Animal Talk – July 2019

q&a

CATSLIFE

A

t this year’s World of Dogs and Cats Pet Expo (WODAC) pet owners will once again be entertained
with a variety of shows and exhibitions. Besides the lovely cat show with a variety of breeds on
display, you can also participate in or watch the Animaltalk Top 32 SA-Bred competition, where the top
South African-bred show dogs will compete for the top spot. This is also a great opportunity to meet the
Animaltalk team and get special offers on a variety of products. Other entertainment include dog jumping
and agility, dog carting, dog dancing, cat shows, horse parades and WODAC Dog Olympic Games. The
expo will take place from 19 to 21 July at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg.
WODAC organisers

Pet expo

What can we expect to see at WODAC?

Obesity

dangers

What are the possible dangers

facing an obese cat?

T

here are a number of diseases that

may be linked to obesity. Some of

these include:

• Insulin resistance (cells fail to
  respond to the normal actions of the
  hormone insulin, leading to type-2
  diabetes)


• Diabetes mellitus


• Hyperlipidaemia (elevated levels of
  fat-soluble molecules in the blood)


• Osteoarthritis and orthopaedic
  disease


• Dermatitis (skin inflammation)


• Oral disease


• Lower urinary tract disease


• Cardiovascular (heart and blood
  vessel) changes


• Renal pathology (medical diseases of
  the kidneys)


• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the
  pancreas)


• Neoplasia – mammary cancer, and
  bladder cancer associated with
  obesity
  Lorren Barham, animal hydrotherapist at
  Pet Wellness Worx

R

egular cat grooming allows you to spend quality time bonding with your pet and gives you the

opportunity to check her body condition and spot any unusual signs that might indicate health

problems, such as lumps or bumps. Grooming is very important for your cat’s coat:

• Circulation is stimulated.


• Muscle tone is improved.


• Fur is smoothed down for better insulation.


• Glands at the base of the coat are stimulated to waterproof the fur.


• Sebum is spread evenly, which helps to waterproof and protect the coat and skin.


• In hot weather, the saliva spread when she grooms herself helps to keep your cat cool.
  Try to start grooming your cat from an early age so that it becomes a normal part of her routine.
  Small animal veterinarian

Cat grooming

Why should I groom my cat regularly?

Shedding again

My cat sheds so much hair. How

do I know if it is becoming a

health issue for her?

W

hen she sheds more than normal

or if she has bald patches on

her coat, you should consult the vet.

Abnormal shedding can be due to various

factors, such as stress, poor nutrition or

even parasites. If you’ve ruled out poor

nutrition and the presence of parasites,

then you should definitely consult the vet.

Small animal veterinarian