Blogs

Cat Ate Onion or Garlic? Symptoms and What to Do | Petopic

If your cat ate onion or garlic, treat it as a poisoning risk and contact a vet for advice. Onions, garlic, leeks, shallots, spring onions and chives belong to the allium family, and they can be harmful to cats whether they are raw, cooked, fried, dried, powdered or hidden inside human food. These ingredients can damage a cat’s red blood cells and may lead to haemolytic anaemia, which can cause weakness, pale gums, fast breathing, a rapid heartbeat, dark urine, jaundice, collapse and, in severe cases, life-threatening illness. Early signs may include being sick, diarrhoea, drooling, a sore tummy, reduced appetite and unusual tiredness, but one of the dangerous things about onion and garlic poisoning is that anaemia signs may be delayed. A cat can seem fine at first and still be at risk. If your cat has eaten onion gravy, stuffing, garlic sauce, curry, takeaway, stock, soup, baby food, meat cooked with onion, food seasoned with garlic powder or any product containing onion or garlic, note the amount, time, ingredients and your cat’s weight, then call your vet or an emergency vet clinic. This guide explains why onions and garlic are toxic to cats, what symptoms to watch for, what to do first, what not to do at home and when urgent veterinary care is needed.

Cat Ate Chocolate? Symptoms and What to Do | Petopic

If your cat ate chocolate, treat it as a potential emergency. Chocolate is not safe for cats because cocoa products contain theobromine and caffeine, which can cause poisoning. The risk depends on your cat’s weight, the type of chocolate, the cocoa content, how much was eaten, when it happened and whether your cat already has health problems. Dark chocolate, cocoa powder, baking chocolate, chocolate cake, brownies, chocolate spread, coffee-flavoured desserts and high-cocoa products can be especially concerning, but milk chocolate and white chocolate should not be treated as safe. Signs of chocolate poisoning in cats may include being sick, diarrhoea, drooling, restlessness, hyperactivity, drinking and weeing more than usual, a fast heart rate, rapid breathing, tremors, twitching, poor coordination, weakness and seizures. This guide explains what happens if a cat eats chocolate, which types are most dangerous, what to do in the first few minutes, what not to do at home, when to call an emergency vet and what information to prepare before speaking to your vet.

What Can Cats Eat? Safe and Toxic Foods | Petopic

What can cats eat? The answer is not as simple as “cats eat meat”. Cats are obligate carnivores, which means their everyday diet needs suitable animal-based protein, fat, taurine, vitamins, minerals and enough water. For most cats, the safest foundation is a complete and balanced cat food chosen for their age, weight, neutering status, lifestyle and health needs. Small amounts of plain cooked chicken, turkey, well-cooked egg or plain cooked boneless fish may be suitable as occasional extras for some cats, but they should not replace proper cat food. At the same time, chocolate, onion, garlic, leeks, chives, grapes, raisins, alcohol, caffeine, xylitol, raw dough, cooked bones, salty leftovers, spicy food, raw meat, raw fish and spoiled food can be dangerous. This guide explains what cats can eat, which human foods are safer in tiny portions, which foods are toxic to cats, whether cats can drink milk, eat tuna, chicken, eggs, cheese, yoghurt, bread, fruit and vegetables, what kittens and neutered cats should eat, and what to do if your cat eats something harmful.

Why Do Cats Shed? Causes and How to Reduce Fur | Petopic

Why do cats shed? There is no single answer. A cat may shed because of normal coat renewal, seasonal moulting, indoor heating, light exposure, coat type, age, breed, diet, grooming routine or stress. In many cases, loose fur on clothes, sofas, bedding and favourite sleeping spots is completely normal. However, excessive shedding, bald patches, thinning fur, clumps of fur, dandruff, red or sore skin, scabs, itching, overgrooming, weight loss, being sick, diarrhoea, changes in appetite, drinking more, litter tray problems or sudden behaviour changes can point to fleas, allergies, ringworm, skin infection, pain, stress, poor nutrition, hormonal disease or another health problem. This guide explains the difference between normal cat shedding and worrying fur loss, when cats moult most, why kittens and older cats may shed, how food and grooming affect the coat, how to reduce cat hair at home, and when to contact a vet.

Why Do Cats Bite? Reasons and How to Stop Biting | Petopic

Why do cats bite? There is no single answer. A cat may bite because they are playing, overstimulated, fed up with being stroked, frightened, defending themselves, stressed, redirecting hunting behaviour, teething, in pain or dealing with a health problem. Some bites are light play nips, but others are warning signs that should not be ignored. If your cat suddenly starts biting, bites when you stroke them, attacks hands or feet, bites in the litter tray, reacts when touched, seems tense, hides more, stops eating, is being sick, has diarrhoea, struggles to wee or the bite breaks human skin, the cause needs careful attention. This guide explains why kittens bite, why cats bite during play, why cats bite when being stroked, what “love bites” really mean, how fear, stress, pain and illness can trigger biting, how to stop a cat biting safely, and what to do if a cat bite breaks the skin.

Why Do Cats Meow? Reasons, Meanings and When to Worry | Petopic

Why do cats meow? There is no single answer. A cat may meow because they are hungry, want attention, feel bored, want a door opened, are stressed, are in season, are getting older, are in pain or are dealing with a health problem. Some meowing is normal everyday communication, especially between cats and humans. But meowing that starts suddenly, becomes constant, sounds like crying or yowling, happens at night, occurs in the litter tray or appears alongside being sick, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, lethargy, weight loss, drinking more, straining to wee or not passing urine should be taken seriously. This guide explains why cats meow, what different meows can mean, why kittens and elderly cats may vocalise more, why cats meow at night, how stress and being in season affect vocalisation, and when to contact a vet.

Cat Litter Training: How to Train a Kitten or Cat | Petopic

Cat litter training is one of the first practical steps for anyone bringing home a kitten, adopting an adult rescue cat or trying to solve litter tray accidents. Most cats naturally prefer to dig, toilet and cover their waste, but that instinct can fail if the litter tray is dirty, too small, hard to reach, badly placed, too strongly scented, uncomfortable under the paws or linked to stress or illness. This guide explains how to litter train a kitten, how to help an adult cat use a litter tray, where to place the tray, which litter to choose, how many trays you need, how to clean accidents, what mistakes to avoid and what to do if your cat suddenly stops using the litter tray.

How to Choose Cat Litter: Clumping, Low Dust Guide | Petopic

Choosing the right cat litter is not just about keeping your home smelling fresh. It also affects whether your cat uses the litter tray reliably, how much dust spreads around the house, how comfortable the litter feels under your cat’s paws, how easy daily cleaning is and whether toileting problems start later. In the UK, common choices include clumping clay, silica crystals, wood pellets, tofu litter, paper litter and other natural cat litters. The best option depends on odour control, dust level, tracking, clumping strength, kitten safety, multi-cat performance, tray type and your cat’s personal preference. This guide explains how to choose cat litter, which litter controls smell best, whether scented litter is a bad idea, how to change litter safely and what to do if your cat stops using the litter tray.

Cat Neutering: Age, Cost, Risks and Recovery Guide | Petopic

Cat neutering is a routine veterinary surgery used to prevent unwanted litters, stop heat cycles, reduce roaming and mating behaviour, lower the risk of certain reproductive diseases and help make home life more stable. In the UK, many welfare and veterinary organisations advise neutering kittens at around four months old, but the right timing should still depend on your cat’s weight, health, sex, vaccination status, lifestyle and your vet’s examination. This guide explains the best age to neuter a cat, the difference between male cat castration and female cat spaying, typical UK cat neutering costs, surgery risks, neutering a cat in heat, pre-surgery preparation, aftercare and the recovery period.

Dog Diarrhoea: Causes, Warning Signs and When to Call a Vet | Petopic

Dog diarrhoea can be caused by a sudden food change, eating rubbish or spoiled food, parasites, stress, infection, food intolerance, poisoning, swallowing foreign material or an underlying digestive condition. A mild, short episode may sometimes be monitored carefully, but watery diarrhoea, bloody diarrhoea, mucus in the poo, vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, not drinking, abdominal pain, fever, weight loss, puppy diarrhoea, diarrhoea in an elderly dog or bloody diarrhoea in an unvaccinated dog should be taken seriously. This guide explains why dogs get diarrhoea, what stool colour and texture can suggest, what not to give at home and when to contact a vet.

Cat Diarrhoea: Causes, Warning Signs and When to Call a Vet | Petopic

Cat diarrhoea can be caused by a sudden food change, stress, parasites, infections, food intolerance, spoiled food, toxins, medication side effects or underlying bowel disease. A mild, short episode in a bright adult cat may be monitored carefully, but watery diarrhoea, blood or mucus in the poo, diarrhoea lasting more than 24 hours, vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, dehydration, weight loss, abdominal pain, kitten diarrhoea, senior cat diarrhoea or suspected poisoning should never be ignored. This guide explains why cats get diarrhoea, what different stool changes may mean, what not to give at home and when to contact a vet.

Why Is My Dog Being Sick? Causes and Warning Signs | Petopic

Dogs can be sick for relatively simple reasons such as eating too fast, a sudden food change, scavenging, eating grass or having a mild stomach upset. But repeated vomiting, yellow bile, white foam, blood, diarrhoea, lethargy, loss of appetite, a swollen tummy, dry heaving, vomiting after drinking water, puppy vomiting, suspected poisoning or a swallowed object should never be brushed off. This guide explains why dogs vomit, what different types of vomit may suggest, when careful monitoring may be enough and when you should contact a vet quickly.