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Different Ways To Make Your Cat Feel At Home

By
Ellie Wheeler
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Bringing home a cat is so exciting and appealing. Whether the cat or kitten is your first or just an addition to the pet family, it will be wholly reliant to you, especially on easing its transition from being a mother cat’s side or animal living quarters to a strange new place. Keeping it happy and safe takes so much planning, as well as patience for everyone at home. There are actually some effective ways to make your cat feel at home. Give this article a read and get to learn more about these.

The Ride Home        

If you are riding in a car with your new cat, it may be a bit traumatic for your new baby. The cat or kitten must be confined to a transporter during the ride home, as well as during the succeeding visits to the vet. Furthermore, you should not let your cat loose in a moving vehicle or allow someone to excite it. Moreover, you also should not leave the cat unattended in the stop due to visiting or in the car. You must always keep your cat on its carrier, up until you are already safe inside your house.

The New Home

You need to consider the past experiences of the new cat. The cat or kitten might have been just recently parted from its litter mates and mother. The cat or kitten needs to cope up with the transition of home, as well as the stress. Moreover, the adult cat might have been parted from its familiar home. As well as forced to breaking a bond with some other animals or human companions. Now, it must adjust once more to a totally new surroundings.

You must allow your cat a few weeks to adapt to its new surroundings. During this particular period, the cat or kitten must carefully be confined indoors. It needs to get accustomed to you as its provider of love, food, or shelter. Make sure that all the doors and windows are closed and all the screens are well secured. Remember, a scared cat  may easily get out of an open window. Different animal advocates and organizations advocate to keep cats indoors for their whole lives. However, if it is your choice to eventually let your cat outside, it is domineering that it stays totally indoor for a whole month.

Furthermore, it isn’t that uncommon for cats to show behavioral issues during the first days at home. However these typically vanish over the course of time. Moreover, the new kittens and cats often bolt under furniture. Additionally, some might also spend times hiding. Talk to the cat patiently and quietly. If you need to take the cat out of its hiding place, you should carry it gently to a quiet place where it’ll feel secure and safe. Make sure that litter box, water and food are nearby.

Ways To Make Your Cat Feel At Home

Here are some ways to make your cat feel at home:

Litter Box

Sometimes, cats naturally want their own presence to be known. Sometimes, they want to be hidden as well. However, the fact is, each time a cat goes into the litter box, they leave a track of scent, which can serve as a means of them communication. Therefore, it is not that uncommon to relive themselves in various locations, as well as reserve certain spots for certain duties.

Feeding

In order to create a calm environment for feeding, you need to consider the type of dish you are going to use and where to place it. Due to the fact that cats use their whiskers to communicate, navigate, and measure openings, a dish which causes its whiskers to bend may be so irritating. Rather, use a shallow plate or dish with shorter sides. Through this way, your cat may grab bits of the kibble without even touching its whiskers.

Scratch Posts

It is a huge need for cats to scratch. In fact, when a cat scratches, the old outer nail sheath is getting pulled off. Further, the sharp, smooth claws underneath will be exposed. Cutting the cat’s nails per 2-3 weeks may keep them fairly blunt. Moreover, they are also less likely to harm its arms. You need to provide your cat with a strong scratching post. It must be at least 3 feet high and is strong enough to wobble during its use. Further, it should also be rough on the outside.

Hideouts

While roaming their territory, it is common for cats to hide in nature. There are various interesting choices that play into the cat’s desire to see without even actually being seem. Further, play tunnels are made of insulating fabrics and may double as a bed. Moreover, your cat may spend time under the bed or on a chair.

Connecting to the outside world.

Due to the fact that there are so many dangers outside the house, exposure to diseases and other risky stuff, we do not really condone outdoor cats. That is not to say indoor cats must always be sealed at home. You can let your cat go and explore the outside world. But supervise it very well.

Perches

Naturally, cats take the trees. This is what keeps them hidden from predators. Further, these also gives them the right vantage for the surveying of their own opportunistic hunting and territory. In order for you to introduce this to your cat, you should increase the vertical space in your home with the cat tress or cat clouds.

There you have it –the different ways to make your cat feel at home! So, if you want to add a new companion to your home, cat’s a good one to choose! Plus, you already know how to take care of it when you get one.

What Are The Cat Care Basics?

By
Ellie Wheeler
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There is no denying that cats are great companions and they may bring years and years of fun, unconditional love, and joy to your home. However, before you bring home a cat, it is very important to know the things that you need to consider. There are actually a lot of things that you need to bear in mind before you own a cat. Read on to this article and learn more about the cat care basics and more interesting facts!

Cat Care Basics  

Here are some of the cat care basics that you need to learn for you to have a great relationship with your new buddy.

Feeding                                            

It is recommendable that you buy a premium, high-quality cat food. Your vet will assess your new cat and determine the best diet for it. Several factors like health, activity level, and age make a huge difference in how and what a cat must eat.

  • Taurine is an amino acid, which is essential for the eye and heart health of your cat. Further, the food that you choose must be well balanced for the life stages of your pet. Additionally, properly balanced diet must have taurine in it.
  • You need to take your pet to the vet when you see signs of lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea and anorexia keeps on going for more than two days.
  • The delights you give must be not more than 5 to 10% of the diet.
  • You may need to provide clean, fresh water all the time. Further, you will also need to wash and refill the water bowl of your cat every day.

Grooming

Most of the cats can clean themselves and stay quite clean. Further, they don’t need any bath. However, you need to comb or brush your cat on a regular basis. Recurrent brushing is actually essential in keeping the coat of the cat clean. Moreover, it also helps in reducing the amount of shedding, as well as cuts down on the occurrence of hairball.

Handling

You should know the proper way of picking up your cat from the floor. First, you need to place on of your hands behind the front legs and the other one under the hindquarters. Lift your cat gently. Moreover, you should never pick your cat up by the scruff of its neck or through its front legs.

Housing

Your cat must have its own dry and clean place at home. It should have its own place to rest and sleep. You can line the bed of your cat with a warm, soft towel or blanket. Make sure that you wash the bedding often. Furthermore, keep the cat indoors. The outdoor cats don’t live as long as the indoor cats.

Moreover, the outdoor cats are at higher risk of trauma from fights with some other cats, cars, raccoons, and free roaming dogs. Further, the coyotes are well known to eat cats as well. The outdoor cats are more prone to becoming infested with ticks or fleas, as well as contract with various infectious illnesses.

Identification

If they are allowed outside home, your cat must wear an ID tag and a safety collar. Remember, a safety collar that has an elastic panel may allow your cat to break loose when the collar gets caught on something. Further, for both the outdoor and indoor cats, an identification or ID tag or a microchip may help in ensuring that your cat will be returned if your cat is lost.

Litter Box

All the indoor cats need litter box. This box must be located in a quiet and accessible location in the house. If you are in a multi-level house, a box per floor is recommendable. Furthermore, you should avoid moving the box, unless it is really needed. However, if you must do so, move it just a few inches away every day.

Bear in mind that cats will not always use a smelly, messy litter box. Therefore, scoop the solid wastes out of the litter box at least once every day. Additionally, dump everything, wash with a much milder detergent, and refill once in every week –at least. If you are using a clumping litter, you may be able to do less of this frequently.

Moreover, do not use any scents or deodorants, especially the lemon scents. When you clean the litter box, as a specific.in case your cat will not use the litter box, please consult a vet. There are times that the litter box is based on a medical illness, which requires treatment.

Scratching

It is a huge need for cats to scratch. In fact, when a cat scratches, the old outer nail sheath is getting pulled off. Further, the sharp, smooth claws underneath will be exposed. Cutting the cat’s nails per 2-3 weeks may keep them fairly blunt. Moreover, they are also less likely to harm its arms. You need to provide your cat with a strong scratching post. It must be at least 3 feet high and is strong enough to wobble during its use. Further, it should also be rough on the outside.

Health

Your cat must pay a visit to its vet once every year for exams and annual shots. As well as immediately if it is injured or sick.

Spaying or Neutering

The female cats must be spayed and the male ones must be neutered by 5 months old.

Vaccinations

Your vet might make some recommendations regarding the age and health of the cat.

Checklist for Cat Supplies

  • Cat box or bed with warm towel or blanket
  • Cat carrier
  • Scratching post
  • ID tag on safety cat collar
  • Comb
  • Brush
  • Interactive toys
  • Water bowl
  • Food dish
  • Premium cat food



Switching Cat Food: Facts You Need To Learn About It

By
Ellie Wheeler
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0

Irrespective of the purpose for switching cat food, it is the best to take time in switching your cat from a food to another. Further, cats tend to have sensitive tummies and might become sick or even stop eating in case their food’s abruptly changed. This may occur when a different food changes the environment of the intestine. What’s more, this might lead to vomiting, a repudiation to eat, and diarrhea. This is the reason why it is the best to slowly deter your cat off of its current food, as well as onto the new food. Read on to this article and learn more about switching cat food properly!

Importance of Switching Cat Food Gradually 

When possible, your cat must be switched in a gradual manner from a food to another. Moreover, the sudden changes in the cat’s diet may cause GI or gastrointestinal upset. This may result in reduced appetite for cats, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Idyllically, you need to plan on taking at least one week to switch your cat from a food to another. In case your cat isn’t finicky, you can start by adding a small amount of a new food with some old food. Moreover, you can gradually increase the quantity of the new food and reduce the old food by the same amount every day. Make sure that your cat is eating the food. When the transition goes smooth, you need to feed just the new food at the end of the week.

Unluckily, a lot of cats are picky on what they will eat or not. Further, there are also some cats that become accustomed to a certain type of diet and it may be so hard to transition them. Usually, it is possible to convince these cats to take a new food, yet it’ll take time, and a lot of patience.

Never ever try and starve your cat so that it eats the new food. Cats who don’t eat regularly may develop hepatic lipidosis. This is a health condition, which may become lethal. When your cat goes longer than 24hrs. With no ingestion, you need to worry. Furthermore, cats that are eating a great amount of food might take much longer to be sick. However, they may still develop hepatic lipidosis within days.

When Should You Try Switching Cat Food?                      

In order for you to change fully the cat food your pet is eating, read the following considerations first.

Cat’s Diet and Life Stage

The nutritional needs of a cat evolves as they age. One example of which is the protein. We know that kittens need so much of it, yet adult cats need lesser, in the senior cats, excessive amount of protein may actually harm the kidneys and livers.

Luckily, there is food out there for each of the life stages. A kitten formula might have enough protein, carbohydrates, and fat to satisfy the young kittens. On the other hand, the adult cat and the senior cat formulas have varying balances of ingredients. For instance, the senior food, might include supplements like chondroitin and glucosamine. These are essential in easing the stiffness in the older cat’s joints.

Diet and Food Sensitivities

When your cat has digestive issues, breathing conditions, or itchy skin, a food sensitivity might be the one to blame. The cats develop reactions to various ingredients in the food –often time even after eating that ingredient for many years with few to zero problems. In case your vet suspects that your cat is sensitive to a particular food, switching cat food is necessary. Your vet may suggest that you try novel proteins.

Diet and Wellness

Various foods are formulated in helping the cats to stay and get well. In case your cat has urinary problems, talk to your vet about it. Your vet may recommend some urinary-health cat food.

After neutering or spaying, the hormones of your cat will change. This may affect the nutritional needs, appetite, and energy. You should ask your vet if your cat must eat a neutered or spayed food formula after undergoing surgery.

Switching Cat Food: From Dry to Wet

The transitioning of cat food from dry to wet may especially be problematic. Moreover, the texture and the taste of the two kinds of food are a bit different and a lot of cats may find their new food a bit strange. Further, there are some tricks that you can try in making the switching a lot easier and the food more palatable.

For cats, which need to be switched from dry food to wet food rapidly because of some medical issues, adding a bit of Fortiflora may help in improving the palatability. The fortiflora is a kind of probiotic, which helps in enhancing palatability. Additionally, warming the wet food to near the body temperature may also help in improving the delectableness.

Moreover, encouraging the cat to engage in some interactive plays for a short amount of time before every meal may also help in increasing the appetite of the cat. As well as make the acceptance of the new food much easier.

You need to watch your cat’s weight thoroughly and carefully during any food switching. Incase your cat refuses to eat during the process or lose weight suddenly, you should pay your doctor a visit for some advice.

Get To Know: What Cats Eat?

By
Ellie Wheeler
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0

Cats enjoy eating a bunch of foods, which offer everything from carbs to protein. In case you are getting ready to adopt a cat, perhaps, you are wondering what cats eat. Well, actually, there is a lot of information about it on the internet. In the actual fact, so much information that it may get very confusing. Nonetheless, in this article, we are going to provide you information about what you must know when you are feeding your cat. Read on to learn more!

Get to know: What cats eat?

Cats are generally carnivores. Therefore, they need a source of animal protein, for them to meet their optimal health status. You may need to find a high-quality commercial cat food, which is appropriate for the health and age of your cat. If it is necessary, speak to your vet before you choose what you are going to feed your cat. Well, your vet will be the ones to assess your cat’s heath status, as well as make sure that you really are feeding them the right kind of food.

Moreover, bear in mind that cats cannot thrive or surprise on a vegan diet. They need to have meat, in order to get the nutrients they need. Even though it is flawlessly acceptable that you feed your cat a commercial wet or dry food, you may offer some other variety in the diet of your cat. This is by way of feeding it raw or cooked, fresh meat.

Furthermore, a lot of cats love fish –that’s a fact. Nevertheless, it isn’t an acceptable food for the everyday feeding. Moreover, fish have high levels of fatty acids. This may lead to a deficiency in vitamin E in cats, as well as some other painful conditions.

How much food does your cat needs?

The quantity of the food your cat needs mainly depend on its own weight, age, and size. Therefore, don’t always go by what someone you know is feeding their cat. Remember, obesity is a common thing in cats. Further, this may contribute to a much shorter life span. Therefore, always make sure that you are feeding your pet the proper amount of food to your cat.

When you are in doubt, always ask for some advice from your vet. Irrespective of what your cat’s age is, always make sure that it needs to access clean water.

Cat Food in Relation to The Cat’s Age

What cats eat also depends on their age. Keep reading to know!

Kittens

It is very important to feed your cat the proper diet at his point in time. This is mainly because it is still growing its own joints and bones. Further, the basis of the kitten’s diet must be a premium, balanced, high-quality commercial kitten food. Nevertheless, you may be able to offer raw or cooked meats for variations.

Moreover, avoid serving them raw meat, until the kitten is no less than 20 weeks of age. This s because their immune system is not that robust yet for the potential pathogens. Further, strips of raw beef may help in removing the plaque from the kitten or the mouth of an older cat.

More importantly, you should never feed our kitten boiled bones. These might splinter and cause some internal damage or even hamper the intestinal tract.

Furthermore, it is also a great idea to include some moist foods in the diet of the kitten. The wet foods or cooked meat is a good beginning point. Further, moist food has already been found to be essential in the promotion of the urinary tract system’s health.

When it comes to the best amount of food for your kitten, it boils down to the weight, breed, size, and the overall health status. Therefore, always check with your vet. In addition, kittens must generally be given food at least 4x every day. Undoubtedly, they might not wish to eat all of it, but offering must always be an option.

Adult Cats

Similar to that of the kittens, the basis of the diet of the adult cats must be a premium, high-quality, commercial cat food. When you are shopping, check the package label for you to see what age the food is appropriate for. Whenever you are in doubt or you need some help, your vet may assist you.

Just like with the kittens, feel free to offer your cat varieties of food like cooked or raw fish or meat. Fresh meat or meaty bones may be a great source of protein. Nonetheless, just make sure that it is of human grade. Remember, some pet meat and bone products might contain preservatives, which may be harmful for the cat.

Senior Cats

Always recognize cats that may have health concerns. A lot of the benefits of a wet diet, which is cooked, fresh, or canned to help in increasing the amount of liquid they consume. Always pay your vet a visit for advice on the suitable diet if your cat have some health concerns.

When it comes to what cat eats when they are already seniors, it depends on the age and the size of the cat. However, always take care when you are finding the balance between underfeeding and overfeeding. The adult cats may prefer to eat smaller meals all throughout the day.

What to Avoid Feeding Your Cat?

Here are some of the foods that you should avoid feeding your cat:

  • Dairy products like milk
  • Mushrooms
  • Tomatoes
  • Corncobs
  • Fruit seeds and stones
  • Nuts
  • Avocado
  • Bread dough
  • Caffeinated products, like coffee
  • Onions
  • Chocolate
  • Grapes
  • Sultanas

Raisins

Get To Know: How Much Wet Food Cats Should Eat?

By
Ellie Wheeler
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0

A lot of cat owners think that wet food are treats, since a lot of cats love it so much. Well, as a matter of fact, you may feed your cat more wet food every day, and not just as an special treat. Further, it may be tricky to control how much wet food cats should eat at a given time. Give this article a read and get to learn more regarding this topic.

The Basics on How Much Should You feed Your Cat

The answer to how much wet food cats should eat is actually based on various variables. This includes the age and the weight of a cat. Further, it also includes whether you are feeding dry cat food or wet cat food, the activity level of a cat, as well as whether or not it is nursing or pregnant.

Moreover, the brand of food you are feeding also makes a huge difference. A high quality, dense dry cat food will have more nutrients by weight than the low-quality food. Further, therefore, it does require much smaller portions to provide the similar amount of nutrition for the cat.

In addition, a lot of cat owners actually allow their cats a free access to some dry foods. These are being supplemented by canned foods once or even twice every day. Moreover, a diet that allows only dry food isn’t necessarily a bad diet for pet if you are feeding high-quality food. However it actually requires that you encourage your cat to drink more water. This is in order to compensate for what it is not getting from the canned ones.

Why is it Important to Calculate the Amount of Food You Feed Your Cat?

You may be wondering why it is so important to know the exact quantity of cat food (wet) you need to give your fur baby. As of the year 2017, about 60% of cats in entire United States are actually classified as obese or overweight. That about 59.5 M cats are so heavy. Further, superfluous weight has its drastic, negative influence on the health of your cat.

Moreover, obese felines are at a higher threat for a congestive heart condition, diabetes mellitus, infections, skin conditions, complications that comes with surgery and anesthesia, some kinds of cancer, as well as hepatic lipidosis.

Feeding cats with wet foods is not a simple thing to do. It is not as easy as opening a can and allowing your cat eat until it gets full. Further the indoor cats, specifically, be apt to burn a few calories all over the day, and they start to become bored. This, we know, may lead to extreme eating, as well as weight gain. Moreover, pet parents must take some strategic approach in gauging out the cat food in order to avert or contract with the sudden weight gain in the cats.

How Much Wet Food Cats Should Eat?

For the beginners, you need to have your own cat be evaluated first by a vet. Your vet will your cat, classify its ideal weight, as well as determine the amount of calories that your cat must take every single day. This is for your cat to reach its goal.

Furthermore, a pet calories calculator may get you in the ballpark as well. Moreover, when your cat’s sternly overweight, your vet might vouch for a treatment cat food for losing weight. Otherwise, some over-the-counter OTC weight regulator cat food must be used.

After, check the label of the wet cat food. At the best, the serving instructions would be somewhat unclear. Further, they definitely do not apply to each cat in all the situation. Furthermore, it helps when you do some mathematics. Let’s say, the caloric content of a wet cat food must be on the tag.

For instance, a particular wet cat food has 73 calories every 3oz. can. If you’re not able to find this particular information, search for it on the product website or just give them a call. Let’s say, your vet knew that your pet must take about 240 calories every time. In this case, you just must divide 240 by 73. This is in order to determine the how many 3oz. cans of the product you need to give your cat every day.

240/73=3.3

Hence, your cat will need to eat about 3 1/3 cans of that wet cat food every single day.

Remember: Cat Food Servings Matter

For you to know well how much wet food cats should eat, it is good for you to know as well that the food portions matter too.

The cats who find it hard to keep being slim, must be fed a few times measured meals all through the day, instead of just having 24 hours of access to the food.

How frequently and how much wet food cats should eat? The pet owner and the vet may discuss about the right regularity based on the situation. However, generally, cats do great when they consume manifold smaller meals during the day. Additionally, two can be the smallest, but more may be much better.

Moreover, the mathematics that you saw a while ago may be beneficial in informing your choice. Furthermore, on the case that we use, the cat must eat about 3 1/3 cans every day. Whatever your decision is, you will be able to have the proper serving for each of the meals.

If you are thoroughly watching your cat’s weight, you may need to deduct the calories that is provided by whatever delights you give your cat as well. In case it aids, keep a record of your cat’s daily calorie intake, then watch the food and cat delights you give during the day, in order to help in keeping the weight of your cat on track.

Wet Food For Cats: What Do You Need To Know About It?

By
Ellie Wheeler
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If you have ever only fed your cat dry food, you might be wondering if cats do need wet food. Naturally, cats get most of the body water they need from their prey. Due to the fact that dry food has lower moisture content, cats need to get water from dishes, wet food or from a water fountain. Feeding a combination of the dry and wet food, instead of just dry is actually a great way to help your cat get more water. In the actual fact, there are so many benefits of wet food for cats. Read on through this article and learn more about wet foods!

What must cats eat and why?

While the dogs are naturally omnivorous, and are capable of breaking down and digesting both animal and vegetable protein, felines are actually obligate carnivores. This just means that meat is essential to their diet.

Moreover, even though theoretically, they may get sufficient protein from the plant material in order to be existent, they actually need some taurine amino acid for them to thrive. Furthermore, taurine is commonly found in the meat of various animals.

Furthermore, carnivores have small digestive tracts due to the fact that they’re not obligatory to breaking down the hard cellulose that’s present in plants. In addition, the introduction of cellulose in their diets actually invite some digestive problems.

Wholly, wet cat food, plus the main ingredient being fish or meat, offers a meal that is better suitable for the dietary needs of a cat.

However, that does not essentially mean that the wet cat food is always a much better option than the dry ones. When you feed your pet with a premium type of cat food, it is probable to grow well whether the food’s in dry or wet form.

Wet Food for Cats: The Upside

Wet food actually comes in canned form, sometimes in pre-measured portions, which cats really love. Further, cats who has specific medical conditions might also benefit from wet food. Moreover, the higher moisture in most of the canned products actually give cats, kidney and urinary issues more water. In addition, as a result, this helps in flushing the urinary crystals more easily and reduce the risk of the formation of crystals. As well as fighting dehydration with various kidney conditions. Moreover, wet food for cats might also be a good way to helping your cat in staying hydrated if it has some other health issues.

Wet Food for Cats: The Downside

Even though there are upsides in making your cat eat wet food, there are also downsides on it. In the actual fact, there are disadvantages to the canned variety. Further, the wet food, generally, costs more for the volume, so the pet parents on budget might prefer dry foods than canned for some supply reasons. Moreover, the open cans need an aptly-sized lids when you store them. This helps in keeping them fresh and prevent any odor from pervading the rest of the refrigerator. Yes, you need to put it in the refrigerator to prevent any spoiling.

Moreover, some cats don’t like cold foods. Therefore, you might need to put its canned food on a microwave oven before serving. In case your cat is not specifically hungry, it may leave the wet food scraps in its bowl or on its plate. This must be tossed after being out for more than four hours.

Furthermore, if you have a light-colored or long-haired cat, you may be opposed to feeding wet cat food. This is due to the fact that it may get on its nose and whiskers. However, cats are scrupulous groomers. Further, they’ll usually clean their own faces. Moreover, over time, your cat must learn to be less messier in eating. In case you have a cat that is a bit lazy and does not clean itself in a regular manner, you may look into serving it food on a flat surface, as well as purchasing some cat-safe wet wipes. This helps it in cleaning its face.

Facts about Wet Food

Wet food for cat is essential for cats as it provides more moisture. Further, as what we say earlier, cats naturally get their water needs from their prey, with little to no need for drinking. In the actual fact, cats have already evolved having a low thirst drive, in comparison to some other species.

Here are some facts about wet food for cats and their water content:

  • Recent study shows that switching from dry to wet food may reduce the risk of inflammation of bladder.
  • Vets warn that inadequate moisture in cat diet might increase the risk of stones or crystals in the urinary tract.
  • Studies suggest that, irrespective of the cat’s total water and food consumption, the quantity of water in the diet is way higher for cats fed wet food, rather than for cats that are fed dry foods.
  • Study shows that cats fed with merely dry food have lower intake of water and lower urine volume than those on a wet food diet. This is even though they have relentless access to fresh water.
  • An average cat that eats just dry food must drink several ounces of clean water every day. This is to make up for the lack of water from the food.
  • The wet food is approximately 75% water. This is somewhat equal to the percentage of water in the prey of cats in the wild. Dry food is just about 10% water.

Cat Losing Teeth: What Do You Need To Know About It?

By
Ellie Wheeler
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0

In the actual fact, cat losing teeth may seem like a bit of a shocking happening. Further, it is not actually something that you might expect to happen and it might make you worry about your cat’s overall health state. In case your cat is still a kitten, losing their teeth is just a natural aspect of their own personal development. These are what they call the milk teeth. Moreover, this particular process is actually the same as what happens to us humans. Nevertheless, if your adult cat loses its teeth, there may some other considerations that you need to make. More frequently, it is a symptom of an underlying oral condition, infection, etc. Furthermore, a healthy adult cat who have a fully developed adult teeth must not keep on losing teeth or even pieces of its teeth,

Moreover, if you even observed that there’s a new gap in the smile of your cat, you might want to discover the reason why your cat is actually losing its teeth. Luckily, we are here for you! In this article, we will give advices on how you can improve the oral hygiene of your cat, as well as troubleshoot any other conditions. Read on to learn more!

Cat Losing Teeth

We know too well that cats are born with no teeth. Moreover, this is mainly because their tongue and mouth are designed to suckle the mother’s teats to get milk. Furthermore, during the process of weaning, the kittens start to develop its milk teeth. This is what makes them able to eat solid foods. Usually, this happens from the third weeks onward.

The first set of teeth actually consist of 26 individual teeth, yet they’ll just become visible at around the 6th or the 7th week. Additionally, at this point in time, the teeth are so small yet sharp, most especially the canines. Moreover, this just means that even a bite from a kitten may be a bit painful.

At over 3-4 months, the cats will begin to experience the loss of milk teeth. This happens when the baby teeth already give rise to the adult teeth making the dental structure of the adult cat. Furthermore, these actually consist of 30 individual teeth that are thicker and more durable than the previous ones. Further, their own growth may cause certain amounts of discomfort in young ones, as they grow in the gums.

Is Losing Cat Teeth Normal?

A set of teeth of an adult cat must be composed of about 30 individual teeth. Moreover, the strong canine teeth, which stand out the most are the ones used to tearing the flesh from the obligate carnivore diet. Furthermore, the upper jaw must have incisors (6), canines (2), premolars (6), and molars (2). On the bottommost part of the jaw, it is just the same, except it has only 4 premolars, instead of 6.

Moreover, it is not that much of uncommon for cats losing teeth, especially their ½ permanent teeth on their entire adult life. Nevertheless, losing teeth for the adult cats may be in general, a sign of imbalance in the body. A lot of pet owners actually neglect the oral hygiene of the cats. This, particularly, may lead to the accrue of tartar and might make it harder to tell whether they actually have lost tooth or not.

Possible Causes of Cat Losing Teeth

When the adult cat loses teeth, we need to be alert to the probability of injury or infection in the mouth. Therefore, it is important to check the teeth, mouth, tongue, gums, and mouth cavity of the cat periodically. Furthermore, when you do this, you will need to search for any discoloration, wound, change of texture, too much drooling, unpleasant smell or pus. In case you notice the health of the mouth of your cat is low or there’s something wrong, a veterinarian checkup will be important to conduct.

Moreover, the major factor that comes with the loss of teeth in cats is actually feeding. Cats, unlike humans, don’t have bite surfaces on the permanent teeth. Furthermore, for wild cats, this is not actually a problem as the diet is consists of almost only raw meat. Additionally, the powerful molars of your cat will act life scissors and lick the food. As well as negate the need to chewing.

How to prevent loss of teeth in cats?

The best way for you to prevent he loss of teeth in cats is actually to make sure that they actually have a good general oral hygiene. Furthermore, this will not only protect them against tartar, they also help in making your cat stay healthy in general to fight various infections. Moreover, a part of this job is keeping the cat’s teeth brushed. In case you do not know how frequently you must do so or how you may be able to clean your cat’s teeth, check the internet.

One more important thing to consider in keeping your cat’s teeth healthy, consider the diet. Additionally, there are actually some vets who suggest raw food diet for cats. Nonetheless, making certain that your cat has all the important nutrients you will need that can easily be achieved with some commercially available feed. Furthermore, the taste of your cat might have something to say regarding what they would want to eat.

Purely, this article is just informative. Furthermore, we don’t have any authority to prescribe any vet treatments or create any diagnosis. Take your pet to its vet to assess the case properly.

Cat Spaying Or Neutering: Facts You Need To Know About It

By
Ellie Wheeler
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0

In the past, the acclaimed age to spay or neuter cats was six months. However, due to the concerns in overpopulation, that started to change. A female cat may actually get pregnant in as early as four months old. Therefore, some vets may spay kittens starting at seven weeks. Did you know that cat spaying or neutering have some benefits too? Give this article a read and get to learn more about these.

Cat Spaying or Neutering: What is this?

In the actual fact, the spaying procedure is a routine, wherein the vet will remove the reproductive organs of a kitten. Moreover, these organs include the fallopian tubes, uterus, and ovaries. In this procedure, the vet will make a small incision in the abdomen. Additionally, after, he or she will close the area with some surgical sutures. Further, in about seven to ten days, he will the remove the sutures or let them dissolve on their own. Furthermore, during the recovery of the kitten, it may have to wear some kind of special collar or the e-collar. This is essential in preventing it from chewing or licking at its sutures, thus causing some infection.

Moreover, neutering or spaying is one of the foundations of pet ownership. Additionally, this does not just help in preventing overpopulation, it may also help in reducing the risk of various reproductive conditions. Furthermore, it may also help in curbing various problematic behaviors, just like fighting and aggression.

Reaching the Maturity

Usually, your kitten may become mature when it reaches the age of five to eight months old. At this moment or age, the kitten may already have its own kittens. In addition, this may lead to a lot of unwanted little kittens for you to deal with in a day-to-day life. Moreover, once it goes into its first estrus or in heat cycle, it will remain in heat for about 21-30 days. During this moment, she will not be able to have a neutering or spaying due to the medical risks. Furthermore, you will also need to wait until it is already out of estrus.

When should cat spaying or neutering be done?

Moreover, cat spaying or neutering is a procedure that aims to prevent your kitten from going in heat. When at all possible, the kitten must be spayed preceding or right about 5 months old. Furthermore, the youngest kitten must be before she is spayed is at 8 weeks old. Moreover, the kitten that is in this age must at least be 2.2lbs before going through the surgery. Additionally, the young kittens has the tendency to bounce back after the surgery very quickly. Of course, without any doubts, your kitten will need to be in a great shape, and good health in order to pass the surgery. If it is not healthy at all, your vet may suggest you to make it ready first before going through the operation.

Moreover, there is actually a debate regarding the exact time on when cat spaying or neutering should be done. As a matter of fact, there are about three general options: the pediatric spay or neuter is done at 6-8 weeks. Further, the standard spay or neuter at 5-6 months. And lastly, waiting until after the first in heat, somewhere in between the age of 8-12 months.

Irrespective of any age, whatever the age of your cat, when they are already neutered or spayed, there are sure health benefits for cats to having this procedure.

Spaying Age

Even though spaying is recommended traditionally for kittens between the age of 4-6 months, spaying as young as 8 weeks old is fine. Furthermore, a lot of animal shelter actually spay cats preceding adoption additionally, each cat is unique, even though, and your veterinarian might have suggestions of his or her own for your cat. Moreover, this is to determine the best age for your cat to get spayed. Additionally, various local laws may dictate when you make your cat go through spaying.

Benefits of Spaying or Neutering?

In the actual fact, cat spaying or neutering helps in virtually eliminating the risk of mammary or breast cancer. This particular condition is a serious one in cats, since the feline mammary cancers has the tendency to get so aggressive, compared to some other species.

The spayed or neutered cats cannot develop any uterine or ovarian cancers or potentially fatal urine infection or pyometra. Furthermore, some other health conditions in connection to spaying include negating the likelihood of the complication. This may occur with the pregnancy, as well as birthing. On the other hand, of the male cats, the benefits of cat spaying or neutering is mainly in the behavioral aspect. This is even though the procedure does eliminate the probability that a cat may develop testicular cancer as it ages.

What happens after spaying or neutering?

There are some people who worry that the personality of their cat changes after the procedure. Little do they know that this is not necessarily true. However, it is true that you may be able to see a fall in various behavior of your cat. This includes spraying urine, fighting, mounting, and roaming.

Moreover, there are also some people who worry that their cat will get too fat. Nonetheless, the spayed or neutered cats may have a bit of lower food requirements. Therefore, you will jut heed to feed them a lesser amount.

Pay your vet a visit and talk about spaying or neutering your cat. Together with your vet, you may be able to decide what the right age is for your cat to get through the operation.

What Are The Most Common Digestive Problems In Cats?

By
Ellie Wheeler
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0

It might be so upsetting to know that your cat is experiencing some digestive problems. However, not knowing what to do about it is a more upsetting. Moreover, the digestive problems in cats are one of the most common reasons why cats are brought to the vets. Further, there are a lot of reasons why cats may have digestive conditions. Read on through this article and learn more!

Digestive Problems in Cats: What are these?

Whatever conditions that reduces the absorption and the digestion of food, or changes the passage through the digestive system, may be called digestive problems in cats. Furthermore, the GI or gastrointestinal disorder may affect the intestines and stomach of a cat. This may result in pain, as well as some other conditions. Moreover, the proficient digestion is important for the cat, in order to build, as well as repair the tissues and get hold of the energy.

Moreover, the digestive problems in cats are a bit common. Further, most of them clear up within just a few days. However, there are some cats that need a long-term management as they have permanent or regular digestive conditions. In addition, the gastrointestinal disorders may lead to electrolyte and acid-base imbalances, malnutrition, as well as dehydration. Therefore, it is so important to recognize the signs, as well as consult with your trusted vet.

Types and Causes of Digestive Disorders in Cats

In the actual fact, there are a lot of digestive problems in cats. Moreover, the causes of these may range from eating something other than cat food. Up to the intolerance or sensitivities, lack of digestive enzymes, as well as infection. Furthermore, some breeds of cat, like the Ragdoll, Rex, and Sphynx, are way more prone to certain digestive conditions. Your vet might carry out some examinations. This is in order to determine the real cause of the gastrointestinal problem of a cat.

Moreover, some of the most commonly diagnosed digestive problems in cats include:

Small intestinal malabsorption.

This is the inflammation of the small intestine. Further, this impairs the nutrient absorption and may result in loss of appetite, weight loss, as well as persistent diarrhea in cats.

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

This particular conditions is often characterized by the sudden weight loss, large number of soft feces, and increase in the appetite. Moreover, the chronic pancreatitis is actually the most common cause.

Irritable bowel syndrome.

This is commonly in association with the discomfort and inflammation of the bowel of a cat. However, it is usually not directly in connection to gastrointestinal conditions. Moreover, there are some who suspect that the causes of it include the capability of a cat food to pass through the GI tract effectively, as well as the food intolerances. Furthermore, the mental distress may also be a funding factor for his particular condition.

Pancreatitis.

An infection or inflammation of the pancreas. Furthermore, the origin of this particular conditions is not known yet. Moreover, the possible causes are the reduced blood flow because of dehydration, or disease processes, trauma, disease, or infections.

Constipation.

Commonly, this is caused by dehydration, ingesting hair and some other foreign entities, or inadequate intake of fiber. Furthermore, it may also be due to the lack of exercise, debilitation, endocrine or metabolic conditions, large bowel nervous conditions, spinal cord condition, fractures or trauma, tumors, as well as aging.

Diarrhea.

This is due to stress, internal parasites, infections, a change in the cat food, eating spoiled foods, among others.

Colitis.

This is more common in cats under 5 years old. Further, the colitis causes an inflammation of the large intestine, which may result in the painful, frequent passing of feces. When your cat is experiencing this condition, it might contain blood or mucus. Most often than not, colitis is due to polyps or tumors, allergies, as well as various conditions.

Acute gastroenteritis.

This is a swollen digestive tract, commonly short term. Moreover, the causes of it may include spoiled food, eating toxic plant, stress, as well as diseases, among others.

How to know if your cat has digestive condition?

The most common among all the signs of digestive problems in cats are diarrhea and soft stools. Furthermore, you might also notice all or some of the following signs and symptoms:

  • Constipation,
  • Diarrhea,
  • Weakness,
  • Flatulence,
  • Regurgitation, as well as
  • Vomiting.

Moreover, the chronic gastrointestinal condition may be so debilitating for so many cats. Further, it requires a thorough and in-depth diagnosis from a professional.

The importance of nutrition in cats

The food your cat is eating actually have a very significant impact on its gastrointestinal tract health. So many nutritional approaches might be recommended for the cat. Further, this varies on the certain diagnosis, as well as the symptoms. Additionally, the major goal is the alleviation of the signs and symptoms of the cat of diarrhea and/or vomiting. Moreover, veterinarians actually suggest that cats with this particular conditions must eat foods that are highly digestible. This is in order to prevent the irritation to its intestines and sensitive stomach. In addition, insoluble and high soluble fiber foods, in combination with the moderate fat levels are beneficial in supporting the proper intestinal function. Furthermore, it is important as well to monitor the cat’s hydration. Further, this is during the recovery stage, to ensure that it has sufficient water and proper fluid deficiency.

Due to some of the aforementioned gastrointestinal problems being ongoing, the longstanding  management of the conditions may be necessary. For a more accurate prognosis and treatment options, always check on your vet. As well as ask to suggest the best digestive health food for your cat.


How To Help Your Cat Lose Weight?

By
Ellie Wheeler
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0

Obesity is actually a condition that affects millions and millions of people all over the world… even animals actually. When I say animals, this includes our pets at home –just like our cats. It might be so easy to ignore your cat’s weight issue. However, always bear in mind that it might shorten its life span. Further, it may also make its days less enjoyable and more laborious. Give this article and learn how to help your cat lose weight effectively.

Cat Obesity: What is this?

Cat obesity or obesity in general, is a nutritional condition that’s defined by an excessive amount of fats in the body. Further, cats, which are over nurtured, have the capacity of retaining weight, or lack of the capacity to exercise, are actually at risk for becoming overweight or obese. Moreover, obesity may result in some serious opposing health conditions, like the reduction of the lifespan on cats, even though the cat is just abstemiously  obese. Additionally, a lot of areas of the body gets affected by the excess body fat. This includes the joints and the bones, digestive organs, as well as the organs, which are responsible for the breathing capacity.

Moreover, in general, obesity happens in the middle-aged cats, and usually in those, which are in between the age of 5-10 years old. Further, indoor and neutered cats are at much higher risk of becoming obese because of physical changes or activities in the metabolism.

How do you know if your cat is obese?                  

In humans, various published charts might be essential in determining the ideal weight for a certain body size. Moreover, since our own pets depends drastically in the body shape and size, the charts are not that much beneficial. Rather, we tend to visually grade the pets using the BCS or Body Condition Score. Additionally, this is an important factor for you to consider in knowing how to help your cat lose weight.

So what is this Body Condition Score? Continue reading to know.

Body Condition Score

The body condition score is a somewhat biased rating, which is used in standardizing the level of the weight of a particular animal. Furthermore, in here, pets are being scored from 1-9, 9 being the highest score, with the score of 5/9 being the ideal body weight.

Furthermore, for instance, a very thin cat might seem to have a visible hip bones, spine, and ribs. Moreover, a very obese cat might have a layer of fat over its ribs, a swollen abdomen, and fat deposits near the neck and in front of the hips. Additionally, a cat that is at an ideal body weight may have ribs, which you may easily feel, even without pushing through the fat layer. Further, an abdomen, which is pushed up when seen from the side, as well as a visible last rib.

Why is a cat overweight?

Pets may become overweight when they tend to consume more calories that they supposed to be. Moreover, these extra calories are being stored into the body as fats. Furthermore, the amount of fat cells a cat has is actually determined when it is still a kitten. Further, each individual cell may become smaller or larger, varying on the amount of fat, which is stored in the cell. In the event that the fat cells are being formed, they are already permanent.

Moreover, for this particular reason, cats, which become overweight as kittens actually have more trouble in the maintenance or losing of weight. Additionally, they are also more likely to be obese in their adulthood. Therefore, it is so important to prevent obesity when it is still in its early stage.

How to help your cat lose weight?

Below are some ways on how to help your cat lose weight:

  • Pay your vet a visit. The best first step for you to take on learning how to help your cat lose weight is to pay your vet a visit. Moreover, talk to him or her, so that he or she may help you in assessing the starting point of your cat, as well as any health concerns. Additionally, this may get in the way of the progress.
  • Make your playtime more engaging. Do not expect a lazy cat to play on its own. Furthermore, laser pointers, foil balls, string on a rope –then may all make for a fun, quick playing session, as well as bonding.
  • Consider using a feeding ball. In case your cat loves eating dry foods, use a feeding ball, which forces it to work for each of the food. It’ll for sure, have fun in pushing the ball all over, as well as get significantly more exercise as it is doing so.
  • Make your cat hunt. You can more your cat’s food into a new location each time you feed it. This does not just thrill and excite your cat, it will also add some extra exercise searching the surroundings.
  • Zilch the treats. We all know cats love treats. However, they can never hide a sneaky number of calories. further, most of the pet owners give them lots and lots of treats every single day. Exchange the treats for playtime. Additionally, do not even get started on giving a cat human food.
  • Count the calories. The average indoor cat only needs about 20 to 3 calories per lbs. of body weight each day. You need to count the current cat food and see how it actually stacks up and begin measuring at each single meal.

The aforementioned ways on how to help your cat lose weight are just few, there are more on the internet. Search if you need some more information.

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