Good nutrition is critical for good health, so feeding your cat a healthy balanced diet can help prevent many common feline diseases. Further, owners and veterinarians can use special diets to treat health problems and reduce or eliminate the need to give medications. Below are five common cat health issues that can be prevented or treated with special diets.
Obesity
More than half of all house cats in North America are overweight or obese. Obesity makes it more difficult for them to move around and groom. It also predisposes the animal to a number of diseases including respiratory disease, certain cancers, diabetes, skin disease, arthritis, heart problems and other health issues.
The best solution to the problem is a proper diet. While many owners turn to diet foods to deal with obesity, the best way to help a cat lose weight or maintain its ideal weight is to feed the animal an appropriate amount of a high-quality food that is high in meat-based protein and contains an adequate amount of fat.
Dental Disease
Periodontal disease is the most common disease found in cats. While no food can cure dental disease or completely prevent it, the right food can slow the progression of periodontal disease. To find a food that is effective against dental disease, look for a product certified by the Veterinary Oral Health Council.
Because dental diets work best as preventatives, start your cat on one of these foods immediately after a dental cleaning or as soon as the animal’s permanent teeth erupt. Once an animal has significant plaque and tartar buildup, the only way to remove the buildup is through a professional cleaning performed under anesthesia.
Bladder Stones
Bladder stones are very common in felines, and veterinarians use special diets to control them. However, you should never choose a diet to treat or prevent this condition without consulting a veterinarian. This is because each type of stone forms under different conditions- not all have the same causes. This means that feeding the wrong type of food could make the problem much worse.
To choose an appropriate food to treat bladder stones, a veterinarian will examine a urine sample under a microscope. Once he or she knows what the stones are made of, he or she can prescribe the right type of food to dissolve or prevent them.
Regardless of the type of stones present, all cats with bladder stones benefit from increased water intake. If you have a cat with bladder stones, make sure to have plenty of fresh water available, and consider supplementing with canned food sometimes.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Characterized by diarrhea and occasional vomiting, this chronic condition is common among cats. While the condition cannot be cured, appropriate treatment can control symptoms. Typical treatment for IBD involves the use of an antibiotic, a probiotic and a special diet.
The best diet for a pet with IBD is one that is highly digestible, hypoallergenic and relatively low in fat. Pet food companies offer various diets meeting these criteria- check with your veterinary nutritionists to find one that’s right for your pet.
Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes is extremely common in middle-aged and senior animals. Initially, most diabetic cats need insulin injections to control blood sugar, but with careful management, many of these animals can eventually maintain appropriate sugar levels through diet alone. The decision to stop insulin therapy, however, must be made by a veterinarian based on blood tests.
Currently, veterinarians recommend a diet high in protein and low in carbohydrates for diabetic cats. Pets receiving insulin need to eat a meal each time they receive an insulin injection, and owners should never give insulin to diabetic cats that are vomiting or not eating- they should see a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Have a Question About Your Pet’s Diet?
If you’d like your cat’s diet to be reviewed by our on-staff nutrition specialist, contact us today for an appointment.
Comments