Tag Archives: cat care

Mixed Tocopherols: What Are They?

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When looking for a better store-purchased pet food, deciphering ingredient lists can be difficult. One of the most dangerous parts of commercial pet food are the ingredients used to preserve the food. On big name brands found in grocery stores … Continue reading →

Feral Cats: What Should Be Done?

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According to Birder’s World magazine, the American Bird Conservancy is asking U.S. mayors to stop trap-neuter-release programs, and promote responsible pet ownership instead. In a letter to the editor by Darin Schroeder, the vice president of ABC, he writes that … Continue reading →

APDT Dog Training Webinars Available for Viewing

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Are you looking for some tips on how to train your dog? There is a wonderful collection of webinars available for viewing by the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and their work for National Train Your Pet Month (January). Here … Continue reading →

Signs of Luxating Patellas in Cats

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Luxating patellas, also known as Slipping Kneecaps, is more common in dogs, but also affects cats, especially ones that are of certain breeds. This is comparable to if the kneecap on a person slipped from side to side. Bengal cats, Turkish Angoras, and Devon Rex cats are just a few of the breeds that can have this defect, although on a larger scale it is a rarity for cats, as this ailment is mostly seen in dogs. Because it is so unexpected in cats, some owners may find themselves surprised when their cat has this defect. An article from the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Medicine Department has this to say about luxating patellas in cats:

The condition, although uncommon, can occur bilaterally and may be associated with hip dysplasia (bilateral subluxation). The luxation is usually medial, and surgical correction does not seem to have lasting value and thus is not recommended. Young animals subjected to bony reconstructive procedures are likely to develop deformities of the proximal tibia related to the surgeries. Most cats with patellar luxations seem to have the best results when treated conservatively.

Here are some signs to look for if your cat is acting out of the ordinary:

  • Limping
  • Lameness in the hind legs
  • Hopping like a bunny
  • Hissing when picked up or touched on the back legs

To manage this condition, supplements are the best option if surgery cannot be done. A combination of Vitamin C, chondroitin sulfate, and glucosamine sulfate are recommended by many vets. Dasuquin for cats is an easy glucosamine supplement to give cats, as the tablet can be opened and sprinkled on the cat’s food.

Cats and Obesity: It’s Not Inevitable!

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Feline obesity is a growing epidemic, and a lot pet owners just assume that cats get fat because they like to sleep most of the day. Unfortunately, remaining lax on cat health can result in preventable diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, and osteoarthritis. Luckily, it doesn’t take much to make sure your cat remains in good shape, health, and stays at a healthy weight.

Some causes of feline obesity and what you can do about it:

Free feeding: Many cat owners plunk a large bowl of food down and let the cat eat whenever they feel like it. This is detrimental to a cat’s health, because it is a fast way to  eat too many calories. Having a cat on a feeding schedule to control the food intake is one way to regulate how much is eaten. About a quarter cup per day is how much the average cat will eat, but it depends on the size and type of the cat. If you have a large cat who eats much more than that per day, don’t scale back all at once. Ask your veterinarian for how much your cat should eat. If you don’t want to both with a feeding schedule, there are timed feeders on the market that allow you to control how much food is being given.

Type of food: Poor quality kibble is one of the biggest factors in feline obesity. Dangerous by-products, and grain-based foods with chemical preservatives are common in the feline food marketplace. Most animal nutritionists recommend that cats be fed a diet of wet food over dry, because dry kibble does not contain the rich amounts of water that cats need. A lack of water causes urinary tract problems in cats. Lisa A. Pierson, DVM, states that,

Obligate carnivores are designed to meet their energy needs with calories supplied by protein and fat – not by carbohydrates.  The average prey (birds, mice, rabbits, etc.) of a wild cat is made up of only 3 – 5% of calories from carbohydrates.

Pierson also claims that “Dry foods flood the cat’s system with 5-10 times (500% – 1,000%) more calories from carbohydrates than what would be found in a wild cat’s prey.”

By looking at the first four ingredients of a popular dry kibble, we can immediately see problems: Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn Grist, Corn Meal, and Dried Beet Pulp. These ingredients do not meet the standards a cat’s natural diet needs. Feeding a holistic canned food or preparing a raw, homemade diet is much more nutritional and supports overall cat health.

Lack of Exercise: A lot of people think cats are lazy because they sleep a lot, but they still need exercise. Fifteen minutes of exercise are recommended per day for cats. There are several ways to provide stimulation for cats to get their exercise, even if you can’t play with them. Provide stimulation with toys like balls, mice stuffed with catnip, and a cat tree or tower. When the tower or tree is placed in a window, cats can see outside and observe birds and other activity. Another great toy is the laser pointer. Cats will chase and hunt for the laser, and get exercise at the same time.

Sources:

Pierson, Lisa A. “Feline Obesity: An Epidemic of Fat Cats.” Cat Info: Common Sense. Healthy Cats.. N.p., July 2011. Web. 12 Sept. 2011.

Riccomini, Francesca. Cat Care Essentials. London: Hamlyn, 2010. 134-35. Print.