September 1, 2009

Dear Obie,
I have three cats and I am thinking about buying a parakeet. I had a parakeet as a child and really miss having a bird in the house, but I'm not sure how my cats will react. Will they accept the bird? Will they attack it? Can cats and birds live in the same house?
Signed, Gloria
Keizer, Oregon

Dear Gloria,
It is very difficult to judge whether your cats will accept a bird into your house, since all cats are different. Some cats will accept a bird with no problems or concerns, while others can not suppress their instincts and will always view birds as potential prey.

Many people who attempt to mix cats and birds in the same house will take steps to keep the animals separate from each other. Keeping the birds on a screened porch or in their own room is one possibility, though that often means less interaction with you. Another possibility is to install a hook in the ceiling and hang the cage from the hook, keeping the bird out of the cat's reach. If your cat is well-behaved, hanging the cage from a stand will work, but in many cases a cat can knock over a cage-stand and reach the bird.

Never forget that we cats are predators. It is in our nature to hunt. Birds are one of our favorite prey animals. I love to sit in the window and watch the birds outside, and a part of me wants to chase them, but as an indoor cat I can not follow that instinct. And that is a good thing. Cats that kill birds are a threat to the natural balance of nature. I know this. But it still doesn't change my instincts!

Unfortunately, the only way to really know how your cats will react to a bird is to bring a bird into your house. That isn't the best solution, especially if it doesn't work out and you have to return the bird, but in reality there is no other way to know. Take heart in the knowledge that, in many cases and with the proper precautions and diligence on your part, cats and birds can live together in harmony.

Thanks for your email,
Your friend, Obie

*****

Dear Obie,
Do cats have heart attacks?
Signed, Shay
Dallas, Oregon

Dear Shay,
In truth, any living being with a heart can have a heart attack, even cats! Heart attacks are not nearly as common in cats as in humans, mainly due to the fact that most cat owners take better care of their cat's health than they do their own! Heart attacks and heart disease in humans can mainly be attributed to diet, and, luckily, most cat foods are low in the ingredients that cause heart disease. Hereditary diseases can also lead to heart problems, and those are the leading cause of heart attacks in cats.

Cardiomyopathy is the term used to describe diseases that affects heart muscles. Cats, for the most part, develop one of three heart diseases: dilated cardiomyopathy, restrictive cardiomyopathy, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. While different, each disease affects the heart by interrupting the amount of blood that the heart can pump to the body.

Dilated cardiomyopathy is when the chambers of the heart become large and dilated. When this happens, the heart muscle is weakened and can not pump the blood the body needs to survive. Restrictive cardiomyopathy is when the walls of the cat's heart develop fibrosis, which is the replacement of normal heart tissue with scar tissue. Scar tissue is thicker and harder than normal tissue, which causes the heart to work harder to pump blood. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common heart disease in cats, and it occurs when the lower left chamber of the heart, called the left ventricle, thickens and stiffens, while the top left chamber, the left atrium, enlarges. When the left ventricle thickens, it does not allow as much blood to enter the chamber. When that happens, less blood is pumped to the body, and the heart itself demands more oxygen to function. If the heart can not get the oxygen it needs, there are big problems!

Cats can have heart disease for many years before it becomes severe enough to cause heart failure. Potential symptoms that might point to heart disease are excessive vomiting, difficulty breathing, anorexia, coughing, panting when engaged in any activity, weight loss, and lethargy. Some cats may become paralyzed in their hind legs due to blood clots associated with heart disease. If you see any of these happening with your cat, please get him or her to your vet immediately!

Early identification of heart disease is vitally important for the long-term health of your cat. Heart disease discovered early in its development can be controlled through diet and medication, and the cat can lead a long and happy life. Cats more severly affected may require oxygen therapy and will need to be kept in a quiet, stress-free environment.

In all cases, working closely with your vet to diagnose and treat potential heart problems is the key to keeping your cat healthy and happy. Regular vet visits and physicals will potentially catch heart problems in their beginning stages.

Thanks for the email,
Your friend, Obie

*****

"There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast."
-Anonymous

"In a cat's eyes, everything belongs to the cat."
-Anonymous

"As every cat owner knows, nobody owns a cat."
-Ellen Perry Berkeley

*****

Please remember I am a cat. I am not a vet. Always consult with your vet when you have any questions or concerns about your cat's health. And please visit my human's website at donamiet.com. Have a great day!