Cats Articles

Can raw cat food transmit H5N1 to cats? Yes—U.S. investigations have linked commercial raw pet food to severe and fatal feline infections. This updated guide explains FDA actions, documented products, freeze-dried/HPP claims, 2026 cat-to-human evidence, warning signs and what owners should do.

Germany has confirmed H5N1 infections in domestic cats, including three cats from the same origin in Baden-Württemberg in February 2026, but the current evidence reviewed does not support the old claim that German cat cases were caused by commercial BARF or raw poultry used as pet food. This updated guide explains what FLI actually recommends about raw meat, what the 2026 German cat outbreak showed, why freezing or supplier 'H5N1-negative' claims should not be treated as proof of safety, which symptoms and exposure histories matter, and how BARF owners can reduce H5N1 and broader raw-food risks.

Managing a senior cat in Canada in 2026 means $2,000-$8,000+ per year depending on conditions and city. This guide provides specific average costs for hyperthyroidism management (including radioiodine pricing by city), CKD care by IRIS stage, dental procedures, arthritis treatment including Solensia, and specialist referral fees in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Montreal. Includes annual budget estimates and senior cat insurance guidance.

Senior-cat arthritis is common, but there is no reliable public dataset proving a fixed Houston-versus-Dallas price gap. This Texas guide explains how to compare real clinic quotes, what the FDA's June 2026 Solensia label actually says, why repeated meloxicam is risky in U.S. cats, the limited evidence for gabapentin, Texas telehealth/VCPR rules, and low-cost home changes that can improve mobility.

Trupanion and Fetch structure Canadian pet insurance very differently. Trupanion uses a lifetime per-condition deductible, excludes exam fees and has no payout limits; Fetch uses an annual deductible, covers sick-visit exam fees and offers customizable annual payout and reimbursement options. Compare current waiting periods, direct-pay differences, pre-existing-condition rules and a like-for-like claim example before choosing a policy.

Winter in a German apartment can bring dry heated air, toxic seasonal plants, tilted-window traps, candles, electrical cords and tinsel. This evergreen guide explains which hazards need urgent veterinary attention, which risks are often overstated, and how to make an indoor cat's home safer throughout the cold season.

To get rid of cat litter box smell, first separate ordinary box odor from urine accidents and spraying. Daily waste removal, enough litter boxes in separate locations, an unscented litter your cat accepts, regular box washing, surface-specific urine cleaning and ventilation are more reliable than perfume or DIY chemical recipes. This 2026 guide explains enzyme cleaners, activated carbon, covered vs uncovered boxes, cat urine chemistry, spraying, medical red flags and a practical odor-control routine using FelineVMA/AAFP, Cornell, ASPCA, EPA and published feline research.

A pet passport is not a universal travel permit — but several popular warnings about it are also wrong. Updated September 3, 2026: when an EU Pet Passport is valid, why Great Britain→EU uses an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) rather than a 'GB Pet Health Certificate', when Great Britain accepts EU passports, what the CDC really requires for U.S.-bound dogs, and how Japan, Australia and New Zealand use their own import systems. Includes the EU's new 2026 document framework, route-specific rabies timing and eight myths corrected.

Street cats roam free while your cat stares out the window. Does that mean they're happier? Is keeping a cat indoors cruel? 2026 science reveals the shocking truth: outdoor life is a death sentence (2-3 year lifespan), but a boring home is a mental prison. Learn how to create a feline paradise that beats the streets.