Cat glossary: vet, breed and behavior terms explained
Plain English definitions of the words you will meet at the vet, on pet food labels and in breed descriptions, from AAFCO statement and body condition score to HCM, PKD and taurine. Each term links to the guide where it matters most.
- AAFCO statement
- The nutritional adequacy statement on US pet food labels saying a food is complete and balanced for a life stage, based on standards from the Association of American Feed Control Officials. See nutrition.
- Body condition score (BCS)
- A hands on way to judge whether a cat is underweight, ideal or overweight, usually on a 9 point scale where 5 is ideal.
- Brachycephalic
- Having a short, flat face, as in many Persians and Exotic Shorthairs.
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
- Gradual, permanent loss of kidney function; one of the most common diseases of older cats. See senior cats.
- Core vaccine
- A vaccine recommended for every pet cat because the disease is widespread and serious. See vaccines.
- Feline calicivirus (FCV)
- A common cause of cat flu, often with mouth ulcers; covered by the core combination vaccine.
- Feline leukemia virus (FeLV)
- A virus that weakens the immune system and can cause cancers and anemia; its vaccine is core for kittens.
- Feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1)
- The other main cause of cat flu, with sneezing and eye problems; covered by the core combination vaccine.
- Feline panleukopenia (FPV)
- Also called feline enteritis or feline parvovirus: a severe, often fatal viral disease, especially in kittens; covered by the core combination vaccine.
- Flehmen response
- The open mouthed "grimace" a cat makes to draw scents toward the vomeronasal organ in the roof of the mouth.
- Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD)
- An umbrella term for problems of the bladder and urethra, causing straining, frequent small pees or blood in the urine. See cat straining to pee.
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
- Thickening of the heart muscle; the heart disease most associated with certain breeds. See breeds.
- Hyperthyroidism
- An overactive thyroid gland, common in older cats; causes weight loss despite a big appetite.
- Kneading
- Rhythmic pushing with the front paws, a nursing behavior many adult cats keep.
- Moggy
- An informal, mainly British word for a mixed breed cat (domestic shorthair or longhair).
- Neutering
- Surgery to prevent breeding: spaying for females, castration for males. See kittens.
- Obligate carnivore
- An animal that relies on nutrients found only in animal products. Cats are obligate carnivores.
- Osteochondrodysplasia
- A disorder of bone and cartilage development; in Scottish Folds it causes painful joint disease.
- Permethrin
- An insecticide found in many dog flea products that is highly toxic to cats.
- PK deficiency
- Pyruvate kinase deficiency, an inherited anemia found in several breeds and some mixed breed cats.
- Polycystic kidney disease (PKD)
- An inherited condition in which cysts form in the kidneys; common in Persians and related breeds.
- Pointed coat
- A coat with darker color on the face, ears, legs and tail, as in Siamese and Ragdolls.
- Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
- Inherited degeneration of the retina leading to blindness.
- Queen and tom
- An unneutered female cat (queen) and an unneutered male cat (tom).
- Slow blink
- A sequence of half blinks and eye narrowing that cats show when relaxed; people can use it to communicate with cats. See slow blink.
- The sensitive window, about 2 to 7 weeks of age, when kittens learn what is safe and normal.
- Taurine
- An amino acid cats must get from food; deficiency causes heart disease and eye problems.
- Ticked coat
- A coat in which each hair has bands of color, as in the Abyssinian.
- Toxoplasmosis
- Infection with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which cats can shed in their feces. See myths vs facts.
- Urethral obstruction
- A blockage of the tube that carries urine out of the body, mainly in male cats; a life threatening emergency.
- Vomeronasal (Jacobson's) organ
- A scent organ in the roof of the mouth used to detect chemical signals.
- Zoonosis
- A disease that can pass between animals and people, such as toxoplasmosis or ringworm.
General education, not veterinary advice. If you are worried about your cat, contact your veterinarian; in an emergency, go to the nearest emergency vet.