Tag Archives: feline diet

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!

Cat Care, General Care

Your Aging Cat

Is your cat age six or older? If so, Fluffy is approaching her golden years. Kitties become seniors around age seven, though it varies a bit from cat to cat. While your furball’s basic needs won’t change as she ages, she will need a little extra TLC as she grows older. Below, a Georgetown, IN veterinarian discusses senior cat care.

Diet

Proper nutrition will play a huge role in your furball’s overall health. Give your furry friend the best pet food you can afford, but don’t overfeed her. If Fluffy becomes obese, those extra pounds will put additional strain on her body, and can seriously endanger her health.

Mobility

As she ages, Fluffy may have trouble hopping up to her favorite napping spots. Use pet ramps or chairs to help your kitty get on and off furniture.

Veterinary Care

Regular veterinary care is very important! Having your feline pal examined regularly will increase the chances of any issues being caught early, which can be very beneficial. At home, watch for any changes in Fluffy’s appearance, habits, purrsonality, or behavior. Contact your vet immediately if you notice anything unusual.

Senior Accommodations

Fluffy may have difficulty with a litterbox that has high walls, so you may want to upgrade her facilities. Keep extra litterboxes on every floor of your home, so your furry buddy doesn’t have to use the stairs as often. It also isn’t a bad idea to keep a nightlight on to help your furball get around after dark.

Mental Stimulation

Just like people, cats sometimes experience a decline in their cognitive functions as they age. Your senior kitty may forget how to get to the kitchen, or get ‘stuck’ in a corner. It isn’t unusual for cats to meow their distress when these things happen. Just do what you can to comfort Fluffy, and make sure she feels loved, safe, and secure.

Play

As Fluffy ages, she’ll somehow manage to spend even more of her time napping than she does now. Playing with her every day will keep her active, which is very beneficial for her physically. Playing is also great for your cat’s mental health. Plus, it will be fun for you too! Senior kitties are adorable!

Do you have any concerns about caring for your senior cat? We can help! Call us, your Georgetown, IN animal hospital, for all your pet’s veterinary care needs.

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.