Albuquerque Journal Articles

Question: I have a cat who eats too fast and throws up. I bought a slow feeder bowl, but it doesn’t seem to be working. Are there any slow feeder bowls that are better than others, or should I try feeding him only wet food. Dr. Nichol: Bolting food and then vomiting are important symptoms. This is not a feline eating disorder. Something worrisome is going on. We shouldn’t just treat the symptoms. Your cat has an internal illness that is causing him to eat like a fiend and then toss his cookies. If he is over age 9, benign…

We have no idea who came up with the idea that cats have 9 lives but we know from research that they are inveterate survivors. A recent study published in Current Biology enlightened my brain on a sleeping survival adaptation. Lateralized Sleeping Positions in Domestic Cats by Sevim Isparta, et al, explained that the average cat sleeps 12-16 hours/day. That makes them vulnerable to predators 60-65% of their lives. A “leftward” posture is preferred by 2/3 of kitties so that when they wake up, they have an immediate, unobstructed view to the left. Their left brain recognizes a threat, allowing…

Don’t Let Your Cat Fool You Do you examine your cat’s mouth? That would mean putting him on a table under a bright light with an assistant gently holding his shoulders as you slowly open his mouth big enough to see all of his teeth. Actually, about the only time that really happens is during the annual physical exam. What? Your cat doesn’t see the doctor every year? Mmmm. Well, don’t feel bad. Pretty much everybody hates going to the doctor. There is a widespread disinformation campaign, surely promulgated by our cats, that they need little in the way of…

Question: I recently adopted a 1 1/2-year-old cat. She’s as sweet as can be but she defecates just outside the cat box on the floor so I named her Lou. She tries to cover it up but she’s pawing at the floor! She urinates in the box. I’ve tried different litters and different boxes but the behavior continues. There are 2 other cats in the house but they live in their own sunroom. Dr. Nichol: Your new kitty knows how fortunate she is in her new home but she needs to get her %$&# together. There can be a variety…

Question: A year ago I emailed you about Amber, my female cat. She had an ear mite infection and severely scratched the right side of her head. The veterinarian gave her an injection to kill the mites and steroid and antibiotic injections for the wound. The wound on her face is still a problem. Every time it heals and I remove the cone, Amber ends-up scratching it again, thusly requiring wound care and the cone.  After your response in the Albuquerque Journal, the veterinarian put Amber on a special diet for sensitive stomach and food/skin allergies. The results were negative.…