Welcome to NVSWeb! To order NVS products, please sign into NVS Online. Not a customer yet? Register today
The arrival of spring can have a profound impact on cats due to their sensitivity to changes in smell and temperature. This makes spring a stimulating and exciting time of year for cats, but it can also sometimes be stressful and confusing often resulting in concerning changes in their behaviour.
The signs and symptoms of spring fever will vary between cats, but one of the most noticeable signs of spring fever in cats is a sudden surge of energy. The increased daylight hours and the stimulating scents wafting through the air, will entice cats to get up earlier, become more active and playful and spend more time outdoors in the sunshine.
While most cats adapt effortlessly and embrace the energy and excitement that spring brings, some cats may experience confusion or even stress as their environment undergoes rapid changes. And this can be exacerbated by the spring mating season, especially for those that haven’t been spayed or neutered.
Signs of restlessness or irritability, increased aggression, vocalisation, excessive grooming or changes in appetite, can all be subtle behaviour indicators for feline stress. Which, if not treated, can lead to health problems such as urinary tract issues and Herpes virus infections, which can cause conjunctivitis and upper respiratory symptoms.
Cystitis in cats, also referred to as Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC), is a condition that affects the bladder and urinary tract of cats. It is commonly triggered by stress and can cause great discomfort and pain for the cat, with symptoms including straining to pass urine, urinating in unusual places, blood present in the urine and over-grooming around the genitals and lower abdomen. Whilst there is no complete cure, cystitis can be effectively managed through changes to the cat’s diet and to their home environment to reduce stress. Targeted supplements may also help.
Spaying or neutering cats is not only essential for population control but also plays a significant role in helping to control their behaviour as pets. When cats go into heat, they exhibit noticeable and unwanted changes in behaviour. Initially, they become more affectionate and vocal, but as their restlessness increases, their meowing intensifies and can even escalate to a screaming level. This restlessness can lead to aggression towards other cats and even their owners. Additionally, like male cats who are prone to urine spraying, female cats also use urine as a scent mark to attract potential mates.
Cystitis in cats, also referred to as Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC), is a condition that affects the bladder and urinary tract of cats. It is commonly triggered by stress and can cause great discomfort and pain for the cat, with symptoms including straining to pass urine, urinating in unusual places, blood present in the urine and over-grooming around the genitals and lower abdomen. Whilst there is no complete cure, cystitis can be effectively managed through changes to the cat’s diet and to their home environment to reduce stress. Targeted supplements may also help.
Spaying or neutering cats is not only essential for population control but also plays a significant role in helping to control their behaviour as pets. When cats go into heat, they exhibit noticeable and unwanted changes in behaviour. Initially, they become more affectionate and vocal, but as their restlessness increases, their meowing intensifies and can even escalate to a screaming level. This restlessness can lead to aggression towards other cats and even their owners. Additionally, like male cats who are prone to urine spraying, female cats also use urine as a scent mark to attract potential mates.
