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

Cats share one trait with us: They like to have fun. They will have more fun if they can share it with their owner. Because cats are smart, they can become bored easily. This can lead to obesity, wandering in search of adventure, or even inappropriate overly aggressive behavior and damage in the home. There are several reasons why interactive cat toys are important for bonding with your pet.

Bonding with a kitten

Learning social play is an important step for kittens between three and 12 weeks of age. At three months, social fighting begins, with skills well developed by six to eight months. During this period, kittens are growing, developing muscle tone, stamina and agility. Playing with their mother and litter mates teaches them normal social feline behaviors.

When they are old enough

As pet owners become more aware of the serious health risks associated with their "fluffy" or overweight friends, they need to know how to treat obesity in cats.

An estimated 57 percent of cats in the United States are overweight or obese, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. And those overweight and obese cats face increased risks for such associated health issues as diabetes mellitus, feline urinary tract infections, kidney and heart disease, high blood pressure and fatty liver syndrome (hepatic lipidosis).

If you believe your cat is overweight, the first thing you should do is to have your veterinarian give the cat a thorough examination. The vet can determine if there are any underlying medical conditions or issues that may be causing the obesity. The vet also

Vestibular disease in cats, also referred to as feline vestibular syndrome or idiopathic vestibular disease, is a condition that causes cats to become dizzy or disoriented. Although the symptoms are initially frightening to the unknowing cat owner, vestibular disease is generally not very serious and symptoms often go away on their own. The following is an overview on vestibular disease in cats, including symptoms, causes and treatment options.

The vestibular system is a system of nerves located in the brain and inner ear and is responsible for helping your cat to remain oriented and keep his body in balance. There are two main types of vestibular disease in cats. Peripheral vestibular disease refers to problems that originate in the inner ear, while central vestibular disease is a result