Feeding Your Cat

What to Know About Feeding Your Cat

Whether your cat is a picky eater or a little on the pudgy side, she probably lets you know how she feels about what you put in her bowl.

“Cats are very opinionated about food, and a lot of their food preferences are formed in the first year,” says Julie A. Churchill, DVM, PhD, associate professor of nutrition at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in St. Paul. So if your cat is a kitten, now is the time to get her used to different types of food -- wet, dry, and semidry.

But even if your pet is older, there are still ways to make sure she’s getting all the nutrients she needs to be healthy. Start by learning more about what you’re buying and what your cat needs.

Choose Balanced Food

All cat owners should know how to read a cat food label, says Richard Hill, PhD, associate professor at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in Gainesville.

“With so much advertising, people tend to focus on ingredients, but the nutrients are more important, namely protein and fat,” he says.
It’s trendy to bash grains and carbohydrates in pet food, but those are not necessarily bad, Churchill says. Plus, food made of only protein and fat gets pricey. “Carbs can be valuable to hold dry food together and make food more affordable, and many cats like that crunch. As long as carbs are in an amount cats can handle, it’s OK.”

How do you know if your cat’s food is balanced? Look for a statement from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) on the package.

“It will say that the food is complete and balanced, either through a feeding trial or because the recipe meets cats’ nutritional requirements,” Hill says. If the food has this distinction, there’s no need to give your kitty extra vitamins or supplements -- the food has all she needs.

How Much, How Often?

Most cats will eat their main meals at dawn and dusk, when they would normally be hunting and catching prey in the wild, so those are often the best times to feed them.

Cats and Compulsive Scratching, Licking, and Chewing

Cats and Compulsive Scratching, Licking, and Chewing

Most cats are meticulous groomers, but what happens when the behavior goes into overdrive? For a variety of reasons, some cat licking, scratching, and chewing behaviors become compulsive, which can annoy you and damage your pet’s skin and coat.

If your cat is scratching, licking, or chewing herself compulsively, it is likely you regularly catch her in the act. But if you don’t, your first clue may be the disappearance of your cat’s fur, often in strips along her back or stomach. Cats with self-mutilating behaviors may also cause red, irritated areas called hot spots to form, but they are less likely than dogs to do so.

Although compulsive cat scratching, licking, or chewing behaviors can develop in any animal, they are more commonly observed in Siamese cats and other Oriental breeds. Female cats are more likely than males to lick, chew, or pull on their fur.

Because there are a number of medical problems that may result in scratching and licking behaviors, be sure to consult with your veterinarian to help determine the cause and the best course of action.

Why Do Cats Compulsively Scratch, Lick, or Chew?

Parasites. Fleas are often the culprits behind compulsive cat scratching or cat licking behaviors. Because cats are excellent groomers, they may actually remove all traces of fleas. If you notice your cat licking his lower back obsessively, with or without scabs on the neck, it is a sign that fleas might be causing the problem. Other parasites, including ticks, mites, and ringworm, can also prompt scratching, licking, or chewing.

Allergies. Just as some people develop skin irritations in response to certain foods or environmental triggers, cats may have itchy, irritated skin if they are allergic to something in their environment.

Cat Health Care - Top Tips for a Healthy Kitty

Cat Health Care - Top Tips for a Healthy Kitty

Good cat health is something we all want for our beloved pet. Cats give us so much in terms of love, companionship and entertainment, so it is natural for us to want to look after them the best we can. 

 My cats have always meant so much to me and their health and well being has always been something I have taken seriously, I'm sure as a caring animal lover yourself, you feel the same way.

Making sure our cats are in good health involves many things, from making sure they eat the best food to knowing what signs and symptoms of cat illnesses to look out for.

Over the many years I have been a cat owner I have experienced a lot of different feline health issues and have spoken with many vets about them. These pages are my way of sharing that information with you, so that you too can provide the best care for your cat.

Cat Hair Loss

Cat Hair Loss

Hair loss in cats can be a sign of a number of different  

medical conditions. Consult your vet if you’re unsure
why your cat is losing her hair.

Finding the cause of cat hair loss

If your cat is losing hair, it could be due to a number of reasons including ringworm, fungal skin infections, hormonal problems   and infestations of fleas or mites.                                                  

                                                                     "Excessive grooming can lead to hair loss"

Hair loss can also result from something as simple as excessive
grooming. This can be spotted when a cat starts to lose hair,
especially on the belly, the back and inside her back legs. 

Cat hair loss treatment

See your vet for a thorough physical examination. This may involve taking skin scrapings, blood tests and hair samples for testing.
Firstly, your vet will look for parasitic infestations and discuss a flea treatment regime. If this isn’t the cause, your vet may need to investigate further.

If there are any behavioural reasons for your cat's hair loss, you will need evidence. For example, if you notice the warning signs that your cat is stressed and anxious, keep a diary of times and specific circumstances when hair licking and pulling takes place. Your vet will then decide whether or not you need to change something in your cat's environment or she needs anti-anxiety medication.                                                                                      
                                                                        

                                                                                                   

Why Does My Cat... Cry at Night?

Why Does My Cat... Cry at Night?

If your cat cries at night, you’re not alone. Cats get noisy for different reasons at different stages in their lives.

Kittens often like to play at night. Though adopting two kittens together is an excellent idea (and recommended for health and general welfare), their wee-hour play-fights can keep you from a good night’s rest.
As your cat matures, he might want to hunt. Some cats get especially vocal when they’re on the prowl. Often cats feel the urge to hunt in the evening, and a midnight hunt of an insect, reptile, or rodent (depending on your geographic location) can mean a rude awakening for you when your cat screams out in frustration or elation.

With an older cat, vocalization throughout the night can be a sign of a serious problem. Advancing age sometimes brings sleep-wake cycle aberrations and dementia. These conditions are common in geriatric cats and may be related to anxiety or plain old disorientation. If you have a senior cat who gets very vocal at night, tell your veterinarian. There are therapies that can improve the quality of life of afflicted cats — and their humans