The Cat Vet Nurse - Cape Town

08/08/2026

Happy international cat day! 🐈

Happy ! 😻 Today we’re championing Cat Friendly care! 🙌

Cat Friendly care means considering your cat’s individual needs throughout their lifetime, from creating a purrfect home environment, to recognising their emotional, behavioural and physical needs. These needs can change as cats grow older or become unwell, and it's important to recognise how to adapt your care to support their wellbeing.

🐈 Understanding your cat is the first step to being ‘Cat Friendly’. Even small changes – an extra litter tray, creating safe perching and hiding places, acclimatising your cat to travel, choosing an accredited Cat Friendly Clinic – can all make a difference.

Are you providing Cat Friendly care for your feline companions? Find FREE, easy to follow advice written by iCatCare experts on our website 👉 https://icatcare.org/international-cat-day

Show or tell us in the comments about how you have made your home more Cat Friendly! 💬

If you want to make a difference to global cat welfare, please support our work ❤️ https://icatcare.org/support-us

06/08/2026

🐱 The early months of a kitten’s life can have a HUGE impact on the cat they become.

A mixture of both genetics (nature) and early life experiences (nurture) help shape a cat’s temperament. The first 2-7 weeks of a kitten's life is a key socialisation period, when they are learning what is safe, normal, and potentially scary.

Lack of socialisation, stress, or frightening experiences during early development can impact a kitten later in life, and can make some inherited tendencies, such as timidness, more pronounced.

Introducing positive experiences during this important ‘sensitive period’ can help a kitten grow into a well-adjusted adult cat. Try gentle handling when your kitten is most receptive to interactions with people (for example not when they are eating, sleeping or playing). Gradually introduce the kitten to new people and start to add new sights, sounds, tastes, textures and smells into their environment.

Find out more about bringing up kittens 👉 https://icatcare.org/articles/bringing-up-a-litter-of-kittens-behavioural-considerations

06/08/2026

02/03/2026

🐾🐱 Playtime Makes Your Cat Happier & Healthier! 🐱 🐾

Keeping your cat active and engaged isn’t just fun, it’s great for their physical and mental well‑being! According to Dr. Mikel Delgado, incorporating regular play into your cat’s day can strengthen your bond and reduce stress. 🧠🩷

Here are some simple ways to play with your cat:

✨ Use interactive toys:
Toys like feather wands, laser pointers, or crinkly balls encourage natural hunting instincts.

✨ Let them chase and pounce:
Short, exciting bursts of play mimic real prey behavior.

✨ Keep sessions short & fun:
About 5–10 minutes at a time works best, cats love frequent, playful breaks!

✨ Rotate toys regularly:
Switching toys keeps things fresh and interesting.

✨ Always end on a positive note:
Finish with praise or a tiny treat so playtime feels rewarding.

🐾 Let’s make every day a purr‑fect play day! 🐈‍⬛

📌 Tips inspired by Dr. Mikel Delgado

26/02/2026

Have you played with your cat today? 🐱🐾

Poster credit: Dr Mikel Delgado

20/02/2026

🩷 Senior Cats & Hyperthyroidism 🩷

Hyperthyroidism is one of the most common endocrine disorders seen in older cats, typically affecting those over 8 years of age.

The condition occurs when the thyroid glands produce excessive thyroid hormones (T4 and T3), leading to an increased metabolic rate.

🔎 Common Signs in Senior Cats:
• Weight loss despite a good or increased appetite
• Increased thirst and urination.
• Hyperactivity or restlessness.
• Vomiting or diarrhoea.
• Unkempt or poor coat quality.
• Increased heart rate.

Because many of these signs can overlap with other geriatric conditions, proper diagnostic testing is essential.

🩺 Diagnosis
Diagnosis is usually confirmed with:
• Elevated total T4 on bloodwork.
• Clinical examination findings.
• Sometimes additional thyroid testing if levels are borderline.

💊 Treatment Options
Management depends on the individual patient and may include:
• Daily antithyroid medication.
• Prescription thyroid diets.
• Surgical thyroidectomy.
• Radioactive iodine therapy.

Untreated hyperthyroidism can lead to serious complications including heart disease and hypertension, which may also affect kidney function.

Early detection and regular senior health screening play a vital role in maintaining quality of life for our ageing feline companions.

If your senior cat is losing weight but eating well, it’s worth having their thyroid levels checked.

13/02/2026

29/01/2026

🚨 Important Warning for Cat Lovers 🚨

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is extremely toxic to cats.
Even a very small amount can cause serious illness or be fatal.

❌ Never give paracetamol to a cat
❌ Keep all human medications out of reach

If you suspect your cat has ingested paracetamol, seek veterinary care immediately, every minute counts.

🐾 When in doubt, always check with your vet before giving any medication.

19/12/2023

Festive plant to keep away from your cats.🌱🪴🌿

🎄Did you know some festive plants can be harmful to cats?🙀Keep these ones out of reach during the holidays 👇

🌺Poinsettia
🍒Christmas cherry
🌲Pine trees
🌺Amaryllis
🌿Mistletoe
🌿Holly
🌿Ivy
🌸Lilies

☎️ If you think your cat has eaten a plant they shouldn’t have, contact your veterinary clinic immediately for advice
Artificial plants could be a good alternative that can be reused every year ♻️

More tips to keep cats safe at Christmas ➡️ https://icatcare.org/advice/christmas-safety/

😻Share this with your friends to keep Christmas cat friendly😻

19/12/2023

⚠️👇Festive foods to keep away from cats👇⚠️

🍫 Chocolate
🍖 Turkey and chicken bones
🍷 Alcohol
🍇 Grapes, currant, raisins and dried vine fruits
🧅 Onions, garlic, leeks, shallots and chives
🧀 Excessive treats (human food and cat treats)

🚨If you think your cat has eaten potentially toxic food, contact your vet immediately 🚨

More Christmas safety tips 👉 https://icatcare.org/advice/christmas-safety/

Share this to make sure your food-loving friends keep their cats safe! 😻