Cat Facts 26

•  94. Poisonous Plants and Flowers
• Check whether your cats are nibbling on plants. Keep them away from daffodils, hyacinths, tulips, lilies, and mums. These may cause skin inflammation, kidney failure, heart damage, or stomach upset.
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• 95. Sleeping Patterns
• Contrary to popular belief, cats aren’t lazy. They spend 15-20 hrs a day sleeping to conserve energy for hunting. They are more active at dawn and dusk because ancient cats had less predators during these periods.
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• 96. Hairballs
• Don’t panic if your cats vomit clumps of hair. These are called a trichobezoar or hairballs. They are the result of grooming as the keratin in the hair cannot be digested.
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• 97. Flea Products
• Whatever you do, avoid anti-flea products for dogs. Cats have an adverse reaction to the active ingredient permethrin. Keep treated dogs away from cats for 24 hrs.
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• 98. Xylitol Toxicity
• Always check the labels! Don’t give anything with xylitol to pets. This sugar substitute is hazardous to dogs and may also harm cats. Signs of poisoning include drooling, lethargy, seizures, and vomiting.
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• 99. Salt Toxicity
• Himalayan salt lamps are enchanting but dangerous. Pets that lick them a lot may suffer from fatal electrolyte imbalance. Even mild cases may require a trip to the neighborhood vet for IV fluids.
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• 100. Life Expectancy
• Crème Puff said goodbye at the ripe old age of 38, making her the oldest known cat in the world. The average lifespan is only 14-16 years. Sheltered indoor cats tend to live longer than outdoor cats.
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• 101. Feline Leukemia Virus
• FeLV is a common disease that spreads through mother’s milk, saliva, and nose discharges. Fortunately, kittens develop immunity at 4 months. While there is no known cure, vaccination is available for prevention.
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• 102. Spaying Benefit
• According to a study, spaying cats before their 6th month lowers risk of developing mammary cancer sevenfold. Spaying at any age reduces risk of mammary tumors by 40-60%.
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• 103. Cold Weather Dangers
• Cats are cool but don’t let them get too chill during winter. Prevent hypothermia and frostbite by keeping them indoors. You can also hang a light bulb above their bed to radiate extra heat.