Whether it is your cat or another animal, bites are a natural occurrence. The most important thing to remember is that they are only there to help your pet learn how to fight off a predator. However, if it happens frequently, or the bite is not healing, it could be a sign of an underlying condition. Here are a few ways to check to see if your pet has a health condition.
Understanding your cat’s body language
Having an understanding of your cat’s body language can help you communicate with your pet. In fact, learning your cat’s body language can help you reduce or eliminate the risk of your cat biting you.
The most basic cat body language includes the position of the ears, tail, and body. Cats will often use these body motions to indicate a variety of things, including playfulness, excitement, and anxiety.
Cats have a variety of vocalizations, including spitting and meowing. However, humans need to be aware of the context of these sounds to interpret them correctly.
Cats may also show signs of physical pain, such as a low-sitting tail or flattening of the ears. They may also knead or rub against you.
Overstimulation
Whether you have just adopted a new cat or are a long-time pet owner, it’s important to understand your cat’s body language and what signs to look for if you’re concerned about his or her biting behavior. The good news is that you can often prevent aggression in cats.
Cats are highly sensitive creatures and can be overstimulated by certain activities. These include attention, stroking and too much petting. As a result, cats may bite you or another animal when they feel irritated. These situations can be quite stressful for you and your cat. Fortunately, you can prevent these situations by being knowledgeable about the signs of overstimulation.
Arthritis
Despite its diminutive size, your cat might be one of the many sufferers from this debilitating disease. The good news is there are ways to help your kitty live a longer, healthier life. In addition to diet and exercise, you can take some of the guesswork out of the equation with some basic diagnostic tests and the assistance of a veterinarian.
A good rule of thumb is to weigh your cat regularly, and to make sure she is not obese. Overweight cats are more susceptible to arthritis, and may require a visit to the vet in the near future. It’s also a good idea to give your cat a break from her usual litter box, and to switch from one brand of litter to another.
Dental disease
Having a cat that bites you hard can cause serious dental problems. The pain can be very uncomfortable and can cause your cat to stop eating. It may cause your cat to lose weight and suffer from various other health problems.
There are three main types of dental disease. These are gingivitis, periodontitis and tooth resorption. The first two are treatable and can be prevented with proper dental care. However, tooth resorption is not as easily preventable and requires extraction of the affected tooth.
In some cases, dental disease may be a result of poor oral hygiene. It is possible to prevent these dental problems by keeping your cat’s mouth clean and brushing it regularly.
Hyperthyroidism
Fortunately, hyperthyroidism is a treatable disorder. It is caused by an enlarged thyroid gland that produces too much thyroid hormone. This condition may have serious consequences for your cat if left untreated.
Hyperthyroidism is a common occurrence in cats. It can occur as a result of a benign thyroid tumor or a malignant tumor called an adenocarcinoma. The thyroid gland is located in the neck and works to control the basic metabolic rate of the body.
Hyperthyroidism in cats is usually detected by a blood test. T4 is measured, which indicates how much thyroid hormone is being produced by the thyroid gland. If the T4 test is above the normal range, it is likely that the cat has hyperthyroidism.
Central nervous system
Depending on the animal, the central nervous system is susceptible to an array of infections, including those caused by bacteria and viruses. While infections of the nervous system are not uncommon, the ailment may be accompanied by cognitive dysfunction, seizures and in extreme cases, death. In some cases, a tumor may be responsible for the affliction. The prognosis may be favorable or unfavorable depending on the location, size and rate of tumor growth.
The most common parasitic diseases of the CNS include toxocariasis, schistosomiasis and cysticercosis. Other parasitic diseases, such as Chagas disease and echinococcosis, are less common. While parasitic diseases can present a number of challenges to the human healthcare system, they also present some interesting treatment options.
