What IS true is that our domestic cats today are living much longer and healthier lives, allowing the human-animal bond to strengthen and provide immense joy to families.  

Let’s dive into how long cats live, if it matters if they live indoors or outdoors, and more about life expectancies based on the different breeds.

How Long Do Cats Live?

Determining how long cats live is not as black and white of a question as we tend to think. There are many factors that play a role in the lifespan of a cat, including his or her environment (i.e. living indoor versus outdoor), diet, genetics, chronic health conditions, whether the cat is spayed or neutered, and even if he or she is purebred versus a mixed breed.  

Taking into account all of these variables, the average lifespan of a cat is approximately 15 years, with a majority of our cats living between 10 to 20 years.  

How Long Do Indoor Cats Live?

Your cat’s environment can affect how long your feline lives. Indoor cats tend to live an average of three times longer than outdoor cats. This is mainly because indoor cats typically face much less risk of disease from parasites and dangers such as getting hit by a car or being attacked by other animals. 

Indoor cats also tend to be fed more regularly with high-quality nutrition, have access to water and stable shelter, and receive regular vaccinations to help prevent infectious disease.  

While the studies that have been done vary slightly in results, indoor cats live on anywhere from 14 to 20 years, with the average being 16.875 total years. 

How Long Do Outdoor Cats Live?

Outdoor cats, unfortunately, have a much shorter lifespan. They are more at risk of disease from fleas and ticks, have more interactions with other cats causing bites and scratches, and have more accidents and traumas than indoor cats.  

Outdoor cats also have to handle severe weather, threats from wildlife and other predators, and even periods of starvation or lack of clean water sources. Because of all of these factors, outdoor cats have a much more limited lifespan of 3 to 10 years, with the average being 5.6 total years.

Cat Life Expectancy By Breed

Besides environment, breed differences can also affect lifespan. Certain breed characteristics, such as length, weight, skeletal development (or lack thereof), anatomy of their nose and respiratory tract and the genetics of the parents and other predecessors can greatly affect how long a certain breed of cat will live and what types of disease are most likely.

Here are some of the more common purebred cat breeds and their associated average lifespan and reasons behind it:

Cat Life Expectancy by Health Condition

We’ve looked at the environment and your cat’s breed as two important factors in the lifespan of a cat.  But we also know that the cat’s overall health and any pre-existing or chronic health conditions can play a significant role in limiting that cat’s quantity and quality of life.  

While some diseases like periodontal (dental) disease can be resolved through an oral health procedure where the teeth are cleaned above and below the gum and any diseased teeth are identified by X-rays and extracted, other diseases are progressive and irreversible like kidney disease.

 Here are some of the more common disease conditions that we identify in cats and what factors can also affect a cat’s lifespan:

How to Help Your Cat Live Longer

Keeping in mind all of these risk factors, there are a few other strategies that can help keep your cat healthy and happy for as long as possible. Follow these tips to help your cat live longer. 

Keep your cat indoors. Just this one adjustment can increase your cat’s lifespan and help them live (on average) three times longer.

Schedule annual veterinary appointments. Make sure to see your veterinarian annually to discuss and receive the appropriate preventative vaccinations for your cat’s lifestyle.

Keep cats on parasite protection. Keep your cat protected from unwanted parasites like fleas, ticks and mosquitoes that transmit disease by administering a monthly heartworm and parasite preventative.

Watch your cat’s nutrition. Feed a high quality, approved diet for the best nutrition.

Enrich your cat’s environment. Provide a feline-friendly home with enrichment, activity and daily exercise to help stimulate good mental and emotional health.

Observe your cat’s behavior. Learn about your cat’s body and tail language and see your veterinarian if there are any subtle changes. Cats are stoic and masters at hiding disease and pain.

Your veterinarian is always your best and most trusted resource to answer any questions and concerns about your fabulous feline.

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While peanut butter is arguably the number one food used to help with medication administration, treats, puzzle feeders, and toys like Kongs and LickMats in dogs, it is NOT regarded the same way for cats. So, can cats eat peanut butter?   

For many veterinarians, the question of whether peanut butter is a safe treat for cats is common and frequent. So, we’re here to set the record straight about whether cats can have peanut butter. 

Can Cats Eat Peanut Butter?

While pet parents will not find peanut butter on a list of poisonous foods for felines, it can be dangerous for cats to eat—even in small amounts. The thick, sticky texture of this food can increase the risk of choking. It can also cause weight gain, vomiting, diarrhea, and contain potentially toxic sugar substitutes like xylitol.   

Nutritionally speaking, peanut butter offers no benefit or value to cats. It can even be harmful because it is high in calories, trans fatty acids (harmful fats that can lead to the development of obesity and diabetes), and it can even be contaminated with aflatoxins. Aflatoxins are mold that, under the ground, contaminates peanuts and leads to cancer development.

If you do offer peanut butter occasionally to your cat, it’s best to give a few small licks under supervision, and follow up with fresh water. 

It’s also not recommended to encourage outdoor cats to develop a taste for peanut butter. This becomes dangerous for outdoor cats who may try to eat peanut butter that is actively wrapped around insect or rodent poisons or put into traps as bait.  

Do Cats Like Peanut Butter?

Overall, most cats do not have the same love affair with peanut butter as many dogs do. Cats are quite preferential when it comes to texture, temperature, shape, and size of their food. The texture of peanut butter—out of a jar, on a spoon, or on the tip of your finger—is not as popular with cats compared to tuna, sardines, salmon and even olives and marshmallows!  

However, some cats do enjoy the taste of peanut butter. For the few cats that do like it, I would encourage the use of peanut butter to be limited to medication administration. There are many other safer and healthier snacks and vehicles for medication delivery for cats! Please talk to your veterinarians about these safe alternatives.

Precautions When Giving Peanut Butter to Cats

Because of the numerous risks described above and the lack of nutritional value, I do not recommend giving cats peanut butter in any circumstance. However, there is one situation in which using peanut butter is accepted by some experts and that is as a delivery mechanism for administering medication if all other methods haven’t worked.

In these rare instances, there are a few important points to keep in mind.

Read the labels closely. Sugar-free peanut butters may include a sugar substitute called xylitol. Xylitol is severely toxic to dogs and cats when ingested, causing life-threatening low blood sugar and liver failure. 

Watch for added sugar. While we want to stay away from sugar substitutes like xylitol, peanut butters that contain large quantities of sugar are also detrimental to cats. Just like in people, excessive sugar intake can lead to obesity, inflammatory changes in the body, the development of diabetes and, in some cases, cancer.    

Monitor the sodium in a product. Look on the label for the salt content in the peanut butter. High sodium levels are bad for all species but can significantly impact feline heart patients and high blood pressure patients in a negative way. Instead, look for unsalted peanut butter for the safest option.

Keep an eye out for allergic reactions. While cats are known to have food allergies of varying severities, peanut butter allergic reactions can quickly become life-threatening. If your cat is exhibiting any of the following signs of an allergic reaction, please make sure to seek veterinary attention as soon as possible:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Lack of appetite
• Severe itching
• Facial swelling
• Chronic ear infections
• Hair loss
• Weight loss

Can Cats Eat Peanuts?

Many pet parents assume that because peanuts are high in protein, they are a good choice for their carnivorous (protein-loving) cat. However, while peanuts are technically not toxic and generally safe in small amounts for cats, they aren’t recommended on a regular basis. 

This is due to the same nutritional reasons associated with peanut butter—peanuts are very high in fat and can lead to obesity.

 If you are going to offer peanuts to your feline friend on special occasions, there are a few things to remember. It’s very important to only use raw, unsalted, plain peanuts.  Offering cats the commercially produced versions will only introduce extra salt, spices, seasonings, and oil into your cat’s diet, which can cause significant gastrointestinal upset. Secondly, only offer peanuts that have been removed from the shell. The hard shell can become a choking hazard or put your cat at risk of intestinal obstruction.

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However, this is not the case for our feline friends and we do worry more if we see cats panting.  

While there are certain instances in which panting can be normal, there are others that signal potentially serious problems in which veterinary care and attention is a must.   

Let’s learn a little more about cat panting, including what it means and when to involve your veterinarian.

Do Cats Pant?

Technically, yes, cats do pant. However, unlike dogs who actively pant after exercise to cool off, cats typically don’t pant after playing. In the rare instance that they do, it is typically very closely associated with heavy exertion, lasts a very short time, and then quickly resolves.

Panting in cats outwardly looks very similar to panting in dogs—cats will breathe with their mouth open and tongue out, making louder breath sounds than normal. 

While any cat can physically pant, certain breeds of cats are more susceptible to panting, either because of their respiratory anatomy or because of their hair coat.  These cat breeds include Himalayans and Persians who have a flatter face and more narrow nostrils, and Maine Coons and other long-haired breeds.

Why Do Cats Pant?

A cat’s body is very efficient and they typically do NOT breathe through their mouths. So, when we see a cat panting, it typically means something is off. The key is to assess the entire situation surrounding the panting episode to see if it is related to a “normal” cause of panting or an “abnormal” cause triggered by an underlying medical condition.

 Normal causes of panting in cats can include:

• Very recent heavy play
• A new stressor like construction in the home or a new houseguest or pet
• Anxiety from travel
• Overheating

There are certain instances in which cats may pant for a very short period of time.  These “normal” scenarios can include when a cat is anxious, stressed, overheated, or just did strenuous exercise.  

However, it’s important that if you see your cat panting in these scenarios, you should intervene and allow your cat to rest, relax, or cool down. If your cat doesn’t settle and continues to pant, it’s time to immediately see your veterinarian. 

Abnormal causes of cat panting include many medical conditions such as:

• Respiratory disease
• Asthma
• Congestive heart failure
• Heartworm disease
• Anemia (low red blood cell count)
• Trauma
• Neurologic disease
• Distended abdomen
• Severe pain

Unlike normal panting, abnormal panting in cats typically starts spontaneously or without any trigger. It also does not resolve quickly with rest or removal of the stressor or heat and is typically associated with other abnormal behaviors like coughing, lethargy, and an increased effort to breathe. We can see abnormal panting in any age of cat, but often kittens and senior cats are more easily affected.

Common Causes of Abnormal Cat Panting

Unfortunately, respiratory distress is one of the most common reasons that we see felines on an emergency basis. Many times, excessive panting and other worrisome behaviors are associated with an underlying disease.     

Here are some of the most common primary causes of abnormal panting in cats:

Asthma

Many feline pet parents are shocked to hear that this common human ailment can also be found in their feline fur babies too! Feline asthma affects anywhere to 1-5 percent of all cats and is thought to be a condition in which a cat’s body creates an allergic reaction to inhaled particles from the environment, causing constriction and narrowing of the airways in the lungs.   

Cats with asthma will often cough, wheeze, pant, or breathe at a much faster rate than normal and they may even vomit. There are varying levels of severity to this condition in cats, but just like in people, this can become life-threatening during an asthma attack.  Thankfully, cat asthma can be well controlled through using inhaler therapy for delivery of steroids into the lungs and also using bronchodilators.

Congestive Heart Failure

Also very similar to dogs and people, cats can have many different forms of heart disease that lead to fluid backup and accumulation in and around the lungs, one of the key findings in congestive heart failure. The frustration for many veterinarians and feline pet parents is that many cats can have heart disease that can go undetected until an episode of complete failure. 

This is especially true with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (or HCM). In this condition, the heart muscle thickens, becomes less flexible and, due to its size, has to beat much faster and inefficiently. This disease, especially prevalent in the Maine Coon breed, can cause a cat to have difficulty breathing, panting, coughing, decreased appetite, weight loss, and in advanced cases, risk of blood clots being formed and going to other parts of the body.   

Treatment in emergencies include oxygen therapy, diuretics (medication to help remove fluid from the lungs), medication to help slow down the heart rate and allow more efficient heart beats, aspirin to help prevent blood clots and other life-saving strategies. 

Respiratory Infection

Cats can also develop different respiratory infections within the nasal passages and lungs themselves from viruses, bacteria, and even fungal organisms. When these infectious agents take up residence in the respiratory system, the body’s immune system mounts a large inflammatory response to try and fight the disease, creating a situation very similar to an asthmatic cat.   

Cats experiencing inflammation from a respiratory infection will also have difficulty breathing (either too fast or with too much effort), may cough, pant, and be very lethargic.  

Depending on the cause, we treat these cats with oxygen therapy, antibiotics, and humidifiers or steam therapy to try and clear the nasal passages. Upper respiratory viral infections, like Herpes and Calicivirus, can be especially challenging for young kittens without aggressive support.

Heartworm Disease

While heartworm disease is something we mostly associate with canines, cats can also be infected with heartworm after a bite from an infected mosquito. While many pet parents wonder how their indoor cat would be exposed to this disease, I often ask them how many times their cat lounges in a windowsill with the window open and how many mosquitoes they have found inside their homes.   

Heartworm positive cats may cough, pant, and experience labored breathing. Sadly, there is no definitive cure for this disease in cats and it can often be fatal. However, we do try to treat these cats with oxygen therapy and steroids to reduce the inflammation caused by this parasite.   

Talk to your veterinarian about the available monthly heartworm preventatives for cats that can prevent heartworm disease in your furry family member.

Anxiety

Anxiety in cats is often a common cause of normal feline panting but can become a source of abnormal panting if ongoing within the home or with prolonged travel. If you notice your cat showing other signs of stress associated with panting like overgrooming, inappropriate urination, hissing, hiding, and changes in appetite, talk to your veterinarian about available anti-anxiety strategies that could include behavioral modifications, pheromone therapy (calming hormones to keep in the home or around carrier) and even anxiety medications and calming aids. 

Other causes of abnormal panting in cats include:

• Trauma
• Severe pain
• Disease in the brain or spinal cord
• A distended abdomen
• Some toxicities

When to Consult a Veterinarian about Cat Panting

If your cat is panting, it should be considered an emergency if it occurs spontaneously, doesn’t resolve quickly (in a matter of a few minutes), and is accompanied by coughing, difficulty breathing, and/or lethargy. 

I always tell clients, when in doubt, to err on the side of caution. Call your veterinarian, request a virtual telemedicine video chat, or go directly to the office for assessment. 

On the way to the veterinarian or the emergency clinic, make sure your cat is in a secured, travel-safe carrier that you can easily see through. Keep the car temperature cool and play soft music to help relax them as much as possible. Give your veterinary practice a call ahead of time to alert your arrival so that they can be best prepared for your arrival with oxygen therapy and other life-saving measures if necessary.

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We want to know what exposure your pet has on a daily basis. Does your dog go to communal dog spaces? Does he socialize in dog runs or public parks? Does your dog have regular grooming appointments? Does he go to training classes or boarding facilities? 

If you’ve answered yes to any or all of these questions, your dog is at risk of contagious respiratory diseases caused by the Bordetella bacteria—the most common being kennel cough. 

This disease can cause a lingering cough and decrease in appetite in adult dogs and serious disease like pneumonia in puppies and dogs with compromised immune systems. But the Bordetella vaccine for dogs can help protect your pup from kennel cough and other respiratory diseases.

What is the Bordetella Vaccine?

The canine Bordetella vaccine helps to protect against infection from a bacterium called Bordetella bronchiseptica. This vaccine was created to be given to dogs that are considered socially active. This includes dogs that go to groomers, boarding facilities, dog parks, daycares, training classes, live in large apartment communities, and those that participate in pet therapy.

The Bordetella vaccine protects dogs against kennel cough. This leads to some confusion around the naming of the vaccine. But the kennel-cough nickname originated because many of the cases of this disease were dogs that were frequently boarded. However, this disease can impact any socially active dog, not just those in boarding facilities.

This vaccine can be given orally, intranasally (through the nose), or with an injection. It is administered in all small animal clinics, but also routinely given at shelters, humane societies, rescues, government-run animal groups, and even by some breeders. 

How Does it Work?

As veterinarians learned more about this bacterium, we found that Bordetella alone does not create the kennel cough disease. In fact, experts learned that affected dogs first had to become infected with a virus called parainfluenza. 

This is NOT to be confused with canine influenza, or the dog “flu.” Parainfluenza virus causes the little hairs (or cilia) inside a dog’s trachea (or windpipe) to become paralyzed. Why is this so important? Well, these hairs are responsible for flicking bacteria upward and outward away from the lungs to help prevent respiratory disease. But, when those hairs can’t work temporarily, Bordetella bacteria has an unobstructed path into the respiratory system of the dog, causing cough and other signs.

Because of this knowledge, most effective Bordetella vaccines also have coverage against the parainfluenza virus too. So, this vaccine actually has dual protection!

Bordetella Vaccination Schedule for Dogs

With any vaccination, it’s always very important to talk to your veterinarian about your dog’s individual and environmental risk factors. That being said, according to the American Animal Hospital Association, the leading voice on vaccine protocols for small animal veterinarians in the United States, the recommended Bordetella vaccine schedule for puppies and dogs is as follows:

Puppies can be vaccinated with the intranasal (administered through the nose) vaccine as early as 3 weeks of age (depending on the product label). A second dose should be given two to four weeks later. 

Alternatively, puppies can receive the injectable Bordetella vaccine starting at 6 to 8 weeks of age, followed by a booster between 10 and 12 weeks of age.

There is also an intraoral (administered into the cheek pouch) vaccine option for dogs 7 weeks of age or older.

For adult dogs or puppies older than 16 weeks, the intranasal vaccine can be given once, and the injectable vaccine should be given twice—2 to 4 weeks apart.

Adult dogs should then receive a booster every 6 to 12 months, depending on exposure risk.

Side Effects of the Bordetella Vaccine

Bordetella is considered a very safe vaccine for dogs in general, but just like with any vaccination given to any species, there are some general categories of side effects after vaccination. 

Some of these side effects include:

Pain at the injection site. If the vaccine is given under the skin (subcutaneous), your dog may experience some pain at the site of the injection. This is usually temporary and goes away on its own without any intervention. 

Sneezing or reverse sneezing. The Bordetella vaccine can be administered in the nostrils and some dogs may experience sneezing or reverse sneezing (a loud, repetitive, throat-clearing noise) for a few minutes after the vaccination. While noticeable, this side effect usually resolves quickly. 

Sluggishness and a slight appetite decrease. After any subcutaneous vaccination, some dogs may experience a small amount of sluggishness or inappetence for a short period of time. These signs should go away on their own. If they do not, contact your veterinarian.

In very rare instances, dogs—just like people—can have anaphylactic reactions to vaccination, which is a life-threatening allergic reaction to the vaccine. If your dog starts to vomit, develops hives (red, raised itchy bumps on the body), develops swelling around the face and eyes, has difficulty breathing, or collapses, seek out veterinary care immediately. Signs of allergic reactions typically happen within 10-30 minutes of receiving the vaccine.  

Manufacturers of the Bordetella Vaccine for Dogs

There are several manufacturers of Bordetella vaccines today. Some of these vaccines also protect against the canine parainfluenza virus and the canine adenovirus.

What is the major difference between the oral, intranasal and injectable versions? All of these vaccine types work, but the selection process is also determined by how fast we need protection, the stress level of the dog for administration and the underlying health of the pet. 

The intranasal and oral vaccines do work and protect faster, and they are a great choice if your dog needs to go to a boarding facility within a few days of vaccination. However, if you have more time and planning before a boarding event, the injectable vaccine is a good option and provides longer lasting immunity. And, as mentioned, some dogs are not comfortable with oral or intranasal administration of a vaccine, and that may make injectable versions more appropriate.

Cost of the Bordetella Vaccine for Dogs

In most locations around the country, this vaccine varies in cost from $20-$45 depending on the route of administration (injectable vs intranasal) and the average cost of veterinary care per region.

Does Your Dog Need This Vaccine?

Remember, the dogs most susceptible to kennel cough are the socially active dogs in the community and dogs that have a weaker immune system because of disease or current medications. If your dog frequently goes to a boarding facility, groomer, training classes, or does pet therapy, the recommendation is to have your veterinarian vaccinate your dog using the Bordetella vaccine.  

As always, please talk to your veterinarian. He or she knows your dog and your lifestyle best and will help you make the most informed decision about the health of your best friend.

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Just like with human health, there are certain core and recommended vaccines for cats as well. One of these very important core vaccines for cats is the three-way FVRCP vaccine.

What is the FVRCP Vaccine?

The FVRCP vaccine is a combination vaccine for cats. That means it protects cats against several different viruses. 

Let’s break it down into its three components and the diseases it helps prevent:

FVR stands for feline viral rhinotracheitis (a disease in which there is inflammation in the entire upper respiratory tract like the nose and windpipe). This virus is responsible for 80-90 percent of all upper respiratory infections in cats. It causes lethargy, sneezing, nasal discharge, and conjunctivitis. Young kittens are most susceptible and, in severe cases, kittens can develop ulcers on their eyes and life-threatening pneumonia.  

C stands for feline calicivirus. Although much less common than feline viral rhinotracheitis, it can also cause similar respiratory signs. Calicivirus, however, has the ability to create ulcers on the tongues of cats and inflammation of the joints, causing limping. Just like FVR, severe cases of calicivirus can cause life-threatening pneumonia in kittens and senior cats.

P stands for feline panleukopenia. Panleukopenia technically means a low overall white blood cell count. When this virus infects a cat, it affects the bone marrow and lining of the intestine, causing immunosuppression and severe diarrhea. Unfortunately, once a kitten or cat develops a panleukopenia infection, it is very difficult to treat, and many kittens die from this virus. Vaccination with the FVRCP is the best strategy for prevention. 

The FVRCP vaccine for cats is easily accessible at any small animal veterinary office and is also administered by veterinarians and under the guidance of veterinary professionals in shelters and rescues who work with cats. You do not need to see a specialist to have your cat receive this vaccine.

How does the FVRCP Vaccine for Cats Work?

Vaccination is a very natural way of stimulating and building your cat’s own immunity to disease. When the first FVRCP vaccine is given, it simulates a small amount of the virus entering the body. 

Each of these viruses have a unique shape or presence in the body, and the immune system then produces a protein match in response called an antibody. That antibody is a memory protein that the body can call on again if the cat is ever challenged with the same virus. This process in itself is a great start, but not enough for significant protection.  

The next step to create better immunity is the FVRCP vaccine booster to trigger that next level of protection. (More details to come in the next section on vaccine schedule.) In other words, the booster simulates the presence of the viruses again. The body senses this invasion, calls upon the memory protein that matches it, and produces a large amount of memory proteins to “fight” the virus, making the cat’s immune system stronger and better able to fight the disease.

FVRCP Vaccine Schedule for Cats

A group of feline experts within the American Association of Feline Practitioners put together very specific guidelines to help direct when and how often kittens and cats should receive this very important core vaccine.

Here is a timeline to help provide some clarity for pet parents: 

If your kitten is 6 to 16 weeks old:

• The initial vaccine can be given at 6 weeks of age.
• It is then repeated every 3-4 weeks until your kitten is 16 weeks old.

If your cat is 16 weeks old or older:

• The initial vaccine is given.
• The vaccine then needs to be repeated, or given as a booster, in 3-4 weeks.

Once one of these two scenarios are completed, then the next vaccine is given one year after the booster, and then every three years after that.

Veterinarians do not recommend administering this vaccine to pregnant cats.

FVRCP Vaccine Side Effects

As with any vaccine, there are always some rarely seen side effects. Some mild reactions after a FVRCP booster include:

• Decreased activity or lethargy
• Decrease in appetite
• Mild swelling around the site of vaccination that can develop within a few hours and then resolves in a few days. 

If these signs persist after a few days, please call your veterinarian. 

In rare cases, cats can have allergic reactions to vaccines. Mild cases of allergic reactions can cause the following signs:

• Hives
• Itching
• Redness around the eyes and lips
• Swelling around the eyes and lips

In even more rare instances, cats can have severe allergic reactions to the FVRCP vaccine that cause:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Breathing difficulties
• Pale gums
• Collapse

If you notice either mild or severe signs of possible allergic reaction after vaccination, you should contact and/or see a veterinarian immediately.  

Manufacturers of the FVRCP Vaccine for Cats

There are several pharmaceutical companies that make this cat vaccine:

Merial/Boerhinger Ingelheim produces the PureVax line of vaccines without adjuvants (substances that are added to a vaccine to produce more of an immune response but create more risk of reactions).

Merck Animal Health produces the only USDA-approved, 3-year core FVRCP vaccine. This vaccine also provides 100 percent protection against the ulcers created in the mouth after cats are infected with calicivirus. This vaccine does not contain adjuvants.

Elanco Animal Health produces the Ultra Fel-O-Vax vaccines that have 50 percent less vaccine than other companies and is designed for a more comfortable injection.  They also produce the UltraNasal line to offer a non-injectable option of vaccine.

Zoetis also produces an adjuvant-free FVRCP vaccine line called FeloCell.

Cost of the FVRCP Vaccine for Cats

While vaccines and costs to veterinary care can vary based on geographic location and other factors, most FVRCP vaccines cost between $45-$70 for a 3-year vaccination.

Does Your Cat Need the FVRCP Vaccine?

Vaccination, and the need for vaccination, is always an ongoing topic of discussion for many veterinarians and clients. However, one thing to keep in mind is that veterinarians recommend vaccines based on what is considered a “core” vaccination (essential for all cats as deemed by experts) and your cat’s individual health and environmental risks.

The FVRCP vaccine protects against diseases that are airborne, which means all cats are at risk. Even strictly indoor cats who do not have exposure to the outdoors may sit by an open window or screen, or are exposed to these diseases as the humans they live with travel in and out of the house. 

In addition, if you need to travel with your cat, bring your cat in for hospitalization, or add another cat into your family, there isn’t time to immediately vaccinate. It takes up to a month to reach full protection—so it’s much better to keep your cat proactively protected with the FVRCP vaccine. 

Based on these considerations, FVRCP is regarded as a core vaccine and is recommended for all cats. If you have any concerns or questions about whether this vaccine is right for your cat, contact your veterinarian for more information.

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However, while this is a great alternative for humans, the same is NOT true for dogs.  Xylitol ingestion and toxicity is a growing problem for dogs and one all pet parents should do their best to prevent.

What is Xylitol?

Xylitol is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol in plants, and it is harvested for human use from birch trees. When it is converted into a white powder, it looks and tastes similar to traditional sugar. The original purpose of this sugar substitute was to help diabetics and reduce the need for cavity-causing sugar in chewing gum. 

Items and Foods With Xylitol

Today, there are many foods that contain xylitol, and pet parents should read labels carefully. Items containing xylitol should be kept out of reach of dogs. 

Household items and foods that may contain xylitol include: 

• Toothpastes 
• Chewable sugar-free multivitamins
• Chewable sugar-free prenatal medications
• Nasal spray
• Diabetic snacks (gum and sugar-free candy)
• Diabetic foods
• Baked goods
• Gums (some recommended from pediatric dentists)
• Breath mints
• Candies
• Mouthwashes
• Cough syrup
• Peanut Butter and Nut Butters
• Power Drinks

In other foods, it may not be as easy to spot xylitol, so the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center recommends looking for the letters “xyl” or labels with the following listed ingredients:

• 1,4-anhydro-d-xylitol
• Anhydroxylitol
• Birch bark extract
• Birch sugar
• D-xylitol
• Xylite
• Xylitylglucoside

Sugar substitutes are not normally fed to dogs, but as more and more pet parents use peanut butter as a vehicle to disguise medications, veterinarians became increasingly aware of the hazards of xylitol.   

Pet parents who use peanut butter in this manner should pay extra close attention to the ingredient label and avoid feeding dogs peanut butter that contains xylitol. 

What Causes Xylitol Poisoning in Dogs?

Xylitol is well tolerated in people because it does not cause insulin release from the pancreas. However, in dogs, xylitol is absorbed very quickly into the blood, causing the pancreas to sense that a dog’s blood sugar is too high. This causes insulin to release, which rapidly lowers blood sugar levels (a condition called hypoglycemia).

The toxicity is dependent on how much xylitol dogs consume. It can be challenging to determine how much xylitol is in a product and how much a dog ate. Xylitol poisoning is also much more of a concern in smaller dogs because the toxin has a greater effect on a smaller body.  

Xylitol Poisoning Symptoms in Dogs

Not only is it important for pet parents to know what foods contain xylitol, it’s also very important to know what signs to look for that could indicate xylitol toxicity in dogs.  

Your dog may start to show weakness and gastrointestinal signs, like vomiting and diarrhea. This typically happens within 10 to 60 minutes of ingestion. 

Dogs may also show the following symptoms:

• Weakness or lethargy
• Depression
• Walking drunk
• Sudden collapse
• Vomiting
• Trembling or tremoring
• Seizures
• A racing heart rate
• Jaundiced (yellow) gums
• Black-tarry stool or diarrhea
• Bruising
• Abnormal mental awareness
• Clotting problems

Diagnosing Xylitol Toxicity in Dogs

Early diagnosis and treatment for xylitol ingestion will result in the best outcomes for your dog. If you notice signs or symptoms of xylitol poisoning in dogs, bring your dog to a veterinary hospital as soon as possible.   

Your veterinarian will perform a physical exam to obtain vital pieces of information like heart rate, respiration, and temperature, and also look for other key signs associated with this toxicity like yellowing to the gums, dark black stool, and bruising on the skin.  

Your veterinarian will then also want to run some basic blood and urine tests to obtain more specific information to support this diagnosis and guide treatment. These tests include:

Blood glucose test: This can be checked on a few drops of blood on a glucometer (blood sugar reader that is classically used for diabetics)

Complete blood count (CBC): This test helps veterinarians look at red blood cells, white blood cells, and most importantly, if your dog has enough platelets (clotting cells).

Chemistry panel: This blood test checks a dog’s abdominal organs like the liver, pancreas, and kidneys. It also checks electrolytes (sodium, potassium, phosphorus and chloride).

Urinalysis: This test on urine looks for other signs of kidney function.

Clotting times: This blood test checks to see if your dog’s blood is clotting normally.

There may be additional tests that your veterinarian recommends (such as radiographs or ultrasounds), but most cases of xylitol poisoning are diagnosed by knowledge of a recent ingestion of a product containing xylitol and corresponding changes on blood and urine tests. 

How to Treat Dogs for Xylitol Poisoning

Your dog’s treatment for xylitol poisoning will depend on how much of the sugar substitute your dog consumed. In all cases, quick treatment is key. 

• If your dog ingests  less than 0.1g of xylitol per kilogram of body weight, she is at risk for developing low blood sugar.
• If your dog ingests between 0.1 and 0.5g of xylitol per kilogram of body weight, your veterinarian will recommend hospitalization of your dog, intravenous fluid therapy, and frequent blood work monitoring.
• The highest risk category is if your dog ingests more than 0.5g of xylitol per kilogram of body weight. Your dog could develop liver failure and the most aggressive treatment options are typically recommended.

Your veterinarian will first attempt to induce vomiting if your dog has very recently ingested a product containing xylitol, even if her blood sugar is normal.

However, if your dog has low blood sugar, your veterinarian will place an intravenous catheter and administer a large amount of dextrose (sugar). This can be lifesaving, but only lasts minutes, so your dog will then be placed on intravenous fluids with dextrose for many hours.  

During this hospitalization period, your dog will have her blood work monitored closely to look at liver values, electrolytes, and of course, blood sugar. Eventually, your veterinarian will try to stop the fluids slowly and see if your dog can maintain her own blood sugar without help. If blood-sugar levels stabilize, your dog can be discharged from the hospital.

Some dogs suffering from xylitol poisoning will have a very severe case of toxicity with liver damage. For these dogs, additional therapy is recommended to help the liver heal. 

These treatments include liver protectants and antioxidants such as:

• N-acetylcysteine
• Vitamin E
• SAM-E 
• Silymarin

Your dog may be on these for several weeks to months following hospitalization, with frequent blood work rechecks.

General Costs to Treat Xylitol Poisoning in Dogs

As you can imagine, the costs of treatment really vary depending on the dose ingested, size of your dog, and how early your dog can be treated. These can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars in the most extreme liver-failure cases.

The prognosis for dogs with cases of low blood sugar that receive early therapy is good. However, if your dog had a heavy ingestion of xylitol that progressed to severe liver enzyme elevations and decreased clotting, prognosis is poor—even with aggressive and costly treatment.

How to Prevent Dogs from Eating Xylitol

Prevention is ALWAYS the best medicine and there are a few important tips pet parents can take to avoid this potentially life-threatening toxicity:

Read labels carefully. Pay attention to ingredient labels, especially for peanut butter or other human foods that you may be using as treats or to deliver medications. The general rule for xylitol is that if it is listed in the first 3-5 ingredients of a product, it has a high risk of being poisonous to dogs.

Avoid using human toothpaste for dogs. NEVER use human toothpaste to brush your dog’s teeth–use canine toothpaste only.

Keep xylitol out of reach. Make sure any foods with xylitol are stored in high, inaccessible cabinets or locked securely away from your dog’s reach. 

Keep a watchful eye on kids and guests. Don’t let toddlers or kids be unsupervised around your dog if they are eating foods with xylitol. You should also instruct guests not to feed your dog table scraps of any kind.

Other Artificial Sweeteners and Dogs

Xylitol is only one of the commonly used artificial sweeteners in human foods and products. While many of these ingredients are not considered as toxic as xylitol, they can still cause gastrointestinal upset and should be avoided. 

Aspartame: This blue packet kept in the sugar area at restaurants can cause mild vomiting or diarrhea. It is never healthy for dogs.

Stevia: This is the green packet in the group of sugar packets. While generally safe for dogs, this natural sweetener from the stevia plant can cause diarrhea if consumed in large amounts.

Sorbitol: Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol like xylitol, but it is generally safe for dogs.  However, in large amounts it can cause itching, rashes and breathing problems.

Erythritol: Similar to Stevia, this can cause minor gastrointestinal signs if ingested in large quantities.

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