Cats are expressive creatures, especially through their body language. Felines give many clues about their feelings and communicate widely using various parts and positions of their bodies. Their tails, for example, are used to display their mood. An upright tail is often one of a happy and confident cat. They also use their tails to rub against you when you arrive home after an absence or to communicate a need or want with you. On the other hand, if they are feeling threatened, the hair on the tail will fluff out and stand on end.

So, if your cat’s tail is limp, does this mean something is wrong? Potentially, but not always.

Is a Limp Tail Serious?

Physically being unable or unwilling to use or lift their tail needs investigation by your veterinarian as soon as you notice it to begin treatment. Below are five common explanations or scenarios for a floppy tail, some of which are more serious than others. But in any event, all require treatment and are a cause for concern.

The 5 Likely Reasons Your Cat Has a Limp in His Tail

1. Trauma

“Trauma” is a broad umbrella term covering many things, but trauma to the tail is one of the most common explanations for your cat not using this part of their spine.

Examples of trauma include:

Have a look at your cat’s tail and examine it for any wounds, markings, or odd positioning of bones and tissues. Apply first aid only if you are comfortable and knowledgeable in doing so, and then take your feline friend to the vet for assessment and treatment.

2. Fracture

Some of the reasons cited under trauma may indeed fracture (break) the tail. The tail is a continuation of the spine and forms part of the cat’s backbone. Lots of muscles and tendons are in this area too that can be damaged. An injury to the tail part of the spine, or the spine higher up, can cause your cat not to use their tail and for it to become limp. Your veterinarian will need to perform X-rays and further tests to assess the damage, begin the correct line of treatment, and find out if the use of the tail will return.

3. Dislocation

Dislocation of the vertebrae joints in the tail can happen in road traffic accidents as well as in yanking and pulling injuries. The force doesn’t break or crack the bone but separates one or more of the joints instead, causing pain, swelling, or lack of use.

4. Nerve Damage

Nerve damage created from fractures, dislocation, or avulsion injuries can all result in one or a few of the nerves being affected. Alternatively, nerve-related issues may occur due to other underlying health problems, causing the tail to be limp with a loss of sensation. Many nerves exist in the spinal area, and it is a complicated subject to investigate. The nerve damage may be temporary, meaning the use of the tail will return, or it may be permanent.

5. Abscess

These are exceptionally common in the feline community that spend time outside. They usually occur during fighting or in a standoff when one cat tries to run away from an aggressive cat or a bullying cat. The aggressor bites the tail or tail base of the runner, and due to the bacteria cats have in their mouths, an abscess can form.

This happens because the bacteria are left in the skin of the unfortunate party when the aggressor sinks their teeth into their skin. An abscess forms in response and will require treatment including antibiotics. A swollen, softish, painful area can usually be seen with puncture marks of the teeth. It may also be hot and oozing pus.

Conclusion

Tail injuries are very common in cats, and they will need to be looked at by a veterinarian in almost all cases. The severity of the injury and its effects, as you can appreciate, is vast, and the treatment and outlook will depend on the originating cause, the degree of damage subsequently caused, and the health status of your cat in general. Some cats will only require rest and medication, while others may require amputation, so always check in with your vet to be on the safe side!

Featured Image Credit: YULIYA Shustik, Shutterstock

The post My Cat Has a Limp Tail, What’s Wrong? 5 Vet-Reviewed Possible Issues by Annaliese Morgan 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.

Kittens are cute, fluffy, and fun but they grow up fast. Not only in terms of size and demonstrating more adult behavior traits, but also in mating habits. Sexual maturity and mating desires start early in the feline community.

The purpose of the reproduction cycle and its subsequent activities is to produce new kittens and thereby naturally maintain the feline species. Cats manage the mating process and all the aspects involved with it, for the most part, between themselves with little interference from humans. Unlike dogs, where humans often control or manage the breeding process more closely.

Male unneutered cats are known as toms, and on average you can expect your male cat to become sexually active and capable of impregnating a queen somewhere between 6–12 months old. But how will you know for sure when this is happening?

Physical Signs of a Sexually Active Male Cat

The first sign is seeing testicles. Testicles begin to be visibly noticeable around 2 months of age, as the testicles descend from the inside of the body into the scrotum. The small sacs on the outside of the body contain the testicles. You likely may not notice them until they are a little older and the testicles have grown in size also.

Occasionally, one or both of the testes do not follow this process (do not drop and remain inside the cat’s body). This is known as retained testicles (cryptorchidism) and can be unilateral (only one) or bilateral (both). Therefore, the presence of visible testes shouldn’t be relied upon as your only confirmation of a sexually active male cat.

A further sign you may notice, or smell, is your male cat’s urine. Once they have reached their sexually active age, an unneutered male cat’s urine turns potent and strong, with a distinctly unpleasant smell.

Other signs of a sexually active male cat relate more to their behavior, which we will discuss next.

Unneutered Male Cat Behavior

1. Yowling

Unneutered cats, when looking for a mate or calling out for one, elicit a distinct loud yowling noise. It can sound like they are distressed or about to have a scrap with another feline. However, this noise is perfectly normal and is a sign your male cat is sexually active and wants to find a female mate. Much like the smell of urine, once you have heard this yowling noise, it can’t be forgotten. Female cats also make a similar noise for the same reasons as the male feline.

2. Aggression and/or Fighting

Intact males become extremely territorial of their environment. This includes the home, the neighborhood, and any mate they are attracting or are around. Basically, anything they consider to be “theirs.” This guarding and protective behavior is primarily due to testosterone, the male hormone mainly produced in the testes.

During times when your male cat feels threatened or protective of their space, they may, and often do, turn aggressive. They can stare intently, hiss, growl, spit, bat their tails and paws, screech, bear teeth, as well as lurch to attack the other cat or threat. They may also be more aggressive to humans.

3. Urine Spraying and Odor

As mentioned, the smell or stench of tom cat urine is powerful. Unfortunately, in a bid to mark territory as “theirs,” attract another female, or ward off other male cats and threats, tom cats will spray their urine. This can often be in your house too, and they will keep returning to the same areas time and time again to urinate or spray because the scent from their original marking becomes ingrained into the surface easily. This makes matters worse and more difficult for you to clean and eliminate the smell from your home, and further advice should be sought on how to tackle this issue.

4. Roaming and Wandering

Roaming, and even disappearing for periods of time, are typical behaviors of the unneutered male cat. This behavior is common and carried out because they have picked up on the pheromones of a nearby female they are interested in. Once they have the scent, they must investigate and find her!

The problems associated with roaming are your cat’s safety and well-being. They can easily be involved in a road traffic accident, become trapped or locked in a space such as an outbuilding or garage, suffer injuries with no help around, or simply get lost.

Cats who are indoor-only cats will demonstrate roaming tendencies and behavior by scratching at the door and windows or trying to sneak out.

Should I Neuter My Male Cat?

The intact male cat can actually be a very unpleasant one. With their habits of roaming, aggression, urine marking, and spraying, you may wish to consider neutering them. Neutering, while not a guarantee to abolish all the said male behaviors, most likely will, as the main source of testosterone has been removed.

It is common practice and advisable to neuter your male cat as soon as they are old enough, usually before they reach sexual maturity, unless you are planning to use them for breeding.

Reasons to Neuter Your Male Cat

Conclusion

Even if one missed the development and showing of the male cat’s testicles (one of the first physical signs), the male cat’s behavior traits will soon alert you.

Sexually active male cats are noticeable and often more problematic than they are fun. Unless you are planning to breed your cat, neutering them is the better option, which can be discussed and organized with your veterinarian. Alternatively, you could discuss with your vet or a feline behaviorist how to handle and deal with a tom cat should you wish not to neuter them.

Featured Image Credit: Ibi-Eckert, Shutterstock

The post When Do Male Cats Become Sexually Active? Vet-Reviewed Signs & Recommendations by Annaliese Morgan 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.

Lilies are beautiful and fragrant flowers, seen in plenty of vases, bouquets, gardens, and displays around the world. Behind their beauty and grandeur, however, is a deadly toxin. Lilies are toxic to cats and must be avoided. This currently still unidentified toxin affects all cats, causing kidney failure if untreated¹. Cats and their curiosity are often drawn to these attractive flowers, but many pet parents may be unaware of just how toxic lilies are to cats. Dogs, humans, and other species don’t react in the same way to lilies or suffer the same devastating effects; the reasoning behind this is still unknown.

Click to skip ahead:

• What to Do
• Signs of Lily Poisoning
• Treatment
• Most Toxic Lilies

Which Parts of Lilies Are Toxic to Cats?

There are multiple varieties of lily. All species of the Lilium (true lily) and Hemerocallis (daylily) families are highly toxic and most dangerous to cats. All parts of these lilies are toxic, including the flower, petals, stem, leaves, pollen, and the water in the vase. Other lily varieties outside of these families are less toxic yet may still be harmful.  These include plant species with lily in their name, e.g. Peace lily (Spathiphyllum species). You can find a list of the most threatening species (those that cause kidney damage) and the less threatening (those that do not cause kidney damage but can cause gastrointestinal problems) at the end of this article.

A common way cats ingest the lily toxin is by brushing past one of the flowers. Then, pollen rubs onto their fur, which the cat later licks off and ingests. It has also been reported that some lilies are being sold and marketed as “pollen free” and safe for cats. This simply is not true, and the advice from veterinarians and professionals remains the same to owners of cats: Seek veterinary help if you suspect or know your cat has ingested any part of a lily, even if it’s a small amount. Refrain from keeping lilies in your home or garden if you have cats, and remove lilies from any bouquets or gifts you may receive.

What Should I Do if My Cat Eats a Lily?

Any part of the lily (belonging to the true lily and daylily families) is highly toxic, causing kidney damage to your kitty within 12-24 hours. If left untreated or if treatment is delayed, irreversible kidney failure can result.  Unfortunately this can lead to death  in as little as 3 days.

If your cat has eaten a lily or part of one, this is an emergency situation. Even if only a small amount has been licked or consumed, action needs to be taken immediately, or as quickly as possible, regardless of whether the incident occurs inside your vet’s regular operating hours or not.

If your cat has ingested any part of a lily from the true lily or daylily families, signs can be seen immediately, and these progress quickly, usually within hours. Kidney damage begins within 12–24 hours, and irreversible kidney failure follows within 24–72 hours if left untreated.

Signs of Lily Poisoning in Cats (with true lily and daylily species)

How Will My Vet Treat My Cat?

There is no antidote for the lily toxin, and time is of the essence in these cases. The treatment plan will vary on a case-by-case basis, depending on the time of ingestion, the type of lily eaten, the amount consumed, and your cat’s age and general health. In general, however, you can expect some or all of the following:

If treated quickly, promptly, and correctly, recovery and outlook for your cat can be good, although it has to be noted there are no guarantees this will occur, despite the treatment given. The sooner treatment is initiated, the better your cat’s chances will be.

If your cat does recover, it is possible kidney problems will develop later in life. Help is at hand, though, should this transpire in their older years. You may find your veterinarian continues to regularly check your cat throughout its life due to this reason.

Which Lilies Are Most Toxic to Cats?

According to the Food and Drug Administration  (FDA), these are the lily species that are more toxic to cats:

The below plants are not in the true lily or daylily families and therefore they do not cause kidney damage. However, then can still cause your cat to become very unwell if ingested. These plants include:

It is vital that you speak to your veterinarian immediately if you are concerned that your cat has eaten any of the above species.

Conclusion

Lilies are popular and stunning flowers to have in and around your home, but as we can now understand, their toxicity is high. The risk of death to your cat is equally high. Immediate veterinary help should be sought if you see your cat lick or eat any lily or as soon as you suspect or notice any of the above signs.

Featured Image Credit: Anne M Vallone, Shutterstock

The post My Cat Ate a Lily: Is It Dangerous? Vet Reviewed Symptoms & Treatments by Annaliese Morgan 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.