# Cat Health and Nutrition **URL:** https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/c/cat-health/11.md [Latest](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/tags.md) --- ## [About the Cat Health and Nutrition category](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/about-the-cat-health-and-nutrition-category/24)
**Author:** [@Anton](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/u/Anton)\ **Replies:** 0
As cat lovers we want to give our kitties the best care possible to ensure they are happy and healthy. This category is for questions and topics related to cat health practices, diseases and issues, cat food, diet and fe… --- ## [How often should long-haired cats be professionally groomed?](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/how-often-should-long-haired-cats-be-professionally-groomed/3646)
**Author:** [@fluffies](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/u/fluffies)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2026, 2:33pm UTC](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/how-often-should-long-haired-cats-be-professionally-groomed/3646 "2026-10-28T14:33:38Z")
I’m interested in how often long-haired cats should be professionally groomed, especially in hot or dusty climates. Some cats develop tangles and mats quickly even with regular brushing at home. How often do you brush y… --- ## [How often should indoor cats be professionally groomed?](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/how-often-should-indoor-cats-be-professionally-groomed/3606)
**Author:** [@fluffies](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/u/fluffies)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2026, 2:32pm UTC](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/how-often-should-indoor-cats-be-professionally-groomed/3606 "2026-10-28T14:32:52Z")
Hi everyone, I’m curious about how other cat owners manage their cat’s grooming routine. For indoor cats, how often do you brush their coat, trim their nails, clean around their ears, or arrange professional grooming? I… --- ## [Cat Breathing Fast? Normal Rates and When to Worry](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/cat-breathing-fast-normal-rates-and-when-to-worry/3718)
**Author:** [@CatLady6](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/u/CatLady6)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2026, 2:11am UTC](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/cat-breathing-fast-normal-rates-and-when-to-worry/3718 "2026-10-22T02:11:54Z")
A healthy adult cat sleeping or resting quietly breathes roughly 15 to 30 times a minute, with a chest that moves gently and a mouth that stays closed. If your cat is breathing faster than that while asleep, or workin… --- ## [Hairballs in Cats: What's Normal and When to Worry](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/hairballs-in-cats-whats-normal-and-when-to-worry/3677)
**Author:** [@CatLady6](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/u/CatLady6)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2026, 2:08am UTC](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/hairballs-in-cats-whats-normal-and-when-to-worry/3677 "2026-09-30T02:08:43Z")
Occasional hairballs are common and usually harmless. A cat who brings one up every few weeks is typically fine. But frequent hairballs, repeated retching with nothing coming up, or a cat who stops eating are worth ta… --- ## [Why Is My Cat Having a Seizure? Causes and What to Do](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/why-is-my-cat-having-a-seizure-causes-and-what-to-do/3661)
**Author:** [@CatLady6](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/u/CatLady6)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2026, 2:11am UTC](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/why-is-my-cat-having-a-seizure-causes-and-what-to-do/3661 "2026-09-23T02:11:06Z")
If your cat suddenly collapses, goes rigid, paddles their legs, or loses control of their bladder for a minute or two, you’re likely watching a seizure. It’s frightening to witness, but the immediate steps are simple:… --- ## [Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP): Symptoms and Treatment](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/feline-infectious-peritonitis-fip-symptoms-and-treatment/3640)
**Author:** [@CatLady6](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/u/CatLady6)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2026, 2:07am UTC](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/feline-infectious-peritonitis-fip-symptoms-and-treatment/3640 "2026-09-14T02:07:48Z")
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) used to be a near-automatic death sentence. That’s no longer true. FIP is caused by a mutated strain of feline coronavirus, and while it’s still serious and requires prompt veterina… --- ## [Cat Ear Hematomas: Causes, Treatment, and What to Expect](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/cat-ear-hematomas-causes-treatment-and-what-to-expect/3626)
**Author:** [@CatLady6](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/u/CatLady6)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2026, 2:05am UTC](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/cat-ear-hematomas-causes-treatment-and-what-to-expect/3626 "2026-09-07T02:05:42Z")
A cat ear hematoma is a pocket of blood that collects between the skin and cartilage of the ear flap, usually because the cat has been shaking its head or scratching at an itchy ear hard enough to burst a small blood … --- ## [Hepatic Lipidosis in Cats: Why Skipping Meals Can Be Dangerous](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/hepatic-lipidosis-in-cats-why-skipping-meals-can-be-dangerous/3617)
**Author:** [@CatLady6](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/u/CatLady6)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2026, 2:07am UTC](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/hepatic-lipidosis-in-cats-why-skipping-meals-can-be-dangerous/3617 "2026-09-02T02:07:08Z")
Hepatic lipidosis — often called “fatty liver disease” — is one of the few feline health emergencies that can be triggered by something as ordinary as a cat skipping meals for a few days. Unlike most mammals, cats can… --- ## [Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Cats: Symptoms and Treatment](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/inflammatory-bowel-disease-in-cats-symptoms-and-treatment/3600)
**Author:** [@CatLady6](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/u/CatLady6)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2026, 2:08am UTC](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/inflammatory-bowel-disease-in-cats-symptoms-and-treatment/3600 "2026-08-27T02:08:03Z")
If your cat has had off-and-on vomiting or soft stool for months — not sick enough to panic, but never quite normal either — inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is one of the most common explanations a vet will investiga… --- ## [Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome: Why Your Cat's Skin Ripples](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/feline-hyperesthesia-syndrome-why-your-cats-skin-ripples/3585)
**Author:** [@CatLady6](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/u/CatLady6)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2026, 2:09am UTC](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/feline-hyperesthesia-syndrome-why-your-cats-skin-ripples/3585 "2026-08-20T02:09:53Z")
Feline hyperesthesia syndrome (FHS) is a real, if poorly understood, condition where the skin along a cat’s back — usually from the shoulder blades to the base of the tail — suddenly ripples, twitches, or rolls, often… --- ## [Feline Leukemia (FeLV): Symptoms, Spread, and Prevention](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/feline-leukemia-felv-symptoms-spread-and-prevention/3571)
**Author:** [@CatLady6](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/u/CatLady6)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2026, 2:08am UTC](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/feline-leukemia-felv-symptoms-spread-and-prevention/3571 "2026-08-13T02:08:08Z")
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) spreads through prolonged, close contact between cats — mutual grooming, shared food bowls, bite wounds, a mother cat nursing kittens — not through a single sniff at the fence or a quick h… --- ## [Upper Respiratory Infections in Cats: Symptoms and Treatment](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/upper-respiratory-infections-in-cats-symptoms-and-treatment/3565)
**Author:** [@CatLady6](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/u/CatLady6)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2026, 2:08am UTC](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/upper-respiratory-infections-in-cats-symptoms-and-treatment/3565 "2026-08-10T02:08:48Z")
Upper Respiratory Infections in Cats: Symptoms and Treatment Sneezing, watery eyes, and a cat who suddenly turns their nose up at food — upper respiratory infections (URIs) are one of the most common reasons cats end … --- ## [Can Cats Get Sunburned? Risks for Light-Colored Cats](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/can-cats-get-sunburned-risks-for-light-colored-cats/3563)
**Author:** [@CatLady6](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/u/CatLady6)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2026, 2:08am UTC](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/can-cats-get-sunburned-risks-for-light-colored-cats/3563 "2026-08-09T02:08:02Z")
Cats get sunburned. Yes, really — and it’s not a minor issue: repeated sun damage on a cat’s ears, nose, or eyelids is the leading cause of one of the most common skin cancers in cats. If your cat is white, has pink s… --- ## [Heart Disease in Cats: Signs of HCM Every Owner Should Know](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/heart-disease-in-cats-signs-of-hcm-every-owner-should-know/3557)
**Author:** [@CatLady6](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/u/CatLady6)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2026, 2:07am UTC](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/heart-disease-in-cats-signs-of-hcm-every-owner-should-know/3557 "2026-08-06T02:07:42Z")
Cats hide heart disease well — often too well. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the most common heart disease in cats, can progress for years with no outward signs at all, then show up as sudden collapse or labored … --- ## [Cat Diarrhea: Causes, Home Care, and When to See a Vet](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/cat-diarrhea-causes-home-care-and-when-to-see-a-vet/3539)
**Author:** [@CatLady6](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/u/CatLady6)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2026, 2:11am UTC](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/cat-diarrhea-causes-home-care-and-when-to-see-a-vet/3539 "2026-07-28T02:11:08Z")
Most cases of cat diarrhea clear up on their own within a day or two and trace back to something simple — a food switch, a stolen bite of something they shouldn’t have had, or stress. The exceptions are what matter: d… --- ## [Cat Constipation: Causes, Home Care, and When to See a Vet](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/cat-constipation-causes-home-care-and-when-to-see-a-vet/3531)
**Author:** [@CatLady6](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/u/CatLady6)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2026, 2:07am UTC](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/cat-constipation-causes-home-care-and-when-to-see-a-vet/3531 "2026-07-24T02:07:42Z")
Most constipated cats are dealing with something mild — dehydration, a hairball backup, or a diet change — and they’re back to normal within a day or two once they’re drinking more and moving their bowels regularly ag… --- ## [Cat Ear Infections: Signs, Causes, and When to See a Vet](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/cat-ear-infections-signs-causes-and-when-to-see-a-vet/3515)
**Author:** [@CatLady6](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/u/CatLady6)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2026, 2:06am UTC](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/cat-ear-infections-signs-causes-and-when-to-see-a-vet/3515 "2026-07-16T02:06:24Z")
Ear infections in cats usually show up as head shaking, scratching at one ear, and a smell you notice before you see anything. Unlike ear mites — which are a contagious parasite — most cat ear infections are caused by… --- ## [Ear Mites in Cats: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/ear-mites-in-cats-symptoms-diagnosis-and-treatment/3512)
**Author:** [@CatLady6](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/u/CatLady6)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2026, 2:07am UTC](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/ear-mites-in-cats-symptoms-diagnosis-and-treatment/3512 "2026-07-14T02:07:46Z")
Ear mites are a highly contagious parasite that lives in a cat’s ear canal, causing intense itching, dark crumbly discharge, and — left untreated — secondary infections that can affect hearing. They’re diagnosed with … --- ## [Feline Asthma: Symptoms, Triggers, and Treatment](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/feline-asthma-symptoms-triggers-and-treatment/3507)
**Author:** [@CatLady6](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/u/CatLady6)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2026, 2:07am UTC](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/feline-asthma-symptoms-triggers-and-treatment/3507 "2026-07-12T02:07:53Z")
A cat crouched low with its neck stretched out, coughing in short, hacking bursts, is often mistaken for a cat trying to bring up a hairball. If it’s happening repeatedly and nothing comes up, feline asthma is a real … --- ## [Pancreatitis in Cats: Signs, Causes, and Treatment](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/pancreatitis-in-cats-signs-causes-and-treatment/3498)
**Author:** [@CatLady6](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/u/CatLady6)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2026, 2:07am UTC](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/pancreatitis-in-cats-signs-causes-and-treatment/3498 "2026-07-08T02:07:09Z")
Pancreatitis in cats usually shows up as vague, easy-to-miss symptoms — a cat who’s quieter than usual, skipping meals, maybe hunching a little — rather than the dramatic vomiting you’d see in a dog with the same cond… --- ## [Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD): Symptoms and Treatment](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/feline-lower-urinary-tract-disease-flutd-symptoms-and-treatment/3492)
**Author:** [@CatLady6](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/u/CatLady6)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2026, 2:06am UTC](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/feline-lower-urinary-tract-disease-flutd-symptoms-and-treatment/3492 "2026-07-05T02:06:45Z")
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) isn’t one disease — it’s an umbrella term for a group of conditions that all show up the same way: straining to pee, peeing in odd places, blood in the urine, or a cat that w… --- ## [Food Allergies in Cats: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/food-allergies-in-cats-symptoms-diagnosis-and-treatment/3486)
**Author:** [@CatLady6](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/u/CatLady6)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2026, 2:08am UTC](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/food-allergies-in-cats-symptoms-diagnosis-and-treatment/3486 "2026-07-02T02:08:16Z")
If your cat is scratching constantly, has ear infections that won’t quit, or keeps throwing up despite trying three different foods, a true food allergy is one of the more likely explanations — and it’s also one of th… --- ## [How to Find a Good Vet: What to Look For (And Red Flags to Avoid)](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/how-to-find-a-good-vet-what-to-look-for-and-red-flags-to-avoid/3471)
**Author:** [@CatLady6](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/u/CatLady6)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2026, 2:18am UTC](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/how-to-find-a-good-vet-what-to-look-for-and-red-flags-to-avoid/3471 "2026-06-24T02:18:29Z")
Finding the right vet is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a cat owner — and it’s not just about geographic convenience. The right vet relationship means better care when something’s wrong, a cat who … --- ## [How to Tell If Your Cat Is in Pain: Signs Every Owner Should Know](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/how-to-tell-if-your-cat-is-in-pain-signs-every-owner-should-know/3460)
**Author:** [@CatLady6](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/u/CatLady6)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2026, 2:16am UTC](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/how-to-tell-if-your-cat-is-in-pain-signs-every-owner-should-know/3460 "2026-06-19T02:16:02Z")
Cats are masters of hiding pain. Evolutionarily, showing weakness attracts predators, so cats suppress signs of discomfort in ways that would never work for dogs. The result: a cat can be in significant pain while app… --- ## [How Often Should You Take Your Cat to the Vet? A Life-Stage Guide](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/how-often-should-you-take-your-cat-to-the-vet-a-life-stage-guide/3458)
**Author:** [@CatLady6](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/u/CatLady6)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2026, 2:13am UTC](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/how-often-should-you-take-your-cat-to-the-vet-a-life-stage-guide/3458 "2026-06-18T02:13:25Z")
Vets don’t agree on exactly how often healthy cats need checkups — but there’s clear consensus on one thing: most cat owners wait too long. Here’s the schedule that veterinary bodies actually recommend, broken down by… --- ## [Ringworm in Cats: What It Actually Is and How to Treat It](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/ringworm-in-cats-what-it-actually-is-and-how-to-treat-it/3452)
**Author:** [@CatLady6](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/u/CatLady6)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2026, 2:11am UTC](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/ringworm-in-cats-what-it-actually-is-and-how-to-treat-it/3452 "2026-06-15T02:11:38Z")
Ringworm sounds worse than it is. It’s not a worm — it’s a fungal infection that’s very treatable, and most healthy adult cats recover fully. What it is, though, is contagious. It spreads easily to other cats, dogs, a… --- ## [Raw Feeding for Cats: Benefits, Risks, and What Vets Actually Think](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/raw-feeding-for-cats-benefits-risks-and-what-vets-actually-think/3415)
**Author:** [@CatLady6](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/u/CatLady6)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2026, 9:10am UTC](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/raw-feeding-for-cats-benefits-risks-and-what-vets-actually-think/3415 "2026-05-29T09:10:29Z")
Raw feeding for cats is one of the most debated topics in feline nutrition — and the internet doesn’t help. Advocates swear it transformed their cat’s coat, energy, and digestion. Veterinary organisations flag real sa… --- ## [Cat Eye Discharge: What's Normal, What Needs a Vet](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/cat-eye-discharge-whats-normal-what-needs-a-vet/3413)
**Author:** [@CatLady6](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/u/CatLady6)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2026, 9:09am UTC](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/cat-eye-discharge-whats-normal-what-needs-a-vet/3413 "2026-05-28T09:09:23Z")
Not all eye discharge means something is wrong. A small amount of clear or rust-brown crust at the inner corner of your cat’s eye is usually just dried tears — harmless and easy to wipe away. Yellow or green discharge… --- ## [Should You Spay or Neuter Your Cat? What the Evidence Says](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/should-you-spay-or-neuter-your-cat-what-the-evidence-says/3412)
**Author:** [@CatLady6](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/u/CatLady6)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2026, 9:12am UTC](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/t/should-you-spay-or-neuter-your-cat-what-the-evidence-says/3412 "2026-05-27T09:12:58Z")
The evidence on spaying and neutering cats is about as settled as veterinary science gets. For the vast majority of owned cats, the procedure significantly reduces the risk of several serious diseases, eliminates the … [Next page](https://forum.oscillotamerica.com/c/cat-health/11.md?page=1)