Our Sick Little Cat Is Well Again

 Our Sick Little Cat Is Well Again

It was a rough week, starting on Labor Day when our oldest cat, Emily, got sick. She had liquid diarrhea and was pooping and peeing all over the house. The biggest problem was getting an appointment with our regular vet. I thought I knew what made her sick, so I stopped giving her the liquid cat tooth cleaner, but she still didn’t get better. Tuesday came, and the vet had no openings at all.

Finally, one of the ladies at the front desk suggested a bland diet. I asked her, “Well, what’s a bland diet for a cat? I can’t give her sports drinks.” Luckily, she was kind enough to consult a vet about what I should feed her. She got us some special canned food for cats with diarrhea, and over the week, Emily got better and better. We still took her to see her regular doctor on Saturday. She was doing better, but she was dehydrated, so she had to be put on an IV for fluids for a while. She is fine now, stealing food from her roommate, Athena, and sleeping comfortably with our son.

It seems that products designed to keep cats' teeth clean and improve their breath aren’t always suitable for every cat. Our vet gave us a list of treats that actually work based on testing by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC). They award the VOHC Seal of Acceptance to specific treats, diets, toothpastes, and water additives scientifically proven to reduce plaque, tartar, or both by at least 20%.

We chose one of the approved options, but Emily refused to eat it—even after I hid it inside a treat that smelled like bacon. It smelled so good I almost wanted to eat it myself! When that didn't work, I tried Feline Greenies. She liked them, but the feeding guidelines recommended 16 treats a day. Emily only weighs seven pounds and eats half a can of food twice a day. Feeding her 16 Greenies made her lose her appetite. No dental product can replace proper nourishment, and cats still need to eat their regular food to stay healthy.

Next, I tried a green liquid tooth cleaner mixed into a creamy cat treat, but that made her very ill. Her little tummy just couldn’t handle it.

You might be asking, “Why didn’t you just have the vet clean her teeth?” Unlike humans, cats won't nicely open their mouths and hold still for a dental cleaning. They have to be put under anesthesia, which is extremely dangerous for older cats. Put simply, putting a cat of her age under anesthesia is a death sentence. That is why we took the route of finding the right dental treat or liquid instead.

The vet finally decided we should stick with Greenies, but instead of 16 a day, we will only give her four to six.

To all of our viewers: take care when introducing recommended dental products, and watch closely to make sure your cat doesn’t get sick from them.

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How I Finally Calmed My Agitated Cat (and What Her Behavior Taught Me)

 

How I Finally Calmed My Agitated Cat (and What Her Behavior Taught Me)

In this blog post, I will explain what was happening with my cat, Polaris, and what might have changed her personality. I’ll also discuss how to create a happy environment for a developing kitten, the specific behaviors of an agitated cat, and what worked for me—including vet-recommended solutions—to calm her down.

Understanding the Breed Mix

First, let me explain Polaris's background. She is a female mix: her father was a Siamese and her mother was an Orange Tabby.

Siamese Personality Most breeders describe the personality of Siamese cats as highly social, extroverted, and outgoing. They show immense loyalty and, like dogs, form strong bonds with humans. As their owner, you might find them constantly following you around and demanding your attention. Siamese cats are notoriously vocal and noisy. Due to their loud, low-pitched voice, they're often fondly called "meezers." Many owners report how these cats keep "talking" with them as if they share a common language and, at times, even scold them if they think they're being ignored.

Orange Tabby Personality National Geographic has found that personality can be tied to a cat's fur color, and orange cats were found to be the most gregarious. They both purr and meow a lot and will always want to be near their favorite human. They are known for being very affectionate and not shy at all about expressing themselves. However, while ginger cats have a reputation for being friendly yet on the lazy side, the truth is that their early socialization with people and other cats affects their personality more than anything else.

When the "Switch" Flipped

Polaris came to us as a kitten from a neighbor. When we got her, she was active, very playful, and showed extreme intelligence. She got along with all the other cats and played with all of them too. She was wonderful—until she reached four years of age.

It was like a switch was toggled on and she became very violent overnight. Polaris used to stay in our son’s room with Emily, Lily, and Athena. Eventually, we gave Lily and Polaris their own room at night to give everyone more space. Before the age of four, Lily and Polaris got along very well, but age four was when Polaris matured. When that switch happened, she stopped liking other cats; she even started fighting with Lily, the very roommate she lived with.

I took Polaris to the vet because physical illness can often cause sudden aggression. The vet ran blood tests and Polaris got a clean bill of health.

The Escalation

The vet told us we could use calming medications and pheromones. While we waited for them to arrive, Polaris attacked Emily, our oldest cat, while she was in my wife's arms. My wife took a bad scratch on her ankle that had to be sewn up, and she was only saved because our Norwegian Forest Cat, Daisy—who is as large as Polaris and semi-feral—intervened.

A second time, when my wife opened the door just a crack to check if Polaris and Lily needed water in their room, Polaris slammed the door open and ran after Emily. My poor wife was running and yelling, and Daisy saved Emily again. Poor Emily was on her side while Polaris cowered in a corner because Daisy had put her in her place. Daisy stayed there protecting Emily until my wife could get her to safety.

Our New Safety Rules

After that incident, we established strict safety rules:

1. Total Separation: Polaris must never see Emily again for the rest of her life.

2. The Lock Protocol: Polaris and Lily’s door stays locked unless Emily is safely locked in her own room. Only then can the door be opened.

3. Medical Support: We found that a combination of five calming treats twice a day and pheromone sprays three times a day in their room worked. Polaris finally calmed down.

Signs of an "Activated" Cat

When Polaris was in her "protect me" mode, her behavior was very strange:

• Refusing Comfort: She wouldn't sleep on her favorite soft bag bed.

• High Ground: She liked being high up, but when upset, she climbed even higher, perching on a hard box with metal objects in it.

• Hyper-Vigilance: She never relaxed. It was like she was "turned on" 24/7, ready to attack or survive.

Healing Through Understanding

We believe Polaris became this way because of her early life. The family we got her from left the kittens in a garage with a six-inch gap at the bottom. Living in the countryside near wooded areas, tomcats, raccoons, and weasels could easily get inside.

Imagine a kitten hiding behind boxes in fear, watching its mother fight daily to protect herself. Imagine a kitten who got little human interaction beyond being given food and water. By the time Polaris grew up, her brain was hard-wired to believe the world is a dangerous place where everyone is out to cause harm.

Polaris Today

It took over a year, but Polaris is now much calmer. We still never let her see Emily, and it doesn't matter why Emily triggers her; to keep our oldest cat safe and to allow Polaris her right to live, they must stay separated. At least now she is peaceful with her roommate, Lily, and she hasn’t caused my wife any more harm. She isn't as playful as she used to be and mostly prefers her safe room, but she is in her forever home where she is loved.

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Resources

• Siamese Cat Traits: WebMD - What to Know About a Siamese Cat

• Orange Tabby Personalities: Feline Living - Orange Tabby Cats

• Cat Anxiety Explained: Better Cat Behavior - Cat Behavior 101

• Managing Aggression: PetMD - Cat Aggression, Fighting, and Biting

“Emily’s Vet Visit: Urinary Infection in our Older Cat and How We Managed It”

 

“Emily’s Vet Visit: Urinary Infection in our Older Cat and How We Managed It”

Emily doing her Audrey Hepburn pose!

Emily's Vet Visit: Urinary Infection in Our Older Cat and How We Managed It

While taking Daisy to her vet visit, I noticed a poster in the clinic's exam room recommending

routine blood and urine tests for older cats. Since Emily is our oldest cat, I decided it would be a

good idea to have her checked as well.

One of my main concerns was thyroid problems, as these are quite common in older cats.

Fortunately, Emily’s blood test came back perfectly fine! However, her urine test revealed a

urinary infection. The vet prescribed an antibacterial medication for her. Since Emily is very

small, the vet cut the pills into quarters and also provided a large syringe for giving liquid or

creamy medications.

Here’s what worked for us when giving her the medication:

We crushed a quarter of a pill into powder.

We put some of Emily's favorite creamy treat in the syringe, then the powdered medication,

and finally more treat on top.

We gave it to her gently in her mouth. Emily happily ate it all!

What Causes Urinary Infections in Cats

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) happen when bacteria enter the urinary system. We learned that

common causes can include bacterial infections, crystals or bladder stones, and underlying

medical conditions like diabetes. Stress can also weaken the immune system, making cats more

vulnerable.

Why Older Cats Get UTIs More Often

Older cats are more susceptible due to several factors. Their immune systems can be weaker

with age, making it harder to fight off infections. They may also not fully empty their bladders,

and chronic conditions can increase the risk of infection.

How to Help Prevent Urinary Infections

While infections can't always be prevented, you can reduce the risk. Our vet gave us a few tips:

Ensure your cat always has access to fresh water; a cat fountain can encourage drinking.

Feed them a wet food diet, which increases their water intake.

Keep their litter box clean, especially if you have multiple cats.

Get regular vet check-ups to catch any problems early.

Manage their weight and reduce stress to support their immune system.

A note about urine collection: our vet explained that they use an ultrasound and a needle to get

a clean, non-contaminated sample. Some cats may have mild discomfort afterward. Emily did

have some discomfort the day after her visit, but after covering her with a blanket and sitting

with her for a while, she finally relaxed and went to sleep.

We are not vets, so this is just our experience and research to help other cat owners. If your cat

shows any unusual symptoms, always consult your veterinarian.

We were able to find the creamy treats and the syringe tools we used for Emily on Amazon. We

are not Amazon affiliates, just sharing where we found the items that worked for us.

References

PetMD. "Urinary Tract Infection in Cats."

WebMD. "Cat Hyperthyroidism."

ASPCA. "Urinary Health in Cats."

VCA Animal Hospitals. "Cystocentesis (Bladder Tap) in Cats."