Are you feeding your cat purely dry food? What if I told you that you are going to make your cat sick sooner or later? Yes, you read it right. Dry cat food is not so good for your feline friend, especially if your cat has bladder problems like urinary crystals. So, what are the recommended cat-foods for urinary crystals?Prior to knowing what cat-foods for urinary crystals should and should not include, what first are urinary crystals? When there is an imbalance in the pH of your cat's urine, and an excess amount of minerals in your pet's bladder, crystals are formed. These crystals can cause alterations in the bladder and may develop into stones.If you have observed your cat displaying symptoms of urinary-crystals, and the veterinarian has confirmed it, you'll be told that one way to treat the problem is through modification of diet. Cat-foods for urinary crystals need to include and exclude several ingredients. If you are looking for the best cat food that would help deal with urinary crystals, here are some things you should remember:
Your cat must eat foods with moisture. Although dry Cat-foods have dental benefits, it is detrimental for the bladder. Basically, cats get their water source mainly from the food they eat so if you only feed your pet dry food, you'll be dehydrating him and dehydration will worsen the urinary-crystals. Include wet cat food as 50% of your cat's diet.
Avoid giving your pet food with high mineral content. As mentioned earlier, crystals form due to excess minerals. High mineral and calcium content should always be avoided.
Cat-foods for urinary crystals should include small amounts of fish or beef broth. High amount of protein are needed too.
When buying canned Cat-food, check for the labels. It should indicate that there are no fillers, food colorings, and synthetic products.
If you are going to make homemade cat foods, do not include processed foods and stick to real meat and fish. Avoid including grains like rice and wheat as the cat's digestive system are not really designed for these.
Supplementing cat foods for urinary crystals with homeopathic remedies will give a more desirable effect. Homeopathic remedies only use natural products like herbs and botanical extracts. Through this, your pet's immune system will be strengthened and bladder functioning will get better. Lastly, homeopathic remedies will help your cat have a healthy flow of urine, a key factor in treating urinary-crystals.
2008's Most Popular Cats
cats are becoming evermore diverse. They now come in a variety of weird and wonderful shapes, sizes and colors. But which domesticated cats were the most popular family pets of 2008. Here are the top ten: 10. Oriental cat Extremely similar to the Siamese, the Oriental has a more diverse range of colors and patterns, but has the same temperament and body structure as the Siamese. Therefore, like the Siamese, its popularity is predominantly caused by its huge capacity for affection, its intelligence and playful nature. 9. The Birman cat One of the most striking features of the Birman is its long hair, which is beautiful, but needs a great deal of care. Owners agree that the Birman is typically laidback, which makes it ideal for a family with children and/or other animals. 8. The American Short Hair As its name suggests, the American Short Hair does not require as much grooming as some of its longer haired cousins do. It is known for being a very agile and active pet, which means that he, or she, will love to play. However, generally, the breed is very independent, which means it could be ideal for a busy family who are out of the house for the majority of the day. 7. Sphinx cat The sphinx is a cat once seen and never forgotten. It is an almost hairless breed. Despite, the peculiar appearance, the Sphinx is incredibly affectionate, loyal and loving, which makes it a firm favorite among cat lovers. They are good with children and other animals. Moreover, they are intelligent and extremely playful. 6. Ragdoll cat One of the larger breeds of cat, the Ragdoll can weigh between 10 and 20lbs. It should come as no surprise therefore, that he is not the most active of cats. Nevertheless, they are very loving and enjoy spending time with humans. It is wise to bear in mind that the breed has long fur that can become matted if not groomed regularly. 5. The abyssinian cat At number five on the list of popular cats is the Abyssinian, which is made instantly recognizable by its unusual and beautiful coat. The fur of an Abyssinian is ruddy ticked, which means that each hair is marked with alternating bands of color. As well as being incredibly attractive the Abyssinian is known to be very intelligent. 4. Siamese The Siamese is a perennial favorite among cat lovers. It has white, or off-white, fur with pointing on the legs, ears, face and tail. An interesting fact about the Siamese is that the darkness of the coatโ€™s points are affected by the temperature that the kitten is when growing. A hugely appealing part of the Siamese is its personality, which is incredibly affectionate and loving. 3. Maine Coon cat Another very large breed of cat, the Maine Coon can reach weights of up to 20lbs. It is affectionately known as a gentle giant, because it has an extremely mellow temperament, which makes it an ideal family pet. However, it has a very think fluffy coat, which needs quite a lot of care. 2. The Exotic Short Hair cat The Exotic Short Hair is sometimes called โ€˜the lazy manโ€™s Persianโ€™, because, as its name suggests, it has short hair that does not require the regular grooming that a Persian would need. Other than that, the Exotic Short Hair is very similar to the Persian in temperament and character. 1. Persian Speaking of which, the Persian was the most popular cat breed of 2008. It is easily recognizable, due to its long and beautiful fur. In addition to its aesthetic appeal, the Persian is a very pleasing companion, because it is mellow, affectionate and incredibly docile. If you are interested in any of the above breeds, seek further information before welcoming a new cat into your home. It is also advisable to find a reputable breeder or consider adopting an unwanted cat from a local rescue center.
Aging Cats - Cat Food Nutrition In The Senior Years
by Susan Livingstone
in Family / Pets (submitted 2009-10-25)
As your kitty ages, cat food nutrition can be important to the quality of her life. In general, your cat will probably live over fifty percent of her life as a senior. So what does this mean in terms of finding the best cat food to keep her healthy?
First off, how do you know when your cat reaches "senior status"? You might see a sprinkling of gray on her chin; a small cloud forming over once-clear eyes. Perhaps there's a touch of stiffness in what was once a frisky gait. Any of these can be tell-tale signs that your fuzzy feline friend is entering her "golden" years.
The old saying that one year in a cat's life is equal to seven "human" years isn't entirely accurate. Pets mature quickly during the first two years of life, level out for their middle years, and then begin to age more rapidly once more during the final third of their life span.
Technically, a cat qualifies as a senior once she's achieved 7 years of age or more. Factors that have an impact on how individual cats age include body weight, nutrition, environment, and overall health.
Thanks to advances in veterinary care and improved nutrition, cats are living longer than ever, giving those of us who love them many more years of their affection and warm companionship. This longevity, however, means that senior cats, just like their aging human companions, become more vulnerable to a variety of health issues and ailments: weight gain and decreased mobility; heart, kidney, and liver diseases; diabetes; dental problems and periodontal disease; behavioral problems and cancer.
Though advances in animal care, better nourishment and better educated owners have helped improve the quantity and quality of these years, studies have shown that senior cats continue to fight with weight as the result of reduced activity levels and a steady decline in senses, nutrient absorption and the ability to digest fat.
"One of the most important goals when feeding senior cats is maintaining an ideal weight and keeping that weight stable," says Dr. Arnold Plotnick, who pioneered a senior wellness program specifically intended to address the unique needs of aging cats at his veterinary hospital, Manhattan Cat Specialists in New York City.
As cats age, there is a steady decline in their body's capacity to heal itself, maintain standard bodily functions and adjust to tensions in their environment. Illness and weight changes are common during the senior years. Cats are at risk of weight gain in their adult years due to the decline in activity levels and the slowing of their metabolism.
But by the time they reach 11 years of age, weight loss becomes an even bigger concern. The 11-plus years are especially difficult for cats because their sense of smell and taste tend to diminish at this time, which in turn has an adverse affect on their interest in food. The power to absorb key nutritional elements and digest fat begins to declines, making eating itself less efficient.
The unwelcome result is that more food goes straight to becoming waste product, and less is utilized for energy, causing a drop in lean muscle mass and subcutaneous fat, leading to an often dangerous reduction in weight. As well as providing a healthy and well balanced diet, owners of senior cats should closely monitor their cats' activity levels, weight, food intake, grooming and elimination habits and report anything new or unusual to their veterinarian.
The good news is that owners of senior cats can do a lot to aid their aging felines in the maintenance of an ideal body weight throughout their senior years by feeding them a diet that addresses their unique nutritional needs. For example, holistic cat food, nutrition from all natural products and processes, is one excellent option for boosting the flagging energy of any cat, but especially a senior. Switching to a raw cat food diet as early as possible in your cat's life will help to keep her golden years much more vibrant and healthy. When it comes the health of your cat, senior food doesn't have to be any different from the food she's been eating all along, as long as it was the best and most natural food to begin with.
Though many of the changes in your cat are standard to the aging process we all go through, others may appear that can indicate a much more critical issue. Scheduling veterinary visits at least twice yearly is good practice for older cats as many potentially serious conditions are treatable if detected early. Fortunately, if you started your kitty off from the beginning by giving her the best quality holistic cat food, nutrition alone will have played a significant part in helping her maintain glowing health when she enters her senior years.
About the Author
Susan Livingstone built The Cat Bladder Blog because she loves cats, which is just as well since she is basically a slave to their whims. After years of spending money on them, she is now reversing that trend by offering holistic health products, information, advice and help to cat owners everywhere, especially those who need resources for dealing with cat urinary tract infections.
in Family / Pets (submitted 2009-10-25)
As your kitty ages, cat food nutrition can be important to the quality of her life. In general, your cat will probably live over fifty percent of her life as a senior. So what does this mean in terms of finding the best cat food to keep her healthy?
First off, how do you know when your cat reaches "senior status"? You might see a sprinkling of gray on her chin; a small cloud forming over once-clear eyes. Perhaps there's a touch of stiffness in what was once a frisky gait. Any of these can be tell-tale signs that your fuzzy feline friend is entering her "golden" years.
The old saying that one year in a cat's life is equal to seven "human" years isn't entirely accurate. Pets mature quickly during the first two years of life, level out for their middle years, and then begin to age more rapidly once more during the final third of their life span.
Technically, a cat qualifies as a senior once she's achieved 7 years of age or more. Factors that have an impact on how individual cats age include body weight, nutrition, environment, and overall health.
Thanks to advances in veterinary care and improved nutrition, cats are living longer than ever, giving those of us who love them many more years of their affection and warm companionship. This longevity, however, means that senior cats, just like their aging human companions, become more vulnerable to a variety of health issues and ailments: weight gain and decreased mobility; heart, kidney, and liver diseases; diabetes; dental problems and periodontal disease; behavioral problems and cancer.
Though advances in animal care, better nourishment and better educated owners have helped improve the quantity and quality of these years, studies have shown that senior cats continue to fight with weight as the result of reduced activity levels and a steady decline in senses, nutrient absorption and the ability to digest fat.
"One of the most important goals when feeding senior cats is maintaining an ideal weight and keeping that weight stable," says Dr. Arnold Plotnick, who pioneered a senior wellness program specifically intended to address the unique needs of aging cats at his veterinary hospital, Manhattan Cat Specialists in New York City.
As cats age, there is a steady decline in their body's capacity to heal itself, maintain standard bodily functions and adjust to tensions in their environment. Illness and weight changes are common during the senior years. Cats are at risk of weight gain in their adult years due to the decline in activity levels and the slowing of their metabolism.
But by the time they reach 11 years of age, weight loss becomes an even bigger concern. The 11-plus years are especially difficult for cats because their sense of smell and taste tend to diminish at this time, which in turn has an adverse affect on their interest in food. The power to absorb key nutritional elements and digest fat begins to declines, making eating itself less efficient.
The unwelcome result is that more food goes straight to becoming waste product, and less is utilized for energy, causing a drop in lean muscle mass and subcutaneous fat, leading to an often dangerous reduction in weight. As well as providing a healthy and well balanced diet, owners of senior cats should closely monitor their cats' activity levels, weight, food intake, grooming and elimination habits and report anything new or unusual to their veterinarian.
The good news is that owners of senior cats can do a lot to aid their aging felines in the maintenance of an ideal body weight throughout their senior years by feeding them a diet that addresses their unique nutritional needs. For example, holistic cat food, nutrition from all natural products and processes, is one excellent option for boosting the flagging energy of any cat, but especially a senior. Switching to a raw cat food diet as early as possible in your cat's life will help to keep her golden years much more vibrant and healthy. When it comes the health of your cat, senior food doesn't have to be any different from the food she's been eating all along, as long as it was the best and most natural food to begin with.
Though many of the changes in your cat are standard to the aging process we all go through, others may appear that can indicate a much more critical issue. Scheduling veterinary visits at least twice yearly is good practice for older cats as many potentially serious conditions are treatable if detected early. Fortunately, if you started your kitty off from the beginning by giving her the best quality holistic cat food, nutrition alone will have played a significant part in helping her maintain glowing health when she enters her senior years.
About the Author
Susan Livingstone built The Cat Bladder Blog because she loves cats, which is just as well since she is basically a slave to their whims. After years of spending money on them, she is now reversing that trend by offering holistic health products, information, advice and help to cat owners everywhere, especially those who need resources for dealing with cat urinary tract infections.