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A cat’s purr is therapy for the heart. This influence is more than just emotional; it’s physical.

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Cat Nutrition Tips

  • A kitten’s body weight may easily double or even triple over the course of its growth. Large amounts of energy and nutrients are required in controlled quantities to support this spectacular growth.
  • Kittens need large amounts of energy, about two to three times that of an adult cat. They need about 30% of that energy from protein. Make sure the food you offer is specifically formulated for kittens. 
  • Your pet will need to eat kitten-formula food until she reaches maturity, at about one (1) year of age. Kittens who are five (5) to six (6) weeks old should be nibbling on a high-quality dry food consistently
  • Kittens can be fed free-choice; which means food is available at all times, as much as the pet wants, whenever the pet wants. You can feed them dry kitten food or kitten-formula canned food. However, the free-choice method is most appropriate when feeding dry food, which will not spoil if left out.
  • By five (5) to six (6) weeks of age, kittens should be eating only lightly moistened food.
  • You can start off by leaving out small amounts of dry food and fresh water at all times.
  • By eight (8) to ten (10) weeks, kittens should be accustomed to eating unmoistened kitten food.

Adult cats should eat enough high-quality, nutritious food to meet their energy needs and to maintain and repair body tissues. The amount you feed your adult cat should be based on his or her size and energy output. Activity levels vary dramatically between pets and will play an important role in determining caloric intake.

  • Your cat should always have free access to fresh, clean water. Water bowls should also be cleaned every day.
  • All cats require taurine, an amino acid that is important for normal heart function, vision, and reproduction. Since taurine is found only in animal-based protein, all cats need meat-based diets to meet their nutritional requirements.
  • A cat recovering from surgery or a disease may have increased nutritional requirements to repair, heal, and fight infection. 
  • Generally, we recommend that all cats be fed twice daily using the portion control feeding method. 
    1. Start by dividing the amount suggested on the label of your pet’s food into two meals, spread eight to twelve hours apart.
    2. You may need to adjust portions as you learn your cat’s ideal daily “maintenance” amount
  • Milk should not be fed to cats as a treat or a substitute for water. Feeding milk-based products to adult cats can cause them to vomit or have diarrhea.
  • Treats should be given in moderation and represent 5% or less of a cat’s daily food intake. The rest should come from a nutritionally-complete cat food.

Cats begin to show visible age-related changes at about seven (7) to twelve (12) years of age. There are metabolic, immunologic, and body composition changes as well. Some of these are unavoidable, whilst others can be managed with diet.

  1. Start your cat on a senior diet at about seven (7) years of age.
  2. The main objectives in feeding of an older cat should be to maintain health and optimum body weight, slow or prevent the development of chronic diseases, and minimize or improve clinical signs of diseases that may already be present.
  3. As a cat ages, health issues may arise, including:
    • Deterioration of skin and cat
    • Loss of muscle mass
    • More frequent intestinal problems
    • Arthritis
    • Obesity
    • Dental problems
    • Decreased ability to fight off infection
  4. Routine care for geriatric pets should involve a consistent daily routine and periodic veterinary examinations to assess the presence or progress of chronic disease.
  5. Stressful situations and abrupt changes in daily routines should be avoided.
  6. If a drastic change must be made to an older pet’s routine, try to minimize stress and introduce the change gradually.

Cat Grooming Tips

Bathing Your Cat

With their built-in grooming tools (tongue and teeth), your fastidious feline is well-equipped to tackle their own hair care needs. But if they are very dirty or get into something sticky or smelly, you may need to bath them. 

Follow these steps to ensure minimal stress and maximum efficiency:

  1. Place a rubber bath mat in the sink or tub where you’ll be bathing your cat so they won’t slip. Fill with three to four inches of lukewarm water (avoid using hot or boiling water please).
  2. Gently massage your pet with a solution of one part cat shampoo (avoid human shampoo as it can dry out their skin) to five parts water, working from head to tail, in the direction of hair growth. Take care to avoid the face, ears and eyes.
  3. Thoroughly rinse the shampoo off your cat with a spray hose or pitcher; again, be sure the water is lukewarm. Take good care that all residue has been removed, as it can irritate the skin and act as a magnet for dirt.
  4. Use a washcloth to carefully wipe your pet’s face. Plain water is fine unless their face is very dirty—in which case, we recommend using an extra-diluted solution of shampoo, being very cautious around their ears and eyes.
  5. Wrap your cat in a large towel and dry them with it in a warm place, away from drafts.
  6. Reward your cat with endless praise—and their favorite treat—for a successful bathing session.

 

 

Because of the wide range of causes, cats of all ages and breeds are susceptible to issues involving skin. Young, elderly, immunocompromised, and cats living in overcrowded, stressful environments may be more susceptible to skin problems than others.

To Prevent Skin Problems

  • Use natural, hypoallergenic soaps and shampoos recommended for use on cats
  • Brush your cat regularly to prevent matting of hair
  • Feed your cat healthy, balanced food without fillers or artificial ingredients
  • Implement a flea treatment program recommended by your veterinarian
  • Thoroughly clean and vacuum your home (and remember to always spray mist around your house)
  • Provide calm living conditions for your cat.
  • Your vet may prescribe skin creams and/or oral medications to prevent skin problems

To Treat Skin Problems

  • Topical products, including shampoos, dips, and sprays, to prevent and treat parasites
  • A balanced diet to help maintain healthy skin and coat
  • Antibiotic or antifungal medications
  • A dietary supplement containing essential fatty acids
  • Corticosteroids and antihistamines may be prescribed to control itching
  • Hypoallergenic diet for food allergies

Litter-Box Management

If your cat isn’t comfortable with their litter box or can’t easily access it, they probably won’t use it. The following common litter box problems might cause them to defecate outside of their box:

  • You haven’t cleaned your cat’s litter box often or thoroughly enough.
  • Your cat’s litter box is too small for them.
  • Your cat can’t easily get to their litter box at all times.
  • Your cat’s litter box has a hood or liner that makes them uncomfortable.
  • The litter in your cat’s box is too deep. Cats usually prefer one to two inches of litter.
  • If you own more than one (1) cat, you’d have to provide enough litter boxes for all. Be sure to have a litter box for each of your cats as well as one (1) extra as a spare.

Regardless of what you do to solve your cat’s litter box problems, here are a few things to avoid:

  • Do not rub your cat’s nose in urine or feces.
  • Do not scold your cat and carry or drag them to the litter box.
  • Do not confine your cat to a small room with the litter box, for days to weeks or longer, without doing anything else to resolve their litter box problems.
  • Do not clean up accidents with an ammonia-based cleanser. Urine contains ammonia, and therefore cleaning with ammonia could attract your cat to the same spot to urinate again. Instead, use a product specifically for cleaning pet accidents.
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