Below is a complete guide detailing everything you need to know about dandruff, including what it is, what causes it, its symptoms, and how to get rid of cat dandruff.

What is Cat Dandruff?

Like people, cats can also have dandruff. These skin flakes hide in their fur and on their beds and household furniture.

So what exactly is dandruff in cats? Feline dandruff is categorized as grey or white flakes that can be seen across your cat’s skin and hair, resulting in mild to excessive scratching due to dryness and itchiness. Dandruff in cats can be fairly mild, but in some rare instances, it can indicate a bigger health condition or other concerning skin problems.

What’s the Difference Between Cat Dander and Cat Dandruff?

It’s a misconception that dandruff and dander are the same things. Dander is completely normal and is something all cats produce. Some cat owners are led to believe that it is a sign of serious health concerns when it is perfectly healthy. To put it simply, dander is known as dead skin cells removed to make way for new skin cells.

On the other hand, Dandruff is a skin condition characterized as irritable, dry, sensitive, flaky skin. It often occurs when the sebaceous glands in your cat’s skin start to overproduce oil. Whereas these natural skin oils are good for keeping your cat’s fur in tip-top condition, too much of one thing can cause problems. In this case, the overproduction can begin to harshly irritate the skin, causing excess shedding.

Dander and dandruff can be evident across your cat’s body, but dandruff can be more obvious as you can see it on their coat, bedding, and furniture.

Main Causes of Cat Dandruff

If you’re certain it’s not cat dander you’re seeing across their fur and your home, you may ask, ‘why does my cat have dandruff?’. It can be caused by many things, which are all listed below.

Poor Diet

Your cat’s dandruff can often result from a poor diet that lacks essential nutrients to keep them healthy inside and out. A balanced diet not only helps their internal health but will also provide nourishment for their skin and fur too.

Obesity

Overweight cats often find it difficult to groom properly, which can cause flaky dandruff. When cats groom themselves, they also help to distribute the natural oils, but if they can’t reach certain areas, the oils will build up, causing irritation.

Poor Grooming Practices

Most cats are adept at keeping themselves clean, but the odd few lack the skill. When cats neglect to groom themselves, the undercoat and overcoat will retain loose hairs and dead skin cells, causing them to develop dandruff.

Dehydration

Dehydration in cats isn’t uncommon and can be a prominent cause of itchy and dry skin. Moreover, dryness and itchy skin can also be caused by the temperature of your cat’s environment.

Disease or Illness

Cancer, hormonal conditions, a fungal infection, and kidney disease can attribute to a cat’s dandruff. In addition, food or general allergies can also be a cause of excessive shedding and difficult flaky skin. The reaction can cause the skin to become sensitive and itchy.

Furthermore, when your cat falls ill to a disease or illness, they can often be too uncomfortable to groom themselves properly.

External Parasites

On the other hand, if they are attacked by parasites such as mites, fleas, or lice, they can overgroom to relieve their discomfort resulting in dry skin. In addition, a parasite named Cheyletiella mites can cause a harmful contagious form of cat dandruff known as ‘walking dandruff’.

What are the Symptoms of Dandruff in Cats

The most prominent symptom of cat dandruff is the troublesome white flakes that spread out within your cat’s fur. However, there are several other signs to look out for that may suggest that your cat is struggling, including:

Excessive grooming (this can result in hair loss and eventual bald spots)

• Redness of the skin
• Scratching
• Gnawing
• Change in behavior
• Lethargy

How to Get Rid of Cat Dandruff

As troubling as this issue may sound, there are plenty of ways you can treat cat dandruff.

Switch to a High-Quality Diet

Your cat’s diet should consist of many nutrients that will benefit their overall health and skin health. In this instance, you may need to invest in cat food high in omega-3 fatty acids. You can also get your hands on formulas specially made for skin health.

Diets for Overweight Cats/Using Supplements

If your cat is overweight, plenty of options are available to help them drop the extra weight. These formulas contain fewer calories while offering vital nutrients to keep them healthy. In addition, you can also purchase supplements such as fish oil that can add extra moisture and nutrition to wet or dry food.

Hydrating Your Cat

If you feel dehydration is the prime culprit, it’s worth switching them onto a wet food diet to add extra moisture. Furthermore, try introducing them to a water fountain. A fountain is a great tool to encourage cats to drink more as they prefer running water sources.

Groom Them

If you’ve noticed that your cat doesn’t groom itself enough, it may be helping out. Brushing your cat regularly can help remove dead skin cells and loose and dead hair.

Cat Shampoo

An effective way to treat dandruff can be to try a specialized shampoo. Not only can it help to remove stubborn flakes and loose hair, but it can also help soothe and moisturize fur and skin.

Purchase a Home Humidifier

A humidifier can keep the airflow in your home moist to help your cat maintain healthy skin. This is especially effective in particularly hot and humid areas or homes that become particularly dry during the summer.

Seek Advice

If your cat’s flaky skin could be a side effect of a medical condition, it’s worth taking your feline friend to see a vet. Your vet may be able to provide a remedy or prescription to help ease the skin and fight irritation and dryness.

Sources:

1. Wallenbeck I, Identification Of Dander-specific And Serum-specific Allergens In Cat Dandruff Extract, Europe PMC
2. Dr. Lori Teller, Don’t Brush Off Feline Dandruff, Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
3. Itchy Cat – When It Is Not Fleas, International Cat Care

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However, it is possible for your outdoor cat to live his best life, whether he is permanently outside or is a house cat at heart. We look at the pros and cons of caring for an outdoor cat and how you can keep them safe, healthy, and happy.

The Outdoor Cat

Many cat owners in the US are opting to keep their kit inside or limit their outdoor time. And in most cases, their pet’s health and safety are the drivers behind this decision. While it is perfectly acceptable for a kit to live its life as an indoor cat, for some felines, it’s simply not the right choice.

However, the US also has an estimated 50 million feral cats in the US that live permanently outside. And then there are the millions of domestic cats that have a home but also enjoy the outdoor lifestyle.

If you own an outdoor cat or want to be able to let your kit outside, it’s important to know how to care for them and meet their needs. Here are the main pros and cons of owning an outdoor-loving cat.

Pros

• Supports their instincts – cats are born predators and are hardwired to hunt and explore. Their instinct is to be outside, roaming and exploring, to see what they can find. They are also territorial and like to map out their home turf. Providing your kit the opportunity to be outside and indulge in being a cat means they also get plenty of fresh air and space. And all that stalking, chasing, hiding, and pouncing give their mind and brain a good workout.
• More opportunity for exercise – outdoor cats are on the move more than their indoor counterparts and have plenty of opportunity for exercise and quality cat-focused playtime. Running, jumping, climbing, stalking – these are all good ways your cat can exercise their whole body and help to keep obesity at bay.
• Prevents boredom – indoor cats are prone to boredom, despite your best efforts with toys, grooming, and one-to-one time. And a bored cat can succumb to undesirable behaviors such as scratching your furniture. However, an outdoor cat has plenty to do, and you don’t have to work so hard to provide them with stimulation as they find their own!

Cons

• Risk of injury – outdoor cats, especially feral cats or cats that live outdoors all the time, are at a greater risk of getting hurt than indoor kitties. In fact, according to the Animal Humane Society, outdoor cats have a lower life expectancy, potentially up to 10 years lower than a full-time indoor cat. There are numerous hazards for an outdoor cat, from traffic, predators, and other cats to dangerous environments and poisonous substances. This raises their risk of injury and even death.
• Increased chance of getting lost – cats love to wander, and while they usually mark their territory so can find their way home, they can roam too far. And this increases their chance of getting lost, especially during the snow and very cold weather of winter when they can become disorientated. Cats are also curious and can find themselves trapped inside outhouses, sheds, and abandoned buildings as they explore.
• More susceptible to sickness – the outdoor cat also has a greater chance of picking up an infectious disease than a cat kept safe and secure at home. During their wandering, your outside cat is more likely to encounter a host of diseases, some of which can be fatal. The main ones to be concerned about are feline AIDS, leukemia, feline distemper, and toxoplasma gondii. Fleas, ticks, lice, and mosquitos can cause infestation and illness.

Top Tips to Keeping Your Outdoor Cat Safe and Healthy

If you would like your kit to enjoy the outdoor life, care for or know feral and stray cats, or even community cats, you can take some key steps to keep them as safe as possible. Here are our top tips on how to raise an outdoor cat and keep them happy, healthy, and living their best life.

Get them Microchipped

Before you even let your kitten or new cat out of the door, it is crucial that you take them to the veterinarian to be microchipped. If your cat gets lost and is found by someone, or worse still, has been injured or killed, getting your pet chipped is one of the best tips for taking care of outdoor cats. It is also recommended by the American Humane Society.

A microchip will hold your contact details, so always ensure they are up to date, so your feline friend is returned to you. A well-fitting safety collar with your ID and contact details is an additional good idea – just make sure the collar has a quick release system in case it gets caught, and your pet is trapped.

You could also consider fitting a GPS tracker to your cat’s collar for extra security.

Make Sure They are Vaccinated

As outdoor cats are more at risk of exposure to viruses and diseases, it is essential your cat has had all their essential shots before being allowed outside. A trip to your local veterinarians will ensure you get the right vaccinations for your feline friends. You should always keep up to date with your cat’s worm and flea treatment program.

Spay or Neuter Them

An outdoor cat will be a cat, which means meeting felines of the opposite sex. To help keep the number of unwanted feral and stray cats down naturally, it’s vital that you have your outdoor cat sterilized, whether neutering or spaying. Neutering or spaying is responsible for protecting your cat from disease and injury from other ‘in-season’ felines.

A Trap Neuter Return policy is also supported by the Humane Society and the ASPCA for feral and stray cats.

‘Train’ Them to Come Home

The safest way to own an outdoor cat is to train them to know where their home is and encourage them to return each day. Gradually introducing them to the outside when you first let them outdoors, using treats, and bonding with your cat, giving them a warm shelter inside and plenty of tasty food and water means they are more likely to come home after a busy day outside.

Access to Food and Water

Your outdoor cat will likely need more calories than an indoor cat to sustain their on-the-go lifestyle. So, it’s important to ensure they have access to fresh, outdoor cat-appropriate food and plenty of water.

And during the winter, when the temperatures drop, you may need to increase the calories your outdoor cat eats daily.

Provide Shelter

Your outdoor cat will also need access to a safe, warm shelter for them to hunker down when it is time to come inside. This could be inside your home, via a cat flap, or in an outside building. Or you could build your outdoor cat shelter, especially if caring for any feral and stray cats in your neighborhood.

An outdoor shelter needs to protect the cat from bad weather conditions, so needs to be secure and waterproof and have blankets and access to water bowls and some dry or canned food.

Create a Safe Environment

And finally, when it comes to effective outdoor cat care, consider the outdoor environment your cat will most likely be roaming in, including your garden or yard. There are environmental hazards that can cause harm to an outdoor cat, so an assessment is essential.

You’ll also need an outdoor cat enclosure – check out our top picks here!

For example, do you have plants in your gardens, such as tulips or oleander, which can be poisonous for felines, or are there any obstacles that can cause injury? Pesticides, trash, building materials, and antifreeze can harm your pet. Proximity to main roads, highways, or large dogs may make you think twice about letting your precious cat out.

The bottom Line

There is no real right or wrong about owning an outdoor cat, but as we have highlighted, many pet owners choose to keep their kitties indoors due to concerns for their health and safety. While a domestic cat can thrive as an outdoor cat, there are some key steps you need to take to keep your pet happy and safe if this is the route you choose to take.

From microchipping and vaccinations to ensuring they have a warm place to shelter at night and access to plenty of food and water, you are doing all you can to give your outdoor-loving cat the best life.

And if he is a home cat at heart, you know he is happy where he belongs when he comes back at night.

Source:

1. Helping stray and feral cats  – WebMD
2. How to care for outdoor cats in winter Humane Society

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Indoor cats can still live a full, happy, active, and productive life. Plus, it gives humans peace of mind that they are safe from the dangers of modern urban life. But is it cruel to deny a cat the opportunity to roam?

My Pet Needs That enters the indoor cat vs. outdoor cat debate to explore the pros and cons of each so that you can decide.

The Rise of the Indoor Cat

Before the 1950s and the widespread availability of kitty litter, most domestic cats could roam freely and, in many cases, had access to indoor and outdoor spaces. But with the arrival of cat litter, pet owners were given the option of hygienically keeping their kit inside.

Coupled with increasingly urbanized areas, a rise in traffic volume, and general safety, health, and pet welfare concerns, the number of permanently indoor cats have been steadily on the rise ever since. Today, 63% of all domestic cats in the US are indoor cats.

Wildlife concerns have also figured in the shift in popularity from outdoor to indoor cats. With felines prolific hunters, it has been estimated that up to four billion birds are killed yearly by domestic cats in the US alone.

Pros and Cons of an Indoor Cat

Contrary to popular belief, cats are not always aloof and super-independent. Many cats love company and can happily spend their time inside with their human family. But they do need to have all their needs met to live their best indoor life.

The decision to permanently keep a family cat indoors is often driven by concerns over your pet’s health, well-being, and safety if left to wander outside. Here are the main pros and cons of owning and caring for an indoor cat.

Pros

• Life expectancy. One documented benefit of keeping an indoor cat is that they typically live longer. According to researchers from the University of California-Davis, an indoor cat has an average lifespan of between 10 and 15 years, compared to an exclusively outdoor cat lifespan of just 2-5 years.
• Health. Outdoor cats are at greater risk of illness, injury, and other dangers than their indoor-living counterparts. Indoor cats are at a reduced risk of accidents such as being hit by a car or attacked by predators such as coyotes. They are also protected from catching illnesses and infectious diseases from other cats, such as feline leukemia, feline infectious peritonitis, and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Feline distemper is another highly contagious disease you can prevent by keeping your cat indoors.
• Suits their personality or breed. Some cats show a clear preference for staying indoors and avoiding going outside. However, all cats are individuals, and their personalities may be best suited to indoor life. Certain breeds are also best kept indoors, especially pure breeds that are expensive and may attract unwanted attention or even be stolen.
• Hairless cat breeds, white cat breeds, and breeds with long, dense coats are also best suited to being away from the dirt and elements of the outdoor environment.
• Avoids territorial disputes. Keeping your kit indoors also reduces the likelihood of an unpleasant or aggressive encounter with other cats in their ‘hood. Disputes over territory can lead to stress and injury, especially if your cat is the less dominant type.

Cons

• The lure of the outdoor. Many indoor cats are still curious about what’s happening outside, so it can be a ‘flight risk’ if you accidentally leave a door or window open. The danger with this is that your indoor cat is less streetwise and may find life on the outside difficult, even dangerous. They can also be startled and, as they have not marked their outdoor territory, can get easily lost.
• Boredom. The biggest impact of being an indoor cat can be on their emotional health. Separated from the stimulus of the outside environment, there are reduced opportunities for an indoor cat to be, well, a cat. From interactions with other felines to hunting, exploring, and living an active cat life, the indoors can become predictable and unstimulating. And feeling frustrated or bored is not a good place for any cat. They could then start acting out, for example, displaying aggressive behavior, spraying, or becoming destructive around the home.
• Dependency. To prevent boredom and ensure your indoor cat has a full and enriched life, you will have to spend more time and attention than perhaps you would with an outdoor kit. From mealtimes to toileting, your indoor cat totally depends on you for all their needs, which can create a heightened sense of dependency. To your indoor cat, you are their world, and so you may also see signs of separation anxiety if you leave them alone for too long.
• Accidents can still happen. Your indoor cat is not immune from mishaps, and your home could be a minefield of obstacles and potential incidents. Cats are curious creatures and so can be vulnerable to everyday objects, from poisonous houseplants to getting stuck inside your washing machine. So, vigilance is required if you are caring for an indoor kit.

Pros and Cons of an Outdoor Cat

The outdoor life suits many cats, especially if they have the option of coming home to curl up warm inside at night. An outdoor cat can also exercise his full feline ‘rights’ to the full, from hunting and marking to roaming at will. But, as we have seen, modern life can be hazardous to any pet, especially in an urban environment. So here are the main pros and cons of having an outdoor cat.

Pros

• Plenty of natural stimulation. The outdoors can be a fabulous playground for your cat, providing a plethora of stimuli to keep his mind and body active, healthy, and engaged. In addition, he will have the space to flex his natural cat muscles and hunt, climb and patrol within his territory.
• Better weight management. With his active lifestyle, an outdoor cat is less likely than an indoor cat to become obese. However, you need to ensure he has the best cat food for outdoor cats, providing the right nutrition to support a healthy and active life.
• It can be easier to manage. Owning an outdoor cat can be less ‘labor intensive’ than an indoor cat. There’s less need for a litter tray as your cat can go potty outside, and with a cat flap or open access, he can come and go as he pleases. And, if you are a multi-cat household, your cats can take themselves outside when they need more space, meaning you can create a harmonious feline household.

Cons

• Increased risk of injury or illness. The outside world can also be a dangerous and challenging environment for a cat, especially in built-up districts or areas of high traffic. This means an outdoor cat is at a greater risk of injury and even death. They are also more susceptible to certain health concerns, including diseases that can be transmitted from cat to cat. And, as you cannot always control where they go and what they eat, they are also more likely to pick up unwanted parasites. Therefore, a regular worming and flea control program is essential for an outdoor cat. For more information on the essential health checks, such as heartworm medications for your outdoor kitty, read our guide to how often you should take your cat to the veterinarian.
• Risk to wildlife. It is widely documented the dangers to local wildlife that domestic cats present, with millions of birds and other small animals being killed by outdoor felines every year.
• Clashes with other cats. Felines are territorial creatures, and too many cats on the block can add up to a heap of trouble. While outdoor cats tend to avoid each other, territorial clashes happen, which can cause physical and emotional injury and distress for your kit. Unfortunately, and especially in densely populated urban areas, these disputes are inevitable, meaning your cat’s day-to-day experience of the great outdoors is more stressful than pleasurable.

Creating the Ideal Environment for an Indoor Cat

As a responsible cat parent, every effort must be taken to ensure your indoor kit has a stimulating and enriching life. Yes, keeping your cat indoors may be the safest option, but it also must be a positive and healthy experience. And that means creating the ideal indoor environment for your kit to thrive.

They need plenty of exercises and mental stimulation to keep them physically and emotionally fit and healthy, so ensure there are plenty of toys and scratching posts around the home. Make time to play with them so they have one-on-one attention and company. Hiding places and spaces in the house where they can climb are also a good idea, as is the opportunity to see outside, with a window perch ideal so they can watch the world go by. And if your cat is inclined to spend time outdoors or needs some fresh air, consider creating an enclosed backyard run, or even invest in a harness and leash for short bursts of walks outside.

And don’t forget their diet as it needs to be appropriate to your indoor cat’s health, age, and activity levels. Always feed them indoor cat food, which will have fewer calories than an active outdoor pet; otherwise, they are prone to putting on weight and health issues such as diabetes.

How to Keep Your Cat Safe Outdoors

 Just because your cat spends independent time outside, it doesn’t mean you should leave him to his own devices. You can take steps to help keep outdoor cats safe when they are not inside the house.

Ensuring he is up to date with all his vaccinations and medications can protect your feline friend from the main health conditions and infections. Making sure he is chipped is always a good idea, so if he gets lost or hurt and is taken to a rescue or vet, he can be traced back to you. Bringing your cat in at night is also a good routine.

And if you are concerned about his safety or there are too many other cats in the neighborhood but don’t want to confine him, then a mesh outdoor cat enclosure should satisfy most backyard cats.

Indoor or Outdoor – How to Decide

While you should always consider their safety and well-being, the indoor vs. outdoor cats debate has no right or wrong answer. It is a personal decision that only you and your cat can decide. But working through the pros and cons, we have highlighted in this guide can help you to make the right decision. And whether you opt to have an indoor or outside cat, their health, well-being, and safety should always be your priority.

Source:

1. Should you have an indoor or outdoor cat? – PetMD
2. Indoor vs Outdoor Cats – American Humane Society

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As a pet parent, it’s important to understand what causes allergies in cats and how to respond when they appear to be having an allergic reaction. Below you can find everything you need to know surrounding cat allergies.

What are Allergies in Cats?

An allergic reaction materializes when the body’s immune system is hypersensitive to unfamiliar substances called allergens. Essentially, the immune system overreacts and attempts to remove the unknown proteins which create the symptoms associated with an allergy.

Cat Allergy Symptoms

Cats with allergies respond in differing ways depending on the severity of the immune response. However, make sure to watch out for the following symptoms, no matter how mild they may seem as, at times, these can be exacerbated if not treated appropriately.

Cat Allergic Reaction – Common Allergy Symptoms:

• Runny nose
• Itchy and/or runny eyes
• Vomiting and/or diarrhea
• Snoring (due to respiratory issues – Although this is rare, it can still occur)
• Other problems with breathing including coughing, sneezing, and wheezing
• Sensitive paws
• Swollen paws
• Dry, red, and/or sensitive skin
• Ear infections
• Hair loss

Behavioral Changes:

• Excessive grooming
• Frequent scratching or gnawing of the skin (leading to bald spots, hair loss, and even skin abrasions)
• Neediness
• Lethargy

Cats with mild symptoms commonly develop skin irritations that can either be localized to one area of the body or can spread all over. This reaction is commonly associated with, but is not limited to, flea bites and is the symptom that can cause cats to groom excessively leading to hair loss and further skin abrasions.

Respiratory symptoms are uncommon but not impossible so it’s exceedingly important to see your veterinarian if you observe your kitty coughing, sneezing, or wheezing frequently. Similarly, digestive distress is also uncommon but can be troubling and lead to further problems if left untreated.

What are Cats Allergic to?

Overall, there are considered to be four common allergies for felines to develop. These are listed below followed by examples of what can provoke feline allergies.

Flea Allergies

A flea allergy is one of the prime reasons you should keep your cat’s treatments up to date and is perhaps the most common allergy in cats. Some cats only experience a mild irritation when bitten by a flea whereas a cat with flea allergies can suffer immensely.

Writer’s Note: From my own experience, seeing my cat suffer from a flea allergy was extremely distressing so I would urge anyone to seek veterinary care immediately if you notice your cat excessively grooming, gnawing, or scratching. Your cat can suffer immensely as a result of a flea bite allergy and it will not hesitate to tear out fur and even severely damage its own skin.

Flea bites cause an allergic reaction due to the antigens or proteins within the fleas’ saliva. The saliva is introduced into the cat’s system when the flea bites and pierces the skin. A single bite can have dire consequences as it will cause extreme itching. As a result, your cat can lose fur and damage the skin severely in an attempt to stop the irritation. If the problem is not resolved, scabs and sores will open up across the skin which can invite bacterial skin infections.

Additional Note: Although rare, cats can also be allergic to flea medication as well as vaccinations and shampoos.

Food Allergies

Cats can also develop a food allergy that is caused by the presence of a particular protein ingredient. Although limited research has been conducted regarding food allergies in cats, the most common causes are ingredients such as chicken, fish, turkey, beef, and pork. Some vegetable proteins can also be a cause as well as artificial preservatives and flavors. In addition to this, cats can also be allergic to duck, lamb, and rabbit but this is exceptionally rare.

Food-related allergies can cause cats to suffer from itchy skin, respiratory issues, and digestive distress.

Inhalant Allergies

First of all, environmental allergies, or atopic dermatitis, in cats can occur when your feline is exposed to both outdoor and indoor factors. For example, although little is understood, cats can be allergic to pollen and grasses. In addition to this, they can also be sensitive to mold, dirt, and dust.

Similarly, your cat’s body can also respond negatively to aerosols such as perfume, deodorants, air fresheners, cigarette smoke as well as cleaning products. It’s also crucial to know that if a cat has inhalant allergies it can be sensitive to a number of other allergens.

Whereas some of these threats are seasonal allergies, others such as mold, dust, and aerosols are present all year round. If your cat suffers allergic reactions to any of these, they will typically struggle with severe itching as opposed to respiratory problems associated with hay fever in humans.

Contact Allergies

This refers to a reaction as a result of contact between skin and materials or substances. Believe it or not, cats can be allergic to specific materials that make up bedding or accessories such as collars. Furthermore, they can also react badly to shampoos or other substances made to care for your cat’s coat and skin.

The typical telltale sign of contact allergies are primarily itching and skin irritation but identifying this particular feline allergy can be tough. Although, when you’ve successfully pointed out the cause you can simply remove the item causing the trouble and your cat’s symptoms should clear up in no time.

Cat Allergy Treatment

When you’ve learned that your cat has allergies the first and foremost thing to do is to visit your veterinarian. Some cat allergies are more difficult to diagnose than others, for example, a food allergy will require pet parents to enroll their feline in food exclusion trials for weeks on end. From this, they will then endure a food challenge which can also take time.

Allergy Diagnoses

A veterinary dermatologist may take some time to find the cause of an allergy but it won’t be impossible. Depending on the severity of the allergy and your cat’s medical records, a vet will conduct a physical exam potentially followed by blood tests or skin scrapings in order to narrow down the root of the problem.

Allergy Treatments

Essentially, the best course of action is to remove allergens from your cat’s environment. Also, upon seeing your cat, your vet will be able to apply the appropriate treatment depending on the cause of the allergy. Below is a list of tips on removing allergens from your home followed by actions your vet may take.

Tips to Removing Certain Allergens:

• Switch to a dust-free cat litter.
• Use a vet-recommended pest treatment to prevent fleas
• Refrain from smoking around your cat
• Wash your cat’s toys and bedding regularly
• Ask your vet if they recommend dietary supplements for extra nutrients
• Regularly clean your home of dust
• Opt for cleaning products that don’t heavily rely on strong-scented ingredients and chemicals
• Switch to a healthy diet/cat food. Hypoallergenic diets may be the best option for those with food allergies and severe gastrointestinal symptoms.

For some, a vet may recommend bathing your kitty regularly as this can protect them from potential allergens. Following their advice, you may want to use a recommended medical cat shampoo to treat inflamed skin.

Treating Food Allergies in Cats

As mentioned above, if your vet suspects a food allergy, they will offer an appropriate diet that will initially cut out the potentially harmful ingredients such as animal protein or other food additives. This elimination diet trials take time, as the process is essentially trial and error. For more information, visit this link here where we have researched and detailed everything regarding cat food allergies. Here, we go into detail regarding how food allergies in cats are treated.

Allergy Medicine for Cats

In some instances, your vet may also prescribe medications to protect your kitty from irritating substances. These can include ointments, lotions, shampoos, ear drops, as well as eye drops. Furthermore, besides standard flea treatments, they can also prescribe cats antihistamines and cortisone pills.

Allergies in Cats When They Have Asthma

Studies state that cat allergies are more likely to develop if they have asthma. If your cat has both, it’s incredibly important to speak to your vet as they will be able to prescribe medications that will assist your cat’s airway. Some of these solutions can be temporary but there are alternatives that will treat your cat long term.

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However, below we have gathered all of the important information regarding what we know so far about food allergies in cats. This includes symptoms, causes, as well as treatment. Read on to find out more.

How Cat Food Allergies Occur

There is currently no definitive answer as to how cats develop food allergies. However, It’s important to know that they can develop at any age. Allergies in kittens and young cats can be identified and diagnosed early but that doesn’t mean to say that your adult or senior cat can’t become allergic.

It is also apparent that cats are more likely to form food allergies or inhalant allergies if they have a genetic predisposition.

What is a Food Allergy in Cats?

A food allergy is exactly what it sounds like. It is an allergic reaction triggered by the immune system in response to a specific compound in food.

The Difference Between an Allergy and an Intolerance

Although food allergies in cats are rare they can often be mistaken for an intolerance. They can be very similar but they are two very different conditions.

An allergy is when the immune system responds to a particular food ingredient as if it were something trying to attack the body.

Food intolerances are when the digestive system cannot break down or process a specific ingredient leading to further gastrointestinal problems and other issues.

Common Food Allergies

An allergic response in cats is commonly triggered by protein. This includes beef, fish, and chicken in particular. It is also widely known that dairy products can also become a cat allergy. Milk especially can become an intolerance, as cats lack the enzyme needed to break down lactose (hence why many cats are lactose intolerant)

Other Rare Cat Food Allergies

It is speculated that there are other ingredients in cat foods that can trigger allergies. Although these are extremely uncommon, it’s worth knowing about just in case. Below is a list of other components that can cause allergic reactions:

• Grains
• Artificial colors
• Artificial preservatives
• Lamb
• Rabbit
• ‘Meat’ by-products

Other Important Factors to Consider:

1. Since limited research has been conducted regarding cat food allergies, it’s entirely possible that there are more ingredients that should be added to the list above.
2. It’s also vital to know that a cat food allergy can occur at any point despite them having consumed the particular ingredient regularly prior to the allergy.
3. Cat food that includes unspecified ‘meat by-products’ can pose a threat as it is not labeled where the meat is sourced from. It could very well be that they derived from the animal proteins used in the recipe but as it is unclear, you cannot be sure what protein the by-product is sourced from.

Food Allergy Symptoms

As a pet owner, it’s crucial that you are able to identify when there’s something wrong. There are a number of ways to identify a suspected allergy in cats. Depending on the severity of the allergy, cats can experience one or more of the typical or unusual symptoms. Below are some of the most common clinical signs that your cat has a food allergy.

Physical Symptoms:

• Runny eyes and/or nose
• Swollen paws
• Unhealthy fur (Brittle/dull fur)
• Skin inflammation
• Hair loss resulting in bald spots
• Abrasions due to skin problems
• Recurrent ear infections
• Gastrointestinal signs/digestive upset such as vomiting or diarrhea (uncommon in food allergies but still possible)
• Respiratory difficulties (rare)

Behavioral Symptoms:

• Frequent grooming
• Excessive scratching
• Unusual neediness or aloofness
• Being unusually vocal

Note:

If you noticed your cat scratching, gnawing, or aggressively biting away at their skin and fur it’s absolutely normal to seek a vet’s advice for a suspect allergy. However, it’s worth asking them to check for fleas or flea dirt also. Despite not seeing evidence of an infestation at home, there is still a possibility that they could be experiencing problems as a result of a single bite from a parasite. This goes especially for outdoor cats.

How Cat Allergies are Identified

The minute you spot any of the symptoms above, mild or severe, you must get your vet involved as soon as possible. The trick to diagnosing food allergies is enrolling your kitty in an exclusion diet trial.

An Elimination Diet

An exclusion diet will have you feeding your cat a hypoallergenic and often bland diet. These will contain no protein and, depending on your cat’s symptoms, these temporary diet trials can last anywhere between 4 to 12 weeks.

During this time, it’s important that you only feed your feline the cat food recommended by your vet. They must only consume their recommended diet, water, and any medications prescribed. In addition, it’s necessary to keep an outdoor cat inside as they may hunt rodents and birds. They may even get treats or food given to them by good-intentioned neighbors that can sabotage the process.

Resisting the urge to give your cat treats or scraps from your plate can also be a challenge but it’s important to keep your eyes on the bigger picture. The sooner you narrow down the cause of the allergy the quicker they can go back to being their usual happy and healthy selves.

Diagnosis

Over time, the new and reduced change in your cat’s diet can mean that allergy symptoms clear up and they revert to their normal selves. In which case, you can begin to reintroduce their former food, following instructions from your vet, which is known as a ‘food challenge’. If your cat’s symptoms return within a week of being back on its normal diet, only then can your vet confirm your pet’s cat food allergy.

Can Allergies Be Cured?

Unfortunately, an allergy cannot be cured so the only thing to do is to avoid the food type responsible for the allergic reaction. With the help of your vet, you can look for a restricted diet that will contain essential nutritional ingredients but will exclude any potential offending allergens.

For a full list of our favorite options, see our round-up of Hypoallergenic Cat Foods.

Although, if your cat was happy with the previously recommended food trial alternative, it’s perfectly fine for your cat to continue consuming it as it is a perfectly reliable and nutritionally balanced diet sure to keep your pet healthy.

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We look at how to deworm a cat and why it is so important.

How Cats Can Pick Up Worms

There are numerous factors at play when it comes to your cat picking up intestinal parasites, and they can vary from pet to pet. Their lifestyle, whether they are indoor or outdoor cats if they tend to frequently prey on animals such as rats or small rodents, and whether you live urban or rural all contribute. The local climate and outdoor temperature can also raise the risk of worm infection in your feline friend.

• Some of the most likely ways for your average cat to contract worms include:
• A kitten drinking infected milk from its mother
• Contact with or ingestion of contaminated soil, dirt, animal vomit, or infected feces
• Killing or consuming wild prey such as birds, rats, or mice
• Flea, mosquito, or tick bites
• Coming into close contact with another cat (or animal) that has worms

By the nature of their lifestyle, outdoor cats, or adult cats who are allowed outside to roam are more likely to pick up worms, although it is possible for indoor cats to experience intestinal worms too.

Types of Worms in Cats

Roundworms

The most common type of worm found in cats, roundworms is transmitted when your kit ingests eggs or larvae, often via contaminated soil, animal feces, or the muscle tissue of infected rodents. Roundworms are also common in kittens as they can pick up the parasites via their mother’s milk.

With two types – Toxocara cati and Toxascaris leonine (which is passed from mother to kitten) – adult roundworms can grow to five inches long and have the look of wet spaghetti or thin noodles. They like to settle in your cat’s intestines where they can then deposit their roundworm eggs into your pet’s stools.

Roundworms are treated with medications that sedate the parasites so they can be easily and safely passed out via your cat’s feces. The eggs of the roundworm are, however, extremely resilient, and so a regular worming program is recommended to keep your kit roundworm free.

Tapeworms

The eggs of the most common tapeworms – Dipylidium caninum – are attached to flea larvae and can be ingested by a cat when they are grooming. Tapeworms are typically found in adult cats although kittens with fleas can also be susceptible. Outdoor cats are particularly prone to contracting tapeworms, including Aenia taeniaeformis, which is found in rodents.

With their long, flat bodies, tapeworms can grow up to eight inches long and attach themselves to the small intestine wall via their hook-like mouth. Tapeworms feed off partially digested food in a cat’s gut and can deprive your pet of much-needed nutrients if allowed to take hold.

Cat owners will often see tapeworm segments resembling rice grains or sesame seeds near to their cat’s back end or in their bedding. Oral or injectable medications are typically prescribed to treat tapeworms in cats.

Hookworms

The smallest cat worm variety, hookworms live in the soil so can be picked up by your pet if they groom their paws after walking over an infected area. They can also pick up hookworm by eating the feces of infected dogs or cats or transferring the parasite to their litter box.

Around one inch in length, the hookworm settles in the small intestine where they like to feed off blood. Left untreated, this can lead to anemia in your cat, which can be life-threatening, especially if they are very young, old, or frail.

Whipworms

These quarter-inch parasites settle in a cat’s colon and can cause severe organ damage if left untreated. Whipworms can be found in a contaminated environment such as soil, dirt, or water as well as the bodies of rodents, and are picked up by ingestion. Diarrhea, bloody stools, weight loss, and anemia are the main symptoms of whipworm infection. Whipworms are mostly found in moist areas and climates.

Heartworms

Unlike intestinal worms, heartworms affect the heart and the pulmonary arteries of a cat’s circulatory system. These minute worms are transmitted to animals via infected mosquitos and migrate around the body enroute to the heart. They cannot be transferred from animal to animal and are more common in dogs than cats. However, heartworms can prove to be fatal if not diagnosed in time.

There is currently no drug approved to treat heartworm disease in infected cats and the treatment involves stopping the progression of the infestation and managing the symptoms. Respiratory failure because of a reaction to heartworm toxins and even death are complications of these worms and so prevention is the best option for your cat.

Symptoms to Look Out for

One of the first obvious signs of worms in your cat is when you see signs of intestinal parasites in your pet’s poop or in their bedding. So, if you do suspect your cat has worms, then a trip to the vet for fecal tests is the best way to confirm a diagnosis and get prompt treatment.

Other physical signs of intestinal worms to look out for include:

• Cat diarrhea
• Scooting their bottom on the ground
• Vomiting
• Weight loss
• Bloating/pot belly
• Increased appetite
• Poor fur condition
• Lethargy and listlessness
• Skin irritation
• A chronic cough

Whatever the signs or symptoms, if you do suspect your cat has worms, then a trip to the vet for a fecal test or fecal exam is the best way to confirm a diagnosis and get prompt treatment, including a cat deworming program.

The Importance of Regular Worming

Even though the thought of their cat having worms is pretty gross for all pet owners, it can be much more serious than finding evidence of worms in their poop or bed. Left untreated, parasitic infestations can wreak havoc on a cat’s health, especially if they are very young, a senior cat, or has other health issues such as a compromised immune system. And in the worst cases, a worm burden in a cat can prove fatal.

From anemia, dehydration, and diarrhea to a potential intestinal blockage, having worms is no fun for your cat either and they will not feel in their best health. So, ensuring your kit has a vet-prescribed cat deworming program is essential.

Check out our article on: Cat Eating Litter – Causes & Solution 

How to Deworm a Cat

The first step in deworming a cat is to take your pet to the vet for an accurate diagnosis. They will then be able to put together an appropriate treatment plan, designed to treat worms your pet may have and then prevent any others from returning.

Dewormers for cats are available as oral medications or in liquid form. They can also be a topical medication, depending on your pet, their lifestyle, and intestinal parasite risk.

Oral medications – these can be either tablet or liquid forms and are often combined with medications to prevent other parasites and protect against fleas and ticks. Oral deworming treatments are quick and easy to use and can be added to your cat’s meals or as a tasty cat treat. However, if your cat is a fussy eater, you can also administer liquid oral treatments using a syringe.

Topical medications – typically oil-based, topical worm treatments should be applied to the back of a cat’s neck. To effectively treat with a topical medication, part the fur on the back of their neck so a crease is exposed then squirt the treatment directly onto the skin.

Due to the lifecycle of the adult worms and their eggs, initial repeat treatment of a dewormer is required, usually within two weeks of the first application to ensure maturing larvae are also treated effectively.

Your cat will then require an ongoing preventative deworming medication program – usually every three months, or monthly if your outdoor cat is an active hunter – to keep those unwanted worms and other parasites at bay.

How to Prevent Your Cat from Getting Worms

When it comes to your cat and worms, prevention is better than a cure. So, along with your pet’s regular deworming medication, there are other steps you can take to help keep your kit healthy and parasite free.

• Ensure your cat has a routine wellness check with your veterinarian, which should include fecal exams
• Keep your cat’s feeding, sleeping, and pooping areas scrupulously clean, including their bedding and litter box
• If your cat is allowed outside, clean up your yard regularly and remove any cat toilet waste as soon as possible
• Try to limit your pet’s exposure to potentially contaminated soil or outdoor areas and, if necessary, keep your cat indoors
• Keep them away from pets outside the family or other cats and dogs that may be carriers
• Consider using some complementary home remedies for worms in cats, including adding natural deworming foods such as pumpkin seeds, carrots, and apple cider vinegar to your pet’s diet
• Be aware of the symptoms of worms in cats and act promptly if you suspect your pet is infected

And finally, never be tempted to skip your cat’s regular deworming medication and only use products as advised or prescribed by your veterinarian.

Note: The contents of the www.mypetneedsthat.com website, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on this site (“Content”) are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian with any questions you may have regarding the medical condition of your pet. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Source:

1. Gastrointestinal parasites in cats  – Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine

The post Worried About Nasty Parasites? Here’s Our Guide to Deworming Your Cat appeared first on .

Beyond the obvious discomfort of being bitten, flea infestations can trigger your pet’s immune system to overreact, contributing to other issues. Fleas bites are also associated with flea allergy dermatitis and flea bite anemia.

One preventative option is the Advantage II monthly topical application as well as the brand’s treatment shampoos and sprays. Used together, Advantage treatments can prevent, treat and control the spread of fleas and ticks.

And now through June 5, you can save up to 10% off Flea & Tick Products at PetSmart.

Topical Treatments

Advantage® II for cats is monthly topical flea prevention and treatment. It can be used to prevent and treat infestations of fleas and lice. These topical treatments kill and repel pests before they bite.

Killing adult fleas prevents them from laying eggs which can lead to a re-infestation.

For cats, Advantage® II can be used on cats and kittens 8 weeks of age and older and weighing at least two pounds. It comes in dosages for kittens weighing 2-5 lbs., small cats weighing between 5 to 9 lbs., and large cats weighing over 9 lbs.

The formula is approved by vets for its all-day effectiveness and is available at PetSmart without a prescription.

• Kills fleas in all stages within 12 hours
• Waterproof after 24 hours

Advantage Treatment Shampoo

Advantage® treatment shampoo kills fleas and ticks on contact. If your pet gets infested with these biting insects, a treatment shampoo can help reduce bites and associated irritation.

The treatments can be used on pets 12 weeks and older. The dog treatment is only for dogs and the cat treatment is solely for cats.

A shampoo rinse is part of Advantage’s three-step approach to fleas: Prevent, treat and control.

Advantage Treatment Spray

Advantage® Treatment Spray for cats or dogs kills fleas and ticks on contact. It also works as a preventative treatment because its active ingredients reduce the ability of flea eggs and immature fleas to grow into adults. Additionally, this spray can control lice.

The treatment sprays can be used on dogs older than 6 months and cats older than 7 months. The dog treatment is only for dogs and the cat treatment is solely for cats.

The Advantage System

These Advantage products can give your pet some relief from bites from a variety of nasty parasites this summer.

Used properly, these treatments can reduce the number of biting pests on your pet and decrease the likelihood of an infestation.

What’s more, you can save up to 10% off Flea & Tick Products at PetSmart through June 5.

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This guide will take you through the process from labor to after-birth, as well as what you’ll need to have on-hand before it all goes down. We also touch on hand-raising a rejected kitten, but we do advise that you seek further information on the subject if you end up with a baby cat that needs solo care for any reason.

Signs of Labor

Near the very end of cat pregnancy, their mammary glands increase in size and they begin exhibiting nesting behaviors. As a cat owner, you need to understand that your cat is going to be giving birth to multiple kittens in an unknown space of time with no help from anyone except you. It’s a lot of pressure, we know, but being as prepared as possible in the lead-up to birth is exactly how you’ll cope with the mother cat and her new behavior.

Be aware that cats have four pairs of mammary glands or nipples. They may look swollen or enlarged.

As well as increased gland size and the need for a good nesting box, your cat’s temperature will fall. They may not feel as warm as usual, but they shouldn’t be freezing cold. If you notice that your cat begins to get lethargic or very sluggish, get them in a cat carrier and to the vet immediately. With a pregnant cat who is showing unusual symptoms, it’s better to be over-cautious than not cautious enough.

Here are several signs to tell you that your cat’s labor has started:

• Howling or chirping
• Decreased appetite
• Grooming excessively
• Lower body temperature
• Restlessness
• Following you around or hiding
• Scratching

Just because the mother cat is in labor doesn’t mean that the kittens will come straight away. Once your pet starts showing the above symptoms, wait for them to settle down on the clean towels or inside whatever private and comfortable cardboard box you’ve set up for her.

For cats having their first litter, the first stage of labor can last up to a day and a half, while experienced mother kitties are likely to get the whole process over within 4 to 16 hours.

Active labor in a cat shows itself as contractions, bloody discharge, and other fluids from the amniotic sacs. We’ll get more into that during the Birth Process section.

Birthing Supplies

A clean towel or three is a given, but what else do you need when your cat is nearing their due date? Pregnancy can be messy and it will make your pet very uncomfortable, even early on in the first stages when they’re just getting ready to give birth.

Ideally, you’ll want the following birthing supplies to make the birthing process easier on you and the mother-to-be:

• A dry towel (plus extras)
• Latex gloves
• Warm water
• Paper towels
• Large cardboard box to use as a birthing box
• Dental floss (used to tie off the umbilical cord)
• Kitten food for when all the kittens are a bit older
• Water and food for the mother cat
• Litter box and fresh cat litter
• Veterinary assistance on standby

You can purchase birthing kits if you’re concerned about your cat or cats going into labor while you don’t have everything ready, but as you can see from the list, you should have most things at home or they should be fairly accessible. Try to have any items brought by the third trimester to avoid the birth sneaking up on you.

The Birth Process

You’ve identified that your cat has gone into labor and is ready to start giving birth. At this point, you need to be at the mother cat’s side until they’re done to help her in case of any complications while all the kittens come out to meet you. Your cat will likely sit herself up, but let her give birth in any position that she feels is most comfortable. For now, you’re just there to watch and help where needed.

The first kitten normally appears within half an hour of your cat starting to strain. There won’t be many other clues to tell you that she’s ready to give birth, which is why it’s so important that you or another responsible adult are nearby. If you have work and cannot take time off, please consider asking a family member or friend with experience to look after your pet and call you when it’s time.

The First Kitten

Kittens are born either head or tail first. Don’t be alarmed either way; stay calm and help your cat if she needs it. Tail-first kittens can take longer to pass through the birth canal.

Between each kitten being born, your pet will take time to lick and feed them. Mother cats should look comfortable between kittens, and will instinctively understand what they need to do when each is born. This includes getting amniotic sacs off of each kitten’s body and dealing with the placenta.

If needed, help mama cat clear the kitten’s face and body of the amniotic sac. This will keep the kitten’s breathing unrestricted, though your pet will do most of the work. If she doesn’t seem to mind your help, go ahead and work on getting the sac clear of the kitten’s body. Pay special attention to their face because the sac can stop kittens from breathing well.

Your pet will cut the umbilical cords herself by chewing through them around one inch away from each kitten’s body. Each kitten should have one placenta, and you need to make sure that you have them all because they can cause issues if they’re still inside the mother cat. You can help by tying off the umbilical cord with dental floss so she has time to chew through it.

The most important thing to do when kittens are born is to make sure their air passages are clear.

It takes around 4 to 16 hours for all kittens to be born, with each passing through the birth canal every 10 to 60 minutes. Expect the placenta of each kitten to be passed within 15 minutes of that kitten being born.

Problems During Labor

Let’s troubleshoot your cat giving birth:

Your Cat is Straining, But no Kittens Have Been Born Within 30 Minutes.

Contact your vet urgently and let them know that your cat has been in active labor but seems to be having trouble giving birth. They may ask you to bring her in. If your cat is crying out in pain, that’s another warning that there’s an issue. The kitten could be stuck.

There is Green Discharge Coming from Your Cat’s Vulva.

A kitten could be in distress and their blood and oxygen supply is failing. Contact your vet, because you may need to pull that kitten out yourself and take the cat in for the rest of their labor. A few drops of blood are normal when kittens are coming through the birth canal, but green discharge is a warning.

The Kittens’ Umbilical Cords Wrapped Around Them.

This can happen. Tie off the umbilical corn, pinch the corn around an inch from the tie, and separate it. This will allow you to remove the rest without harming the kitten.

A Kitten is Making Choking or Gurgling Sounds.

There may be fluid in your kitten’s lungs. Hold the kitten between your hands, placing your fingertips on their head as if you were cradling them in a sling. Swing the kitten in a light, downwards motion to help use fluids out from their lungs. Wipe their face with a paper towel or gauze pad if you have one to hand.

After Giving Birth, Your Cat is Experiencing Unusual Vaginal Discharge or Bleeding.

It’s possible that your cat strained too much during her labor and has pushed their uterus out of place. Call your vet.

Mother Cat is Disinterested in Her Kittens.

Stroke your pet a few times to transfer her scent onto your hands and then lightly rub the kittens. She may not recognize them as hers if they don’t have her scent on them. If this doesn’t work, look into hand-rearing the kittens because it’s possible mama won’t look after them.

Stillborn Kittens

Unfortunately, it isn’t unusual for an entire litter not to make it. In larger litters, one to two newborn cats may be stillborn. Remove them from the area immediately so that mama cat can keep birthing without stressing herself out. If you have another person with you, see if they can revive the kitten by rubbing it with a dry towel to warm it up and getting the fluids out from its lungs in the way suggested in the troubleshoot for “A kitten is making choking or gurgling sounds.”

Not all stillborn kittens will remain dead. If the kitten is fully developed, there’s a chance to save them and it’s worth spending a few minutes trying before giving upon them. Be aware that an underdeveloped kitten may not have the best quality of life and could have a lot of medical issues before passing away anyway. As their owner, it’s a decision that you need to make, no one can make it for you.

When to Go to the Vet Immediately

• The mother cat has been straining for 30 minutes but there’s no sign of any kittens.
• There’s yellow-green or green discharge, indicating a problem with the next kitten.
• Bright green discharge, which could hint at placental separation.
• Bloody discharge, which could be a placental rupture.
• Your pet is bleeding very heavily.
• Your cat is extremely lethargic and doesn’t have the energy to give birth.
• There’s a foul odor combined with frequent bleeding.
• Your cat won’t nurse or is sick.

Any of these are good reasons to seek veterinary care. Trust us when we say that your local vet has seen every panicked owner of a pregnant cat under the sun and they’re more than experienced enough to deal with any kitty you bring in.

What to Do After Your Cat Gives Birth

Keep a careful eye after the pregnancy has come to an end. After kittens are born, both your cat and her kittens will be in a vulnerable state. A cat who just gave birth is going to be hungry, thirsty, and very tired, but they know they still need to feed their babies and keep them all safe. As cute as they are, try to avoid interrupting them too much when checking on them.

Check on the newborns and the mother frequently, but otherwise, allow them to stay in the birthing box in a quiet area of your home. If your cat doesn’t feel relaxed, she may not be able to bond with her babies.

Caring for Newborn Kittens

Newborn kittens feed every couple of hours. Though the mother cat will usually do this herself, there may come a time when you need to hand-rear a kitten. This can happen if the mother is too poorly to do it herself, has rejected the kitten, or the kitten is very weak and unable to get food by nursing.

Despite any of this, you should still care for the kitten around the rest of their littermates so that they can bond with their brothers and sisters and learn from them. It’s also possible that the mother will recover and start nursing again or that she may later accept the kitten after being exposed to them and scenting them.

Your hand-reared kitten needs a warm environment, clean bedding, and more attention. It’s like looking after a baby, but the kitten is an even smaller being.

Some of the major problems that occur in hand-rearing are starvation, dehydration, and chilling. Inexperienced owners need to do as much research as possible to be sure that they can effectively rear the kitten. If you don’t think you can, contact a local cat organization and see if they can help – some may be willing to collect the kitten you surrender and do the hand-rearing themselves.

You’re unlikely to get your kitten back if you do this because you’re essentially giving them up for adoption. But that shouldn’t stop you if you don’t think you can handle hand-rearing. Weigh up the options and think about what’s best for the kitten.

• To hand-rear a kitten, you’ll need a quality kitten milk replacer, lots of warm blankets and towels, and time.
• Newborn kittens will move around when they’re hungry because they’re looking for their mother to nurse. You should feed them at this time. They need to be fed up to 10 times in each 24-hour period.
• You need to keep the kitten with you all day, every day. Kittens can die quickly, and if they miss a feed, they just go back to sleep. That’s a problem because they aren’t getting the nutrients that they need.
• Direct body contact is the best kind of warmth, but you can also lay your kitten on a covered hot water bottle. Be sure that it’s covered well! Extreme temperatures can be fatal.

Note: The contents of the www.mypetneedsthat.com website, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on this site (“Content”) are for informational purposes only.
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Always seek the advice of your veterinarian with any questions you may have regarding the medical condition of your pet.
Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

The post How to Help a Pregnant Cat Give Birth appeared first on .

Why Do Cats Eat Meat?

Just like humans and other animals, there are specific components that cats’ systems rely on to keep them functional and in tip-top health. To sum up, cats depend on meat for ingredients that a plant-based diet can’t provide or can only provide a minimal amount of. Any cat food product will have an abundance of nutrients derived from animal sources as these will be able to meet the needs of your feline.

Omega Fatty Acids

Essential omega fatty acids are vital in the maintenance and development of muscles, cell cycles, and hormones. Although some omega fatty acids can be supplied by plant material, these won’t be enough to help support your cat’s system. Therefore, it’s immensely more beneficial to supply your cat with these fatty acids through fish or fish oil.

Amino Acids

Amino acids are the compounds that form together to create protein. Since cats have a higher protein requirement than other animals, they are able to break down protein quickly so when amino acid supplies are low this can wreak havoc on their system. This is because they are unable to adapt to breaking them down slowly.

Within a vegan diet, these acids can be found in plenty of plant sources. However, taurine, which is crucial for eye and heart health, bile formation, and reproduction in females is only found in eggs, fish, and meats.

The Difference Between Carnivores and Omnivores

Carnivores are those that demand meat to survive whether they are wild or not. Cats fall under this category as they are biologically designed to be able to hunt and devour small prey such as birds and rodents. Their claws, teeth, hunting abilities, and instincts, as well as their internal organs, are all built to respond well to fats and animal proteins.

Omnivores are those who can easily and happily live off of diets composed of meat and vegetables. Animal nutritionists argue that dogs are primarily omnivores as their diets can be composed of both vegetables and meat.

Obligate Carnivores

If you’ve been doing some research for a while you may have come across this term a lot to describe cats. The term obligate carnivore refers to animals that must eat meat in order to survive and cats are no different. Whereas some plants can produce proteins, they simply do not create as much as meat, meaning your cat’s nutritional needs won’t be met.

Can Cats Live off a Plant-Based Diet?

Vegan diets can have amazing health benefits for humans as they will encourage us to consume more nutritious fruits and veggies, as well as provide us with plenty of protein options to fuel us. But does that mean it can support cats’ needs? We already know the answer to ‘are cats herbivores?’ as we know they rely on a meat-based diet, but how do we know a vegan diet won’t benefit them? Find all of your answers below.

What Makes a Vegan Diet Unhealthy for Cats?

Carbohydrates

Vegan cat diets are high in carbohydrates which cats are not able to process effectively. They also don’t provide a suitable amount of energy for them. In addition, it’s unrealistic to expect cats’ systems to become well adapted to digesting these ingredients.

Lower Protein Content

Plants will not be able to provide cats with enough protein to effectively benefit their overall health. Not to mention, the quality of the protein may not be easy for cats to digest.

Check out our guide on high protein cat food for some great options.

Synthetic Ingredients

Despite some forms of cat food already containing synthetic ingredients, these are still combined with other components and animal products to form a balanced diet. Since a plant-based diet will need to rely heavily on man-made nutrients, there are a few issues that may arise here.

For example, synthetic alternatives to an amino acid such as taurine may be difficult to make and won’t compare to the nutritional benefits of the real thing. In addition to this, they may not be easy to digest.

Furthermore, it’s important for pet owners to understand where manufacturers source ingredients from. That way, they can be sure that it has been formulated with care and comes from reliable sources. Man-made nutrients may reside from undisclosed countries due to availability issues which can question whether or not the manufacturer is trustworthy.

If Cats are Obligate Carnivores – Why Isn’t Cat Food Completely Made Up of Only Meat?

After completing some research you may be wondering if you should simply allow your cat to hunt the real thing. However, our pets are our family, and letting them fend for themselves is off the table, especially since there is a multitude of healthy options on the market to feed them.

If you’ve looked at the ingredients of wet cat food, you will notice that the food is mostly made of animal parts from prey a cat wouldn’t naturally pursue. No, a cat may not go out of its way to hunt down a chicken but the product you give them will still taste delicious to them. These will also still provide them with essential nutrients to keep them happy and healthy.

Kibble, on the other hand, combines animal products with vegetable-based starches. This is because the starch is what keeps the food held together to form the shape and structure.

Supplements

Supplements aren’t always 100% necessary if your cat already has a stable diet, but will pick up the slack if they lack something, such as a vitamin, in particular. If at any point your cat develops an illness or condition, a veterinarian will be able to advise you on how to adjust their diet accordingly. They may recommend cat supplements to help take care of the areas that need extra support, whether that’s their joints, immune system, digestive system, etc.

What Can Happen if a Cat Doesn’t Eat Meat?

Put simply, if your cat doesn’t receive the essential components given by their preferred source of food, their health will suffer significantly. Without a controlled source of nutrients, they may begin to struggle with liver and heart problems. Hearing loss is also an issue that can occur as well as skin irritation.

Bottom Line – Are Cats Omnivores?

Cats are adorable little balls of fluff that we pick up and smooch but they are still built to be hunting machines. Professionals call cats obligate carnivores for a reason. Their digestive systems and metabolism is well adapted and shaped to accept a meat-based diet and they will not prosper from a vegetarian or vegan alternative. Eating meat is in their biology and forcing them to eat a diet that won’t fulfill their protein needs will result in a sick cat.

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