Travelling With Your Cat

Read this article, submitted by a cat lover, on Travelling With Your Cat:

Taking your pet with you if you are going on holiday or moving abroad for a while can be a stressful time because there are a lot of things that you need to do. Getting them organised is a lot more complicated than most think. This is especially the case if you are moving to another country. Also, one thing to remember is that sometimes you may not be able to get the food and tastes that you are used to in your native country. This may mean that your pet is now subject to a change of diet and this may cause them to feel uncomfortable and displaced.

Thus, after you have sorted out your move it is important to consider what type of food you are going to give them. One of the best places to ensure that your cat has the same quality of food that they are used to is to go onto the Internet. You find that a lot of companies are willing to ship worldwide and to most regions. This means that if you move to a new area and the local pet store does not supply your brand then you can still give your cat what he/she is used to.

Travelling with your cat - IAMS cat foodHowever, if you are looking to change your pet’s diet then here are some popular brands that can be found online that will give your cat the nutrition it needs.

Firstly, there is cat food by iams; they provide a variety of cat foods and are most popular for their dry range. You will also find that they use whole grain wheat in their products so it is high in fibre and good for you cat’s bowels.

is another high standard natural cat food that has a range that is suited for animals of different ages. It is very easy to use and it comes in a range of flavours that cats seem to enjoy.

The difference here is that the pouches are mostly wet and contain a variety of meats and fishes.

Travelling with your cat - Royal Canin cat foodIf you need to give your pet certain nutrients because they either have a long fur coat or are suffering from a deficiency of some sort, then cat food by Royal Canin is going to be the answer. They have one of the widest ranges of specialist foods available and they will make your pet feel at home wherever you travel to.

 

All of the above foods can be bought online so it is easy for you to find. They are also cheaper than in retail stores so you can make a good saving and also feed your cat the nutrients it craves.

Five Tips how to keep your Cat’s Food safe from Your Dog!

Does Your Dog Eat up Poor little Kitty’s Food?

Is your cat meowing miserably because when she finally gets to the food dish it is empty and she’s left  hungry?
Does your dog gobble up both HIS food and your CAT’S food?
Have you tried everything you could think of to stop your dog from eating up your cat’s food and lost?

Are you FED UP???

If so, read these tips on how to prevent your dog from eating up your cat’s food.

How to Keep your Dog out of your Cat’s Food Dish!

  1. Get a square cardboard box from a local supermarket or book shop.
    The size of the cardboard box depends on the size of your cat:
    If your cat is a big maine coon cat for example, then it would be best to get a big sized box in which your cat could comfortably fit.
    However, if you have a small cat, you needn’t get a such a big box.
  2. Place the opening of the box upside down onto the floor where your cat normally eats.
  3. Cut a small flap hole into one of the sides of the box just big enough for your cat to squeeze through. Make sure that there is no chance that your dog could fit even just his head through it.
  4. Place your cat’s food dish inside of the cardboard box.
  5. To make sure that the box won’t tip over or be knocked over by your dog, place some heavy books or stones on top of it.

Stand back and see the affect!

TIP: If this doesn’t work, then try feeding your cat and dog in different rooms with the doors shut between them so that the dog won’t be able to get at your cat’s food dish.

Good Luck!

CatsCamille

    The One Simple Step To Saving Your Cat’S Life

    Lynne Gordon asked:

    Why would you feed your cat ‘natural’ cat food? Why, you ask. Because they are going to be much healthier than if they are fed cat foods that are manufactured using high heat. These foods tend to be high in preservatives, artificial colors, artificial flavors, and many other items that are not considered a healthy alternative for your cat.

    The owners of cats who take their food seriously will opt for a more natural cat food versus the mass produced type. Since cats are hunters, they are accustomed to eating meat. The meat-by products that are in canned food do not contain the high amount of animal protein that is required by cats.

    Amino acids, which are an ingredient in animal protein, are used by cats to grow up healthy and continue to be healthy. One such ingredient is taurine. If a cat’s diet lacks this particular nutrient, they can become blind.

    The diet required by cats is not covered in canned and dry cat foods. You may not even realize that the food you are feeding your cat is harming him. Just as you do not realize that some of the products used in cat food are items that cannot be used in human food. Unintentionally our cats are being starved of the foods that they need to be healthy and survive.

    By giving your cat the most natural cat food that is available, you may be prolonging his life and the quality of it. Some of the best foods for cats are lean ground meat such as beef. You can mix the beef with a vegetable and brown rice. Whole grains are also good for cats. The home made food can be cooked or it can be served raw. It really depends on your cat’s preferences.

    Experts lean towards a raw diet because it is more like the one they would be eating if they were still in the wild. While many people oppose this because they are concerned with the pet getting food poisoning from the raw meat, there has been no instance of this happening. As long as the food is fresh, there should be no worries on this point.

    Just feeding your cat vegetables is not a good idea. The cat’s diet has to be as close to the one he would eat in the wild as possible. Protein, which is one of the most important parts of a diet are only found in meats and some vegetables.

    Organic cat food should not be confused with natural cat food. The organic is grown using no pesticides. Although now we are learning that farmers are allowed by the FDA to use a limited amounts of pesticides and still call their food ‘organic’.

    Natural means the food has the vitamins and minerals still intact that your cat will need to develop and remain healthy. Natural cat food is being used by more and more cat lovers daily. The only problem with natural cat foods is the over-processing that it must undergo. And after so much cooking and boiling, most of the nutrients that are reinserted in the food are of an artificial nature. The next step in this unhealthy cycle is of course to then introduce perservatives to maintain color, taste and balance. It is a vicious cycle indeed and our cats are suffering for it. No responsible cat owner would ever settle for feeding his or her cat dangerous crap for the sake of convenience.

    Save your cat’s life!

    Funny Cat and Dogs

    Things You Should Know About Cat Food

    Jadon Sluck asked:

    Cat Food Info #1 Cats Need Protein in their Cat Food

    The cat food you feed to your cat should always be rich in protein. This generally should come from meat, poultry or fish. Many cat food brands advertise chicken, beef, and tuna flavored cat food because they know that cats need protein and cat owners are looking for quality cat food. However, you need to make sure the cat food you buy has a sufficient amount of cat food regardless of what flavor it is.

    Cat Food Info #2 Cat Food with Taurine

    Also check the cat food you typically buy for an amino acid called taurine. This particular amino acid is very important in the overall health of your cat, and your cat will eat as much food as it has to in order to supplement this particular amino acid. So, if you are buying cheap cat food that does not have the proper nutrients your cat will eat a lot. If you buy a nutrient rich cat food then your cat will eat little and save you more money while still getting proper nutrition.

    Cat Food Info #3 Canned Cat Food or Dry Cat Food?

    Many people do not know whether they should buy canned or dry cat food, or whether it even matters. Because of this, many people simply buy the cat food that is most affordable or convenient for them. This is actually a mistake. Cats should be fed a mixture of cat food. The dry cat food should be given for free feeding, especially if you are away on vacation or out for the day. Canned cat food should be supplemented at other times as well because it has water in the food and significantly more protein than the carbohydrate rich dry cat food. Not to mention the same food over and over might bore your cat and cause him to stop eating that cat food altogether.

    Cat Food Info #4 Avoid Cat Food Fillers

    Cats need to eat a cat food that is rich in protein, so make sure the amount of fillers is kept to a minimum. Carbohydrates are not essential for a cat’s existence, so don’t buy cat food that is full of them. Instead, read labels and buy cat food that is not filled with fillers and other byproducts.

    funny Cat Jump

    Learn How To Feed Your Cat

    Joshua Simms asked:

    You need to make sure that you read the label on the food that you are getting for your cat. Although it may seem strange because you can is a pet, their nutrition is still just as important as yours is which is why you should read the ingredients so that you are aware of what is in the food you are giving your cat. You also need to pay attention to what formula of cat food that you are purchasing. They have food for adult cats, kittens, aging cats, cats on diets, and everything in between. You don’t want to be feeding your kitten adult food and vice versa.

    After picking up the right food for your cat, there is matter of where to feed your cat, when to feed your cat, and how much to feed them. If you have never owned a cat before this can be quite a tricky process to figure out all on your own. First and foremost, you need to find a place that is ideal for your cat to eat at.

    Think about it from your cat’s perspective, you really wouldn’t want to eat while adults and kids are running all around you and being loud. This is why you need to find a place that is quiet and accessible for your cat to have their food and water bowl. Once you decide on a particular place, don’t keep changing it around because cats don’t always deal well with that type of change.

    Keep in mind that your cat might make a bit of a mess when they are drinking and eating so it may not be wise to put the food and water in an area that is going to be ruined by the mess. You also need to make sure that you are keeping the bowls clean and changing the water out on a regular basis in order to avoid your cat getting sick.

    As far as when you should feed your cat, it is good to get your cat into the habit of eating at a particular time each day. Just as humans eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner at certain times, so should your cat. Of course this might not be quite so easy if you are away from the hose during the day, but there is a solution. If the cat is eating dry cat food you can simply put the entire days ration into the food bowl and your cat can eat from it throughout the day.

    If you aren’t sure you want to put it all in, you can choose to be half of it in the bowl. It’s really up to you and your schedule as to what a regular and convenient feeding schedule will be, but it is wise to get a regular pattern started. Listed below will give you some ideas as to how to coordinate your feeding schedule.

    • At 4-6 weeks

    o 1/2 to 1 oz

    ? 3 to 4 times per day

    • 7 weeks to 6 months

    o 1 to 3 oz

    ? 3 to 4 times per day

    • 7 months to 1 year

    o 3 oz

    ? 2 times per day or you can leave 6 oz in their bowl all day

    You can also look on the package of cat food that you buy for what they suggest you feed your cat.

    Just as there are certain things that you need to keep in mind when feeding your cat, there are also certain thing that you shouldn’t do when feeding your cat.

    • You shouldn’t give your cat bones; this is a good rule for any pet whether they are a cat or a dog. Chicken bones, pork bones, and fish bones are a big no because they can cause quite a bit of damage to your cats tummy and throat that could lead to a trip to the veterinarian or worse.

    • Again a good tip for any animal, don’t give your cat leftovers from the table. Although you think that you are doing them a favor by giving them a treat, you could be making a bigger problem when your cat begins to avoid their cat food.

    • Cats can’t eat two foods in particular, the first being chocolate and the second being onions. Both of these foods are considered a toxic food to your cat.

    • Despite what you may have seen on television or in the movies, cats do not need to drink milk. What more, if you give milk to your cat you might find yourself cleaning up after an icky mess since it can cause diarrhea.

    • The last tip is not to feed your cat any other animal’s food. They need the nutrients that are in their cat food and dog food won’t quite give them what they need.

    Cat Suicide

    Diet Tips For A Healthy Cat

    Nick Bulka asked:

    Most of us know that feeding our cat is not really a chore at all. Dump the food in a big bowl or dish, and the cat will eat when it’s ready. Unlike a dog, cats tend to not overeat and therefore are more easily manageable than most other house pets. However, we need to be careful when assuming that the food that we are feeding our cat, and the manner by which we feed our cat, are the best choices for our cat. Here are some tips on how to maintain a healthy diet for your kitty.

    Feed your cat based on their activity.

    Is your cat an active cat or does it to lay around the house all day waiting for its next meal? If your cat is overweight and not very active at all, leaving a bowl full of food is probably not the best idea. It is at this point that you should begin to manage how much you feed your cat, what you feed your cat, and how often. By taking charge of your cat’s feeding habits, you will be able to increase the life and longevity of your cat by making this simple and easy choice. A simple “Here kitty kitty kitty” will make your overweight and hungry feline run for the bowl to eat your rationed healthy amount of cat food.

    Watch the weather!

    Simply put, the environment in which your animal lives directly affects and influences their energy needs. Extreme hot or cold weather can increases a pet’s energy needs and drinking habits. Make sure that on hot days water is readily available and that you feed your cat more canned food then dry. The water content within the canned food will help the cat retain water if it is not able to get to the water dish on a regular basis. If the weather is cold, make sure that you are feeding your cat very nutritional cat food that is not full of filler so that your cat will have more of the necessary nutrients to digest to ensure that it stays healthy.

    Cat feeding times

    Although discussed previously, there is much more to say about having a specific feeding time for your cat. Not only does this allow you to feed your cat nutritional canned food, you will also know that it will not be left in the open. Preservatives are nice, but let’s not take any chances with the food left out.

    Also, by having specific feeding times, this allows you to monitor your cat’s diet by providing the food at regular times. It is a kind of portion-control feeding, however, most cats will simply eat until they have what they need.

    Bottom line: keep a bowl full of a regular dry cat food and monitor the intake of canned food to ensure that your cat does not get overweight and is as healthy as it can be.

    Buy the best

    Though this sounds economically wrong, the truth of the matter is this: cheap cat food usually is cheap because of the added fillers that are put into the food.

    As a general rule, cats need a daily regimen of protein found in meat, fish, or poultry. They also need an essential amino acid called Taurine and various other vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids.

    If you have looked at a label for cat food, you will notice that wheat, rice, and even corn is used as filler for both canned and dry cat foods. Make sure that the cat food that you choose has the proper amounts of protein, vitamins, and minerals and not as much filler. The price of the cat food usually justifies its quality. And, as an added benefit, cats usually only eat as much as their bodies need. Therefore, your cat will probably eat less of the expensive of cat food because it contains more of the nutrients that it needs and not as much filler.

    Avoid food addictions

    Cats are said to be finicky animals. Whether this is true or not, cats have been known to develop a certain affinity toward particular brands and types of food. This could become a problem, especially if your cat develops a food allergy to certain ingredients and preservatives that may be contained within that cat food.

    In order to avoid this, it is recommended that early in a cat’s life that it gets used to having different varieties of cat food and different flavors. This way, the cat is less likely to develop an affinity for a particular brand which may inevitably lead to the cat developing a food allergy because of the lack of variety in its daily diet.

    Overall, by avoiding cat food products that have chemical preservatives like BHA, cornmeal, and other carbohydrate fillers, you should be able to maintain your cat’s health at an optimal level.

    How to Cure & Train My Cats

    Should Cats Eat Raw Chicken and Uncooked Meat?

    Is a Raw Food Diet Healthy for Cats and Kittens?

    Cats love eating chicken and chicken necks - click to see large image
    Cats love eating chicken and chicken necks - click to see large image

    Most cats love eating natural cat food such as raw chicken and other raw meats. Chicken, meat and fish is a Cats’  favorite and healthy food.

    In nature, cats would hunt birds and eat them up – uncooked, naturally!

    Some cat owners don’t like looking at raw food and feel disgusted by giving bloody meat to their cats.

    Cats however love it. Eating raw meat such as [chicken cat food->], turkey, beef, rabbit etc and of course the all-addicting raw fish meat is the natural healthy diet cat food.

    Cats love drinking fresh blood, so don’t feel horrified if your kitten or kitty cat wants to drink blood from meat or chicken.

    Look, when cats run around outdoors they hunt small snakes in the garden, bugs, flying things… When cats climb trees they catch lizards, birds and eat up raw eggs. Cats love raw eggs and raw meat foods.

    You might see your cat looking so ravenous with the raw chicken, turkey or other meat or fish you give it… Then you know they are happy and were starved for natural raw cat food.

    We might not like them eating such stuff, but it is their natural healthy cat food diet.

    Raw Chicken Cat Food Vs. Cooked Chicken for Cats

    Read more

    How much canned cat food should I feed my cats?

    Vanessa asked:

    I have two cats. One is a year old, the other seems to be two.

    I was wondering how much cat food they should get a day. (It is canned cat food)
    I understand how the weight thing should work, but until I can find a accurate scale I’ve gotta go by holding-the-cat-and-guessing.
    We had dry food, I don’t know if we’ll get it. Besides, I didn’t ask about what wet food causes, I asked about how much they should be getting.

    Funny Animals

    Elderly Cat Care

    David Beart asked:

    Our cats become a part of the family over time. But unlike humans, who are considered elderly at 60 or 65, cats are considered “senior citizens” at the ripe old age of 10. It is important to understand the proper care of cats at all stages of life. A kitten cannot be fed, groomed, medicated, and treated the same way as an elderly cat. Here is a guide to proper Elderly Cat Care.

    Feeding Time

    Most pet supply stores sell specially formulated cat foods that are designed to provide proper health and nutrition to elderly cats. Some formulas assist with proper digestion, since this can often be a problem with older cats. Senior cats cannot assimilate their food in their digestive tracts in the same way that they did when they were youngsters.

    Older cats can also have problems with their teeth that cause them to eat less. This is why it is important to maintain good dental hygiene in cats at a young age by either brushing, taking them to the veterinarian for a cleaning, or feeding them snacks that clean their teeth. If your elderly cat eats less, it may be due to a toothache, thus it is sometimes ideal to feed them softer foods, mostly wet, canned foods, so that chewing their dinner won’t be as much of an obstacle.

    Many cat owners find that their cat’s coat becomes dull with age. This is due to poor nutrition. Feed your older cat a diet rich in essential fatty acids to fix this problem. When organisms, including cats, get older, they have an increased production of free radicals in the body. Free radicals contribute to the degeneration of cells in the body. Help build up the immune system of your beloved cat by increasing his or her intake of vitamin C and E.

    Finally, you want your cat to remain active in old age. The more energetic activities your cat participates in the better health it will remain in. If you allow your cat to become obese it will lay around the house and have reduced quality of life, as well as a decrease in general health. Watch your pet’s eating habits and assure that it is not overeating, or eating as a recreation as some cats do.

    Grooming Elderly Cats

    Another element of proper Elderly Cat Care is grooming. When cats age, they sometimes stop grooming themselves with the same frequency as they did when they were younger. This can create a matted fur coat that is dirty and smells bad. Bad hygiene will eventually lead to bad health. Because of this, it is important that you groom your eldery cat yourself. Purchase a good cat brush that doesn’t just brush the outer coat, but one with bristles that reach down to the skin to pull up old hair.

    It sometimes helps to give your cat a bath, even though most cats hate them with a passion. The best way to wash a cat is to place them in the tub and gradually introduce water. You certainly don’t want to throw them into the tub with hot water running inside! You may get a deep claw mark in the arm that will never heal and remind you to never do that again. If you apply water gradually to the cat’s coat until they are completely wet and then work in some shampoo quickly, you should be able to accomplish that goal.

    Vet Visits and Medication

    When your cat grows into old age, it may have health complications that require regular medication. You should schedule a regular vet appointment for your elderly cat to assure that you are keeping up with all details of its health regimen. In older age, cats may seem fine but still have complications. Ask your veterinarian to give your cat a blood and urine test to find out if there is anything to be concerned about to head off any future problems. Going back to dental care, most older cats develop gum disease which can lead to health problems down the line. Gum disease can be treated by your veterinarian.

    Just as with a human who has to take daily medication, if your cat has been prescribed to take medications on a daily basis it is helpful to keep everything in one place as a reminder. You do not want to miss a day of any crucial medication as the system of your older cat is much more delicate than those of younger cats.

    Pet Insurance

    Insurance companies are coming to recognize the love that people have for their pets. Thus, there are many new pet insurance products popping up on the market. It is best to enroll your pet into an insurance program at a younger age to assure a more reasonable premium, but you may still be able to enroll your elderly cat into an insurance program where his or medical bills will be partly covered in the case of a medical emergency. Some pet insurance companies will charge anywhere from $20-$50 per month per cat, depending on their particular situation.

    The costs of pet surgeries and treatments can be way out of the budget of most households, so having a pet insurance plan to back you up can be a great asset. It will also give you peace of mind about your cat as it ages.

    Activities of the Elderly Cat

    The activity level of elderly cats vary. Some cats become inactive and spend most of their day sleeping or sitting. But other cats can be just as active in old age as they were in their younger days. These cats may still like to play with you, run, and chase the other cats around the house, but you just need to be understanding that they may not be able to participate in these games for as long as they used to. For example, a game cats love to play is “chase their owner.” Instead of letting them chase you up and down the stairs as you did when they were young, maybe you could keep the activity to one level of the house. That way you will not overexert your cat and help prolong his time spent active.

    Most cat experts agree tht a cat is generally healthy and happy when they are “bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.” Another indication of a healthy cat is a lustrous, shiny coat, and a tail that sticks straight up in the air when the cat is walking. Proper elderly cat care is dire if you love your senior cat and want to keep it in good physical health.

    Train Cat Easily

    Second Homemade Cat Food Recipe For Cats

    Need More Home Made Cat Treats & Homemade Cat Foods for Your Cats?

    Second Home Made Cat Food Recipe For Cats to Enjoy!

    Homemade Cat Food Recipe Ingredients:

    • 3 baby carrots, cooked until soft
    • 16 oz canned tuna in olive oil, drained
    • 2 oz cooked herring, skin

      Read more

    Chicken Soup Homemade Cat Food Recipe for Cats

    Chicken Soup is Not Only For Humans, But Also your Dear Cat Can Now Enjoy Homemade Cat Chicken Soup!

    Homemade Chicken Soup for Cats Recipe  now revealed!

    How to make homemade Cat Chicken soup? Is it possible that now our hairy friends can also enjoy the healthy virtues of Chicken soup?
    The answer is Yes! Although I personally think that if I’d have to make bloody Cat Chicken Soup for my Dear Cats, I’d puke.

    However, some of you strong hearted woman will I think manage it even with the blood…
    If you can’t manage to cook this Cat Chicken Soup, then ask your husband to do it for you.

    In the case that your husband is diseased or not present, bring your kids over to cook this Homemade Chicken Soup for your Cat.  Have Strength my Ladies! I hope you will withstand this Battle of the Chicken soup for cats and come out shining and proud.

    Read more

    Does Your Cat Have A Healthy Diet?

    Matthew Homfray asked:

    They say we are what we eat. This applies to your pet as much as it applies to yourself. A good diet means less health problems, less trips to the vet and lower veterinary bills. But how much thought have you given to what your cat should be eating to maintain optimum health? Ask yourself the following questions.

    1) How many times a day do you feed your cat?

    Since cats cannot be exercised like dogs can, the only way you can influence your cats weight is by controlling the amount and type of food he or she eats. If the cat is being fed individual meals several times daily, there is often a tendency by the owner to offer the daily supply of food on several occasions rather than divide up the daily feed into several meals. This can also occur with cats fed dry food ad lib. Cats usually regulate their food intake, but continual exposure to large quantities of food may lead to over-eating and subsequent obesity if too many calories are consumed. In short, both several individual meals a day and ad lib feeding are fine, it is the total amount offered per 24 hour period which is the important figure.

    Kittens should be fed small meals at regular intervals due to their tiny stomachs. Four or five meals are recommended at eight weeks of age, decreasing to two at six months of age.

    2) Is your cats diet manufactured specifically for cats or do you give human food?

    Some cat owners like to spoil their cat by feeding them human food as the bulk of their diet. Others have tried feeding their cat regular catfood, but find their fussy cat will not touch it, and prefers to wait for the inevitable human food offering, which soon becomes the staple diet.

    Is it really unhealthy to feed cats human food though? Of course it depends what food. Remember that cats are carnivores, and require a high proportion of meat in their diet. They simply cannot adapt to a low protein diet, and will lose bodyweight if deprived of it. In fact, as a species they are relatively unique… a deficiency of the amino acid, arginine, in a single meal can lead to symptoms of lethargy, hypersalivation and vocalisation. Arginine is required by the cat to produce urea, a waste product resulting from the breakdown of protein.

    Another essential nutrient for the cat is the amino acid, taurine, which the cat cannot manufacture sufficiently by itself to meet its needs. The cat’s diet must therefore contain taurine in sufficient quantities. If a deficiency develops there is a high risk of serious and irreversible damage to major organs such as the heart and the eye. Taurine is found almost entirely in meat, confirming the fact that the cat is a compulsory carnivore.

    Another disease of nutritional origin is that caused by cats eating raw liver regularly, who can suffer from a condition called hypervitaminosis A. Cats suffering from this can present with signs of lethargy, unthriftiness, a stiff neck and other skeletal problems. To play it safe, do not feed your cat liver more than once a week.

    Reputable cat foods are formulated after extensive trials by pet food companies to provide the mixture of protein, carbohydrate and fat that suits feline physiology best. It is easier, cheaper and possibly more healthy for your cat to be fed a reputable cat food diet, with occasional treats if desired (tuna, liver etc).

    3) Which is better out of dry cat food or wet cat food?

    Most vets recommend complete dry biscuit based cat food. This is because studies have shown that cats on dry food diets are less likely to suffer from dental disease than those on wet food from a tin or pouch. The physical motion of biting these biscuits helps prevent tartar from adhering to the surface of the tooth. However, even cats with no teeth can eat biscuit based food without a problem, as they just scoop up the biscuits with their tongue and swallow them whole. Another advantage of dry food is that it does not spoil as quickly which is useful for cats that are fed ad lib.

    There are occasionally reasons why a wet food is preferable, as a method to increase the water consumption in a cat with a urinary problem such as cystitis.

    4) Which is the best cat food to choose?

    There are so many different brands of cat food on the market, the best one is basically a matter of opinion. Certainly palatability is a factor, there is no point in purchasing a particular food if your cat cannot stand it, although this is occasionally a necessity in cats requiring prescription diets. Rather than recommending you a specific brand, we suggest that you choose one which adheres to the criteria below.

    Cat foods labeled as complete and balanced must meet standards established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), either by meeting a nutrient profile or by passing a feeding trial. There are now two separate nutrient profiles for cats – one for growth (kittens) and one for maintenance (adults). Maximum levels of intake of some nutrients have been established for the first time because of the concern that overnutrition, rather than undernutrition, is a bigger problem with many pet foods today. The standards include recommendations on protein, fat, fat soluble vitamins, water soluble vitamins, and mineral content of foods. If you are prepared to get technical, you should choose a food that comes closest to AAFCO recommendations.

    In summary, consider the following points:

    Choose a food that suits your cats age. Most big pet food companies will have different foods for kittens vs adults. Cats with medical conditions may be recommended special prescription diets.

    Choose a food that come closest to AAFCO recommendations.

    The ingredients contains the truth about a particular food. Everything else is there only for marketing purposes.

    There are no legal and scientific definitions for the terms “premium,” “super premium,” “quality,” or “natural.”

    Use dry matter numbers to evaluate and compare foods.

    The source of ingredients (e.g. animal vs vegetable) does not matter, except in the case of food allergies.

    Avoid supplementation. All commercial cat foods have more than enough protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals. Feeding your cat a good food incorrectly can lead to significant problems.

    5) My cat is overweight, but no matter how hard I try I cannot get him to lose weight. What can I do?

    Your cat is almost certainly being fed too much. Below some common mistakes are listed. Have a good look at these and make sure none of them could apply to your cat.

    Not following the guidelines on the packet when measuring a portion. Most cat foods will have a table on the packaging suggesting daily portions for cats of different weights. The weight of food suggested is per 24 hrs, not per portion! Use your kitchen weighing scales to measure out the portion until you are sure of the correct amount.

    Using a complete dry diet as a replacement for regular biscuits, and mixing it with wet cat food. If it says complete, you should not mix it with anything or you will overfeed.

    Offering inappropriate food that is high in fat, or cream/full fat milk to drink.

    Several members of the household feeding the cat at different times, whenever the cat is meows for food.

    Giving the cat regular treats in addition to its main meal.

    The cat is getting fed by neighbors, who think they are being kind by feeding it and enjoy the attention it gives them.

    The cat is scavenging food from outside sources, such as other peoples bins.

    The cat is part of a multi-cat household and is stealing food from the other cat(s), or even the dog.

    Keep an open mind. If there is a possibility that any of the above scenarios might be the case with your cat, investigate it. If you are still at a loss, consider starting a prescription diet (see below).

    6) I have heard you can get special light diets, or prescription diets for fat cats. Do they really work?

    Yes they do, if used properly. These types of cat food are available in complete wet (tinned or pouches) form or dry (biscuit) form, and are growing in popularity amongst conscientious pet owners. They are low in calories and high in fibre, and often contain high levels of L-carnitine. L-carnitine has been used to help with fat metabolism in other species and recent scientific work indicates that it helps reduce weight in overweight dogs and cats. The real benefit of these low calorie diets though is that because of its low calories, cats can still eat reasonable sized portions and therefore feel full. This means they are more content and less likely to beg and look for extra food.

    These diets are perfectly healthy for normal sized cats to eat too, so if you have a multi cat household and it is unfeasible to separate the cats during feeding time, you can safely feed all of the cats the prescription diet together.

    7) Where can I buy this low calorie food from?

    Many of the big pet food companies are waking up to the problem of pet obesity, and adding light versions to their range. However, they are unlikely to be as effective as the traditional prescription diets that are on the market.

    They are known as prescription diets, because they are a specialist food normally prescribed by a veterinarian. However, you do not need a prescription to buy the food as it is a general sales list product. These foods are rarely available in supermarkets as many supermarkets are keen to sell their own brand, or have deals with the big pet food manufacturers. Many owners but their prescription diet from their veterinary clinic for convenience, whilst others prefer to shop around to get the best price. Many online pharmacies and pet stores are now offering these prescription foods, but whilst they may appear cheaper online, watch out for delivery charges added on top.

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    california natural cat food!
    California natural cat food!

    Many people seem to think that California Natural cat food is the healthiest cat food that there is.

    I have asked myself why is California natural cat food so special?

    And so this is what I have found out about California natural cat food for cats.

    California Natural Dry Cat Food has only the healthiest, purest and simplest ingredients that are available any where online for your special cat. California Natural Cat Food has balanced ingredients like herring oil and sunflower oil which have the health supplements Omega 6 and 3 fatty acids which make your cat a shiny coat and healthy skin.

    California Natural Cat Food is created with lean meats, essential vitamins and minerals, full meats and tasty extras.

    California Natural Dry Cat Food combines wholesome and healthful ingredients to provide the perfect

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    A few days ago, I got a question from one of my readers concerning if one should give a six month old kitten dry cat food or wet

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