Tag Archives: cat diet

Cat Care, General Health

Easy Ways to Keep Your Cat Healthy

February is National Cat Health Month! Kitties are known for being easy keepers. However, Fluffy is quite small and fragile, and she is susceptible to illness and injury. A Georgetown, IN veterinarian offers some tips on keeping your feline buddy healthy and purring in this article.

Good Food

It’s probably no surprise to find proper nutrition at the top of the list. Making sure that Fluffy is getting high-quality food will go a long way towards keeping her healthy. Ask your vet for specific advice, including tips on portion sizes, feeding schedules, and reading labels.

Veterinary Care

Kitties are quite independent, but they still need regular veterinary care. We advise getting Fluffy microchipped and spayed or neutered, and keeping up to date with her exams, vaccines, and parasite control. Also, if you notice anything that could be a sign of illness, don’t wait to see if it resolves on its own. Call your vet immediately.

Clean Litterbox

Dirty litterboxes look and smell bad. They’re also germ magnets! Ideally, you’ll want to scoop Fluffy’s bathroom out daily, and change the litter every week or so. If you have more than one cat, avoid overcrowding by giving each furball her own box.

Keep Kitty In

Although Fluffy may love to run and play outdoors, she’s much safer inside. As soon as your kitty sets her paws outside, she’s exposed to some pretty serious risks, such as traffic, wild animals, and weather.

Catproofing

Our feline pals are very playful, which is one of the best things about them. However, that mischievous streak can get them into serious trouble! Cats don’t know (or care) what is and isn’t safe for them to play with. Keep anything that could be dangerous out of paws’ reach. This includes items with strings or threads, chemicals, medicine, and small or sharp objects.

Climate Control

Did you know that cats can overheat very quickly in summer? Fluffy can also get very sick if she gets too cold. Make sure she always has a comfy shelter. If you leave her home alone, keep the climate control on.

Love

Fluffy’s mental health is also important! Keep your kitty happy and purring by providing things like scratching posts, comfy beds, toys, treats, boxes, and lap space.

Do you need to make an appointment for your feline friend? Contact us, your Georgetown, IN veterinary clinic, today!

Cat Care, General Care

Obesity in Cats

Have you noticed your kitty is getting a bit heavier lately? Does the thud Fluffy makes when she jumps off a chair shake the house? If so, you may have a pudgy pet on your hands! While we can’t deny that chubby cats are cute, your feline pal will be much healthier if she stays at or near her ideal weight. A Georgetown, IN vet discusses obesity in cats below.

Diet

Does your kitty wake you up when she wants breakfast? Does Fluffy have you trained to feed her on demand? We know, it can be hard to resist those adorable furry faces. However, kitties are experts at manipulating us, which can make it easy for us to overfeed them. Even giving your cat just a few too many calories a day can make her gain weight. Ask your vet for specific nutritional recommendations, including serving sizes and suitable treats.

Exercise

Keeping your kitty active is very important. Unfortunately, Fluffy doesn’t exactly see it that way. So far, we haven’t been able to successfully convince any of our feline patients to do laps around their kitchens. You may need to trick your furry buddy into moving by calling her to you, or just picking up a toy and tossing it across the room. Offer Fluffy lots of fun toys to smack around, and spend a few minutes a day playing with her. It’s also beneficial to get your kitty some pet furniture that encourages healthy activities like jumping and climbing, such as a cat tower. Every little bit helps!

Dangers of Obesity

Being overweight is very bad for Fluffy’s health. Cats that are obese have higher risks of developing several dangerous health conditions, including diabetes, respiratory trouble, arthritis, heart disease, liver and kidney issues, and even certain cancers. Chubby cats also have elevated risks of reproductive trouble and/or post-surgical complications. They even have shorter life expectancy!

Helping Fluffy Lose Weight

Crash diets are very dangerous for cats, and could make your pet very sick! If you know or suspect that Fluffy is, well, not just fluffy, ask your vet for professional advice on helping her drop those extra pounds. Just like people, kitties must lose weight slowly in order to slim down without endangering their health.

Do you have a furry little butterball on your hands? We can help! Contact us, your Georgetown, IN animal clinic, today!

Behavior, Cat Care, General Health

Why Your Cat Finds His Food Distasteful

Your orange tabby Rudy has quite a hearty appetite. This five-year-old feline housemate has always eagerly scarfed down his vet-approved food. Sometimes, he twirls around your legs at feeding time, hoping you’ll serve his meal a few minutes early. Recently, though, your healthy-eating cat considers his bowl the enemy. He briefly picks at his kibbles before crunching a few bites and padding away. You wonder why he’s avoiding his food, and you’re concerned that he’s lacking nutrition. Tomorrow, your Georgetown, IN vet will give Rudy a physical exam and a good serving of nutritional counseling.

Unfavorable Dining Environment

Although Rudy’s not impressed by fancy restaurants, he appreciates peace and quiet while he enjoys his meals. However, you’ve plopped his feeding station in your super-busy kitchen, where family and friends often congregate. Your distracted feline housemate can’t focus on his food. Since your cat has scheduled mealtimes, maybe his human companions can alter their dining arrangements.

Poor-Quality Menu

Since your persnickety cat has consumed the same familiar kibbles for years, he might be completely sick of that food. Or, if your home’s air contains considerable humidity, he can’t stand the taste and texture of those cardboard-like contents.

Perhaps your feline chowhound prefers wet food. By keeping the cans in the refrigerator, they don’t stink as much after they’re opened. However, your quality-minded cat won’t consume that chilly, repulsive mush. Make the food more appealing by heating it slightly. However, don’t burn your cat’s delicate mouth.

More Negative Influences

Rudy’s meticulous hygiene extends to his meals. He won’t accept his food in an unwashed bowl, as a healthy bacteria colony might have settled there. Those nasty little organisms could upset his sensitive digestive tract.

Maybe your unfortunate feline has contracted a dental condition, making it painful to eat. After your vet diagnoses and treats his problem, he should happily return to his bowl.

Innovative Idea

Turn the tables on your finicky-eating cat. Purchase a top-quality feline blend; however, honor his desire for dry or wet meals. Avoid human leftovers, as they’ll likely irritate his digestive system. When he becomes really hungry, he’ll probably chow down on the high-end food.

If Rudy doesn’t eat for an entire day, ask your Georgetown, IN vet to investigate a medical problem or food allergy. To resolve your feline companion’s picky-eating antics, contact us for expert advice.