Ask Us Anything: Cat Anal Gland Issues, Cat Grass Benefits & Feline Pemphigus Diagnosis

Our “Ask US Anything” is a series of posts on the site where I share the questions/concerns/ideas that readers have sent in and then the responses from our readers about those questions/concerns/ideas.

Cat with Anal Gland Problems

Benefits of Eating Cat Grass

Jade wrote in, “I recently bought some indoor cat grass for our floppy’s as they were starting to attack our other plants. The grass has been a hit and I wondered if this was something I should have put in the house when they were younger (they are 1.5 years old). Do you have any information on cat grass, it’s benefits, or things to be aware of please? I wonder if others are in the same boat as me?” I replied: Hi Jade, I am sure there are articles about the benefits of grass. I know it has minerals in it – and helps with digestion. My cats eat the grass outside, so I don’t have any inside. The ones I have seen are usually grown in those gel packets or whatever, and I don’t like the idea of the cats getting that ingested. But I also have seen people that grow grass pads and bring them inside for their cats to sit on or whatever. I posted your inquiry on Facebook to see what others have to say:

Where are you sourcing your cat grass now? Thanks, Jenny Jade wrote back: “I have purchased the cat grass from our local garden centre, it was in the herb section for cats along with cat mint and cat nip (I bought some of that too).  I have attached a picture of the grass, it came in a soil base and I have just transferred it to a pot.  The boys have really had a good go at it and seem to head towards it after each meal.

I don’t tend to let them out in our current neighbourhood as there are a lot of dogs around and while they are fenced, they bark a lot which scares the boys.  That will change when we move later in the year. Thanks for posting it to facebook – I am keen to hear of the responses and to see if there are other options etc.  The grass pad sounds like a good option too. Have a great afternoon/evening!”

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Ragdoll Kitten Diagnosed with Feline Pemphigus Foliaceus

A few readers responded to the Facebook post – sharing some pretty sad photos – but then submitted a Ragdoll of the Week story for that kitty in that photo – Dickens!

I also replied with the following: When I went to search for “feline pemphigus foliaceous”, I got “feline pemphigus foliaceus”. There appear to be 3 “scholarly articles” about it.

• Feline pemphigus foliaceus: a retrospective analysis of 57 cases
• Use of modified ciclosporin in the management of feline pemphigus foliaceus: a retrospective analysis
• Drug eruption in a cat resembling pemphigus foliaceus

And then PetMD’s article and DVM360’s articles:

• Skin Disease, Autoimmune (Pemphigus) in Cats
• Canine and feline pemphigus foliaceus: Improving your chances of a successful outcome Have you looked into food at all?

I wonder if it would improve on a raw food diet. What does she eat now? Seems like there are some forum responses here. Lots of hopeful responses here.

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Enjoy reading common reader inquiries?

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• How to Give a Cat a Worming Tablet {Stress-Free & Effective Options}
• My Cat is Throwing Up Clear Liquid
• Why Do Cats Chatter Their Teeth?