Pet care

Why do cats become overweight?

Cats put on too much weight when their diet, or the amount they eat, is not matched to how much they move. 

When a cat takes in a lot of calories and moves little, it is obvious that the excess will be stored as body fat. Indoor cats, and cats that spend most of the day alone in a flat or house, are more prone to obesity. Another cause can be a hormonal imbalance. 

How can you prevent obesity in cats?

There are several ways to keep a cat in good physical shape, including:

• giving an indoor cat plenty of exercise, for example through play or by taking it for walks in a harness 
• consulting a nutritionist, who can work out the calorie requirements of your particular cat, taking into account its lifestyle and any illnesses or allergies
• giving your cat company, for example by adopting a second cat, so that the two of them interact while you are away

What is howling? 

Howling is a long, drawn-out sound of varying pitch that a dog makes. It is a form of communication with other members of the species, inherited from wolves. The way a dog howls, and how often, depends on its emotions. 

Why do dogs howl?

Dogs howl to communicate with us and with other dogs and to express their needs. Among other things, they do it when they: 

• want to get another dog’s attention
• feel anxious and uncomfortable about being left alone 
• are in pain or otherwise uncomfortable 

If you notice your dog whimpering, that is, making short sounds that resemble howling, it is a sign that it is in pain! 

How can you stop a dog from howling?

Once health problems have been ruled out and you know that nothing is physically wrong with your dog, it is worth seeking help from a behaviourist, who will give you valuable guidance on helping your dog manage its emotions. 

What is epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a fairly common neurological condition that affects both dogs and cats.  Abnormal electrical activity in the brain triggers a seizure. Seizures vary in severity but usually produce similar signs. Animals of any breed, age or size can develop the condition. Bear in mind that it is incurable. 

Which animals can develop epilepsy?

Unfortunately, epilepsy occurs in all animals and does not have to depend on anything in particular. It usually appears after the first year of life, but this is not a rule. Epilepsy can follow another illness or an injury, or it can arise on its own, in which case it is called idiopathic, meaning we do not know its exact cause. Early research into whether the condition is hereditary is under way, but at this stage it is not possible to say for certain whether the disease is genetic.

What are the symptoms of epilepsy?

Depending on its severity, the condition may cause very subtle signs or, in advanced cases, frequent, prolonged and easily noticeable episodes. 

A seizure has several phases:

• before the seizure, the animal may seem restless, may drool, and may either seek out its owner or, on the contrary, look for somewhere to hide
• the seizure itself depends on the stage of the disease and may involve muscle twitching, stiffening of the whole body, clenched jaws, loss of consciousness, and uncontrolled movements of the body and eyes  
• after the seizure, the animal may not be aware of what has happened and may be exhausted by the muscle spasms 

The seizure itself usually lasts from ten-odd seconds to as long as several minutes. Seizures in the same animal can differ from one another. Their appearance and frequency may change depending on whether the animal is being treated. 

How is epilepsy diagnosed in animals?

If you notice worrying signs, you should see a veterinarian, ideally a neurologist, to have the condition diagnosed. It is worth preparing for the visit; we described this in detail in our article on neurological examinations. 

Diagnosis is based on a clinical examination, blood test results and an MRI scan. 

How is epilepsy treated?

First of all, it must be stressed that the disease is incurable. Proper care from the owner and well-chosen medication can, however, greatly improve the quality of life of an affected animal. Treatment mainly involves reducing the electrical activity in the brain with carefully selected drugs that do not interfere with the dog’s or cat’s normal functioning. With the right treatment, seizures can become less frequent. Both the drugs and their doses are tailored to the individual patient. 

What should you do during a seizure?

During the seizure itself, the owner’s response is extremely important. What you should do:

• stay calm! Do not add any extra stimuli that could intensify or prolong the seizure
• turn off the lights and any music
• remove any dangerous objects from the area, cover sharp edges or move furniture out of the animal’s reach  
• do not restrain the animal by force; this only adds unnecessary stimuli and could put you or your pet in danger 
• note how long the seizure lasts; this will be important for the veterinarian 

The seizure itself is unlikely to be painful, but afterwards the animal may be exhausted by the sudden and very strong muscle contractions. Once it is over, give your pet a quiet, peaceful place to recover.