Cat Health

Connie Limon asked:


Older cats are prone to aches, pains and health issues just like their human owners. Such problems come with advancing age. The average lifespan of the cat has increased and chances cat owners will see age-related issues have increased as well.

 

 

It is not uncommon for the vets to recommend some tests for senior cats to make sure the internal organs are functioning like they should. Cats don’t always show signs that they are not feeling as well as they did in their younger years. Some tests can let the vet know something is wrong with the senior cat long before he or she shows or feels signs of illness.

 

 

If the senior cat is healthy, it is probably a good idea for your vet to at least have yearly blood work done. You may actually save your cat from experiencing problems of illness when it is caught in the early stages.

 

 

Always visit the vet if your cat displays any of the following:

 

 

Increased or decreased water intake and urination Weight loss Decreased appetite Vomiting or diarrhea Failure to groom Appearance of a growth or mass Any changes in activity level or normal daily habits

 

One of the most important things you can provide your vet is an accurate history. It is important to be able to detail any changes or symptoms the cat is displaying.

 

 

Conditions more common in senior cats include:

 

 

Renal (kidney) disease Gastrointestinal diseases Arthritis Hyperthyroidism Neoplasia

 

Renal disease, common to senior cats, can be picked up on a yearly blood screen before outward signs appear. Some kidney problems will cause symptoms such as increased water intake and increased urination. You may notice you need to fill the water bowl more often or empty the litter box more often. Kidney disease is not necessarily a death sentence even for the senior cat. There are medications and treatments that can greatly enhance the quality of life for your senior cat.

 

 

Overactive thyroid gland or hyperthyroidism is another common problem in the senior cat population. Symptoms might be loss of weight, even though the cat’s appetite increases or that the cat’s sleep-wake cycle changes. Overactive thyroid gland is another condition that is now easily diagnosed and treated. However, if this disease is left untreated or undiagnosed a host of other problems may appear such as:

 

 

Cardiac disease Gastrointestinal problems High blood pressure Blindness Even death

 

Many cat owners dread hearing their cat has neoplasia. This is also unfortunately a common problem in the senior cats. It is a disease that is very difficult for vets to diagnose. Diagnosing may call for extensive diagnostic testing.

 

 

Arthritis is another common disease in senior cats. Signs of arthritis in cats may include:

 

 

Decreases in activity level or ability/desire to jump Limping Weakness Decrease in appetite

 

If you notice any of the signs of arthritis, avoid over-the-counter human medication. These medicines can be very hard for the cat to metabolize and may actually even damage their internal organs. There are new veterinary medicines for the treatment of arthritis that can be used safely in cats.

 

 

Disclaimer: The information in this article is not meant to diagnose or treat any kind of health problem in your cat. You should always consult with a trusted veterinarian for all health problems.

 

 

 

 

 



Asher

Kitty Lover asked:


I found out 4 weeks ago that my cat (5 yrs old) had fatty liver disease.
She had stopped eating for some reason and quickly went down hill.
I took her to the vet and exhausted all possible funds quickly.I have been force feeding every 3-31/2 hours 24/7 for the past 4 weeks.
(stomach tube was an option but too expensive) I am also giving SubQ fluids every other day. Some days I think she is picking up a bit by trying to eat on her own. Then the next day she is not holding her food down. Seems like 1 step forward and 2 back.
Has anyone else had this experience and was it successful? Should I keep trying? HELP!

Jeffrey

KitKat asked:


My friend has a cat probably 2-3 years old, she recently got him from another friend of mine. He’s always been a healthy cat. Recently since the change in homes, he’s begun drooling & slobbering a lot, but also he has stopped using his litter box and just goes anywhere. His former home was a single older adult home, his new home is a young couple with young children & a very small dog who really doesn’t bother him. Any ideas about whats going on with her cat?
I’ve advised her about taking him to the vet, however since it IS a holiday weekend and the vets are closed until Tuesday without going to the expense of an emergency vet we’re trying to get an idea of what MIGHT be going on.

Julie

Nick Bulka asked:


Most of us know that feeding our cat is not really a chore at all. Dump the food in a big bowl or dish, and the cat will eat when it’s ready. Unlike a dog, cats tend to not overeat and therefore are more easily manageable than most other house pets. However, we need to be careful when assuming that the food that we are feeding our cat, and the manner by which we feed our cat, are the best choices for our cat. Here are some tips on how to maintain a healthy diet for your kitty.

Feed your cat based on their activity.

Is your cat an active cat or does it to lay around the house all day waiting for its next meal? If your cat is overweight and not very active at all, leaving a bowl full of food is probably not the best idea. It is at this point that you should begin to manage how much you feed your cat, what you feed your cat, and how often. By taking charge of your cat’s feeding habits, you will be able to increase the life and longevity of your cat by making this simple and easy choice. A simple “Here kitty kitty kitty” will make your overweight and hungry feline run for the bowl to eat your rationed healthy amount of cat food.

Watch the weather!

Simply put, the environment in which your animal lives directly affects and influences their energy needs. Extreme hot or cold weather can increases a pet’s energy needs and drinking habits. Make sure that on hot days water is readily available and that you feed your cat more canned food then dry. The water content within the canned food will help the cat retain water if it is not able to get to the water dish on a regular basis. If the weather is cold, make sure that you are feeding your cat very nutritional cat food that is not full of filler so that your cat will have more of the necessary nutrients to digest to ensure that it stays healthy.

Cat feeding times

Although discussed previously, there is much more to say about having a specific feeding time for your cat. Not only does this allow you to feed your cat nutritional canned food, you will also know that it will not be left in the open. Preservatives are nice, but let’s not take any chances with the food left out.

Also, by having specific feeding times, this allows you to monitor your cat’s diet by providing the food at regular times. It is a kind of portion-control feeding, however, most cats will simply eat until they have what they need.

Bottom line: keep a bowl full of a regular dry cat food and monitor the intake of canned food to ensure that your cat does not get overweight and is as healthy as it can be.

Buy the best

Though this sounds economically wrong, the truth of the matter is this: cheap cat food usually is cheap because of the added fillers that are put into the food.

As a general rule, cats need a daily regimen of protein found in meat, fish, or poultry. They also need an essential amino acid called Taurine and various other vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids.

If you have looked at a label for cat food, you will notice that wheat, rice, and even corn is used as filler for both canned and dry cat foods. Make sure that the cat food that you choose has the proper amounts of protein, vitamins, and minerals and not as much filler. The price of the cat food usually justifies its quality. And, as an added benefit, cats usually only eat as much as their bodies need. Therefore, your cat will probably eat less of the expensive of cat food because it contains more of the nutrients that it needs and not as much filler.

Avoid food addictions

Cats are said to be finicky animals. Whether this is true or not, cats have been known to develop a certain affinity toward particular brands and types of food. This could become a problem, especially if your cat develops a food allergy to certain ingredients and preservatives that may be contained within that cat food.

In order to avoid this, it is recommended that early in a cat’s life that it gets used to having different varieties of cat food and different flavors. This way, the cat is less likely to develop an affinity for a particular brand which may inevitably lead to the cat developing a food allergy because of the lack of variety in its daily diet.

Overall, by avoiding cat food products that have chemical preservatives like BHA, cornmeal, and other carbohydrate fillers, you should be able to maintain your cat’s health at an optimal level.



Demetrius

Steph asked:


I already know the importance of canned food which I feed just want to know about this particular food.

Ellie

iAm notArabbit asked:


One had blood in its stool and I noticed tonight another has blood in his urine.
I don’t know if the food has anything to do with the health problems, and I will be taking them to the vet for a checkup, but I’m wondering if anyone else has had issues with Blue Seal or By Nature pet food?

Landen

**STIZZO** asked:


Sometimes you can have something wrong and not even know it, then it is too late when you finally find out.

Joel

crystalclearannie asked:


my cat is approx 8 weeks prego and today her water broke. but she has dropped 4 empty sacs. but apears to still be in labor. One of the older cats is nursing on her. I’m at a lost

Lindsay

David P Lee asked:


Do They Need Vitamines?

Pet owners of today face a wide variety of choices when deciding what to buy for their cats. These choices can and will determine the health of the feline. Good nutritional choices will mean a long, sustainable, illness-free life. Bad choices can mean suffering and premature aging and death for the animal.

What do you need to know about helping your cat remain healthy?  Well there are several options.  First of all a feline is a carnivore.  Cats have always needed the nutrition of meat in order to survive.  In fact in the wild cats will hunt their meat, for example just look at lions and tigers.  Your domestic cat should not be any different with regard to offering protein in the meal.  Water is also an important source of nutrients.  To maintain healthy weight water is needed.

Other vitamins your cat needs include vitamin A, D, E and B complex. Also niacin, riboflavin, and thiamin are needed for a complete nutritional complement. Taurine is an important amino acid for felines. They cannot manufacture enough of this nutritional supplement by themselves. One supplement they do not need to consume is vitamin C. Cats synthesize enough of this nutrient within their bodies, as well as vitamin K.

Other vitamins and minerals like calcium are important but keep in mind that overdoing the supplement portion of your pet’s intake can be problematic as well. Always check to make sure the proper dosage has been adhered to before feeding your cat vitamins and minerals. And keep in mind the vitamins they do not need to consume.

They need copper, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, selenium, and other supplements but they also need natural sunlight, exercise, though not as much as a dog, and proper attention in order to be fully healthy. Think of your cats as total beings, not just something you feed everyday. Make sure they get plenty of play everyday with household toys or cat tree, cat furniture they can climb on. Many items can be designed with their enjoyment in mind, including where they sleep.

There are plenty of ways to feed them prepared meals and if this is the route you go, make sure the storage and handling of this food, especially any meat, is done in the proper way. The benefit of preparing meals for your pets is twofold. First, it encourages the pet owner to take responsibility for the health of their pets. By taking the direct responsibility of what goes into their pet’s mouth, the owner is learning by doing and seeing what works for their animal.

The second and arguably the most important benefit to preparing your pet’s meals yourself is that you can avoid the chemicals and by-products found in most store bought food. These by-products have no place in the natural diet of a cat or any animal. Cats need nutritious substances that come from the earth and do not include man-made chemicals or additives.



Maximus

Christopher Byrnes asked:


Cat care is the most important part of keeping your cat healthy and happy. The more you know about cat care, the better you will be able to meet your feline’s physical and emotional needs. The stronger your cat’s health and the better your cat’s attitude are, the more you will be able to enjoy your cat’s unique personality. Good cat care will make your cat more affectionate, and can dramatically reduce any behavior problems that your cat may be displaying. If you want a richer and fuller relationship with your cat, try improving your cat care.

Having a cat is a two way street. The better the level of cat care that you can provide for your pet, the more energetic, affectionate, and well behaved it will be. By giving your pet with optimum cat care, you will make it more agreeable to the training and gentle behavior modification techniques that can take the headaches out of pet ownership. Good cat care often translates into a good cat that will take commands more willingly than a cat who does not receive enough attention, affection, and care. The more you learn about how to care for your cat, the better the level of health you will be able to bring your feline friend to. The healthier your cat is, the stronger the emotional bond between you and your pet will be, and that bond often serves as the core of obedience training.

By educating yourself about cat care and practicing the best, scientifically tested cat care techniques to provide your cat with optimum attention, you can make sure that your cat is as happy as possible. The happier your cat is, the happier it will be able to make you. A cat that is well cared for is a cat that will be interested in active playtime and in calm relaxation. The better your cat care abilities are, the more fully you will be able to sharing time with your cat doing all of you pets, and your, favorite activities together. Great cat care provides a strong foundation for your bond with your cat. Good cat care can help you grow closer with your beloved pet by making sure that he or she is always up for spending time with you. This is why cat care is an important part of your emotional relationship with your cat.

If your cat isn’t getting the right kind of care, from the best kind of diet to the ideal grooming schedule, your cat may develop behavior issues that can make your pet feel like a problem child. However, the positive side of this equation is that conscientious and responsible cat care can help your cat overcome issues ranging from constant mewling to weight issues to destructive tendencies. Good cat care means a happier pet, and even a problematic cat who receives enough of the right kind of care can become a pleasant companion.



Marshall