Diarrhea: Caused by consuming too many greens/fruits or prolonged stress. You need to separate the sick hamster from the group and give it diarrhea medication.

Constipation: Caused by eating hot foods such as sunflower seeds, rice cakes, or excessively dry or sweet food. In this case, you only need to give the hamster more cooling foods like greens.

Heat stroke: Caused by being in excessively hot or stuffy environments, unpredictable weather, or long-distance travel without proper shielding. You should place the hamster in a cooler area and provide additional cheese or bread crust.

Cold: Caused by unpredictable weather changes, living conditions that are too cold, or exposure to someone with a cold. You need to keep the hamster warm and give it specialized antibiotics from pet stores or warm milk combined with soft foods like cheese or soft bread.

Wet tail: The main reason is stress, which can easily lead to diarrhea and even death. Therefore, you need to take the hamster to the veterinarian immediately.

To ensure the best health and development for your small pet, you should provide a comfortable, warm space with adequate lighting and room for movement.

To ensure the best health and development for your small pet, providing food and establishing a suitable nutritional regimen is extremely important. You need to offer high-quality, nutritious food that meets the dietary needs and age of your small pet.

Cleaning the pet enclosure and properly caring for your small pet is extremely important to ensure their health and optimal development. You should clean the enclosure regularly, change the water, perform routine cleaning, and take care of your small pet’s health.

Small pets can also get sick just like humans. Recognizing early signs of abnormalities and addressing them promptly is crucial in protecting their health.
Signs: Eating less, lethargy, difficulty breathing.
Recommended Actions: Take them to the veterinarian immediately for timely intervention.

Common illnesses: Respiratory infections, diarrhea, parasitic infections, heart disease, and obesity.
Prevention: Provide clean, nutritious food suitable for each species of small pet, maintain a clean living environment, and ensure regular vaccinations and health check-ups.

Choose reputable stores that ensure hygiene and provide good care for pets. Avoid purchasing from black markets or sellers with unclear origins.

Spend time playing and caring for your pet to help them get used to you. Create a safe environment to ensure your pet feels secure during the training process.

Always supervise when young children play with pets to ensure safety for both. Make sure children wash their hands before and after playing with the pet to avoid spreading germs.

Provide a comfortable living space: A spacious, clean, and well-equipped enclosure, along with a varied and nutritious diet to keep your pet healthy. Avoid loud noises and stressful environments.

• Create a safe space indoors
• Monitor the cat’s activities
• Ensure joint health and nutrition
• Establish a safe outdoor environment
• Assess and improve the living space

Regularly enrich the living environment and pay attention to caring for your cats.

“Cats naturally groom themselves by licking their fur to clean their bodies, remove dirt and parasites, and keep their coats soft. However, excessive licking can lead to skin irritation and hairballs in the stomach.

Causes

• Self-grooming behavior: Cats groom themselves to clean their bodies, removing dirt and debris. During this process, they often swallow loose fur.
• Hair accumulation in the stomach: Hair is indigestible and can accumulate in the stomach or intestines, forming hairballs.
• Low-fiber diet: A diet lacking in fiber can slow digestion, making it easier for hair to accumulate in the stomach.
• Excessive shedding: During seasonal shedding or due to skin issues, cats may swallow more fur than usual.

Typically, the fur will pass through the digestive tract and exit through feces. Some fur that remains in the stomach can form hairballs, causing blockages in the intestines, preventing food from passing, and leading to vomiting. The vomit usually consists mainly of hair and may also contain partially digested food. Cats with gastrointestinal diseases such as digestive disorders, inflammation, or cancer are also more prone to hairballs.

How to Manage and Prevent

• Regular grooming:
  • Daily brushing: Brush your cat daily to remove loose fur, reducing the amount they might swallow.
  • Use specialized brushes: Use a specialized grooming brush for more effective fur removal.
• Use supportive products:
  • Hairball digestive gel: Use gels or oils (hairball remedies) to help digest and eliminate hairballs through the intestines rather than vomiting them.
  • Supplements: Provide supplements rich in omega-3 and omega-6 to maintain skin and coat health.
• Create a comfortable environment: Stressed cats may groom more excessively, leading to swallowing more fur. Create a comfortable and low-stress living environment for your cat.
• Veterinary check-ups:
  • Regular check-ups: Take your cat for regular veterinary visits to detect and treat health issues related to hairball vomiting early.
  • Digestive issue treatment: If your cat frequently vomits hairballs, have them examined to check for digestive problems or underlying conditions.
• Diet:
  • Ensure your cat always has access to clean water.
  • High-fiber food: Choose high-fiber food to help your cat’s digestive system work better and support fur elimination. Like humans, cats need fiber to maintain a healthy digestive tract. However, their nutritional needs differ from those of humans and omnivores, as they typically do not require plant fiber. Nonetheless, adding some fiber to your cat’s diet can help reduce the risk of hairballs, as fiber facilitates smoother movement through the digestive system.
  • Specialized food: Use specialized food designed to control hairballs.
  • The fiber needs of cats differ significantly from those of humans. Too much fiber in a cat’s diet can hinder their ability to absorb nutrients properly. If you are feeding your cat hairball control food, adding more fiber may have the opposite effect. If you’re unsure how much fiber to supplement, consult your veterinarian or a nutrition expert.

Toxoplasmosis is an illness caused by the parasite known as Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). This is a tiny, single-celled protozoan related to coccidia. Almost all warm-blooded animals, including humans, can be infected. It is an extremely adaptable parasite and rarely causes serious illness in the individuals it infects. Although it rarely causes symptoms, pregnant humans and pets are at particularly high risk of contracting the disease.

Toxoplasma is found worldwide, and the infection rate in cats is similarly common. However, many infected cats show no symptoms. The infection rate is higher in outdoor and stray cats. In contrast, infections are not common in pet cats that are primarily fed dry and canned food.

Cats typically contract toxoplasmosis by eating wild animals or undercooked meat that is infected with the parasite. Toxoplasma gondii also lives in the feces of infected cats, where it can infect other cats or animals that ingest it. Cats cannot contract the disease through physical contact with humans or other animals—they must ingest material containing the parasite, similar to how humans contract it.

Causes

• Health Issues
  • Urinary Tract Infection: Cats may have difficulty or pain while urinating, causing them to avoid using the litter box.
  • Kidney Disease: Kidney problems can alter a cat’s bathroom habits.
  • Diabetes: Diabetic cats may drink more water and urinate more frequently, leading to accidents.
• Psychological and Behavioral Issues
  • Stress or Anxiety: Changes in the living environment, such as moving houses, adding new family members, or getting a new pet, can stress cats and alter their bathroom habits.
  • Territorial Marking: Unneutered male cats or unspayed female cats may mark their territory by urinating outside the litter box.
• Litter Box Issues
  • Dirty Litter Box: Cats prefer to eliminate in clean places. A dirty litter box may discourage them from using it.
  • Location of the Litter Box: If the litter box is placed in a noisy or high-traffic area, cats may feel unsafe using it.
  • Type of Litter: Some cats may dislike the type of litter you are using.
  • Size and Number of Litter Boxes: A litter box that is too small or an insufficient number of boxes for multiple cats can cause issues.

Signs of Urinary Tract Issues in Cats

• Difficulty or Pain While Urinating: Cats may struggle or appear to be in pain during urination.
• Blood in Urine: Urine may appear pink or red due to the presence of blood.
• Frequent Urination but Small Amounts: Cats may urinate multiple times throughout the day, but only produce small amounts each time.
• Change in Urination Habits: Cats may start urinating in inappropriate places, such as on the floor or bed.
• Excessive Licking of the Genital Area: Cats may lick their genital area more than usual due to discomfort or pain.
• Decreased Activity and Appetite: Cats may become lethargic, play less, and eat less.
• Swollen or Painful Abdomen: The cat’s abdomen may be swollen, and they may show signs of pain when touched.

Prevention of Urinary Tract Issues in Cats

• Proper Diet: Ensure a well-balanced diet for your cat.
• Provide Plenty of Fresh Water: Encourage hydration by always having clean water available.
• Maintain Litter Box Hygiene: Keep the litter box clean to encourage its use.
• Manage Stress: Create a calm environment to reduce stress for your cat.
• Regular Health Check-ups: Schedule routine veterinary visits for your cat.
• Manage and Maintain Weight: Control your cat’s weight to prevent obesity, which can reduce the risk of urinary tract issues.
• Monitor Urination Habits: Keep an eye on your cat’s urination habits to detect any abnormal signs early.

Cats and Environmental Sensitivity

Cats are very sensitive to changes in their environment. Movement and instability during travel can create stress and anxiety for cats, altering their digestive rhythm and leading to nausea or diarrhea.

Before Traveling

• Choose the Right Carrier: Select an appropriate travel carrier for your cat.
• Create a Comfortable Space: Make the carrier cozy and inviting.
• Practice Short Trips: Get your cat accustomed to travel with short trips.
• Avoid Feeding Before Travel: Do not feed your cat right before the journey.

During Travel

• Secure the Carrier: Keep the carrier stable to minimize movement.
• Maintain a Quiet Environment: Keep the surroundings calm and quiet.
• Provide Fresh Air: Ensure good ventilation in the carrier.

After Traveling

• Give Your Cat Time to Adjust: Allow your cat time to acclimate to the new environment.
• Provide Water and Food: Offer fresh water and food once they are settled.

Additional Measures

• Use Stress-Relief Products: Consider using products designed to reduce stress in cats.

Signs of Stress in Cats

• Changes in Eating Behavior: Alterations in appetite or eating patterns.
• Changes in Litter Box Habits: Shifts in urination or defecation habits.
• Behavioral Changes: Uncharacteristic behaviors or reactions.
• Changes in Sleeping Patterns: Cats may sleep more due to stress or less due to anxiety.
• Health Issues: Stress can lead to various health problems.

How to Care for a Stressed Cat

• Create a Safe and Stable Environment: Ensure a calm and secure living space.
• Interact and Provide Attention: Engage in regular play, grooming, and affection.
• Maintain a Daily Routine: Keep a consistent schedule for feeding, playtime, and litter box cleaning to help your cat feel safe and comfortable.
• Provide Toys and Entertainment: Offer stimulating toys and activities.
• Minimize Sudden Changes: Avoid abrupt changes in the environment or routine.
• Use Stress-Relief Products: Consider products designed to help reduce stress in cats.
• Visit the Veterinarian: Schedule regular check-ups to monitor your cat’s health and address any concerns.

Eye Conditions in Cats

• Increased Intraocular Pressure (Glaucoma)
  • Cause: Elevated pressure in the eye causes damage to the optic nerve.
  • Symptoms: Red eyes, larger than normal eyes, eye pain, frequent rubbing of the eyes, loss of vision.
• Cataracts
  • Cause: Changes in the protein structure of the lens lead to cloudiness or opacity.
  • Symptoms: Cloudy or opaque eyes, loss of vision, difficulty seeing in low light.
• Conjunctivitis (Eye Infection)
  • Cause: Infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or allergies.
  • Symptoms: Red eyes, watery discharge, frequent eye rubbing, pus or mucus from the eyes.
• Corneal Ulcers
  • Cause: Damage or infection of the corneal surface.
  • Symptoms: Red eyes, watery discharge, eye pain, avoidance of light, loss of vision.

Obesity in Cats

Cats can become obese due to an improper diet and lack of physical activity.

To help your cat lose weight safely, a plan should include dietary adjustments and increased physical activity.

• Overall Health Check
  • Visit the Veterinarian: Before starting a weight loss plan, take your cat to the vet for a general health check and to determine their ideal weight.
  • Check for Underlying Conditions: Ensure that your cat does not have conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disease, or digestive issues that could affect weight loss.
• Develop a Healthy Diet
  • Reduce Caloric Intake: Use weight management food specifically designed for cats, which provides fewer calories while still ensuring complete nutrition.
• Increase Physical Activity: Encourage regular play and exercise to help your cat burn calories.
• Monitor and Adjust: Keep track of your cat’s weight and adjust the diet and exercise plan as needed.
• Avoid Treats and Unhealthy Foods: Minimize snacks and unhealthy foods to support your cat’s weight loss efforts.