By : Mario Carini
Cats, by their nature, are independent and require little attention beside cleaning out the litter box, feeding and the stroking they get on their owner's lap. You can be sure that your cat will always come back to your home once he has had his fill of chasing mice and exploring the territory around your home.
But just because they are independent creatures does not mean that you can ignore their health needs. Like your own health, if you want Fuzzy around for a long time, you should be aware of certain health requirements your cat needs beyond insuring they get their distemper and rabies shots.
Stress is not just exclusive to humans. A move, the loss of human companionship or a change in family routine can lead Fuzzy to stop eating or claw up the furniture in frustration.
As a cat ages, free radical damage occurs and the best way to keep the cat healthy is by supplying them with herbs and anti-oxidants like quercitin and rutin to maintain their vitality.
We don't always think in terms of our pet's health assuming that all that's necessary is to feed it. Cat food alone doesn't provide the kind of nutrition that leads to a shiny coat of fur and good digestion. Just like you and me, your can also needs some herbal help as can be found in echinacea and reishi mushrooms. Prevention from sickness is just as important as it is for you.
One of the best ways to keep your cat healthy is by feeding it the kind of food that a cat really needs. A quality canned food meat diet is preferable over dry kibbles. The type of protein found in dry kibbles are often too high in plant-based protein. Cats are carnivores and require meat rather than grain in their diets. It's what they normally eat in the wild. Water is an essential element of the diet and you don't find much in a bag of Purina Cat Chow. Cats need to consume water with their food as the drive for thirst is not very strong in cats. Without water, the cat will experience kidney and bladder problems down the road.
And if you think your veterinarian knows what's best for your cat, think again. Even the prescription diets sold by veterinarians are not formulated for your cat's optimal health. They often contain corn, wheat and other ingredients that put a high carbohydrate load on your cat. Before you consider a vet for your cat, find out if they have a good knowledge of pet nutrition, especially for cats.
While millions of people suffer from the effects of diabetes, your cat can get it too! Because those dry kibbles are plant-based, they can affect the blood sugar levels in your cat. Dry kibbles is the junk food for a cat. The manufacturers coat the kibble with an enticing animal digest spray. This makes it difficult to wean a cat to meat-based canned food like chicken or beef just as it is to get your children to eat what's best for them.
Joint health is an important factor, even in a young animal. You should allow your cat to roam around in the outdoors. That provides them the exercise they need to stay flexible. An indoor cat becomes bored and lazy as well as fat. As a pet owner myself, I've observed my cat getting fat during the coldest months of winter and slims down during the summer when it feels more willing to romp in the grass rather than the cold and wet snow of winter.
While your cat may seem quite frisky and agile, joint health starts at an early age which becomes evident as the animal ages. Any abnormal development shows up in limping and restricted movement the older the cat gets. Hip dysplasia occurs in both cats and dogs, even in animals as young as 5 months old. It only gets worse as the animal ages. Osteoarthritis isn't limited to us humans..
If your pet limps and has limited mobility, consider giving it natural minerals such as glucosamine sulfate, methyl sulfonyl methane (MSM), devil's claw or boswellia serrata. Don't assume that your cat's limp is due to old age. Feed your cat the herbs and minerals it needs to stay agile longer. You can't do much if your cat has hip dysplasia, but it will see more mobility with less pain.
So if you want to have a healthy cat, consider these points. Feed it "muscle" meat, such as chicken or turkey rather than organ meats. Leave out the dry kibbles. By all means give it the shots it needs, but don't reply completely on your vet. Most vets have a poor education when it comes to nutrition.
By following the basic rules, your cats will live long and pain-free lives.
For more information on cats, go to www.cat-purrfect.com
Article Source: http://www.articles4free.com
What would you do with an extra $200 saved on your next shopping trip? www.entrepreneurcircle.com/myworldplus.cfm?vn=6873
How To Give Your Cat A Long, Healthy Life
By : Matthew Paolini
When it comes to growing old gracefully, your favorite cat's life span is dictated by a number of factors, including breed, environment and genetics. While a cat's lifespan will vary depending on these contributing factors, a good rule of thumb is that a healthy house cat will live to at least fifteen years of age. That being said, it's not uncommon for a cat to live longer and some cats are known to have reached the ripe old age of thirty.
Just like humans, cats live the longest on a good nutritious diet. As cats grow older, their nutritional needs change and it's important to feed them an appropriately balanced diet. Despite the recent scare about contaminated cat food made with ingredients imported from China, most national cat food brands are now considered safe. These are available in different formulas matched to particular stages in a cat's life and are usually well liked by cats. If you're concerned about food safety, you can always make you own cat food at home. Whether your choose a national brand or make your own food, it's important not to overfeed your cat so it can maintain a healthy weight.
Cats are like humans in another way, too. Both respond well to an active life with regular exercise. Allowing your pet to go outside everyday is a great way to keep your cat healthy and fit. A scratching post and a judicious selection of toys can also keep your cat active indoors. Set aside some time everyday to play with your cat. Not only will you and your cat become better friends, the exercise will also contribute to a long, healthy life for your cat and even improve your own quality of life!
Another way to help a cat live longer originally came as a surprise to me. Just before signing off, Bob Barker, the former host of the Price is Right, the popular TV game show, used to remind his audience to spay or neuter their cats. Although Barker's motivation was probably to reduce the number of stray cats and dogs roaming the streets of L.A., it turns out that spaying or neutering your cat can actually boost its life expectancy. Although the statistics on this don't lie, it's not exactly clear why the idea works. Some think a fixed cat will stay closer to home, reducing its exposure to disease and other dangers.
As cats grow older, so does their susceptibility to disease. There are many things you can do to help prevent disease in your cat. Cats love to be groomed and regular brushing will promote the health of your cat's fur and help prevent skin diseases. Brushing your cat's teeth on a regular basis can also ward off any number of common oral health problems, ranging from bad breath and gingivitis to more serious issues like resorption lesions. Watch your cat for any changes in eating or sleeping habits, including an abnormal occurrence of hairballs, as these may be symptoms of more serious conditions that require the care of a veterinarian.
Finally, a good relationship with a qualified veterinarian is important in the event your cat ever requires the care of a veterinarian. Regular visits to the vet, even when there's no emergency, can extend the life of your cat by many happy years. So, make the effort to find a vet in your area. Friends or relatives can often provide a recommendation, but if you're new to the neighborhood or don't know another cat owner you can ask, check your online yellow pages for a list of qualified vets in your neighborhood.
Article Source: http://www.articles4free.com
Matt Paolini is a cat lover and Managing Editor of CityBook, the Internet's leading family-safe yellow pages directory. Locate a veterinarian in your neighborhood using CityBook's online yellow pages.
When it comes to growing old gracefully, your favorite cat's life span is dictated by a number of factors, including breed, environment and genetics. While a cat's lifespan will vary depending on these contributing factors, a good rule of thumb is that a healthy house cat will live to at least fifteen years of age. That being said, it's not uncommon for a cat to live longer and some cats are known to have reached the ripe old age of thirty.
Just like humans, cats live the longest on a good nutritious diet. As cats grow older, their nutritional needs change and it's important to feed them an appropriately balanced diet. Despite the recent scare about contaminated cat food made with ingredients imported from China, most national cat food brands are now considered safe. These are available in different formulas matched to particular stages in a cat's life and are usually well liked by cats. If you're concerned about food safety, you can always make you own cat food at home. Whether your choose a national brand or make your own food, it's important not to overfeed your cat so it can maintain a healthy weight.
Cats are like humans in another way, too. Both respond well to an active life with regular exercise. Allowing your pet to go outside everyday is a great way to keep your cat healthy and fit. A scratching post and a judicious selection of toys can also keep your cat active indoors. Set aside some time everyday to play with your cat. Not only will you and your cat become better friends, the exercise will also contribute to a long, healthy life for your cat and even improve your own quality of life!
Another way to help a cat live longer originally came as a surprise to me. Just before signing off, Bob Barker, the former host of the Price is Right, the popular TV game show, used to remind his audience to spay or neuter their cats. Although Barker's motivation was probably to reduce the number of stray cats and dogs roaming the streets of L.A., it turns out that spaying or neutering your cat can actually boost its life expectancy. Although the statistics on this don't lie, it's not exactly clear why the idea works. Some think a fixed cat will stay closer to home, reducing its exposure to disease and other dangers.
As cats grow older, so does their susceptibility to disease. There are many things you can do to help prevent disease in your cat. Cats love to be groomed and regular brushing will promote the health of your cat's fur and help prevent skin diseases. Brushing your cat's teeth on a regular basis can also ward off any number of common oral health problems, ranging from bad breath and gingivitis to more serious issues like resorption lesions. Watch your cat for any changes in eating or sleeping habits, including an abnormal occurrence of hairballs, as these may be symptoms of more serious conditions that require the care of a veterinarian.
Finally, a good relationship with a qualified veterinarian is important in the event your cat ever requires the care of a veterinarian. Regular visits to the vet, even when there's no emergency, can extend the life of your cat by many happy years. So, make the effort to find a vet in your area. Friends or relatives can often provide a recommendation, but if you're new to the neighborhood or don't know another cat owner you can ask, check your online yellow pages for a list of qualified vets in your neighborhood.
Article Source: http://www.articles4free.com
Matt Paolini is a cat lover and Managing Editor of CityBook, the Internet's leading family-safe yellow pages directory. Locate a veterinarian in your neighborhood using CityBook's online yellow pages.
What Are The Symptoms of Cat Earmites?
By : Jessica M
There could be little tiny parasites taking up residence in your cat's eat. They are known as earmites. As simple as it may sound, you should know that if this problem isn't treated, it can develop into something serious such as a yeast infection.
Cats can cause tiny blood vessels in their ears to burst when they scratch too much at their ears. The swelling and disfiguration that results could be permanent. Ear mites that are left untreated for long enough can cause a rupture of the ear drum, seizures, and even death.
If you notice your cat scratching, shaking its head this way and that, and digging at its ears, it's possible that he or she has earmites. However, you should know that a cat can be infested with ear mites and show no signs or symptoms. How severe the reaction is can really depend on your cat's sensitivity to the mites' saliva.
If there's an allergic reaction to the saliva, which can occur even with just a few mites, your cat will scratch and never find relief. If you see any signs at all of fluid in or around your cats ear, or if she is scratching and acting strangely, it is possible that she has ear mites. If there is enough reason to suspect this, you should get your cat treated immediately.
If you have other pets, you should also know that they could easily become infested with the mites as well. So if you end up treating one of your cats, you should definitely inspect your other cats for signs of ear mites, or take them to the vet as well. This can truly make your cat miserable, and the sooner she gets treated, the better she will feel and so will you.
Article Source: http://www.articles4free.com
Want to discover and get rid of ear mites quickly and easily? Visit Earmites.net and make sure you and your pets enjoy being ear mite free.
There could be little tiny parasites taking up residence in your cat's eat. They are known as earmites. As simple as it may sound, you should know that if this problem isn't treated, it can develop into something serious such as a yeast infection.
Cats can cause tiny blood vessels in their ears to burst when they scratch too much at their ears. The swelling and disfiguration that results could be permanent. Ear mites that are left untreated for long enough can cause a rupture of the ear drum, seizures, and even death.
If you notice your cat scratching, shaking its head this way and that, and digging at its ears, it's possible that he or she has earmites. However, you should know that a cat can be infested with ear mites and show no signs or symptoms. How severe the reaction is can really depend on your cat's sensitivity to the mites' saliva.
If there's an allergic reaction to the saliva, which can occur even with just a few mites, your cat will scratch and never find relief. If you see any signs at all of fluid in or around your cats ear, or if she is scratching and acting strangely, it is possible that she has ear mites. If there is enough reason to suspect this, you should get your cat treated immediately.
If you have other pets, you should also know that they could easily become infested with the mites as well. So if you end up treating one of your cats, you should definitely inspect your other cats for signs of ear mites, or take them to the vet as well. This can truly make your cat miserable, and the sooner she gets treated, the better she will feel and so will you.
Article Source: http://www.articles4free.com
Want to discover and get rid of ear mites quickly and easily? Visit Earmites.net and make sure you and your pets enjoy being ear mite free.
Your Cat's Diabetes
By : Alison Grimston
Introduction- Diabetes mellitus is a chronic endocrine illness in which there are high levels of glucose in the blood. It is seen in dogs and cats as well as humans, and in each species is commoner in the overweight and obese. There is no cure, but treatment, which in cats may or may not include insulin injections, can maintain a healthy and active life.
Pathology - Diabetes occurs when the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas, the Islets of Langerhans, stop producing sufficient insulin to cope with the body's glucose load (Type 1 diabetes), or when the peripheral tissues in the body that react to insulin become resistant to its effect (Type 2 diabetes).
Symptoms:
* Weight loss (more likely in type 1 diabetes)
* Thirst, excessive drinking (polydipsia)
* Increased urination (polyuria)
* Increased appetite
* Increased blood glucose (hyperglycaemia)
* Blindness
* Weakness
* Depression
Causes:
* Obesity
* Chronic Pancreatitis
* Stress (cortisol, one of the stress hormones, makes fat cells less sensitive to insulin)
* Genetic predisposition - it affects cats of all ages, sexes and breeds, but is commoner in older, castrated male cats, especially Burmese cats Diagnosis
Diagnosis depends on a urine test followed by a confirmatory blood test for glucose levels.
Effects of Diabetes - There is an increased incidence of:
* Cataracts
* Premature death
* Problems in pregnancy
* Infections, especially bladder
* Pancreatitis
Current Western Treatments
* Insulin
* Diet
* Exercise
* Neutering of diabetic female cats
Insulin - The discovery of insulin in 1921 ( see www.discoveryofinsulin.com) was pivotal in changing diabetes mellitus from disease that was fatal within weeks to a chronic and not necessarily life-threatening condition.
Insulin is the most important treatment in many cats, although some cats, once stabilised, can be managed with diet alone. Diet
Diet needs to be specific and timed correctly. Glucose control is easier to obtain if you feed a fixed formula feed, low in fat and high in slowly digested complex carbohydrates. However, if your cat's routine is to eat several times per day, your vet is unlikely to change this.
If your cat is overweight, weight reduction to the normal for his or her size is essential over the first 3-4 months after diagnosis.
Exercise - Your cat should be allowed to take exercise as normal. Other considerations
A diabetic cat will take up a lot of your time and finances over the years, but will reward you with years of companionship.
Complementary Therapies - Stress Reduction by whatever means will help with glucose control, and can be helped by:
* Spiritual Healing
* Reiki
* Crystal Healing with crystals such as amethyst
* Massage
* T-touch technique
Herbal remedies
* Stinging nettles - for fatigue, poor appetite
* Garlic - for digestive problems
* Fenugreek - for fatigue and weight loss
* olive leaves - for blood pressure and glucose control
Bach Flower Remedies tend to be favoured over aromatics by cats. Your choice of remedy will depend on your cat's personality and current circumstances.
Conclusion - With Diabetes mellitus it is very important that you work closely with your vet in order to get optimum glucose control. The triad of insulin (where needed), diet and exercise is pivotal. Other measures can be used to help support your cat's management.
Article Source: http://www.articles4free.com
I am a holistic doctor and animal healer specializing in connecting and informing animal therapists. My natural animal therapy website informs the public about animal therapies while connecting animal therapists worldwide. www.TheNaturallyHealthyPet.com
Introduction- Diabetes mellitus is a chronic endocrine illness in which there are high levels of glucose in the blood. It is seen in dogs and cats as well as humans, and in each species is commoner in the overweight and obese. There is no cure, but treatment, which in cats may or may not include insulin injections, can maintain a healthy and active life.
Pathology - Diabetes occurs when the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas, the Islets of Langerhans, stop producing sufficient insulin to cope with the body's glucose load (Type 1 diabetes), or when the peripheral tissues in the body that react to insulin become resistant to its effect (Type 2 diabetes).
Symptoms:
* Weight loss (more likely in type 1 diabetes)
* Thirst, excessive drinking (polydipsia)
* Increased urination (polyuria)
* Increased appetite
* Increased blood glucose (hyperglycaemia)
* Blindness
* Weakness
* Depression
Causes:
* Obesity
* Chronic Pancreatitis
* Stress (cortisol, one of the stress hormones, makes fat cells less sensitive to insulin)
* Genetic predisposition - it affects cats of all ages, sexes and breeds, but is commoner in older, castrated male cats, especially Burmese cats Diagnosis
Diagnosis depends on a urine test followed by a confirmatory blood test for glucose levels.
Effects of Diabetes - There is an increased incidence of:
* Cataracts
* Premature death
* Problems in pregnancy
* Infections, especially bladder
* Pancreatitis
Current Western Treatments
* Insulin
* Diet
* Exercise
* Neutering of diabetic female cats
Insulin - The discovery of insulin in 1921 ( see www.discoveryofinsulin.com) was pivotal in changing diabetes mellitus from disease that was fatal within weeks to a chronic and not necessarily life-threatening condition.
Insulin is the most important treatment in many cats, although some cats, once stabilised, can be managed with diet alone. Diet
Diet needs to be specific and timed correctly. Glucose control is easier to obtain if you feed a fixed formula feed, low in fat and high in slowly digested complex carbohydrates. However, if your cat's routine is to eat several times per day, your vet is unlikely to change this.
If your cat is overweight, weight reduction to the normal for his or her size is essential over the first 3-4 months after diagnosis.
Exercise - Your cat should be allowed to take exercise as normal. Other considerations
A diabetic cat will take up a lot of your time and finances over the years, but will reward you with years of companionship.
Complementary Therapies - Stress Reduction by whatever means will help with glucose control, and can be helped by:
* Spiritual Healing
* Reiki
* Crystal Healing with crystals such as amethyst
* Massage
* T-touch technique
Herbal remedies
* Stinging nettles - for fatigue, poor appetite
* Garlic - for digestive problems
* Fenugreek - for fatigue and weight loss
* olive leaves - for blood pressure and glucose control
Bach Flower Remedies tend to be favoured over aromatics by cats. Your choice of remedy will depend on your cat's personality and current circumstances.
Conclusion - With Diabetes mellitus it is very important that you work closely with your vet in order to get optimum glucose control. The triad of insulin (where needed), diet and exercise is pivotal. Other measures can be used to help support your cat's management.
Article Source: http://www.articles4free.com
I am a holistic doctor and animal healer specializing in connecting and informing animal therapists. My natural animal therapy website informs the public about animal therapies while connecting animal therapists worldwide. www.TheNaturallyHealthyPet.com