I recently read an article announcing that a Wisconsin cat was diagnosed and tested positive for H1N1, commonly known as "swine flu."  Although this is not the first case of a household pet contracting swine flu, instances are few and far between.  

However, cats are susceptible to certain viruses with symptoms similar to the human common cold and flu.  Viruses such as feline herpesvirus (FHV) and feline calicivirus (FCV) can degenerate into much more serious upper respiratory disease and pneumonia, eventually causing death.  Here are some of the common signs and symptoms and preventative methods to boost your cat's immunity to a serious cat cold!

Symptoms

Similar to a human cold, the first visible symptoms

As people begin to take more interest in the processes and ingredients behind their own food, the same interest is mirrored by pet owners when it comes to their pets’ food.  Spurred by a growing understanding of how nutrition contributes to general health, and a rash of pet food recalls, more and more pet owners are taking notice and opting to purchase premium pet foods. 

“But why purchase premium pet foods?” you might ask.

Why purchase PBA-free plastics? Organic grains? Free range chicken?  Many of us make daily decisions between premium and regular products in an effort to boost our health and improve our quality of life.  Choosing premium pet food over a less-expensive but ultimately less nutritious pet food will have an impact on the quality of