Your Cat's Diet
A balanced diet could help your cat live their life to the full
As you may well be aware, there is a lot of choice when it comes to considering what to serve up for your feline friend. There are many factors to take into account, including your cat’s:
- Age
- Breed
- Energy levels
- Size
- Dietary requirements
- Weight
- Taste requirements
A kitten grows into an adult cat in roughly a year, so for 12 months they will require a certain type of food to help them grow and develop healthily. However, once your cat is fully grown, their dietary needs will change.
As each cat grows older, they will develop their own personal preferences and requirements, which may not always include all the aspects of a healthy balanced diet. For this reason, it’s important that you monitor their diet to ensure they are getting all the nutrients they need.
If your cat typically has low energy levels, or a laid-back lifestyle, then you must make sure that they are not being fed a diet that is high in energy and calories. All of the excess energy that they are taking on, will eventually turn to fat, and could lead to your pet encountering some health issues in the future.
If you require any more information about what foods are best to feed your cat, or to book an appointment with us please call 091 867008 today and a member of our friendly team will be happy to help.
Senior Cats
You can help your cat grow old in comfort by ensuring that they regularly visit the vets
Much like humans, as cats age their body starts to slow down. The amount that they exercise will decrease and you may even notice a difference in their behaviour. Many cats become friendlier and enjoy spending more time with their owners, whereas others become less sociable and will avoid interacting with people.
Although there can be some behavioural benefits to your cat aging, there is also a real risk of them becoming ill, or developing conditions that make them uncomfortable. This is why it is so important to keep a close eye on your feline friend as they become older.
What changes should you look out for:
- Problems eating
- Significant weight loss
- Increased appetite
- Obesity
- Drinking more / excessively
- Incontinence
- Reduced mobility
- Sight loss (bumping into things)
- Breathing problems
With age comes the possibility of a weaker immune system, meaning that your cat might be more susceptible to catching viruses and dangerous infections, that could potentially cause them long-term harm. This is why it is vital for you to bring them in to visit us regularly, so that we can thoroughly check their health and monitor any signs of change.
To find out more about senior cats, the best ways to look after them, or to book an appointment with us, please call 091 867008 today and a member of our friendly team will be happy to help.
Pregnant Cat Healthcare
Pregnant Cat Healthcare
Duration Of Pregnancy
A cats’ pregnancy lasts between 63-65 days. Pregnant animals have very different needs and problems to non-pregnant animals. Their nutritional needs change during pregnancy and milk production. To maintain a healthy mother and kittens, it is important to feed correctly throughout pregnancy and lactation.
Labour
Labour can be distressing for both owner and pet unless you are aware of what is normal, what is not and when to call for help. We have a labour information leaflet at the practice, to allow you to be able to tell the difference between normal birth and problem births and when you may need to call for help. Problems during labour, unless promptly dealt with, can lead to death of mother AND kittens.
Please make sure you educate yourself on this subject if you have a pregnant pet. We are happy to help.
Problems Associated With Lactation/Milk Production
Diet
An appropriate diet is very important during milk production as a mother will always feed her babies to the detriment of her own health, which means that if she doesn’t get the nutrition she needs from her diet, she will use her own body reserves instead, resulting in a very thin mother and fat kittens.
Mastitis
An infection in the mammary glands, or the breasts, is a common and painful problem. Glands should be checked twice daily for signs of swelling, teat redness and hardness. Mastitis can cause illness in both mother and kittens.
Weaning
Kittens should be fully weaned by 6 weeks of age. You can start weaning from 3½ weeks of age and sometimes, if medically necessary, even sooner.
To find out more about looking after your pregnant cat, or to book an appointment with us, please call 091 867008 today and a member of our friendly team will be happy to help.