Section
Explore expert articles on cats with Vet Verified.
135 articles
Cats can suffer life-threatening heatstroke in hot cars within minutes, even when the weather feels mild. This guide explains why parked vehicles heat up so fast, the signs of overheating in cats, which cats are most at risk and why opening windows is not enough. Learn how to keep your cat safe during warm-weather travel, what to do if your cat overheats and why you should never leave a cat unattended in a parked car.
More in Cats
Learn about car sickness in cats, including common causes such as motion sickness and travel anxiety, signs like drooling, vomiting and vocalising, and simple ways to help. Find advice on secure carriers, calm car journeys, feeding before travel, gradual training and when to contact a vet for support.
Learn how to support a grieving cat after the death of another cat in the home. This guide covers signs of cat grief, including appetite loss, hiding, clinginess and behaviour changes, plus practical advice on keeping routines, offering comfort, monitoring health and knowing when to contact a vet.
Learn about diabetic ketoacidosis in cats, a life-threatening diabetes emergency caused by high ketone levels. Find out the warning signs, including vomiting, lethargy, poor appetite, dehydration and rapid breathing, plus how vets diagnose and treat DKA. Prompt veterinary care, regular insulin, steady feeding routines and close monitoring can help prevent this serious condition.
Diabetes in cats, or feline diabetes, is common in middle aged and older cats. Look for signs of diabetes in cats like drinking more, peeing more, eating more but losing weight, and being tired. Vets diagnose diabetes with blood and urine tests. Treatment for feline diabetes often needs daily insulin, a high protein low carbohydrate diet and weight management. Regular blood glucose monitoring, steady feeding times and a calm routine help keep blood sugar steady. Some cats can go into remission with early treatment and weight loss. Watch for low blood sugar or signs of diabetic ketoacidosis and contact your vet for sudden changes. With consistent care many cats live long, comfortable lives.
The archive
Hypoglycaemia in cats, or low blood sugar in cats, is serious and needs fast action. Glucose is the body fuel for the brain, and low levels cause weakness, wobbliness, confusion, tremors, seizures or collapse. Common causes are too much insulin in diabetic cats, missed or delayed meals, poor appetite, illness or liver problems, certain toxins and long fasting. Diabetic cats and kittens are at higher risk. If your cat can swallow, offer a small amount of food or smear a little honey or sugar on the gums. If the cat is unconscious do not force food, rub a small amount of sugar on the gums and phone your vet straight away. Prevent low blood sugar by keeping insulin and meals on a regular routine, watching appetite and behaviour, having a sugar source at home and checking kittens often. Seek emergency help for seizures, collapse or repeated episodes.
Cognitive decline in cats, often called feline cognitive dysfunction, is a brain condition seen in ageing cats. Signs of cognitive decline include confusion, getting lost in familiar places, staring, changes in sleep, increased night-time vocalisation, altered social behaviour and litter tray accidents. A vet will check behaviour and rule out other medical causes before diagnosing. You can help manage cognitive decline by keeping a steady routine, making the home easier to navigate, offering gentle mental stimulation and keeping up with health checks and diet. Seek veterinary advice for sudden or severe changes, frequent accidents or distress so you can protect your cat’s comfort and quality of life.
A simple, SEO friendly guide to cat care while on holiday. Choose the right option for your cat: boarding cattery, home visits, a live-in pet sitter or help from friends and family. Boarding catteries give regular feeding, cleaning and trained staff but can stress some cats because of a new place. Home visits let your cat stay in a familiar environment while a sitter feeds, cleans the litter and plays with them. A live-in sitter keeps routine and company for cats that do not cope well alone. To prepare your cat for holiday, make sure vaccinations are up to date, give flea and worm treatments, leave enough food and clear written care instructions, and update your microchip and contact details. Make the home comfortable with clean litter trays, fresh water, favourite sleeping spots, toys and items with your scent. Keep feeding times and daily routines the same to reduce cat stress and avoid long, dramatic goodbyes. Leave an emergency contact, your vet details and written permission for treatment. When you return, be patient while your cat readjusts; you may see extra affection or a short change in behaviour. Careful planning helps you enjoy your holiday while your cat stays safe and calm.
Cat boarding vs home visits: a simple guide to cat care while you are away. Boarding catteries offer individual pens, set feeding and cleaning, on-site staff and fast medical help, but new surroundings and other animals can stress some cats. Home visits by a pet sitter let your cat stay in its own home, keep its usual routine, lower infection risk and get personal attention during visits, but the cat is alone between visits and problems may go unnoticed. Choose based on your cat’s personality, health, age and routine, plus cost and home security. For longer trips you can mix options, such as cattery stays or live-in sitters, so your cat stays calm, healthy and safe.
Long-distance car travel with a cat is easier with simple planning. Key cat travel tips include choosing a sturdy, well ventilated carrier and securing it in the car, keeping the cabin cool to prevent overheating, managing feeding and water, and planning safe rest stops. Use familiar bedding and toys to reduce travel anxiety, keep music low and drive smoothly, and never let cats roam free in the vehicle. Pack food, litter, bowls, cleaning supplies, medicines and vet records, and use separate carriers for multiple cats. For travelling abroad with cats check microchipping, rabies rules and health certificates well in advance.
Cat obesity is common, especially in indoor cats. It happens when cats eat more calories than they burn. Common causes of cat obesity are overfeeding, too many treats, lack of play, neutering and age. Signs of an overweight cat include ribs that are hard to feel, no waist from above, a sagging belly, less interest in play and poor grooming. Weight management for cats focuses on measured portions, a vet-recommended diet, fewer treats, set feeding times and more play with toys and food puzzles. For weight loss for cats, work with your vet to rule out medical causes and set slow, safe targets while tracking weight. Prevent obesity by feeding a balanced diet, playing daily and keeping indoor cats mentally and physically active.
Travelling with a cat by car can be stressful but safe with the right steps. In the UK the Highway Code says pets must be suitably restrained so they do not distract the driver. Use a sturdy cat carrier that is well ventilated and large enough for turning, and secure it with a seat belt so it cannot slide or tip. Never let a cat roam loose in the car or open the carrier near open doors. Prepare by leaving the carrier out at home, adding familiar bedding and smells, checking microchip and ID, and packing water, food and any medicines. For long journeys plan rest breaks, watch for motion sickness and avoid leaving your cat in a hot car because heatstroke can be fatal. Talk to your vet about a health check and calming options for anxious cats. Careful planning, calm driving and a secure carrier make car travel safer for both cat and driver.
Other sections