine whisker proportions beyond what is ‘optimal’? Judging by the stubbly vibrissae of the Sphynx, or the Rapunzelesque whiskers of some long-haired breeds, I would have to say: yes. Extremely long whiskers are going to be more hindrance than help, while non-existent whiskers will be no help at all!

The attractive length of Alex’s whiskers may give him a slight edge over the likes of Zazzles or Cyril, but once that ratio gets much higher than 1.7, you’re dealing with hairs that are more likely to get tangled than offer tactical advantage.

It would certainly be interesting, albeit challenging, to study the whisker:body width figures of feral cats and their larger relatives to find out if the golden ratio does dominate in nature – I’m looking at you, prospective PhD candidates!

The post Alex – What Long Whiskers You Have! by Dr. Karyn Kanowski BVSc MRCVS (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Our pets are a wonderful source of affection, companionship, entertainment, and stress relief, but they can also make us worry. Despite the many steps we take and the measures we put in place to make sure we are giving our cats the very best care, there will always be illnesses that are completely out of our control, and cancer continues to be one of them.

There are several types of cancer that can affect our feline companions, and basal cell tumors are one of the most common skin tumors in cats. The good news is that more than 90% of these are benign.

Let’s take a closer look at basal cell tumors in cats, including how to recognize them and how they are treated.

What Is a Basal Cell Tumor?

A tumor is an abnormal growth of cells, with the type of tumor determined by the type of cells involved. Why tumors form is still not fully understood, but once they begin, the abnormal cells continue to grow and replicate. Some are limited to a single, contained area, also known as benign tumors. Meanwhile, malignant tumors (cancer) invade surrounding tissues and structures and may spread (metastasize) to different parts of the body through the blood or lymphatic system.

Basal cell tumors form from the basal cell layer of the epidermis. In most cases, these tumors are benign and do not grow beyond the basal cell layer in the area where they started. In approximately 10% of cases, the tumor will grow and replicate beyond the basal cell layer and into the surrounding tissues. This is known as malignant basal cell carcinoma (BCC).

Where Are the Signs of a Basal Cell Tumor?

Although basal cell tumors can grow anywhere on the skin, they are most common on the head, neck, and shoulders. They can range from 0.4 inches to over 4 inches in diameter and are usually firm, raised, hairless, or may develop from a stalk.

BCC lesions are not usually raised but appear as irritated, ulcerated lesions on the head, neck, or legs. Although BCCs will grow and spread into the surrounding skin, they do not tend to metastasize.

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your pet, we recommend getting in touch with a vet for guidance.

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What Causes Basal Cell Tumors?

We do not fully understand how or why basal cell tumors form. There may be several predisposing factors, including viral infections, age, genetics, sun exposure, and breed. Long and medium-haired cats, such as Persians, Himalayan, and Angoras, have a higher incidence of basal cell tumors compared with other breeds.

How Are Basal Cell Tumors Diagnosed?

Depending on the size and location of the growth, a diagnosis may be made using:

If the tumor is found to be a malignant BCC, your vet may recommend further investigations, such as blood tests, imaging, and lymph node biopsies, to check whether the tumor has spread.

How Is a Basal Cell Tumor Treated?

Small, benign basal cell tumors may be monitored and only removed if they undergo rapid growth or changes in appearance. Cryosurgery may be used to remove very small tumors.

Surgical removal is the treatment of choice for malignant basal cell carcinomas. If the BCC is in a location where surgical removal is not possible or likely to be successful, radiation therapy or chemotherapy can be used.

Basal cell carcinomas have a high treatment success rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Prognosis for a Cat With Basal Cell Tumor or Carcinoma?

For cats with basal cell tumors, the prognosis is excellent. Even those with malignant BCC have a very good prognosis due to the low rate of malignancy of this type of tumor. However, left untreated, they can cause pain, suffering, and possibly spread, so removal of BCCs is always recommended.

What’s the Difference Between a Basal Cell Carcinoma and a Squamous Cell Carcinoma?

As the name suggests, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) originates from the squamous layer of the epidermis, which is thicker and more superficial than the basal layer. Unlike BCC, SCC is an aggressive, invasive, and sometimes metastatic tumor. They commonly occur on the face and ears, particularly in white or light-pigmented skin. They are also a common oral tumor in cats. There is no recognized benign form of SCC in cats.

What Should I Do if My Cat Makes Their Basal Cell Tumor Bleed?

If your cat has a benign basal cell tumor, they may occasionally knock or scratch the lesion and make it bleed. While this is no immediate cause for concern, if this happens repeatedly, it can increase their risk of infection, and removal of the mass should be considered.

Conclusion

Basal cell tumors are the common skin tumors of cats and dogs, with less than 10% being malignant. In the case of basal cell carcinoma, early detection and treatment have a high success rate, so it is important to have any new lump, bump, or growth checked by your vet. The smaller the growth, the easier it is to remove.

• See Also: Cat Preventive Care for Good Health & Longevity: 8 Fundamental Pillars

Featured Image Credit: Catster

The post Basal Cell Tumors in Cats: Signs, Causes, Diagnosis & Care (Vet Answer) by Dr. Karyn Kanowski BVSc MRCVS (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and meet my five hilarious cats: Clutch, Cyril, Alex, Zelda, and Zazzles.

It’s not always easy to tell when your cat is happy, and other times, it’s so obvious that they may as well be holding a neon sign that says “This is what joy looks like!”

Purring, cuddling, headbutting, and ‘making biscuits’ are all signs that your cat trusts you and is happy. My little ginger ninja, Alex, has one additional way of signalling his pleasure: the somersault of happiness.

I’m not talking about just a roll. No, this is a somersault. The head down, body rolling forwards over the top manoeuvre one might expect from the likes of Simone Biles. Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating a little, but it’s still quite an unusual move, and he always sticks the dismount.

Alex Is A Bit Of A Weirdo

Like all cats, Alex is flexible, coordinated, and elegant. He also has some strange little quirks that set him apart from the other cats in our house, and most other cats I have known. For starters, he enjoys extending his front legs in front of him when perched on high surfaces. Not simply dangling his paws over the edge, but with the whole limb sticking out in front.

His second positional quirk is his preference for sitting cross-legged. The first couple of times I noticed it, I assumed it was just a fluke. Perhaps he’d been in the middle of a turn, or got distracted as he was sitting down. However, you are far more likely to see Alex with his dainty little front feet crossed than to be so boring as to have them sit side by side like some sort of commoner.

The Mystery of Movement

Why does he do this? Well, I suspect that if I could answer that question, I would be in possession of some pretty major feline secrets. What I do know is that he is a very sweet little cat with some unusual ways of expressing himself. Which brings me back to his happy little somersault.

You’ve no doubt seen a happy cat. Hopefully, you’ve experienced the joy of watching a blissful cat as they rub themselves on walls, furniture, even you. When Alex gets into one of these displays of happiness, his rubbing takes a turn. A turn over the top of his head. He seems so wrapped up in showing us how happy he is, as well as enjoying the sensation of the walls and floor as he rubs up against them. Somewhere in the midst of all this bliss, he tucks his head between his front legs, and over he goes. It is completely adorable.

Initially, my husband and I were the only ones to ever witness this strange little ritual, but over the years, a few close friends and relatives have been granted access to this elite group. Alex is quite wary of new people, so when he decides to demonstrate his joyful tumble for someone new, you can imagine how thrilled we, and the privileged recipient, are.

Happiness Is Just a Somersault Away

Happiness isn’t always easy to come by in this world, and I can’t remember the last time I wanted to jump for joy, let alone somersault. But I have to admit, watching Alex expressing himself through gymnastics, is one way to put a smile on anyone’s face.

Stay weird, Alex.

The post Alex and the Somersault of Happiness by Dr. Karyn Kanowski BVSc MRCVS (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and meet my five hilarious cats: Clutch, Cyril, Alex, Zelda, and Zazzles.

I saw something recently that made my blood boil. It was the emergence of a new ‘designer’ cat breed called the ‘Bully’ or ‘Dwelf’ Cat. Named for their elf-like features and genetic dwarfism, these pitiful creatures have the hairless mutation of the Sphynx, the limb deformity of the Munchkin Cat, and the turned up ears of the American Curl. I can’t fathom any reason why someone would deliberately set out to create such an unhealthy mix, apart from ignorance, cruelty, or greed.

Cruelty can take many different forms, and it’s not always as obvious as directly inflicting pain and suffering on an individual animal. Knowingly creating a cat that comes from two breeds with the most extreme feline appearances is irresponsible. And continuing to do so after being made aware of the health problems these cats will endure is cruel.

Most cat lovers out there will wholeheartedly agree with me on this, but there are obviously those who aren’t aware of the health problems and suffering these cats have in store. Many people trust breeders, sometimes more than they trust vets, and do not believe they would knowingly breed an unhealthy animal, and in some cases, that is true. However, much like the mentality behind animal poachers, if someone will buy them, someone will sell them.

Breeding and Mutation

Picture a cat. A simple (yet awesome) tabby cat like Cyril. If allowed to breed without any human intervention, most feline populations would eventually look a lot like him. His features represent the dominant genes, so it is a statistical certainty that over time, these genes will dominate.

Any variation from standard genetics is caused by a mutation, whether it be a lack of fur, extra toes, or an unusual coat color. When we don’t intervene, those mutations tend to get diluted back into the population, rarely, if ever, to be seen again.

What happens with selective breeding is that we see those variations, and mate those individuals with others that have the same or similar mutations, producing a population of cats with a high incidence of that trait. Unfortunately, when humans first started doing this, they didn’t necessarily realize that those physical features may be linked to other genetic abnormalities or defects, like heart disease, kidney problems, or bone deformities.

People didn’t know that pairing white fur with blue eyes often resulted in deafness, or that the mutation that gives the Scottish Fold their trademark ears also causes a cartilage defect that can be painful and debilitating. But we do now. Yet, we have worrying breed mixes like the Scottish Fold x Munchkin, and now, the Dwelf. And there is no doubt in my mind that the people who are breeding these cats are hoping like hell that people stay in the dark about their health.

The Trouble With Dwelves

Although generally a fairly robust cat, the genes that give the Sphynx cat their hairless appearance have also given them a predisposition to skin problems, heart disease, hereditary myopathy (a neuromuscular disorder), and poor thermoregulation.

The short stature of the Munchkin Cat is the result of a genetic mutation that stops the bones from growing normally. This mutation is so severe that embryos that inherit two copies of the munchkin gene will die in the womb.

I appreciate that not everyone is going to have a firm grasp of genetics, but how can anyone think that combining two breeds with such obvious genetic mutations could possibly be a good idea?

I have seen the claims from Dwelf and Bully Cat breeders that their kittens are happy and healthy. They might be happy, but they are by definition, not healthy. A cat that is born with three legs or missing its eyes might be ‘happy’, but does that mean we should start deliberately breeding three-legged or no-eyed cats? Of course not. But if people will pay money for something, people will provide it.

Be An Advocate for Cats

This is where I ask for your help, because I am just one voice, desperate to show people the cruelty inherent in creating ‘designer’ breeds like the Dwelf, with no thought or appreciation for the consequences of their actions. Tell your family, tell your friends, tell your followers – these cats are being deliberately bred to have genetic defects, but if no one will buy them, the breeders will stop exploiting them.

The post When Breeding Becomes Cruel: The Problem with Designer Cats by Dr. Karyn Kanowski BVSc MRCVS (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and meet my five hilarious cats: Clutch, Cyril, Alex, Zelda, and Zazzles.

“Every day’s a school day”

This is something that seems to be more true the older I get. When I first graduated from vet school, I was petrified. Yesterday I was a student, today I am expected to be able to diagnose, treat, and operate on any creature that walks (or is carried) through the door. In reality, most newly graduated vets are allowed to paddle in the shallows for the first few months, but I know plenty that were thrown headfirst into the deep end, their bosses delighted to be able to hand over their night duties to their wide-eyed new employee.

After a few years, I was feeling more confident – perhaps too confident – acquiring the swagger of an experienced vet who’s seen it all, which of course, I hadn’t. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t some pompous, cocky clinician, but I did reach a point in my career where I felt like I could handle pretty much everything that came into the veterinary hospital; specialist cases being the exception.

In more recent years, I have reached a point where I feel comfortable enough in my experience to accept that I can’t possibly ‘know it all’, and there is always more to learn.

Corporate Control

Interestingly, it has only been since I started stepping back from clinical practice and into a role where I am providing information to a wider audience on a huge range of topics, that I have come to realize how much my patient diagnostics, treatment, and management options were guided or influenced from afar by the corporate giants that control a vast majority of the pet care industry. And this influence started back in vet school.

While I don’t feel that this has resulted in poor outcomes or suboptimal patient care, I have become more aware of how large companies have started to subtly steer the direction of certain aspects of veterinary care.

Lectures, training courses, and scientific studies sponsored by the companies that sell pet food, pharmaceuticals, and diagnostic tests, are common features of both veterinary education and practice, and it’s hard to believe that there was a complete lack of bias in the information they provided.

Does this product/drug/food/test/equipment give excellent results? 

• Yes!

Are there other products/drugs/foods/tests/equipment that provide the same or better results? 

• Maybe, but we didn’t test those. We only included products in our study that we knew we could outperform. 

I wasn’t exactly being misled, just…led.

My Changing Views on Food

By far, the aspect of cat care that I have changed my opinion on the most, is food. Although the basics of feline nutrition are relatively unchanged, I have come to realize that I had allowed most of my nutritional decision-making to be steered by pet food companies.

For virtually every life stage, breed, size, weight, coat type, and health condition, there is a veterinary-approved cat food that’s been specifically designed for it. Don’t get me wrong, these are high-quality foods, they’re just not necessarily the best and only option out there.

Though I am loath to use the term ‘brainwashed’, I can’t help feeling like my dietary decisions had been dictated to me from on high, and heaven forbid I should entertain the idea of a *gasp* raw food diet.

For almost a decade, my cats were fed exclusively on a Royal Canin dry food for indoor cats prone to hairballs – a premium food by all accounts. My cats are healthy, their litter boxes smell about as good as a litter box can, and I had no reason to consider any alternatives. But now I am realizing that there are better, more natural ways to more than meet their needs, if I just remove the blinders I have been wearing since our vet school welcome day BBQ sponsored by Hills Pet Food.

Although I am still wary of the potential health risks of raw feeding, I can absolutely appreciate how our cats can benefit from a diet consisting of whole, unadulterated animal ingredients. When stored correctly, and formulated to meet nutritional requirements, there are some major benefits to raw feeding. And if raw isn’t your thing, fresh-frozen diets, that combine the benefits of raw food, the safety of gentle cooking, and the confidence of feeding a balanced diet, are a great, albeit pricey, option. Of course, the cynic in me suspects that it’s only a matter of time before these independent companies are engulfed by super-conglomerates like Mars, who already control a huge portion of the pet food industry.

Alternative Treatments

Holistic therapy and Traditional Chinese Medicine are increasing in popularity in mainstream human medicine, and the veterinary industry isn’t far behind. A few years ago I underwent training in veterinary acupuncture and have been delighted in the results for both my patients and my own pets. I’m not recommending that we abandon modern medicine in favor of alternative therapies, but we are becoming increasingly aware of the very real and measurable benefits that certain therapies can have on our pets’ lives when used alongside proven methods and medications.

The aim of holistic therapy is to achieve greater results by assessing and treating the whole body and lifestyle, rather than just the problem at hand. The benefit is often a reduction in required drug doses and longer lasting results; great for patient health, but not so great for profit margins. Unsurprisingly, large corporations are rarely seen endorsing holistic practices.

Never Stop Learning

If there is one thing that I have learned in the past few years of my veterinary career, it is that when we think we know it all, we deprive ourselves – and our patients – of the opportunities and benefits of exploring different options. There is rarely one single solution to a veterinary problem, so it’s worth being open to new ideas. I don’t want to give the impression that everything we are taught is tainted by corporate sponsorship; that simply isn’t the case. But I do encourage fellow vets and pet owners to check for bias before excluding new ideas and taking anything for granted.

The post Things I’ve Been Wrong About (And I’m Not Too Proud to Admit) by Dr. Karyn Kanowski BVSc MRCVS (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.