What is the Proper Diet for My Cat

It's true, cats are carnivores; they must eat meat to live. But what does that mean for you and your cat? Should you feed him live food, make food, or buy it? All of these questions are natural to ask if you are getting a cat, or are having trouble with your cats eating habits. Sometimes choosing the right food can be confusing but by learning about cats natural diet you can make the right choice for your feline friend. Properly feeding your cat will not only ensure good health but will give them a shiny coat, strong teeth and nails, few health problems if any at all, and little or no hairballs.

First, it is extremely important to note that cats are NOT vegetarians; they never have been and never will be. Yes, they do eat some grasses and grains but all cats, tame or wild, are carnivores. Actually, cats are Obligate Carnivores, which simply means they must eat meat to survive. In all meats there is a colorless substance called Taurine. It is found in the fluids and the muscles of many animals and is essential for cats. Without Taurine cats cannot and will not live long. You can tell a cat is suffering from Taurine depletion because the eyes become very watery as the retina dissolves. This often causes blindness and death.

It is important to understand that a cat's natural diet consists mostly of mice and other small rodents, small lizards, and birds. When a cat stalks and catches its prey in the wild it eats all of the animal; the body, the heart, the lungs, and even feathers, fur, and bones. Even feral cats (cats on the street) eat their food in the same manner.

This is how cats absorb Taurine. Am I suggesting that you feed your cat live food? Not in the least. Feeding live food to your cat is not as easy as it sounds. If your cat is not interested he will not eat and they will not eat dead or cold mice. Feeding live food to your cat is really unrealistic. Because cats need specific nutrients and minerals it is imperative that you follow a standard diet of cat food.
According to government standards, all prepared cat food must contain the minimum requirement of nutrients and minerals. But, just because a cat food meets the standards doesn't mean it is the best food for your cat, or any cat for that matter. When choosing food for your cat it is important to read the labels. Foods are processed in many different ways, with many different ingredients, and possibly chemicals.

It is crucial that you read the label before buying. Avoid foods that list grains or by products as the first or main ingredients. Cat food should consist of meat; look for turkey, chicken, veal, salmon, tuna, or ocean fish as the first ingredient. Grains should be listed near the end of the ingredients list. Also, keep and eye out for excessive amounts of sugar or sodium and avoid those products.

Only use foods that have pure meat in them. The food should be food colored, not red, orange, or yellow. Cats don't care about colors or shapes and products like that do not have your best interests at heart. It is important to remember that too much grain in your cat's diet can cause them to get a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). Symptoms of UTI in cats are urination in unusual places, scratching more than usual in the litter, blood in the urine, and crying or moaning when urinating.These infections make it difficult for your cat to urinate and can cause serious problems like internal bleeding and infection. If your cat exhibits sign of UTI take them to the vet immediately.

What kind of cat food though? Wet or dry? Most cats seem to prefer wet food over dry any day. Dry food is good though, as it helps remove some plaque and tartar from your cat's teeth. But, because most cats don't drink much water you should serve wet food daily. Either canned or chunks in gravy both help keep your cat adequately hydrated. Serve both wet and dry foods to your cats liking. Some cats won't each dry food, some won't eat canned, and some still won't eat food with gravy. Try to suit your cat's tastes; after all he is the one eating it.

There are all kinds of cat foods as well, other than wet and dry. You will also have to choose between kitten, indoor, outdoor, senior, weight management, hairball formula, diabetic, and other specialty cat foods. Talk to your vet about your cat's habits and together you can come up with the appropriate diet for your cat.




By Rachel Pickett

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Cat Vaccinations An Important Preventive Procedure To A Healthy Cat

Cats seem independent and self-sufficient, but cats need just as much care and attention as other pets. Cats are prone to a number of serious diseases and it is extremely important to ensure that your cat is vaccinated from an early age. Further prevention from diseases is necessary to maintain your cats health with annual booster injections.

Anyone who has seen a cat in pain and distress because of a condition that could have been easily prevented by adequate care will understand why vets are so keen to promote preventive vaccination for all cats. This not only helps to prevent the development of the disease to a terminal stage but also limit the spread of these infectious diseases to the surrounding feline population.

Vaccinations are important as almost all catteries will only permit cats that have past records of vaccinations. This measure serves to protect your cat as well as to ensure other cats in the cattery are not infected should your cat be ill. Even cats that have been vaccinated can sometimes contract a variant of the disease and the less risk there is to the cattery as a whole the better.

Travel restrictions for pets can be stringent for most European countries. If you are considering traveling with your pet you will need to carry all available documentation concerning your pet's health and vaccination record, and you may need to show evidence of feline veterinarian treatment including deworming schedules. Without these documents, your cat may have to be quarantined for up to six months, thus it would be import, so do check with your travel agency to make sure you have all the documentation you may need.

Kittens should be vaccinated from the age of nine weeks. They are then vaccinated again at 12 weeks, and then go on to a program that would include annual booster injections.

Your vet would also advise you on the necessity of giving your cat a rabies shot, particularly if your cat has contact with other feral cats in the neighborhood and gets into scrapes. A point to note is that the rabies shot is a requirement if you are traveling to any country within Europe.

The four main vaccinations a cat can have from the age of nine weeks are the following:

Feline infectious enterovirus (FIE, also known as the feline panleukopaenia virus.

Feline herpesvirus (otherwise known as feline calcivirus, or cat flu)

Feline leukaemia. A vet will test a cat's blood to see if there is already an immunity built up from previous contact, and if the test shows negative i.e. there has been no contact and therefore no immunity built up the cat should be vaccinated.

Feline Chlamydophila, which causes conjunctivitis. Again your cat may already have built up an immunity so your vet can check for antibodies in the bloodstream and vaccinate if the test comes back negative to previous contact.

Vaccination may save your cats life should it get into any contact with any horrifying diseases. Although vaccines do hold risk for a small minority of cats who received them, proper vaccination is still the best solution and protection your cat can have against infectious disease.






By: Moses Wright

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Cat Health Insurance Get Exclusive Care For Your Cat

Regardless of your intensive care, all pets including cat, fall ill or are injured. Like a human being, your pet also needs medical treatment; in fact, they need more heed than a human being needs, as they cannot express their pain through words. Since charges of medical treatments are very high, a minor injury or illness of your pet can affect your entire budget. At present, there are n numbers of insurance companies, which offer effective reliable insurance policies for your pet. However, all pets are unpredictable but when it comes to a cat, predicting a single step of this naughty creature becomes impossible. If you own a cat and are worried about her health, then cat health insurance is the best solution for you; in fact, with this policy you can cover your cats health expenses for a lifetime. This policy helps you in ensuring that your cat will get the best care and medical assistance during illness or injury.

Cat health insurance is something that can really lighten your financial burden, as it reimburses all medical and hygiene expenses of your cat. Owning a cat is the great pleasure; in fact, whenever we see that sweet creature jumping here and there, we just forget all our worries and find a new world of joy in her innocent activities. However, she needs extra care, as there are many uncertainties and risks that are associated with her. You can give her every possible thing just by purchasing an insurance policy for her; this policy will definitely provide your cat with exclusive medical and routine health care. Getting your cat insured is your own personal decision but it is always advisable to secure your cat with cat health insurance.

Cost and type of insurance policy completely depends upon the breed of your cat, as some breeds are more vulnerable to health problems. For insuring such breeds, insurance companies charge a higher rate; in fact, it is reasonable, as the pet gets better financial benefits with such policies. There are many times when your cat eats something venomous and falls ill; this is the situation where your cat needs cat health insurance. This policy will help you in compensating all medical expenses; however, this cannot compensate her pain but can give your darling cat a lifetime security. Despite of the seriousness of illness, it enables you to afford the best care and treatment for your cat.

Since all cat health insurance policies cover head-to-tail injury and illness expenses, you can choose any policy according to your requirements and budget. If you are worried about monthly premium, then you can be rest assured that it will never affect your monthly budget. To avoid expensive premiums you can also go for a cheap insurance policy, as such policies cover every aspect of your cats health without putting any extra burden on your pocket. But before you go for cat health insurance, always make sure that it covers every health and hygiene expense of your cat or not


By: Robert Scott

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Symptoms of Pregnant Cat - Know What to Do

When owning a cat, it is important to know what the symptoms of a pregnant cat are. When a cat becomes pregnant, pregnancy symptoms are initially noticed at approximately the three week stage of pregnancy. The average gestation period for cats is 63 days.Listed below is a basic timetable of pregnant cats to enable you to detect the symptoms of a pregnant cat.• Week 3The nipples of your pregnant cat will begin to enlarge and be pinkish in color. There will be no signs of swelling in her belly during this period.• Week 4It is during this week that your cats belly will begin to swell slightly. The swelling will also be more apparent in her nipples. Your cats' appetite will also begin to increase.• Week 5It is advised by many cat experts that you consult your vet for a growth formula. This will satisfy the increased diet of your pregnant cat.• Week 6It is by this point that the pregnancy of your cat becomes obvious. The symptoms of a pregnant cat will now include changes in her behavior. She will begin moving around with great care. Stretching and twisting actions will also be avoided by her, and if she generally ventures outdoors, you may find that she will prefer to remain indoors. Her appetite will also continue to increase throughout the sixth week.

• Week 7The largest symptoms of pregnant cats are their behavior. She will undoubtedly begin to show signs of excitement. This behavior is referred to as "quickening", and it the stage of the cat pregnancy when the fetus begins to move. She will roll and stretch and begin her search for a place to give birth. For this reason, it is advised to keep your cat indoors to ensure that she does not make her nest outdoors.• Day 61Labor can begin as early as 61 days after conception and as late as 70 days.The symptoms during labor will include:• Stage 1Your cat will begin to show signs of restlessness, and begin either growling or purring rhythmically. This behavior can last for a few hours or as much as 24 hours.• Stage 2She will now begin with the contractions. The contractions may initially be once every 30 minutes or even longer. The contractions will then gradually begin to become more frequent until just before the first kitten is born. The contractions will then occur every 30 seconds. The cat may continue to growl and repeatedly lick her vaginal area to stimulate the arrival of the remaining kittens.It can take as long as 24 hours before all of her kittens are born, especially if she is having a large litter. Four is the typical size of a litter for a cat.Therefore, recognizing the symptoms of pregnant cat is of great importance, to ensure that she remains healthy during the complete process.


By W. P. Allen

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Persian Cat Information And Cat And Kitten Types Are Described

Most people have a liking for pet animals and for them cats are no exceptions. People may find a variety of cats depending on their body types. It is easy to spot the difference between the stocky Persian and the long, lean, Abyssinian cat. To see how well they differ, it is best to see these cats in action.

Different Body Types:

Given below is the information of body types of different cats:

1. Traditional Applehead: Traditional Applehead cat is big-boned, more stocky and heavier of the three Siamese cats. The cat has a large bone structure. Head of the traditional applehead cat is similar to the shape of an apple. Nose of the cat has a dip, which can be seen when the head turns on its side.

2. Traditional: Traditional Siamese cat has a medium-sized bone structure. The head is oval which tilts vertically. Traditional cat has an elongated face as compared to the Applehead cat. It is athletic in appearance. Body coat of all three traditional Siamese cats are dense and short. The coat is also springy and soft to touch.

3. Traditional Classic: Traditional classic cat has a muscular, elegant, an athletic shaped body. The cat is as healthy as the traditional and traditional applehead cat. The cat has light feet and a slightly elongated shape to its head. It has an elongated body, tail and legs. The cat does not have a dip at its nose.

4. Wedge Siamese: The wedge Siamese is extreme in body type and elongated. It has the head like the shape of a wedge or a triangle, very pointed and sharp. In addition, the head is delineated and the chin is aligned. The head appears wedge-shaped from the tip of the cat's nose to the corner extending to large ears. The cat has slanted eyes of almond shape. Remaining part of the cat's body is thinner, longer, svelte looking and tubular. The cat has a wider nose as compared to the traditional cat.

5. Siamese Mix Oriental: Cat of this type has an elongated slender body, long nose, large ears and almond-shaped eyes.

Other Body Types:

Below mentioned are some other popular body types of cats:

1. Cobby: Cobby cat has a muscular, short and compact build. It has short nose, small ears and roundish eyes. Persian cat is one good example of cobby cat.

2. Persian Cat: Persian cat has a round, broad head. It has large eyes, full cheeks and short nose. The cat has round-tipped ears that tilt forwards and has ear tufts. Neck of the cat is short and thick. The cat has a solid body with broad chest across the shoulders. It has large paws. Body coat is silky, wavy and shiny. It has a short tail.

3. Turkish Van: This cat has a thick, strong body. It has round, large, slanted eyes. The cat has a long bushy tail. Its large ears rest on the top of its head. The cat's body coat is pure white.



By: Martin Marks

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Symptoms of Cat Rabies - Know What to Do

A well-known virus which is present in the saliva of an affected animal is rabies. The disease is passed on to cats and other animals by a bite; therefore, the symptoms of cat rabies should be known by all cat owners.There are many animals that are carriers of the virus but not actually affected. However, unfortunately, for a majority of cats that are bitten by an affected animal, the final result is death.The disease is transmitted when an infected animal bites a non-infected animal. Rabies does not live for a great length of time outside of the host and remains in the carcass of an infected animal for less than 24 hours. Rabies is shed in incredible quantities in saliva. However, when an infected animal bites another or a human, it does not necessarily mean that the other animal or human will become infected. Humans, cats, and dogs are only mildly susceptible to rabies, unlike bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes that are more susceptible to the virus.However, when most animals are bitten by another that is infected, the virus spreads through the nerves and to the brain. It is a relatively slow moving virus, with the average time of incubation being between 2 to 6 weeks in cats before is it is exposed to the brain. Once the virus reaches the brain, it moves to the salivary glands and this is where is can be spread through a bite.Even though there are three stages to rabies, not all stages will always be evident in your cat. The three phases of symptoms of cat rabies include:

• Prodromal PhaseThis is the stage whereby you cat may show the earliest, non-specific symptoms such as apprehension, anxiety, solitude, nervousness, and a fever. It may be a case that friendly cats become shy or irritable and may just snap, whereas aggressive cats may become affectionate. It is also possible for your cat to develop more fever spikes and erratic behavior which lasts for one or two days.• Furious PhaseCats are particularly prone to developing this phase. The symptoms of cat rabies in this phase are restless and irritability. They may also become hyper-responsive to auditory and visual stimuli. Cats will begin to roam and become vicious. This will then lead to them being disorientated and then have seizures and eventually die.• Paralytic or Dumb StageThis stage usually develops within 2 to 4 days. Cats may begin to salivate because they are unable to swallow. Deep breathing and a dropped jaw may be experienced as a result of the diaphragm and face muscles becoming increasingly paralyzed. The cat will become weaker and eventually go into respiratory failure and die.You, as a cat owner, may not be aware that you car has been bitten by an infected animal. Therefore, it is extremely important that you always keep a close eye on the symptoms of cat rabies and take your feline friend to vet if you see any of the above symptoms.

By W. P. Allen

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Symptoms of Cat Rabies

Not many would ever think a cat be inflicted with rabies as well. Yes, cats do, not just dogs. When do you know your cat is manifesting symptoms of cat rabies? For all you know, rabies is a lethal health treat caused by virus. This rabies may bring unfavorable situations to your beloved meowing pet.You need to fully understand the symptoms of cat rabies before you give her some medical attention. Symptoms come in three stages: prodromal, furious and dumb or paralytic stage. If you notice your cat is being anxious, apprehensive, tensed and fevered for two days, then she might be inflicted with rabies. If your cat is acting restless, irritable, defocused, extremely responsive to visual excitations and vicious, then she may be manifesting the furious phase of cat rabies.Symptoms of cat rabies are also detected when seizures attack. If your cat shows no interest in eating or perhaps unable to munch in food, she may have rabies. Worse case is that she may execute deep breathing and her jaws start to drop due to paralyzed facial muscles. Prolonged weakness of muscles and nerves will lead to respiratory failure which may cause death.When a cat is bitten by an animal, she may possibly develop cat rabies which will result to destruction of the central nervous system. Cat rabies can also cause respiratory infections, urinary tract troubles, feline distemper, diabetes, flu, vomiting, kidney disease and conjunctivitis. Although rabies rarely attack cats, it's still extremely cat the owners must be aware of the symptoms of.

Keeping an eye on your cat's health is primary. Symptoms of cat rabies should be prevented from worsening as early as possible. If any of the indicators is noticeable in your dearest feline, do not hesitate to consult a veterinarian. Not only is rabies transmitted by an infected animal, it is also brought through aerosol infection or ingestion of carrier animal. You must note that rabies lingers most likely in an animal's saliva. So, if your cat is bitten by a dog or any rabies-bearing animal, she will be infected with rabies as well.Symptoms usually scatter through the nerves toward the brain. The virus will gradually spread through your cat's body in 2 to 6 weeks. As soon as it reaches the brain, it will dwell on the salivary glands. But before it could even reach the salivary glands, your cat will start to manifest any of the three phases of rabies symptoms. A few early indicators can be detected when your cat is roaring loudly and bumping on any object she sees. Lack of bodily coordination is also an early symptom you have to act upon. Have your cat diagnosed by the most proximate vet.


By Ian Pennington

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Symptoms of Cat Diseases - Know the Truth

It is important that you are aware of how to recognize symptoms of cat diseases to ensure that your cat receives the correct medical attention. Many people are surprised to discover that the anatomy of a cat is much like that of a human. Because they have similar organs and body systems to us, their bodies may be affected with diseases that are similar to the ones that we contract. There are in fact, many cases, whereby the diseases are identical.One example of this is that there is very little difference between cat asthma and human asthma. It may be surprising to know that the same inhalers are used by humans as are used for the treatment of cats with asthma. Likewise, the symptoms of colds in cats are the same as humans.Because cats have an anatomy containing gall bladder, heart, intestines, kidneys, liver, lungs, pancreas, stomach, urinary bladder etc they can contract asthma, diabetes when their pancreas malfunctions, heart failure, irritable bowel syndrome when their intestines are inflamed, liver infection or inflammation such as hepatitis, kidney disease, lung cancer, pneumonia, etc. The symptoms of cat diseases are just like human symptoms.It is of great importance that you, as a cat owner, can identify symptoms of cat diseases while the condition is still early and treatable. This is much better than waiting until it is too late, as I am sure many of you would agree.Many of the major diseases that cats can get have very similar symptoms.

This is especially true when an elderly cat has health problems. However, it is important to remain calm and take your cat to the vet to enable him to match the symptoms with the appropriate disease by undertaking a thorough examination and in most cases a blood test. In some cases it is necessary for the vet to take x-rays, urinalysis, or even an ultrasound. Remember that your cat's chances of recuperation is increased when visiting the vet, as well as the fees that you will have to pay being less rather than if you wait and visit the vet at a later date.There are really only five things to remember when it comes to the symptoms of cat diseases. These five things are right in front of your eyes. Ask yourself "what are the five things that your cat mainly does?" I think you will agree when I say eat, drink, urinate, defecate, and sleep. These are the five things that you need to monitor. Look out for the following:• Is your cat eating more or less? • Is he drinking more or less? • Is he urinating more or less? • Is he having more or less bowel movements than normal? • Has your cat's levels of activity changed?You should also monitor as to whether he is sleeping more than usual or acting strange when he is awake.Being aware of the symptoms of cat diseases is vital for the health and happiness of your feline friend.Symptoms Of Cat Diseases, elderly cat has health problems, major diseases that cats can get



By W. P. Allen

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Four Common Cat Symptoms You Should Not Ignore

These four common cat symptoms could signal an emergency, or at least require a consultation with your vet. While your cat may experience some of these symptoms and not have a significant problem, it is best to be cautious.The fact is, cats are fairly self-sufficient, and they may recover from a mild illness even before you know they're sick. It's easy then, to overlook or ignore something that we are sure our cat will recover from. It's equally possible, however, that one or more of these cat symptoms could indicate that your cat may have a serious illness or underlying condition as the cause. Pay close attention to your cat's behavior, and if you see any of the following possible symptoms, take action right away.Diarrhea -- Diarrhea can be a sign of a more serious problem than just plain indigestion. It also causes dehydration, so do not let this go on for long without contacting your vet. Vomiting -- Vomiting is quite familiar to cats and cat owners. Hairballs are probably the most common cause of vomiting, and are usually of little concern.. But cats get into all manner of things, so it's not too surprising they have a habit of giving some of those things back. They may also have allergic reactions to plants and other items that can cause digestive distress. It might just be a hairball, but be alert to the possibility of a more severe problem if your cat is persistently vomiting.

Poisons, intestinal disturbances, or serious illness could be the reason. Excessive vomiting can lead to dehydration, which is a serious condition that may require intravenous fluids, and can result in death. Lethargy -- While cat's do need lots of sleep, they shouldn't appear sluggish. Most cats will not sleep continuously in one spot for an extended period. Lethargy is a sure sign of some kind of trouble. Since cats sleep so much, it may be hard to detect if they are sluggish. If your cat is normally bubbly and active, but suddenly begins sleeping in a corner for an entire day, something is probably wrong. I failed to catch this behavior change with one of my cats once for about a day since she was out in the open and seemed fine. By day two, however, she was too weak to jump, and she ended up needing rehydration and an antibiotic. Refusal to eat or drink -- Refusal to eat or drink for extended periods, or outside of your cat's normal routine is a red flag. Make sure you know your cat's eating and drinking habits well, and be observant if there are any changes. Sick animals often stop eating, so listen to what your cat is trying to tell you.For the most part, cats are pretty sturdy creatures, and will recover from mild problems on their own. There will be those times, however, when cat illness symptoms indicate a more serious condition that must be treated. I'm not suggesting that you run to the veterinarian every week, only that you be on the alert for those occasions. If you suspect your cat is ill, contact your vet.

By Kurt Schmitt

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Cat Illness Symptoms - What to Look Out For

There are many different act illness symptoms you need to look out for as a cat owner. They can change and vary depending on what the cat is suffering from and most of which can be very difficult to spot. Cats are very good at hiding their weaknesses and many not want you to find out they are in pain or suffering discomfort. This can make it very difficult for owner to recognise problems or illnesses without a vet’s diagnosis.If you notice any cat illness symptoms in your own cat, do not hesitate to book an appointment with your local vet as soon as possible. Cats are unable to express to their owners how they feel, or what exactly is wrong with them. As soon as you notice a possible problem with your cat you need to get the issue looked at to ensure a condition is not going unnoticed. With the proper testing your vet will be able to identify the problem and the cause effectively, never try to self diagnose your cat. Many cat illness symptoms are caused by a variety of different illnesses and are not just a symptom of one particular condition. Inaccurate diagnosis could lead to a potentially fatal condition being left untreated.The general cat illness symptoms to look out for include:

? Vomiting ?Diarrhea ? Constipation ? Weight Loss and/or lack of appetite ?Skin Problems including rash, itchiness or patches ? Hair Loss ? Discharge of the eyes, ears or nose ? Urinal Accidents ? Excessive Thirst and/or excessive urination ? Depression or behavioral change ? Sneezing or coughing ? Fever ? Blood in Urine ? Discomfort, pain, meowing or yelping during urinationIf you identify two or more symptoms you should book an appointment with your vet as soon as possible, if you encounter just one symptom, it will depend on it’s severity as to whether or not it is a possible illness. In these cases you should speak to your veterinary clinic if you are unsure and talk to them about the symptom. It is also possible that once you have identified one symptom, if you continue to examine and look more closely at your cat and its behaviour you will start to notice other symptoms as well. For severe symptoms such as blood in the urine, you should make an appointment with your vet immediately.

By Soru Kayde

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Cat Illness Symptoms - Keeping Your Kitty Healthy

Cat illness symptoms can be easy to spot, like vomiting up a hairball, or harder to determine, like when they are running a temperature. Some of the more familiar symptoms of illness are eye and ear discharge, hair loss, sneezing and coughing, and diarrhea or constipation. Hairballs are quite normal, and not usually a problem. Other signs require some attention to notice, such as loss of appetite, excessive thirst or abnormal urination, skin problems, and depression.Cats normally alternate periods of sleeping and rest with periods of play and activity. Some cats eat whenever they are hungry if you allow them to self feed, or daily when you set down some food. A loss of appetite, of course, will be seen by their food dish remaining full, or if they turn away from it. When you clean out their litter box, you would notice any loose stools from diarrhea, and if constipated, you may notice them spending a long time in the litter box trying to defecate.One symptom alone is not usually serious, but in combinations, cat illness symptoms may indicate real problems only a veterinarian can diagnose. If your cat is lethargic, not acting normally, there could be other causes. Combined with thirst and weight loss, it could point to chronic kidney failure. While not curable, this is controllable with diet and medication.

Cat flu, or a respiratory infection can be fought with antibiotics and care. Symptoms include what you might expect, coughing, sneezing, runny eyes, fever, heavy breathing, loss of appetite and fever. Just like in humans!Abscess can be from an injury or cat fight, when infection sets into a wound. Symptoms will include swelling, fever, and lethargy. This is treatable with antibiotics or occasionally surgery is needed.Combinations of cat illness symptoms can mean more serious problems like feline diabetes or distemper. The signs of feline diabetes are similar to human diabetes symptoms, increased thirst and urination. Other signs include weight loss, poor coat condition, loss of appetite, and general lack of energy. This condition can be treated, again as in human cases, with insulin injections and diet.Other cat illnesses symptoms the vet can diagnose include feline distemper, leukemia, ringworm, urinary tract infections, worms and cat AIDS (FIV). Cat illness symptoms mirror our human symptoms, and if you take your cat in to see the veterinarian on a regular basis, just like seeing your own doctor, prevention is the best medicine.Keeping your cat healthy is part of cat care and your responsibility as a caring cat owner. Your kitty may need special food, or medicine, and testing only a vet can provide. Most cats enjoy happy, healthy, long lives and become part of the family. And you can usually tell when your cat is not feeling right because their activity patterns will visibly change. That is the time to stop and pay attention closely, so you help your little friend through a problem time in their life. They depend on you for everything!

By Wendy Pan

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Cat Health Symptoms Of Kidney Disease

Cat health symptoms of kidney problems can lead to serious health issues for a cat. Chronic kidney failure happens to older cats more than it does to younger cats. Cats develop kidney problems gradually over time and usually do not show any signs until it becomes serious. With proper check ups and blood tests veterinarians can find problems before they become more serious.Causes of Chronic Kidney FailureOnce a cat has chronic kidney failure, they will need special care and treatment. Kidney failure is irreversible and can lead to other health problems. Kidney failure is caused by many different reasons including trauma, bacterial infections, medications, toxins and cancer along with fungal infections and autoimmune disease. Kidney failure may also be due to hereditary or congenital abnormalities.Some Cat Health Symptoms of Kidney FailureOne sign the cat has a medical problem is inability to urinate. The chronic kidney failure problem may be caused by kidney stones, urethral obstruction or bladder stones. If this symptom occurs, seek immediate medical attention before the problem becomes fatal to the cat. Kidney failure shows no early signs, but as it progresses, sign start to appear.Another symptom of kidney failure is increased thirst. Because the cat is drinking more water, the urine does not bring along all the toxins in the kidneys, which remains in the kidneys and results in kidney failure. Other cat health symptoms of kidney failure are poor appetite, depression and lack of energy.

Cat health symptoms of kidney failure are diagnosed by blood tests and urinalysis. The BUN levels of a cat with kidney failure will be higher than a cat in perfect health. The Creatinine levels will also be higher than normal, which leads to the diagnosis of kidney failure in the cat.Treating Chronic Kidney FailureTreatment of kidney failure in cats requires kidney transplant or dialysis. By the time kidney failure is diagnosed the cat may already have so much damage to the kidney that any type of treatment would not benefit the cat and a decision to euthanize the cat before any more suffering occurs would have to be discussed.Because every owner wants their cat to live a healthy and happy life kidney transplants have become more popular in cats and has allowed them to live a good life. If a kidney transplant does not happen, other methods of treatment may help the cat such as dialysis, which in most cases does work as it filters the kidneys and eliminates the toxins. This procedure requires weekly visits to a veterinary clinic for treatments, which requires a few hours of treatment.If the cat has kidney failure a low protein diet helps maintain lower BUN levels, which helps with the metabolic system, but not the renal problems. Proper diets and proper fluid intake requires dedication on the owner's part. If the cat has a kidney transplant, hospitalization and further medications will be required for a successful kidney transplant that functions properly.



By Judy Wellsworth

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Cat Health Symptoms

Everyone loves a cat and that's why they make great pets. Spotting some of the cat health symptoms is not that difficult. They don't need as much attention like a dog, simple to look after, gentle and very loving.You could be forgiven for thinking they are 'designed' for indoors. They love to be inside. Even in smaller houses, cats adapt well and can be toilet trained in the smallest of spaces.Although cats are easy to look after there are still a few diseases' which can strike very easily so it is best to know what to look out for.A common skin disease in cats is ringworm. Your pet may contract ringworm from its bedding or other contaminated objects such as clippers or contact with other infected cats. Luckily, ringworm can easily be overcome with two tablespoons of colloidal silver for a week or a trip to the vet for medication.And just like humans, some cats can become diabetic. The thought of your cat having diabetes may not seem pleasant but with a little research and understanding, you'll easily discover to look out for. But one thing to take note on is that this condition is not the same as human diabetes so it can not be treated the same. With a little education on the owners part, cats can enjoy a normal life when the right procedures are in place.One of the more common diseases to watch for is obesity. Initial estimates suggest that over 1 out of every 10 cats is considered to be overweight or obese.

The way to tackle this is to regulate the food intake of your pet cat. Don't leave a whole load of food in the feeding dish so that they can have a nibble as and when it pleases them. Try to go for one feed in the morning and one at night.Another common and sometimes more troublesome problem is fleas. Once these are on the body of your cat, they multiply fast and they won't leave on their own. Fleas can cause your cat to scratch itself excessively which can lead to hair loss and infections. At your first suspicion that your cat may have fleas, treat it with one of the many treatments available to get rid of them quick. Ask your vet for his recommendation.Urinary tract infections must also be looked for. If your cat decides to stop using the litter tray then this is probably because of a urinary tract. A visit to the vet will be required.The basic advice is the best. Take your time to keep your pet cat away from any dangers. Don't have any plants which may contain poison in your house or other area your cat may be able to get at it. Small objects like rubber bands or string can be harmful if swallowed so don't leave these lying around. A nice and healthy food plan which is high in protein with plenty of water. Brush your cat every day to prevent hairballs. Your cat will thank you for this one.You can be great friends with your cat and they will be a wonderful companion to you. By looking out for some these cat health symptoms, time spent with your cat will be enjoyable.

By George Spence

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Cat Dandruff - The Symptoms and Treatments

Dandruff is a common skin condition in cats. It's important to catch skin problems early, because if left untreated they will get worse. Since cats are unable to tell you what's wrong, it's important to observe your cat's state of being. The first step is recognizing the signs and symptoms.The following are the symptoms that may indicate dandruff in cats:- Increased appetite - Excessive thirst - Excessive urination - Dehydration - Depression - Muscle wasting - Lethargy - Weight loss - Poor groomingThere may be a problem - so now what?In most cases skin conditions can be traced back to poor nutrition. All pets need a health supply of vitamins to maintain a healthy coat of hair. The following are 3 things you can do to improve you cat's diet:- Purchase good quality foods: Most cheap generic cat foods are lacking in the essential vitamins and minerals needed to maintain a healthy coat of hair - Food supplements: Give them to your cat on a daily bases. Make sure they contain plenty of fish oil. - Feed your cat canned tuna: This contains a lot of Omega 43 fatty acids, which is proven to improve cat hair.

It's not an exact scienceOther factors that could contribute to poor skin in cats include excess exposure to cold or heat or allergies. If improving your cat's diet doesn't work, you should consult your vet. By going over the exact symptoms and routine of your cat, he or she will be able to advise you on the best treatment solution for your pet.


By Tim Bock

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