Many families have pets. These cute animals lift spirits; caring for them teaches children to work and responsibility, and in some cases can alleviate loneliness. This is why many people love cats, dogs, parrots, canaries, aquarium fish and other “living creatures”. But it’s one thing to love, and another to properly care for animals. For example, cats live in many families, but not everyone takes good care of them. Every little detail is important in this matter, especially proper nutrition. What should cats be fed, what advice do veterinarians give on this matter? Let's figure it out.
Toilet problems
The cat does not go to the toilet in the designated place or visits it every other time - this sad problem is familiar to many cat breeders. And the whole point is not the animal’s uncleanliness, but just the opposite. Ideally, each cat should have two litter boxes.
Veterinarian Amanda Landis-Hanna advises owners to place litter boxes in a good location. An uncastrated animal may deliberately go to the toilet in different parts of the apartment in order to secure its territory. The same applies to a sick cat.
If a cat is sick, he can also go to the toilet in the wrong place. It is useless to punish cats for such mistakes; besides, do not forget that they are vindictive.
The number of trays should always exceed the number of animals. Try using special kits to teach your cat to use the toilet.
Composition analysis
When choosing, you need to carefully study the composition of the product. It should contain useful components to the maximum, and harmful ones - in minimal quantities.
Substances indicated in the composition, the presence of which is undesirable:
- sugar, its analogues:
- dye E12, which increases the likelihood of the formation of malignant tumors;
- high content of harmful by-products (skin, feathers, beaks);
- meat without indicating its source;
- antioxidants that damage the liver: E320, 324, 321;
- flavorings;
- flavor enhancers.
The quality of nutrient mixtures of wet and dry consistency can be recognized if the ratio of healthy products in their composition does not differ significantly from the following indicators:
- meat, with exact indication of name – 35%;
- protein – 20%;
- high quality by-products – 10%;
- plant matter – 25%.
A whole complex of vitamins and mineral components should also be present.
Cats are at high health risk when overfed
Instead of giving in to your cat's hints that he wants to repeat the order, you should pay attention to ensuring that the cat receives adequate portions. Some individuals, especially males, are prone to gluttony and then obesity. Veterinarian Sarah Ochoa recommends filling your cat's bowl only at certain times.
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Constantly full feeders are harmful to animals. Overeating can cause vomiting, indigestion, obstruction, and excess weight is just as harmful to animals as it is to humans.
Cat owners should carefully control portions and use general feeding guidelines.
If your work and social life are interfering with your life, you may want to consider purchasing an automatic feeder.
But clean and fresh water should always be freely available. Many cats love fountains or drinking water straight from the tap.
Special cases of cat diet
When feeding cats, it is also necessary to take into account the pet's condition, physical activity and special conditions. Http://www.33cats.ru draws attention to the following points:
- A pregnant cat needs to be fed more often, gradually increasing the amount of food; a nursing cat needs 2-2.5 times more food.
- A stud cat requires an increased amount of protein and vitamin E.
- The diet of an elderly cat will also have to be adjusted: physical activity decreases, teeth wear down, and pickiness to food appears. It is better to feed such cats often in small portions; the food should be easily digestible.
- Castrati also have reduced physical activity, metabolism changes, and a tendency toward obesity appears - it is necessary to control the amount of food .
- Sick cats may need a special diet recommended by a veterinarian.
There are no hypoallergenic cats
Individuals with cat allergies often choose smooth-haired or hairless cats, although this may not help. Pet lovers with allergies won't like this fact, but according to veterinarian Landis-Hanna, there are no hypoallergenic cats.
When people are allergic to these animals, fur is not always the cause. Rather, protein in saliva, skin, and urine causes these reactions. This protein is transferred to the fur during licking.
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Fluffy breeds cause particularly strong reactions. However, allergy sufferers have the option of living with a cat.
Five mistakes in caring for a cat: a veterinarian's view
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Five mistakes in caring for a cat: a veterinarian's view
The articles of Dr. Marty Becker, a veterinarian with almost forty years of practice, enjoy constant success and attention among you, dear readers. They are simple, concise, written in the most ordinary language, and are not replete with scientific terms. Advice is always available and understandable. Today's article is for you, dear cat lovers!
Don't let your cat go outside. I can imagine how everyone will attack me now - employees of numerous foundations and charitable organizations, owners of expensive purebred animals, and simply those who are passionate about the safety of their own pets. As a practitioner, I will say: a cat is almost a wild and predatory animal. Ideally, it spends most of its time outside, doing its usual cat activities. Yes, I have seen many cats killed under the wheels of cars. Many pets are dragged away by coyotes. Other misfortunes await them. Of course, weigh your own options yourself. But I ask you: use every opportunity to make the cat feel like an animal, a predator! Give her living space!
Scare and punish your pet. Friends, the fastest and most effective way to permanently ruin your relationship with your cat is to hit or punish it. Even a simple shout can deprive your cat of peace of mind for a long time. Due to the peculiarities of cat physiology, from now on the pet will regard you as the most terrible creature that, ironically, happens to be nearby! Do you want to correct your cat's behavior? Achieve your goal from the other side - through encouragement and praise. Cats that are constantly stressed are almost always sick. Stress and illness are equivalent concepts. There is a calm, benevolent atmosphere at home - the animal is relaxed and happy. And always ready for all your requests!
Overfeed your cat. Often we veterinarians, with our constant grumbling about excess weight in pets, are compared to broken records. But what to do when we cannot reach our clients and patients: by feeding your cat, you are causing irreparable harm to it! What words would you like me to find now? Yesterday we brought in an obese and not yet old cat suffering from diabetes. Yes, a sick animal requires specific care, and not everyone can afford it. Expensive and no time. They asked to put them to sleep... But who put extra pieces in the cat’s bowl, pray tell? Friends, cats cannot open the refrigerator themselves and start helping themselves. You have a certain degree of power over your pet. So use your power for the benefit of his health!
Use products or medications intended for other animals. I'll be brief: the well-known Tylenol or Aspirin can kill your cat in no time. An innocent anti-flea product labeled “for dogs” is fraught with mortal danger. Cats are very, very gentle and sensitive. When purchasing anything, even on advice, carefully read the accompanying label, look for the inscription that the product is intended for cats. Moreover, be especially careful if you have a kitten - any product must be marked accordingly! And finally, and most importantly, do not trust the opinions of random people: the veterinarian always knows best which drug to prescribe for your pet.
Do not empty the tray in a timely manner. Needless to say, it’s a tedious procedure, not always pleasant for our sense of smell. We agree - it’s easier to take a walk at Disneyland and leave cleaning the litter box for the evening. Or in the morning... or tomorrow after work... Then they come to us for an appointment with complaints: doctor, our cat has stopped using the litter box! In general, this is a truism: cats hate dirty litter boxes and simply stop using them. Moreover, for me, as a specialist, and for all my colleagues, you are simply blurring the clinical picture: cats usually stop using the litter box when they are seriously ill and their natural functions are associated with pain. But who admits that they are just too lazy to clean the litter box in the morning? And we are forced to go “in a big circle”...
Friends, if you wish, our list can be continued. But our article will be too long and tedious! In conclusion, I’ll just give you advice: pay more attention to the health of your pet, do not hesitate to ask advice from qualified specialists. Accordingly, if you follow our recommendations, the healthier your pets will be. And the less often we will meet on sad occasions! And what is good for you is good for me too.
Original post: Don't Make These 5 Cat Care Mistakes. Author: Marty Bekker. Source and photo:
Coughing up balls of matted fur is a sign of health problems
Frequent brushing can reduce the risk of hair ingestion.
According to Ochoa, this behavior indicates that the cat has either ingested too much hair or has problems with its digestive system.
The problem can lead to gastric blockage and obstruction.
Therefore, even if a cat, especially a fluffy one, does not yet cough with wool balls, sometimes for prevention it needs to be given a special remedy or food that helps remove hair from the stomach.
In addition, it is necessary to comb it and clean the fur, even of smooth-haired cats, so that less gets inside.
But if you see that your cat is coughing up pellets, it is advisable to consult a doctor.
The cat licks itself, so you only need to wash it if it is very dirty.
Using special cat food
All pets, including felines, need proper and balanced nutrition.
Many veterinarians recommend using food that is specifically made for cats .
The positive aspects of this feeding method include the following:
- practicality;
- convenience;
- efficiency.
It is the last argument that often becomes decisive. The fact is that if you purchase all the ingredients contained in a ready-made mixture for feeding cats separately, it will not be cheap.
Practicality and ease of use are also important advantages. Owners just need to open a pack or canned food with ready-made food and put the contents in a bowl. There is no need to waste time and effort preparing food. Fill the bowl and go about your business.
Advantages of ready-made formulas for feeding cats
Another important advantage of the ready-made mixture that can be fed to cats is its balance.
This food is prepared based on the recommendations and research of veterinarians. This means that it already contains all the necessary nutrients , microelements and vitamins. In addition, mixtures are produced that can be fed to kittens or adults. After all, at every age an animal needs its own diet.
But this method of feeding your pet also has some disadvantages. First of all, it is worth mentioning the wide range of cat food.
On the one hand, having a choice is good, but on the other hand, it is an opportunity to make the wrong choice . Very often, manufacturers spend more money on advertising their products rather than on their quality.
Many veterinarians have some concerns about the food that is produced in our country. Quite often, expensive ingredients are replaced with cheap ones.
For example, the packaging may say that the dry mixture contains meat, but in fact, ground bones, tendons or other “waste” from meat production are added to it. Therefore, you should be careful when choosing the mixtures that you will feed your cat.
In addition, some cats may be allergic to ready-made food mixtures. In this case, you can either try different options (and your pet will suffer) or feed the animal natural food.
Teeth are a common problem
Dental disease can be life-threatening and should be prevented by regular dental cleaning. Veterinarian Landis-Hanna attaches great importance to this measure. Cats commonly suffer from gingivitis or periodontitis, which can be prevented with regular oral care.
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When caring for your teeth, you should be careful to use not only special toothbrushes, but also appropriate toothpastes. Regular human toothpastes contain substances that can be toxic to cats, and cat toothpastes come in chicken and fish flavors. It is advisable to accustom animals to dental care from childhood.
Features of feeding kittens
A kitten's diet is radically different from that of adults. He needs the whole complex of vitamins and microelements. As it grows, all vital organs and systems are formed, and a lack of the necessary components will negatively affect health.
A kitten's diet is radically different from that of adults.
For up to 2 weeks, it is recommended to take purely breast milk substitutes, which are sold in pet stores. If they are not available, you can prepare the mixture yourself by combining 4 parts goat or cow milk with 1 part egg white.
As you grow, this nutrition will not be enough. In the 3rd week you need to introduce additional ingredients into the diet. As a supplement, you need to use canned food and dry mixtures for kittens of the premium and super-premium categories.
Meals should be chosen depending on age; this information should be checked with the seller or found on the packaging. It is recommended to combine them with dairy nutrition: 30% is feed, 70% is dairy nutrition.
Advice! You should not purchase cheap products, as they provoke the development of diseases.
Age when you can switch to regular food
It is recommended to completely switch to regular food for the younger age category at 1 month. Formula milk should also continue to be given, but in a smaller dosage. And by 2 months the kitten should be switched to the main type of food. This transition will help avoid stress for your pet.
It is worth changing the product line only as a last resort.
Before your cat moves in, prepare your home
These animals like to explore vertical spaces and climb curtains and electrical appliances. It is important to make sure that they are all safe and your pet will not be able to harm himself.
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Nail up a couple of empty shelves and prepare a place for your cat to sharpen her claws. It’s not even necessary to buy a scratching post; some will be happy with an old leather bag or rubber slippers.
Cats love to sleep in baskets, they look very cute in them, and can tear at its wicker edges as much as they want, leaving your sofas alone.
Feed rating
Of the entire variety of products, several stand out whose price and benefit indicators are acceptable. Using them as the basis of nutrition allows you not to worry about your pet’s well-being.
Be sure to read:
Food for sphinxes, what to feed a kitten and an adult cat: menu by month
Rating of the most useful types:
- Orijen – animal protein content – 42%.
- Acana – high concentration of fish and poultry fats.
- NOW Natural – increased content of fish oil.
- Bosch SANABELLE - the basis is dietary poultry and fish.
- 1st Choice – protein content – 28-30%, based on rabbit, fish, poultry meat.
- Arden Grange - 25-26% vegetable components, the rest is meat, also contains dried egg.
- Hill's - main ingredients: beef, poultry, rabbit.
- Royal Canin – contains animal and plant proteins.
Don't hesitate to see a doctor
Rare vomiting may be normal, but repeated vomiting may be a reason to quickly go to the vet.
Frequent vomiting may be a sign of poisoning or the onset of a life-threatening viral illness.
The same applies to diarrhea, cough, fever and other symptoms. Viral diseases develop rapidly; there may be no time to observe whether the animal gets better. Sometimes the clock counts.
If you have adopted an animal, try to think in advance about which clinic or veterinarian you will contact in a difficult situation.
Calling a herpetologist to your home
Reptiles do not tolerate transportation well, as they must be in an environment with certain humidity and temperature parameters. Some individuals can be dangerous to others and it is difficult to say how they will behave in other conditions. For these and other reasons, it is better to call a herpetologist at home.
The doctor will examine the animal, take biomaterial for examination, conduct a hardware examination, provide first aid, and prescribe treatment. If the conditions of detention or feeding are not appropriate, the doctor will give recommendations to eliminate the violations.
Cats and dogs have different needs
Although animal lovers tend to love both dogs and cats, care should be taken to accommodate different care and feeding needs.
Many owners see a small dog in their cats. But this opinion is dangerous. Cats sleep a lot more and need a different diet than dogs.
If an animal lover is familiar with dogs, it is recommended to speak with a veterinarian when purchasing a cat to ensure there are no mistakes in care.
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Feed classification
All ready-made mixtures are divided into certain categories depending on quality, composition, usefulness and pricing policy. To understand the difference, it is worth familiarizing yourself with all types separately.
Economy class
Economy class cat food
These products are the most affordable . Its function is the ability to quickly satisfy hunger, filling the stomach, but it cannot be considered as the main food.
Economy class is comparable to the fast food that a person uses. It allows you to fill your stomach and give you a feeling of fullness, but has practically no beneficial properties.
In the production of this category, by-products, soybeans and a large number of grains are used. To ensure that food has an appetizing smell and taste, flavorings, flavor enhancers and colorings are added to it.
Popular representatives:
- Kitikat;
- Whiskas;
- Friscas;
- Felix;
- Oscar.
Important! This category does not provide any benefit to the body, so veterinarians do not recommend using it as the basis of the diet due to the low protein content and vitamin complex supplements.
Middle class
This line surpasses economy class in its useful qualities. The feed contains by-products, but of high quality. The volume of soybeans and grains used in production has been significantly reduced.
The content of flavors and other harmful additives is minimized. The calorie content of the product is higher due to better digestibility of the incoming substances. This allows the daily consumption rate to be significantly reduced.
Manufacturers:
- Cat Chow;
- Karma Organic;
- Perfect Fit.
The label of medium category products must contain the following information:
- protein content (at least 25%) and its source of origin (specific name of meat);
- the presence of fish and liver, which are a source of vitamin A, E;
- daily consumption rate (the lower this figure, the better);
- concentration of by-products, cereals, soy and chemicals (no more than 50%);
- best before date;
- the abbreviation AAFCO, which confirms the passage of quality control.
If this information is not on the packaging, then it is not worth buying the product.
Premium class
This category differs in meat content, but does not exclude the presence of offal and vegetable protein. During production it is enriched with vitamins and microelements, which significantly improves the benefits of its use.
When purchasing, you should pay attention to the content of rice, grains and corn grits. The higher their content, the lower the quality.
Be sure to read:
Can cats have sweets: when is it necessary, in what form is it allowed, benefits and harms, why not?
Manufacturers:
- Nutro Choice;
- Royal Canin;
- Eukanuba;
- Bozita.
When choosing a premium class, owners can expect that this product will not cause harm to health, and the benefits will be tangible. This property explains the popularity of premium products.
Super premium class
This category refers to high quality types. It contains meat, fish and all useful components for full development.
No chemical components that improve taste and smell are introduced during production. All components included in the product are clearly indicated on the packaging. It is impossible to find anything unnecessary, as the product undergoes strict quality control.
The reduction in daily intake is achieved by a high percentage of components digestibility. This justifies the cost of the super-premium category, since to replenish the pet’s strength it is enough to eat a small amount of food.
Manufacturers;
- Nutram;
- Arden Grange;
- Brit Care;
- Acana;
- Farmina N&D.
Main mistakes when choosing a diet
One way or another, each owner chooses what he will feed his pet, but how to feed cats and cats correctly, what to focus on when choosing a diet?
The Internet, advice from friends, advertising are not the most reliable sources, and here you can fall into some kind of “traps”. For example, there is a popular misconception that the most cat-like food is fish. Yes, many cats love fish very much, but this product should not be abused, especially if the cat has a tendency to urolithiasis. Often, owners are guided by the tastes of the cat itself, without delving into the essence of the issue; such indulgence of the pet’s preferences can lead to serious consequences. Information from the manufacturer, when it comes to ready-made food, is partly of an advertising nature - this is the law of the market, so you should not blindly trust advertising either. You can contact a specialist, but when it comes to feeding a cat correctly, a veterinarian’s advice may not always be a panacea.
Firstly, there are not many veterinary nutritionists in Russia, and they cannot be found in every city. And sometimes even the most experienced veterinarian, who can operate on a cat with his eyes closed, will not be able to give complete advice on how to feed this cat. Secondly, veterinarians often collaborate with manufacturers and recommend their ready-made food because they receive financial benefits from it, and not at all because this particular product is suitable for the pet.
So, in order to approach feeding a pet responsibly, we must have an understanding of the cat’s digestion and physiology, and also learn to understand the composition, pros and cons of different types of food.
Remember that cats are very sensitive
Some medications or grooming products can be harmful to your cat, and you should be aware of this. This could be Tylenol, aspirin, flea drops, or products intended for other animals, such as dogs. In fact, cats are super sensitive to a very large number of different substances. I insist that owners should be aware of this and only use products made for cats.
You should always read the label carefully, says Dr. Becker. - For example, products for adult cats are not suitable for kittens! Take the time to become familiar with the list of hazardous substances and plants that may be harmful to your cats. And, of course, when in doubt, consult a veterinarian - he will know exactly what is safe and what is not for felines.
DIY scratching posts for cats
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Wrap thin rope around the legs of a chair or stool to create a scratching post.
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If you wrap rope around the legs of several identical stools, you can stack them one on top of the other to make shelves for cats. Stools can be bolted together, for example.
Don't frighten or punish your cat
The fastest way to ruin your relationship is to scare, yell, hit or kick your cat. She will remember this negative situation for a long time and will be afraid of you. Punishment does not work, it will not change the cat’s bad behavior, it will draw only one conclusion - this person needs to be avoided.
If you want to enjoy being with your cat, Marty Becker advises, give her lots of praise and treats. The doctor believes that stress is always associated with diseases and is often their cause, and vice versa, a contented, relaxed animal that trusts its owner will live a long and healthy life.
