Laurie Anne Walden, DVM Photo by Anastasiya D on Unsplash Indoor cats need a cat-friendly environment with features that support their mental and physical health. Many behavioral and medical problems of cats, including fighting and urinary tract blockage, are linked to stress and anxiety. Environmental enrichment reduces stress for indoor cats, making them happier and healthier. Cats are inquisitive animals that need to be able to do cat things like hunt and scratch. (Animal welfare experts call this the ability to express normal species-specific behaviors.) By nature, cats are predators who hunt alone. Pet cats who lounge all day on the sofa have the same solitary hunting instinct as their wild counterparts. Here’s how to make sure your home meets your cat’s environmental needs. These five features are from the Feline Veterinary Medical Association’s 2025 position statement on meeting the needs of indoor cats:
A Safe Place Each cat in the household needs a personal retreat, somewhere to rest and feel protected. Examples are cat perches, cardboard boxes, and cat carriers. The home should have at least one retreat per cat, spaced far enough apart that cats don’t have to interact with each other if they don’t want to. A retreat should be sized to fit only one cat and should have more than one entrance/exit so the cat doesn’t feel trapped. Cats tend to prefer retreats that have sides and are raised off the ground. Multiple, Separated Key Resources Key resources for cats are food, water, litter boxes, scratching posts/pads, play areas, and sleeping areas. The home should have enough of these resources for every cat, separated so that each cat has free access without having to compete with other cats. For litter boxes, the usual recommendation is to have more than one litter box per cat (for example, three litter boxes for two cats) and to scoop them out daily. Cats need to have safe access to these resources without being blocked by dogs or other hazards. Cats with mobility limitations might need steps, ramps, and litter boxes with side cutouts for easy access. Opportunities for Play and Predatory Behavior Play with your cat using interactive toys that simulate prey behavior. Examples are toy mice pulled across the floor, flirt poles like feathers on a wand, balls to chase in a (dry!) bathtub, and food puzzles. Let your cat catch the “prey” sometimes to avoid frustration. Be safe: avoid loose strings that your cat might swallow, use objects and not your hands to avoid being bitten, and never aim a laser pointer toward any animal’s or person’s eyes. Positive, Consistent Human-Cat Interaction For a cat, “positive human-cat interaction” means the cat gets to decide how much and what kind of interaction to have. Some cats are cuddle bugs and love being petted; others would rather stay in their own space. Respect your cat’s preferences for human contact and be sure everybody in the home, including visitors, knows not to force interaction if your cat doesn’t want it. Side note: a change in this behavior can be caused by pain or other medical problems. Contact your veterinarian if your cat has started avoiding petting or is hiding more than usual. Environment That Respects the Cat’s Sense of Smell Cats mark their territory with scent by rubbing their face and body on objects. They are also sensitive to odors. Don’t clean your cat’s scent off of marked areas, especially if you are bringing in a new cat or if there are other changes to the household environment. Scented cleaners, cat litter, and candles can be sources of stress for some cats (and might also worsen asthma signs for the many cats with this condition). For more information
Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/a-cat-on-a-leash-0mg7-DHCHuo Laurie Anne Walden, DVM Photo by Leohoho on Unsplash Dietary supplements can contain ingredients that aren’t safe for dogs and cats. These products are available without a prescription and often marketed as “natural,” so you might assume they’re not dangerous. But dietary supplements are not FDA regulated for safety and effectiveness, and their formulations can change without notice. The following is a short list of potentially dangerous ingredients in supplements sold for animals and for humans. With supplements intended for animals, the main risk is overdose. If you have one of these products, be sure your pets don’t have access to the whole container (especially with flavored products). With supplements intended for humans, even a small dose of a problem ingredient can pose a serious risk to animals. Supplements for Animals L-Tryptophan Some products marketed as calming supplements for pets contain L-tryptophan. Large amounts of L-tryptophan can cause trouble with the digestive and nervous systems. Signs in dogs include vomiting, excessive drooling, tremors, and coordination problems. Methionine in “Grass Saver” Supplements Supplements to reduce grass discoloration caused by urine are available even though they aren’t likely to work. These supplements contain methionine, which makes urine acidic. High doses of methionine cause tremors and seizures. Glucosamine and Manganese Pet joint supplements that contain glucosamine and chondroitin are generally safe. However, these supplements can also contain manganese, and an overdose of manganese can cause liver failure. Many joint supplements are flavored chews, increasing the risk of overdose. An overdose of flavored chews can also lead to bloating and shifts in blood electrolyte levels. Supplements for Humans Alpha-Lipoic Acid Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is an antioxidant included in supplements to support a variety of conditions in people. ALA might also be in joint supplements for dogs. Cats are much more susceptible than dogs to the toxic effects. Even small amounts of ALA are dangerous to cats. High doses of ALA in dogs and cats can cause vomiting, low blood sugar, liver problems, tremors, and seizures. Overdose can be fatal. Iron Supplements for humans are the main source of iron exposure for pets. Iron levels are higher in prenatal vitamins and iron supplements than in typical multivitamins. In dogs and cats, iron toxicosis causes stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and liver failure. Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) Although vitamin D is necessary for healthy bones and muscles, it’s toxic in high doses. Human vitamins are one source of exposure for pets; cholecalciferol is also in some mouse and rat poisons. Cholecalciferol toxicosis causes vomiting, diarrhea, and kidney damage. Caffeine Caffeine is often in supplements marketed for energy or weight loss. Products containing green tea extract, coffee bean extract, or guarana contain caffeine. In dogs and cats, caffeine can cause vomiting, restlessness, increased heart rate and blood pressure, tremors, and seizures. Very high doses can be fatal. Xylitol Xylitol is a natural sweetener in many flavored products, including flavored chewable supplements for people. Xylitol isn’t harmful to people or cats. In dogs, though, xylitol causes a dangerous drop in blood sugar and can also damage the liver. If untreated, xylitol toxicosis can be fatal to dogs. Sources
Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/brown-and-yellow-medication-tablets-DRchVK5apjw Laurie Anne Walden, DVM Photo by Alexa on Pixabay In the last few months, several animals in the Carolinas have tested positive for rabies, and a number of people and pets have been exposed to the virus. These are a few of the recent rabies cases and some statistics:
Rabies is a deadly viral disease that causes encephalitis, or brain inflammation. It is not curable but is very easy to prevent with the rabies vaccine. The virus is spread through saliva or nervous system tissue of infected animals. The virus is usually transmitted through a bite, scratch, or contact of infected saliva with broken skin or mucous membranes (eyes or mouth). Infected animals can transmit rabies before they show any signs of infection. This is one reason stray cats and feral cat colonies are a special risk for people. People are more likely to come in contact with stray cats than with wildlife. People who handle infected kittens and adult cats can be exposed to rabies without realizing the animal is carrying the virus. In North Carolina and South Carolina, rabies vaccination is mandated by law for all pet dogs, cats, and ferrets older than 4 months. An animal’s rabies vaccination status (current, overdue, or not documented) affects what happens to that animal if it’s exposed to rabies or bites someone, so don’t let your pets’ rabies vaccines expire. Local animal control officials decide whether an animal will be quarantined at home, quarantined at a facility, or euthanized for rabies testing, and that decision is based partly on rabies vaccination status. Take these steps to protect your pets and yourself from rabies:
Sources
Image source: https://pixabay.com/photos/raccoon-animal-mammal-nature-fur-3538081/ Laurie Anne Walden, DVM Photo by Alexander Jawfox on Unsplash As the weather cools down and the holiday season approaches, keep an eye out for potential hazards for your pets. Halloween, Tailgating, and Other Fall Festivities You probably already know that chocolate isn’t safe for pets. Other potentially dangerous foods that pets can get hold of during autumn festivities include xylitol (sweetener in some candies and store-bought baked goods), raisins, onions, garlic, raw yeast dough, and alcohol. Corncobs, candy wrappers, and decorations are choking hazards and can also get stuck in the digestive system if they’re swallowed. If you want to give your dog corn, use corn kernels instead of cobs (and no salt or butter). Glow sticks and glow jewelry contain a liquid that tastes bitter and can cause drooling, gagging, and vomiting. If you dress your pet in a Halloween costume, use one that has no dangling strings and doesn’t interfere with your pet’s vision and mobility. Also think about your pet’s comfort: does your pet actually enjoy wearing a costume, or do you need to either skip the costume or leave it on just long enough for a photo? During trick or treating, keep your pets safely away from the open front door. Make sure their microchip information is up to date in case they escape. Strangers in costumes can be scary for animals, and some pets react to doorbells. Outdoor Hazards Autumn crocus (Colchicum species) is toxic to animals. If swallowed, it can cause vomiting, digestive tract bleeding, liver and kidney damage, and seizures. Chrysanthemums are mildly toxic and might cause vomiting, diarrhea, or stumbling gait. Most mushrooms are safe but some are deadly, so keep your pets away from all wild mushrooms. Compost piles and leaf piles can contain toxic molds. Leaf piles might also harbor rodents, dangerous objects, and bacteria, so take care before letting your dog jump in them. While camping or hiking, keep dogs on leash so they’ll stay on trails, away from hunters and most wildlife (including snakes). It’s a good idea to wear bright colors for visibility during hunting season. Some dogs need to wear clothing for extra warmth. Dogs that aren’t used to camping might be startled by campfires. Use commonsense fire safety precautions to protect pets from sparks and embers, and keep them away from fire starters and chunks of wood that could pose a choking hazard. Change of Seasons Some kinds of antifreeze are deadly to animals; pets can be exposed as their families prepare cars, boats, and campers for the winter. Mothballs can cause vomiting, liver and kidney damage, and red blood cell damage if swallowed. As the weather changes and fields are harvested, rodents are on the move and might enter houses. If you need to remove rodents from your house, use nontoxic methods like traps. Rodenticides (mouse and rat poisons)—and rodents that have been killed by these poisons—are highly toxic to dogs and cats. Back to School When kids head back to school, pets are at increased risk of exposure to medications for ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder). In dogs and cats, these stimulant medications can cause hyperactivity, restlessness, tremors, vomiting, and diarrhea. As respiratory viruses spread, pets are also at risk of exposure to cold and flu medications, many of which have ingredients that are dangerous for animals. Watch out for lunch boxes; grapes and raisins cause kidney damage in some dogs. Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/white-and-brown-long-coat-small-dog-on-brown-dried-leaves-during-daytime-WakdTA5ZqqU Laurie Anne Walden, DVM Hair loss caused by demodectic mange in a dog. Public domain image. Mange is skin disease caused by infection with mange mites. These tiny parasites cause skin inflammation, hair loss, and (sometimes) itching. Some types of mange are contagious to people and other animals. Mange is much easier to treat than it once was; some prescription flea, tick, and heartworm products are also effective against mange mites. Signs Mange looks very similar to skin disease caused by allergies, fleas, bacterial infections, or yeast infections. Animals with mange often have bacterial or yeast skin infections at the same time. The signs of mange depend partly on the type of mange mite involved, but these are the most common:
Diagnosis Mange is diagnosed by using a microscope to look for mites in skin scrapes or other samples. Mange mites can be hard to find, so skin scrapes can have false-negative results. Blood tests for some types of mites are available. Treatment In most cases, mange is treated with prescription flea, tick, and heartworm preventives like moxidectin, selamectin, fluralaner, afoxolaner, and sarolaner. These medications are available as spot-on topical products, chewable tablets, or injections. Because these medications are so effective against mites, they are often begun when mange is suspected but mites aren’t found on skin scrapes. Older treatments include lime sulfur dips and amitraz dips (dogs only). Types of Mange in Dogs Sarcoptic Mange (Canine Scabies) Sarcoptic mange, or scabies, is caused by Sarcoptes scabiei. These mites are highly contagious to humans and other animals. Scabies is very itchy. Affected dogs usually also have bacterial and yeast skin infections. If untreated, scabies can cause severe generalized infection. Because scabies is contagious, all dogs in the household need to be treated. Demodectic Mange (Demodicosis) Demodex mites (usually D canis) live in the hair follicles of almost all dogs and usually don’t cause a problem. These mites are transferred from mother dogs to newborn puppies, but they are not contagious to people or other animals. Although D canis mites are benign in most dogs, they can cause 3 types of mange.
Types of Mange in Cats Notoedric Mange (Feline Scabies) Scabies in cats is caused by Notoedres cati. As with scabies in dogs, this type of mange in cats is contagious and intensely itchy. Demodectic Mange Like dogs, cats normally carry Demodex mites without any problem. Two types of Demodex mites cause 2 different forms of demodectic mange in cats.
Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dogmangeeee.jpg Laurie Anne Walden, DVM Photo by Connar L’Ecuyer, National Park Service Coyotes live in Charlotte, as you know if you’ve seen one or heard them singing at night. Although coyotes can pose a risk to people and small pets, there are steps you can take to avoid conflict and keep your pets safe. The tips in this post are from 2 excellent resources that have lots more information about coyotes: the Urban Coyote Research Project (https://urbancoyoteresearch.com/) and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (https://www.ncwildlife.gov/species/coyote). Remove Coyote Food Sources Coyotes that find food where people live are rewarded by coming near people and lose their natural fear of humans. These coyotes can become a danger to people and pets. Coyotes are omnivores: they eat prey animals (mostly rodents but sometimes bigger animals), fruit, and other food items they scavenge.
Keep Pets Secure
Don’t Run From a Coyote If a coyote comes near you, be an intimidating human: make noise, wave your arms, and throw something at it. Don’t run away or crouch down. Leave Coyotes Alone Coyotes that are just doing normal coyote things and avoiding people aren’t a cause for alarm. Don’t approach them or harass them; respect them and don’t create conflict. Coyotes can’t be rehabilitated legally in North Carolina, so if you see one that seems orphaned, sick, or injured, leave it alone. Report Dangerous Coyotes
Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/santamonicamtns/35970298854/in/photostream/ Laurie Anne Walden, DVM Image by VBlock on Pixabay Cats with heart disease often don’t show any signs of illness. Sometimes the very first sign that a cat has heart disease is a sudden life-threatening condition like arterial thromboembolism (blood clot) or even sudden death. These are some other signs that a cat might have heart trouble:
Different terms are used to describe the severity of heart problems. Heart disease means that something about the heart is not normal, but the heart is still pumping blood as it should. Heart failure means that the heart disease has gotten worse and the heart is no longer pumping blood normally. Congestive heart failure is a more severe form of heart failure in which fluid builds up in the lungs. The best way to diagnose and stage heart disease is with echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart) by a veterinary cardiologist. Chest radiographs are used to measure the size of the heart and detect fluid in the lungs. Blood tests are sometimes used to screen cats for evidence of heart failure. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common heart disease in cats. The disease can affect cats of any breed, but it has a known genetic link in Maine coon cats and Ragdolls. In this disease, the heart walls become thickened and stiff and can’t pump blood effectively. The disease eventually causes congestive heart failure. Treatment depends on the cat’s stage of heart disease. Cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are at risk of arterial thromboembolism, a painful condition in which a blood clot blocks blood supply to one or more legs. Cats with arterial thromboembolism are often euthanized because of the guarded to poor prognosis. Their best chance of survival is hospitalization at a 24-hour facility that can provide specialized care. Restrictive Cardiomyopathy Restrictive cardiomyopathy is caused by scar tissue in the heart muscle. The cause is not known. The scar tissue prevents the heart muscle from contracting normally, affecting its ability to pump blood. Dilated Cardiomyopathy Dilated cardiomyopathy used to be more common in cats than it is now. In cats, this condition is caused by low levels of taurine (an amino acid) in the diet. Commercial cat foods are now required to contain a minimum level of taurine, so dilated cardiomyopathy has become rare in cats. Cats that eat homemade or vegetarian diets might not be getting enough taurine, in which case they are at risk of developing dilated cardiomyopathy. Dilated cardiomyopathy causes the heart walls to become thinner and weaker. The heart enlarges, and the weak heart walls can’t pump blood normally. Congenital Heart Disorders Congenital heart disorders are present at the time of birth. The most common type in cats is ventricular septal defect, which is a hole between the lower chambers of the heart. Some kittens with a congenital heart disorder lead normal lives; others are severely affected. Treatment might be medical or surgical, depending on the type and severity of the disorder. More Information See the HeartSmart website (Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine) to find out more about heart diseases in cats and dogs: https://vet.tufts.edu/foster-hospital-small-animals/specialty-services/cardiology/heartsmart Image source: https://pixabay.com/photos/maine-coon-cat-pet-animal-feline-7222631/ Laurie Anne Walden, DVM Photo by noelle on Unsplash In cats, unlike humans, allergies don’t typically cause sneezing and runny eyes. Cats with allergies are more likely to have itching and skin disease. Some allergies in cats cause asthma and digestive tract disorders. The most common allergies in cats are flea allergy, allergies to substances in the environment, and food allergies. Some cats have more than one kind of allergy. Flea Allergy For cats with flea allergy, even a few flea bites cause significant itching and skin disease. Signs include hair loss, broken hairs, scratches on the skin, scabs, or raised pink or red bumps. Fleas are hard to find on cats because cats remove them when they groom, so you might not actually see any fleas on a cat whose skin disease is caused by a flea allergy. The pattern of hair loss is one clue to the diagnosis; hair loss on the lower back is usually related to fleas. Because flea-related dermatitis is so common, flea treatment is standard care for cats with skin disease. Unlike many allergy triggers, fleas can be eliminated from a cat’s environment. The best type of flea prevention to use depends on the individual cat, the cat’s lifestyle and environment, and contact animals. Your veterinarian can recommend products for your own cat. It’s easier to prevent a flea infestation than to eliminate one. In general, the most reliable way to avoid flea problems is to give effective (this often means prescription) flea prevention all year round to all cats and dogs in the household. Environmental Allergies The same substances in the environment that cause allergies in people also cause allergies in cats. Some allergy triggers (like grasses and trees) are seasonal; others (like dust mites and mold spores) are present year round. In cats, environmental allergies most often cause skin problems but are also linked to asthma. Environmental allergies cause the same signs of skin disease as flea allergy. Allergies can also cause eosinophilic dermatitis, a type of inflammatory skin disease with red, scabbed, or oozy patches on the haired skin or the edges of the lips. Asthma is fairly common in cats. Asthma flares can be seasonal in cats with environmental allergies. Signs include coughing, wheezing, and open-mouth breathing or panting; emergency signs are difficulty breathing and purple or blue gums. Environmental allergy triggers typically can’t be eliminated. Cats with these allergies receive symptom relief (anti-itch medication) and treatment for the skin infections that are very common in animals with allergic skin disease. Cats with asthma need steroids, often delivered by inhaler. Immunotherapy (“allergy shots”) from a veterinary dermatologist can be used to treat environmental allergies if the exact triggers can be identified with a skin test. Food Allergies Allergies to food ingredients most often cause digestive tract problems like vomiting and diarrhea. In cats, food allergies can also cause skin disease. Vomiting and diarrhea have many possible causes, some of which are very serious, so cats with chronic (long-term) digestive tract symptoms need a full medical work-up. Food allergies can be triggered by a wide variety of proteins and carbohydrates. Simply switching the brand or flavor of cat food—or switching to a homemade diet—won’t tell you if a cat has a food allergy. The only way to diagnose a food allergy is with a diet trial, which means feeding only an elimination diet (a prescription diet formulated to eliminate possible allergy triggers) for several weeks. For cats with food allergy, symptoms greatly improve if the problem ingredient is identified and eliminated. Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/orange-tabby-cat-on-gray-concrete-floor-bTw1Ug-Wlio Laurie Anne Walden, DVM Photo by Ryan Walton on Unsplash Your pet has swallowed an object, something toxic, or medication intended for another animal or a person. Should you try to make your pet vomit? Here are the short answers:
If your pet has been exposed to something that might be dangerous, seek veterinary advice before giving any treatments at home. Call your veterinarian’s office, a local emergency clinic, or an animal poison control hotline:
Animal poison control services have a consultation fee, but calling is usually well worth the cost because their consultants are veterinary professionals with extra training in toxicology and access to specialized information. Cats None of the products that might be used to induce vomiting at home are safe for cats. All of the possible home remedies given by mouth (like hydrogen peroxide) can severely damage a cat’s esophagus and stomach. At the veterinary clinic, we use injectable drugs to induce vomiting in cats. These drugs have some additional effects, like sedation, that need to be monitored and possibly reversed with other medications. Cats don’t always vomit even after receiving these drugs, so they might need other decontamination methods. The veterinary joke (we love cats so we tease them where they can’t hear) is that cats vomit when you don’t want them to but don’t vomit when you do want them to. Still, injectable medications given at a clinic are safe and usually effective for inducing vomiting in cats. Dogs The only vomit inducer that can be given by mouth and is safe for dogs (in some cases, not all) is 3% hydrogen peroxide. It’s sensible to keep a fresh bottle of peroxide on hand if you have a dog. But don’t use it unless a veterinarian tells you to. Making an animal vomit can be dangerous:
Never give a dog salt, syrup of ipecac, oil, or mustard to try to induce vomiting; these are all unsafe for dogs. Don’t try to induce gagging by putting a finger or object down a dog’s throat—it’s not likely to work and would put you at risk of being bitten. To induce vomiting in dogs at the veterinary clinic, we use drugs given by injection or as eye drops. Dogs that receive these drugs need to be monitored and might need other medications to reverse the effects. Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/selective-focus-photography-of-dog-lying-on-ground-uKtvYMGe8ls Laurie Anne Walden, DVM Photo by TJH1976 on Flickr Stomatitis is severe inflammation of the inside of the mouth. In cats, this painful condition is caused by an abnormal immune system response. Most cats with stomatitis need to have many or all of their teeth extracted to have a good quality of life. Stomatitis is more severe than gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and periodontal disease (inflammation of the structures around the tooth roots). In cats, stomatitis starts at the gums and tooth roots but eventually extends to the back of the mouth, the roof of the mouth, the tongue, and the area under the tongue. Causes The exact reason for the abnormal immune response isn’t known. Plaque—a biofilm produced by bacteria in the mouth—triggers stomatitis in most affected cats. Viruses (especially feline immunodeficiency virus and feline calicivirus) and various oral bacteria are also involved in many cases. Signs Cats with stomatitis can’t eat, groom themselves, or even yawn without pain. Because cats by nature hide their signs of pain, we humans often don’t notice the signs of stomatitis until it’s severe and significantly affecting a cat’s behavior. These are some of the signs of stomatitis in cats:
Diagnosis Stomatitis can usually be diagnosed just by the appearance of the mouth during a physical examination. However, oral examination can be very painful for an affected cat, so the extent of disease might not be known until the cat is sedated or under anesthesia. Cats with stomatitis have laboratory tests (baseline bloodwork, tests for feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus, and urinalysis) to assess their overall health and look for other problems that might be causing—or caused by—the immune system disorder. Dental radiographs taken under anesthesia show which tooth roots are affected by the disease. Treatment The goals of treatment are to manage pain and reduce inflammation. Medical treatments might include pain medications, antibiotics, and immunosuppressive or anti-inflammatory medications. Cats often need nutrition support. Because plaque is a trigger, affected cats need a complete dental cleaning under general anesthesia, followed by home dental care once the cat’s mouth is comfortable enough to allow it. Some cats have laser therapy to remove inflammatory tissue in the mouth. For most cats with stomatitis, medical treatment and dental cleaning aren’t enough to manage the disease. The prognosis is best if plaque-collecting surfaces are removed from the mouth, which means surgically removing teeth. Some cats do well with only the back teeth extracted (leaving the incisors and fang-like canine teeth at the front of the mouth in place), but many cats need to have all of their teeth removed. Some cats need to continue medical treatments even after all of their teeth are extracted. Cats that have had full-mouth tooth extractions can eat cat food; they just can’t disembowel a wildebeest anymore. These cats are much happier once their teeth are out and their mouths have stopped hurting. Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/57764574@N03/26233750210/ |
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The contents of this blog are for information only and should not substitute for advice from a veterinarian who has examined the animal. All blog content is copyrighted by Mallard Creek Animal Hospital and may not be copied, reproduced, transmitted, or distributed without permission.
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