Pets are a source of joy, comfort and security in a hectic and fast-paced life. We let these furry creatures into our homes, into our lives and into our hearts and we treat them like members of the family – because they are. It’s easy to peruse the stocks of feline food available on any supermarket shelf anywhere in the country and believe that you are giving your cat adequate nutrition in order to encourage and support a long and healthy life – but does this diet really support their dietary needs sufficiently? Are there requirements that are often overlooked? When it comes to the best cat food to feed your beloved pet, experts disagree. One thing is certain. Giving your pet adequate cat food to suit their unique dietary requirements should not be overlooked if you want to maintain a long, happy and prosperous life with your feline companion.

Dry cat food is often the go-to substance. It’s easy, it’s quick and it’s tidy. But is it sufficiently nutritious to provide a happy and healthy life? Cats dietary needs have been examined for years, and a lot of veterinarians are turning away from the standard dry-food varieties for several reasons. Dry cat food often is not well-balanced, and it lacks in several nutrients that are required for a healthy and long life. Cats are predators at heart – they are hunters, and they require a very specific diet if their lives are going to be prolonged and enjoyable. Many dry cat foods lack in several key elements for a balanced and healthy diet. While there are proteins associated with dry cat food, the majority of the protein is derived from plants – not from animals. This deprives a cat of their natural, normal diet and can lead to health problems if the diet is not adequately corrected.

The cat’s dietary system is designed to be carnivorous. They simply are unable to digest plant-based proteins as well as they are able to digest animal proteins. Not all protein is identical, and if you unknowingly deny your cat the nutrition that their bodies require (as designed by nature and natural instincts), you may ultimately dictate that their nutritional needs remain unmet, and they’re far more likely to succumb to many natural diseases that may otherwise be kept at bay.

Additionally, the prolonged use of dry cat food has been irrecoverably linked with several common health problems like diabetes, hairballs, unnecessary obesity (a particular concern with indoor cats), kidney disease and more. Transitioning a cat away from dry cat food to canned or homemade cat food can act as a preventative measure to ward off a lot of these common – and often fatal – diseases before they ever appear. Because dry cat food is lacking in sufficient water levels, urinary diseases are far more prevalent in felines that subside on a solely dry diet. A cat’s instinct to drink is much lower than their instinct to eat. In nature, cats derive most of their water from their diet – and a diet of dry food alone does not provide adequate water levels to sustain a cat’s well-balanced nutrition.

Many cat owners are transitioning away from store-bought cat food brands altogether and focusing on a purely homemade diet for their loyal feline companions. While making cat food at home can be a time-consuming and intricate process, it also ensures (when practiced correctly) that your cat is receiving the nutrients, vitamins and minerals that they need to sustain a long and healthy life, while avoiding much of the filler associated with store-bought brands. Packaged cat food contains unknown ingredients, while a homemade diet ensures that you know exactly what your cat is consuming – and you can strive to provide a well-balanced, thoughtful diet.

Natural cat foods can be purchased from holistic sites and are loaded with the nutrients that are required for a long, healthy and balanced life. These products provide exceptional levels of protein as well as vitamins not often found in dry, canned or processed brands.

It’s only natural that you would want your pet to live a happy and long life so that they can remain with you as long as possible. Taking appropriate steps to ensure that their dietary and nutritional needs are met is the first step towards overall health. It can provide you with peace of mind, which simultaneously ensuring that your cat is receiving exactly what they need to achieve optimal health. Adequate diet plays a vital role in overall health. When combined with regular checkups, lots of love and affection, your feline can enjoy a life full of fun and health.

I have seen far too many people think their pudgy little cat is cute. However, did you know that cat obesity is just as dangerous in our furry little friends as it is in humans? Therefore you’ll want to do something to cut down on your cat’s weight as quickly as possible. This can be a little difficult if you have an indoor cat as generally they don’t get the exercise they need. However, if you follow the tips in this guide you should be able to make even the laziest cat in the world drop the excess pounds.

First and foremost, you’ll want to determine if your cat is overweight. Some cats appear to be a little chunky, but that is how they should be due to their breed. To quickly check, you should feel around your cat’s ribs, they should be easy to identify. If you cannot feel the ribs then your cat is overweight. There are also a number of online ‘calculators’ which will also help you determine whether your pet is suffering from cat obesity.

One of the biggest tips I can offer is to change the food your cat is eating. You should look to purchase better quality food, such as a grain-free food that doesn’t contain corn. Cheaper foods contain more fat and fillers than they need to, and they also don’t have the proper nutrients. Therefore, cheaper foods could do your pet a lot of harm, so steer clear of those. Don’t worry, purchasing better quality cat food isn’t that much more expensive and you will probably need to feed your cat a lot less. In fact, purchasing a higher quality pet food will save you money in the long run, as it will result in fewer trips to the vet, because you’ll have a healthier cat.

Another helpful suggestion is to invest in a pet food bowl with a portion control dome in the center or what is often referred to as a slow feed bowl. I have been very successful using these types of bowls in the past to slim down my fat cats. These food bowls help to control pets that gobble up their food too fast, which can result in overeating.

The next step is to cut down on the treats that you are offering your pet. Many people give their furry friends cat treats on a daily basis, and this contributes to cat obesity more than anything. Save the treats for special occasions, and even then, you can purchase ‘low fat’ treats from your local pet store, so use those instead!

You will also need to exercise your cat more often. If you have an indoor cat, then grab a leash from a pet store and take them for a walk at least thirty minutes a day. This is also great exercise for you as well! Also, interactive toys are a great way to keep your cat active and can also strengthen the bond between you and your pet. My cat’s love the Da Bird feather toy, which they absolutely can’t resist; even my laziest kitty will get off the couch for this toy. It is by far the best cat toy I can recommend for interacting with your furry friends.

Finally, ease your pet into the diet plan gradually, especially if you are changing their food. This is because sudden changes in food can wreak havoc on your cat’s digestion, and can even make them sick.

Follow these simple tips and you should start seeing your kitty drop those excess pounds. When you are putting your cat through a ‘weight loss’ regime, you will want to constantly check them to ensure that they are actually losing weight. So keep feeling around those ribs, and weigh your pet from time to time. Remember though, your goal is to get your cat down to a ‘healthy’ weight, don’t take it too far, plenty of people end up with a cat that is far too skinny, and that is not what you want.

Like people, your cat will need a bit of extra help as they get older. This could be a change in their eating habits, however more often it’s because older cats are more prone to illness. It is important for the health of the animal that you learn proper cat care for your senior cat. This is the only way you can ensure they will live a long and happy life, in fact, with good veterinary care a cat can live up to 20 years.

There are a number of ailments that could set in as your cat begins to age. It’s important that if you notice any of these signs, that you get in touch with a veterinarian as soon as possible in order to preserve your cat’s health. Some of the more prevalent clues that could indicate something is not right with your cat’s health could include vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite or perhaps they don’t seem as playful as they were in the past. Either of these could indicate that something is seriously wrong with your cat; thankfully most can be treated easily as soon as a vet has been informed. Just remember to keep an eye out for your cat acting a bit ‘unusual’.

Of course, caring for a senior cat isn’t just looking out for illnesses that may have presented themselves. There are a number of things that you should be doing on a regular basis in order to guarantee the cat’s health:

The most important is that you switch them to a ‘senior cat’ diet. As a cat becomes older the nutrients that they require will change, actually requiring fewer calories. Your vet may be able to suggest the best diet for your cat; however most supermarkets and pet stores should also be able to offer the same information. If you leave them on the same diet they were on when they were ‘younger’ it could result in obesity, which has the same side effects as if it presented itself in humans.

Groom your cat regularly! Like humans your cat will be less ‘flexible’ as it becomes older. Grooming regularly will help combat diseases such as arthritis which often present themselves in older cats. Don’t forget to cut their claws often as well, since they will be less active in their older age they won’t wear down as quickly and thus can become ‘stuck’ on various things.

You will need to take your cat to the vet on a regular basis. They will carry out a complete check of your cat’s health to ensure that no ailments are starting to present themselves. They will also carry out a dental check to see if there is any pain in the mouth. On top of all this they will also be able to describe some measures that you can put in place to help protect the health of the animal.

Just following a few of these simple tips will guarantee a long and rewarding relationship for you and your beloved pet.

Foods to Avoid Giving Your Pet!
by Isaac MaCalister

Your cat is an important part of your family, so it’s definitely natural to include him in family festivities and celebrations. As in any get-together, food and drink are the center of attention and the focal points, but try to avoid indulging your cat in table foods. It may seem harmless to share food with your cat, but many common foods can be dangerous for your cat.

Fatty foods:

Rich or fatty foods can cause digestive stress for your cat. For example, turkey, ham or other meats rich in fat will result in diarrhea. Large amounts of fat digested may lead to a life-threatening inflammatory disease called feline pancreatitis. The calling signs of pancreatitis can include vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea and a loss of appetite. If you must feed your feline meats, satiate his hunger by giving him turkey-flavored cat food.

Bones:

Any bones from meat, fish and poultry can be a potential danger to your kitty and should be avoided at all costs. If your cat decides to pull a bone from your waste basket, or from the table or counter his digestive tract could be severely damaged. A bone can cause laceration or obstruction within your kitty’s digestive system.

Onion and garlic:

You may also be tempted to give your kitten baby food. This may contain onion powder, which is highly toxic for your cat. Any type of onion or garlic, raw, cooked or in powder form can damage your kitten’s red blood cells and cause life-threatening anemia. Another hiding spot for onion and garlic can be stews, soups and sauces.

Undercooked meat:

In rare cases, raw or undercooked meat may contain bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite. Also, keep your cat away from moldy or spoiled foods, which can contain toxins, that cause tremors, shaking, seizures, diarrhea and vomiting.

Some nuts:

Most nuts, including macadamia nuts contain an unknown toxin, which can affect your cat’s digestive and nervous systems. Nuts have also been known to cause muscular weakness and tremors in dogs as well. Many researchers believe that macadamia nuts can have the same effect on your cat.

Chocolate, raisins and grapes:

Unlike dogs, most cats are not drawn to sweets. Even so, take note: a chocolate snack can cause increased heart rate, tremors and hyperactivity in your cat. The severity of the reaction depends on the type of chocolate and how much is eaten. Dark baking chocolate will cause a more severe reaction than milk chocolate. Also, raisins and grapes have been proven to induce kidney failure in dogs. There have been reports of similar effects on cats, so it is wise to avoid letting your cat ingest these fruits.

Cow’s milk:

We all picture pouring our beloved kitten a fresh, cold saucer of milk. Unlikely as it may seem, milk is a no-no for your cat. Shortly after they’re weaned, kittens lose the ability to digest milk. More than a few of licks could translate into a very messy episode of diarrhea. If your kitten has a taste for milk, specially formulated lactose-free milk products are available for cats which should satisfy his craving.

The most important thing you can do for your cat is to ensure that he receives the nutrition and care that he needs. If you remember the things to avoid giving your cat, as well the things he needs to thrive, your cat will have a long, happy and healthy life as member of your family.

Check out Hartz for more helpful articles and information and tons of pet products for all kinds of animals.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

The last portion of this article is certainly a lesson that I learned the hard way. My beautiful tuxedo cat, named Liberty was my first kitty and I loved to spoil him by giving him a bowl of warm milk every evening. To my dismay, I noticed he was having constant diarrhea and I couldn’t figure out what was causing the problem. I did a little research into the issue and found that you should never give a cat cow’s milk as their bodies can’t seem to digest it properly and they should only be given specially formulated milk made for cats.

Cat Shedding 101 – Controlling the Fallout
by Kim W. Traff

Living with four spoiled housecats has taught me a thing or two about dealing with the ever-present issue of cat hair. The problem became all too apparent – in one of those humiliating ways – when a guest stood up from our dinner table one evening with what appeared to be a “fluffy cottontail” on his behind! Since then I have armed myself with the knowledge and devices to rid my home of cat hair. Well at least a substantial amount of cat hair; enough to ensure that no one has to worry about looking as if they have grown another appendage while visiting my home.

Shedding is a process that removes dead hair from a cat’s body, allowing room for new hair growth. A healthy coat is essential to the well-being of your cat. The coat provides protection from the elements, including UV rays, as well as protection from physical trauma. In addition, the process of shedding helps regulate a cat’s body temperature. Cats that frequent the outdoors typically shed more during the spring and summer, and less during the fall and winter months. Surprisingly, this is not due to the fluctuations in temperature but rather the amount of exposure to natural light, known as photoperiod. Indoor cats typically shed about the same during the year because they are primarily exposed to artificial light, which makes their bodies lose track of the seasonal changes.

Keep in mind that while shedding is a healthy and normal process, sudden excessive shedding could be a reason for concern. There are a number of medical conditions that can cause excessive hair loss including allergies, parasites, hormonal abnormalities, and bacterial infections, just to name a few. If you notice that your cat has suddenly started shedding excessively, or if you notice any bald spots or scabs, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Tips for minimizing shedding:

Routine brushing- Set aside a few minutes each day to brush your cat’s coat. Brushing your cat will not eliminate shedding; however the hair that accumulates in the brush will not be floating around your home. In addition, brushing will detangle any matting, and remove pet dander, resulting in a silky coat. Long haired cats should be brushed daily, but short haired cats can be brushed every few days or once a week. Make sure to choose a brush that is designed for your cats’ fur.

Most cats like being brushed, however if your kitty is not one of them, there are anti-shedding wipes available that will help remove some hair; though typically not as effective as brushing. Do not force brushing on an unwilling cat, since stress also causes shedding.

Diet – Excess shedding can be the result of a poor diet. Make sure to feed your cat a high quality, well-balanced cat food, preferably a brand which is high in protein and contains no by-products or grain fillers.

Eliminate stress- Have you noticed that your cat seems to shed more during a visit with the vet? Cats will shed more during stressful situations, including vet trips, confrontations with other cats or animals, changes in environment, etc. Eliminating or reducing stressful situations will have a positive effect on shedding, as well as your cat’s overall health.

Tips for quick pet hair clean-up:

Furniture and floor covers- In areas where your cat frequents, place sheets, towels, or any simple cloth item that can be easily gathered and washed. It will eliminate the need to clean hair off the furniture before guests arrive.

Vacuum and dust floors frequently- Hair that is left lying around will eventually find its way to other areas of your home. Make sure to frequently vacuum carpeted areas of your home. If you have tile or hardwood floors, sweeping with a broom is not as effective as using an electrostatic product, such as Swiffer, or a microfiber pad. These items typically attract the cat hair rather than move it around.

Tacky tape and lint rollers- Keep these inexpensive items on hand throughout your home and your vehicle. They are great for quick pick-up jobs in small places and on clothing.

Damp towel- Believe it or not, the most effective way that I found to pick up cat hair from my cloth furniture is to use a damp terry cloth hand towel. Using some pressure, wipe the entire surface in a circular motion. The dampened texture of the towel catches the hair and rolls it into ball, which is easily pulled from the towel for disposal. I found this method by accident when I was trying to clean a soiled spot from a dining room chair. The cat hair on the chair was fine and practically unnoticeable, so I was shocked to see how much was on the towel when I finished. This is my method of choice for all my fabric furniture, because it not only removes hair, but refreshes the fabric as well. It works best with a rough, inexpensive terry cloth towel – soft, closely napped towels are not as effective.

Remember, shedding is a normal and healthy process that all cats experience – yes even the “hairless breeds” shed. While you can’t stop the shedding completely, by implementing these simple and inexpensive tips, you can maintain and manage most of your furbaby’s hairy situations.

About the Author:

Kim W. Traff owns and operates Kitten Smitten, a cat enthusiast web site which provides cat and kitten health and wellness information, videos and photo galleries for the avid cat lover. Kim is also mom to four spoiled house-cats, and spends a great deal of time researching and writing articles about cats. If you are looking for more cat related articles and entertainment, visit http://www.kitten-smitten.com. You can also find Kitten Smitten on Facebook and Twitter.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

I found the most informative and helpful suggestion in this article was using a damp cloth to clean off chairs and upholstery. This method works like a charm and reveals hair I didn’t even know was there, you couldn’t even see it, until you lifted it off with the damp cloth. I hope you found this article as helpful as I did and maybe one day it will spare you an embarrassing moment!

This is an interesting article on the topic of whether to feed your cat canned or dry food. I have recently been researching the subject myself and to my surprise found that the experts seem to be saying that you should be feeding your cat canned food exclusively. I’ve always been under the impression that a dry food diet was good for your pet, because it promotes healthy teeth and gums. The experts are now saying that cats don’t drink the water needed to sufficiently keep their bodies hydrated and that a diet consisting of all canned food would provide your cat the proper hydration needed for optimal health.  

What You Should Feed Your Cat
by Monica E Salois

Veterinarians say that cats can live up to 30 years on a natural diet, but most domestic cats only live for 14 to 18 years on average. Why is that? The difference has a lot to do with diet.

Dry cat food has been found by the American Veterinary Medical Association to be less nutritious than canned food. There are several major reasons why dry food is not as good for most cats:

1. The main, and sometimes only source of protein, is usually from animal by-products, which is not the best quality. These are the parts of dead animals considered unfit for human consumption such as feet, intestines, feathers, pieces of fur, egg shells, and sometimes even include organs from diseased animals.

2. They actually contain an insufficient amount of animal based protein most of the time compared to the vegetable protein content. Most dry cat food consists of vegetable based meal flavored with meat flavorings and it usually has a high gluten content. As with humans, there are many cats that are allergic to gluten.

3. Most dry cat foods contain too much starch, or carbohydrate. Cats are pure carnivores that do not need, nor thrive on, the excessive carbohydrate based formulas commercially available. The average dry food contains from 35% to 50% carbohydrates and some of the cheaper brands contain even higher levels. Cats simply have no dietary need for high carbohydrates and food with too much starch can actually be very detrimental to their health.

4. Cats sometime do not drink enough water to compensate for the lack of moisture in their dry food. Insufficient fluid from their food source can cause bladder infections and kidney stones. This is why it is so important to always serve fresh water with any form of dry cat food. Be careful not to give them milk once they have reached adulthood. Most cats become lactose intollerant as they age and milk gives them diarrhea. They may like it and drink it, but it has no nutritional value for them. It is better to use a milk substitute if they like the taste, such as Cat’s Sip, or something similar.

5. Most brands of dry cat food use unhealthy preservatives such as BHT, BHA, and ethoxyguin to prolong shelf life. Generally, BHA is used to keep fats from turning rancid and it is also used as a yeast de-foaming agent. BHT also prevents oxidative rancidity of fats and is often used to preserve food odor, color, and flavor. Preservatives that prolong shelf life of a product are not healthy for any living creature.

6. Most dry cat food loses nutrient value due to the long cooking times used in their processing, and very high temperatures. Dry cat foods tend to be little more than non-nutritious, flavored bulk meal.

7. The dry food formulas that contain oils can often become rancid over time when stored on warehouse and supermarket shelves. Generally, most cats refuse to eat rancid food and it can make them ill.

8. Some dry cat foods often contain a life-threatening and extremely dangerous fungal toxin caused during transportation or storage, and this can poison your cat.

In the wild, a cat will eat high protein, high moisture foods, mostly from meat-based sources such as mice, moles, bats, rats, small birds, insects, worms, slugs, and small snakes. Only 3% to 5% of a cat’s natural diet contains starch, or carbohydrate. On occasion, cats will eat grass because the enzymes aid in digestion and are a natural laxative. Overall, mice are the best form of food for cats because they have muscle meat, pre-digested stomach contents, calcium from the bones, and moisture from the fluids.

The next best form of food for domestic cats is canned or frozen food with a strong content of animal or fish protein, mostly from muscle meat, not organ meat, such as liver; nor from any animal by-products. Good quality canned cat food should not contain any “meal” or “grains” either. Fat, and some organ meats such as liver and heart, are good for flavoring, but they should not be the main ingredient. Never use any cat food that contains soy, wheat, corn, or yeast. If it does contain a grain, then rice is the safest for cats.

Although cats are carnivores, they can’t survive purely on meat alone. Quality cat food should contain supplements such as oils, vitamins, and minerals. Cats should be fed fish at least once a week, such as canned tuna, cod, or salmon. Cats will also eat spam, ham, raw hamburger, hotdog wieners, and any form of beef, chicken, turkey, and most lunchmeats and cold-cuts. It is good to give your cat a treat once in awhile such as “Temptations”, but don’t let them make a meal out of them or demand them excessively. They are high calorie, dry snacks not intended for meal substitutes. When serving a canned meat, the patte kinds are generally the best because the cat will lick the gravy off the other varieties and leave the meat to spoil. When the cat doesn’t eat it, the owner generally throws it out, which is very wasteful.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

I currently feed my cats both canned and dry food, but after reading this article, it may be a good idea to transition my kitties onto a diet consisting of all canned food. I have one cat who eats dry food only and will not touch the wet stuff, which is going to be quite a challange making the switch. I found a few sites with recipes for making homemade wet cat food which I’m considering adopting in the future. Hopefully these recipes will help me get my all kibble eating addicts to switch to wet food exclusively.

You are getting a new family member and it’s a kitten, you’ll want to compile a checklist of everything that you’ll need to care for your new kitten. Think of this kitten care checklist like a “cat owners manual”.

1. Cat food is the most obvious choice. It may seem like a no brainer but sometimes we find ourselves in a situation where we run out of cat food for our pets, so be sure to stock up on your cats brand of cat food. It is essential that your kitty is eating a high quality food developed for kittens. If you purchased your kitten from a shelter, breeder or a foster home make sure he is eating the same food he received there to avoid an upset tummy from a sudden change in diet.

2. A kitty litter box is the next most important choice that you’ll make when preparing for a new kitten. You will need to scoop the poop everyday and also change the litter and wash the litter box out weekly. Also, keep in mind when choosing a litter box to make sure the box is shallow enough for your little kitty to easily enter and exit the box.

3. Cat toys are great things to have for new kittens as they have a lot of playful energy. Interactive cat toys are a great way for you to bond with your new kitten. However, your kitten will usually start playing with something else rather than the toy that you bought, like a wadded-up piece of paper. This is because your cat is absolutely thrilled at anything they can get their hands on whenever they’re in a playful mood.

4. A good vet is another important decision you’ll have to make and a reliable vet will definitely make sure that your cat receives the best medical care possible. You can try asking your friends with pets which vet they recommend or simply call the local animal shelters for any good recommendations on a reliable vet.

5. A brush for grooming your cat is vital. You will both build better bonds when you groom your cat and a brush also helps to control his shedding so he will have less fur to groom himself. This is definitely a good thing for your cat because with less fur, this will reduce the risks of hairballs going into his digestive system.

6. Nail clippers are another item you’ll need, as it is essential that your kitten’s nails are trimmed regularly. Most cats do not usually like to have their nails trimmed, so clipping your kitten’s nails early is another way for you to get them used to this procedure. You might want to give your kitten a little foot rub prior to clipping their nails, as this will encourage them to feel more relaxed and will make nail trimming a lot easier on both you and your kitty.

7. Having a warm toasty bed for your new kitten to sleep in is a plus as kitten’s love warmth. You’ll often see your cat following the sunshine along the floor or stretching out in front of the heat vents; this is because they know these are often the warmest places in the house. The best bed to purchase for your kitten is a bed that is either fully washable or one that has a washable and/or replaceable cover.

8. A scratching post for your kitten is another essential item for great cat care. Scratching posts are an excellent way to ensure mental health and awareness when caring for your new kitten. Kittens love to climb and by purchasing a scratching post, you’ll know how to keep your kitten active, agile and strong.

These are just a few items you’ll want to have on hand when your new kitten arrives, you might also consider buying a small kitty condo or crinkle tunnel for playtime and fun. Congratulations and good luck with your new kitten, with the proper cat care your new kitty will enjoy a long and healthy life!