Cats | Pet Lover Blog

One of the most common causes of Feline Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) is what your cat eats. A feline diet that is too high in carbohydrates and magnesium, and low in protein can lead to FLUTD. When their cat is initially diagnosed with FLUTD, feline owners will usually first try to get their kitty to eat the prescription food recommended by their vet.

But what if the cat rejects their offering? As an alternative, there are specific, non-prescription cat foods available to maintain your cat’s urine pH balance at 6.6. A high urine pH value indicates struvite crystal formation in your cat’s urinary tract. The challenge is to find the right cat food that appeals to kitty, contains the proper amount of protein and magnesium, and has few or no by-products.

If you turn out to be one of those owners who has to find an alternative cat food, then here’s five things to evaluate when selecting cat food to prevent future FLUTD occurences in your kitty:

1. What’s the Most Common Ingredient?

The first and most common ingredient that should be listed is protein - meat or fish. Read the label carefully - here’s some variations you could see:

Canned cat food:

Beef
Chicken Liver
Deboned Chicken
Beef Broth

Dry cat food:

Chicken
Organic Chicken
Herring Meal
Chicken Meal

Some other good ingredients that will help your kitty maintain good urinary tract health are blueberries and cranberries. Vegetables such as carrots are good, and rice is a good grain
for your kitty to consume.

2. Are There Any By-Products?

Are by-products listed as one of the ingredients? If so, put that food back on the shelf and keep looking. By-products are filler material, and have limited nutritional value for your
kitty. By-products are typically carbohydrates, and since cats are carnivores, they need protein, not carbs, for proper nutrition.

Here are some examples of by-products:

Canned cat food:

Corn gluten meal
Ground yellow corn
Soybean meal
Beef By-Products
Meat By-Products

Dry cat food:

Ground Yellow Corn
Chicken By-Product Meal
Corn Gluten Meal
Wheat flour
Corn Meal
Soy flour

3. How Much Moisture Is In the Cat Food?

What’s the percentage of moisture in the cat food you’re evaluating? The higher the number, the better for your kitty. More moisture means your cat will urinate more. Increased
urination will flush out any crystals that may be trying to form in your cat’s urinary tract. Canned cat food has a higher moisture content than dry.

4. How Much Magnesium Does the Cat Food Contain?

An excess of magnesium will contribute to struvite crystal formation (FLUTD). Some magnesium is necessary, but generally look for cat food that has a maximum of 0.025% magnesium to
prevent struvite crystals.

5. Does the Cat Food Contain DL-Methionine?

DL-Methionine is an amino acid with sulfur, which helps regulate ammonia formation in urine. This amino acid helps maintain your cat’s urine pH balance around 6.6, which is normal and does not encourage crystal formation.

And…since cats are cats (which means they are in charge!), be aware that what you select for them may not be what they want to eat, if they don’t like the taste. If this happens, you’ll need to start over again until you find a wholesome, nutritious cat food that merits two paws up from your feline!

Keep these five factors in mind when shopping for cat food to maintain your kitty’s urinary tract and prevent FLUTD.

And remember, when you’re considering changing your cat’s diet, consult with your vet. She or he will give you expert guidance and information to make the transition easier for you and your kitty.

Nancy has successfully eliminated cat urine odor from her home, and kept the kitty that caused it. The Cat Urine Odor Advisor helps you save money and stop the damage in your household by offering solutions that work together to eliminate cat urine odor from your home.

Subscribe to the Cat Urine Odor Solutions newsletter, and I’ll send you my free report “Four Important Litter Box Basics For Your New Kitten.” Start your new addition to the family off right, and never have a cat urine odor problem!

http://www.cat-urine-odor-advisor.com

Blog address - http://quikonnex.com/channel/page/caturineodoradvisor

RSS feed - http://quikonnex.com/channel/view/caturineodoradvisor

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Obese - Meaning cats that are 20% or more, heavier than their ideal weight.
Overweight - Meaning cats that are between 1-19% heavier than their ideal weight.

It is estimated over 50% of the UK’s cats are overweight.
20-30% of these are Obese.
Cats between 2 and 10 years old are more likely to be overweight.
Cats prefer smaller, more frequent meals.
In the wild they may eat up to 20 meals per day.
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they strictly feed on animals in the wild.
Cats naturally eat raw meat; it is perfectly acceptable to feed raw meat in captivity.
Cat’s teeth are designed to tear meat, not crunch on dry biscuits. Dry food should not be fed to benefit the cat’s teeth.
Water is a very important part of the cats diet:
o A cat’s prey is generally 75% water.
o Dry food usually has no more than 10% water.
o Tinned food usually has approximately 75% water.
o Kidney disease is the number 1 killer of cats. Kidney disease is usually the result of lack of water.
o It is important for water to be a part of the food, as they have a very low thirst drive and will not drink as much as they should.
Cats excrete the enzyme ‘amylase’ from the pancreas. Amylase is used to break down carbohydrates; it is lethal to feed too many carbohydrates, but a small 3-5% carbohydrate level is ideal.
o Fibre is a non-digestible carbohydrate.
o Starch is a digestible carbohydrate.
o Un-used carbohydrates are stored as fat.

Causes of Obesity

Humans are the number one underlying cause for overweight and obese cats.
Overweight humans are more likely to have overweight pets.
Cats that eat dry food are more likely to be overweight.
Cats often eat when they are bored.
Inactive cats are 16 times more likely to become obese.

Indoor cats are twice as likely to become overweight.

Disabled cats are more likely to be overweight.
Neutered cats are 3 times more likely to become overweight.
A neutered or spayed cat usually has approximately 20% lower metabolism due to being less active. This means they require approximately 20% less calorie intake.
High energy cat food should only be fed to energetic cats. This will not make un-energetic cats more energetic.
The temperature at which your cat is kept at will affect its metabolism. Cats that live predominantly outdoors will need more calories to maintain a higher body temperature. Cats kept in a centrally heated house will need a lower calorie intake.

Effects of Obesity

Obesity shortens life expectancy.
Obesity can cause the following conditions:
o Diabetes mellitus - Sugar diabetes
o Lower urinary tract disease - Several disorders involving the bladder and urethra.
o Lameness - Due to arthritis or muscle injuries
o Non-Allergic skin diseases - Due to being less able to groom.
o Hepatic lipidosis - Fat build up in the liver.
o Cardiovascular disease
o Lower stamina levels and exercise tolerance
o Higher risks when using anaesthetic
o Dystocia - Problems giving birth
o Pickwickian syndrome - Strain on the lungs due to excess fat, making it harder to breathe
o High blood pressure - Leading to heart failure
Overweight cats are 4 times more likely to develop Diabetes mellitus
Obese cats are 7 times more likely to be affected by lameness.
Overweight cats are 3 times more likely to be affected by lameness.
Obese cats are 3 times more likely to get non-allergic skin diseases due to being less able to groom.

Obese cats are twice as likely to die at middle age, between 6 and 12 years old.

By Chris Jones
Director of Pet Club UK Ltd.
http://www.petclubuk.com

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The American Bobtail Cat is the only breed of cat I know of that has a really cool story as to its origins. Well, maybe. Actually the origin of the American Bobtail Cat seems to be in dispute. Depending on who you ask, it may or may not even be American at all.

According to some sources, there was a feral brown tabby kitten found on an Arizona Indian Reservation with a bobbed tail in the 1960’s. The cat got the name Yodie. Even though this was not by any means the first bobbed tail cat, many had been around and seen by the early settlers and Indians as well. But when Yodie was bred to a Siamese Cat, the standard for the American Bobtail Cat was born.

Other experts say that the American Bobtail Cat was brought here to the US from Europe as they came here to settle in the New World, making the American Bobtail Cat not so American.

Wikipedia.com says, “According to legend, bobtails are the result of a crossbreeding between a domestic tabby cat and a bobcat. Although this IS genetically possible, the unusual tail is actually the result of a random genetic mutation. The breed was recognized by the International Cat Association in 1989.”

According to Wikipedia, the American Bobtail Cat is not related to the Japanese Bobtail Cat in any way. They came from different genetic lines even though both have similar builds and colorings.

The appearance of the American Bobtail Cat, the wild look, the fuzz on the cheeks and tips of the ears, and it’s feral roots, lead some to believe that it could be related to the Bobcat or the Lynx. DNA tests have not been able to reach a conclusion that links the American Bobtail Cat to either of the two wild cat breeds.

Further confusion is due to the inability to narrow down the genes that cause the tail to be short in the first place. American Bobtail Cats have tails of varying lengths and shapes, so the standard is currently loosely defined as breeders try to isolate a way to breed toward a standard tail length and shape.

The variations include “Rumpies”, “Risers”, and “Half-Length Tails. Rumpies are American Bobtail Cats with no tail, while Risers are short stubby tails.

American Bobtail Cats are very loving and expect to be petted and loved in return. But watching your American Bobtail Cat go after prey or even imaginary prey, you would have a hard time associating it with the cat that was just purring in your lap minutes before.

They tend to be very muscular, have large feet, and have hindquarters that are higher than their shoulders, giving them the predator look. They can naturally survive in rough conditions and fend for themselves in the wild, yet are perfectly willing to let you care for and feed them.

If you want a cat that will be playful and loyal, yet tough and independent, a American Bobtail Cat might be the one for you.

Robin Darch, of PRT Specialised Services Limited has a website, My Pet Cat to help you find all the information you need about pet cats,grooming and training.

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