As pets are living longer and longer, they become vulnerable to some of the same health issues as we see in elderly people, such as diabetes, kidney disease, urinary tract infections, heart disease and cancer. Unfortunately, our pets cannot tell us how they are feeling and the early signs of some of these illnesses can be very subtle.

Do you know the signs of arthritis in cats? Cats are very skilled at hiding the early signs of illness or pain. While dogs with arthritis may show signs of limping or slowing down on walks, cats may have much more subtle signs of arthritis, such as sleeping more, not grooming as much (particularly around the hind quarters) or not jumping as high.

Everyone loves the beautiful array of flowers we have here in the Hills, but did you know some plants are poisonous to pets? Lilies, rhododendrons, azaleas, daffodils, tulips, camellias, hydrangeas, carnations and chrysanthemums are just some of the many plants which can be dangerous to pets. Ornamental flowers in flower arrangements can also pose a risk to indoor pets. In some cases, such as lilies, even a cat just licking the pollen off their fur can cause potentially deadly illness. Be aware of the risks with any flowers or plants in your home and garden, and where possible prevent your pets from accessing them.

Urine tests are a simple way to gain valuable insights into the internal health of our pets. Urine testing can help us to detect problems such as kidney disease, diabetes, urinary tract infections, bladder/kidney stones and more, making it a very useful screening tool for older pets in particular. Urine tests are essential to investigate problems such as excessive thirst or urination, urinary incontinence (leaking urine when asleep), inappropriate urination around the house or difficult/painful urination.

In stressful times, our pets can be a great source of comfort. But sometimes our pets will also get stressed by changes to routines, or picking up on their owner’s emotions. Stress and anxiety can manifest in many different ways, but one condition we see frequently in young to middle aged cats is called “Stress Cystitis”.