Choosing right food for your cat

Feeding your pet does not have to be a difficult task. All you need to do is to carefully choose quality and nutritious food for your cat. This is vital as it will determine the quality of life for your cat. Feeding your cat food that it is nutritious will ensure it will live a long and healthy life. Giving it the wrong type of food on the other hand can cause major discomfort to the pet.

It is also more likely to develop health complications. An unhealthy cat will mean that you end up spending a lot of money at the veterinary's clinic to ensure that your cat is okay. To avoid such complications, simply look at the ingredients of the food that you feed your cat with. This means that you study all the ingredients that make up the cat food you use. If there are any ingredients that you do not understand, it is usually best to seek expert opinion just to be on the safe side. You can also read people's opinion about the food you want to feed your cat. This usually helps you to make an informed decision and choose the best.

Incase you are introducing new cat food to your cat; it is advisable to give them a little time and gauge their reaction to it. If after a sacrifice of fowl. few days there are no visible problems and your cat seems to be enjoying the food, it may be good to stick to it. This, however , does not mean that the same meal should be given to your cat their entire life time. They also like variety; cats just like human beings get bored of having the same food daily. There is no rule that says you have to buy cat food, it is possible to make it at home. All you have to do is ensure that the food prepared is proper for your cat and you are good to go. There are numerous advantages in preparing cat food for at home.

First, it means that the cat will get fresh food that does not have any preservatives. This is usually the best option for the cats as it is good for their digestive systems. This is likely to reduce any health problems caused by store bought food. Secondly, you get to decide what ingredients you want to be put in the food. As the owner you know what is best for your cat. Lastly, it will most likely be cheaper to make the food at home thus you get to save a buck or two. Incase you do not feel like making the food at home, just look for a trusted manufacturer who makes it. One should be very careful as there are so many manufactures out there. Some companies may not have the best quality of food and may simply be after making money. When buying food for your cat, go for quality and not quantity.
 

6 Common Cat Health Problems

6 Common Cat Health Problems Every Owner Should Be Aware Of
If you are a cat owner, you may or may not be aware that felines suffer from health problems too. While some of these problems are easily preventable, there are others which are hereditary and hence cannot be prevented. Still, it is good that you are aware of these 6 common cat health problems:

1 . Cat viruses
You may not have heard of these but cat viruses do exist. Some common ones are Feline Infectious Peritonitis(FIP), Feline Immunodeficiency Virus(FIV) and Feline Leukemia Virus(FLV). FIP is a very serious disease that is related to Corona virus. There is no known treatment for Feline Infectious Peritonitis although there is a vaccine for FIP. However , many veterinarians and scientists say that it is not very effective. Fortunately, this disease is not as easy to catch as some other diseases. FIV, or cat AIDs, does not spread to humans and is not always fatal either. So there is no fear of you or your family member catching it. FLV - you can prevent it if the cat has not been exposed to the virus before being immunized. Although not always fatal, somehow cats with FLV don't live long.

 
2 . Hairball

What is the Hairball? This is a common cat health problem that comes about because from cats constantly groom themselves with their tongues and swallowing hairs! The swallowed hair can form into a ball instead of passing through the cat's body, thus giving you a hairball. If your cat starts coughing and hacking, she may have a hairball. How do you prevent you feline from suffering from hairballs problems? Groom her frequently to remove loose hair and feed her food that helps control hairballs.

 
3. Ticks

You should be mindful of your cat getting ticks if she spends lots of time outdoors. If she has been acting lethargic or moving slowly and acting as if she was in pain, look for ticks on her body. If you find some, ask your veterinarian to test her for Lyme Disease which is a disease that is transmitted to people and animals by ticks

 
4. Worms

Worms - Roundworms, tapeworms, and hookworms are the most common types that can infect the feline species. If your feline friend seems unable to put on weight or is infested with fleas or has white specks that look like grains of rice in his stools, you should take her to the vet to test for worms immediately. Don't worry, your vet can cure worms with a few doses of medication but you must remember that worms can prove fatal if left untreated. Note: You can get more info on cat & kitten breeds. Also, check out these resources: cat vitamins and cat pain relief products

5. Feline Distemper

This disease is also known as feline panleukopenia. It is a viral disease and can be transmitted in your pet's body through contact with other infected cats, humans, used clothes, cat carriers or even food bowls. The affected cat may suddenly start vomiting, show signs of loss of appetite and may even suffer from diarrhea. Because of the severity of this condition, it is recommended that you protect your pet from this disease by getting her the appropriate feline vaccination.

6. Cat Urinary Tract Infection

This is one of the most common cat health problems. Due to improper diet and dehydration, it is possible for your kitty's urinary tract to get infected. A cat may show signs of discomfort while passing the stool and sometimes bleeding may also occur. In addition , it may also start spraying and avoiding her litter box. If this occurs, take her to a vet for medical attention and remember to give her a proper diet and lots of water to drink. Take heart though that it doesn't mean your cat is sick or has contracted a diseases every time she vomits or loses her appetite. Cat health problems usually include symptoms such as excessive vomiting, loss of appetite, loss of hair, eye discharge, depression and more. In such cases, the best solution is always to consult a good vet as soon as you can.