5 Tips to Improving Your Cat’s Diet

 

Our four-legged companions mean the world to us, that’s why it’s important to take great care of them so they can live long, healthy lives. There are so many options when it comes to cat food, which can be confusing for pet owners. While choosing organic expensive food can feel like the way to go, it’s important to understand these basic tips and tricks to improving your cat’s diet. 

 

Instead of kibble, try canned food for your cat’s diet

 

Kibble may seem like a great option when it comes to cat food, but in reality, it doesn’t contain all of the nutrients they need. Most kibble is lower in animal proteins, which cats need for a healthy diet, and extremely low in water which isn’t great for your pet. Instead of grabbing a bag of kibble at the store, you should check out the canned food. This food generally contains much more water and tends to be higher in animal proteins.

 

Pay attention to your cat’s weight

 

We’ve all seen cats of various sizes but finding the sweet spot when it comes to weight for your cat is key to them living a healthy lifestyle. It’s important to try and avoid obesity, which can be dangerous for a cat and possibly lead to many health problems. Try to avoid overfeeding your cat and make sure to consult a veterinarian if you think your cat’s diet could use some improving.

 

Water is key

 

Cats in the wild typically get water from their prey, but with canned food (and especially kibble), they may not be getting the right amount of hydration. Having fresh water readily available is important and encourages your cat to stay hydrated. Make sure to change the water often so it’s as fresh as possible for your furry friend.

 

Cats eat smaller meals throughout the day

 

In nature, cats eat smaller meals a few times throughout the day. By mirroring this diet and feeding small, repeated meals, you’re mimicking their natural habits and helping them maintain a healthy diet. While it may feel easier to leave food sitting out all day, be careful to watch and make sure your cat isn’t overeating. 

 

Stay away from toxic foods

 

While these tips are some of the top tips to improving your cat’s diet, there are a few key foods the AVMA says you should avoid. Some of the foods to stay away from include chocolate, onions, grapes and raisins, macadamia nuts, and avocados. 

 

In addition to these tips and tricks, keeping food and water bowls clean and placing them away from litter boxes are also good ways to help your cat stay healthy. If you have questions about your cat’s diet you should make sure to consult your veterinarians. Veterinarians can also help you select food specific to your cat’s needs. When you’re ready to schedule an appointment, reach out to our team at the Bregman Veterinary Group. We’re here to help you take amazing care of your feline best friend!

3 Ways to Take Care of Your Cats’ Skin

 

Grooming your cat is an amazing way to ensure they are leading a healthier life. Overall grooming may involve many steps, but there are a few key areas to pay attention to. For instance, some cats are fussy and don’t like having their nails trimmed or being bathed but they’re both vital to your cat’s overall well-being. While these simple grooming habits are critical, arguably the most important element to your cats’ health you should pay attention to is their skin. Keeping your cats’ skin and coat in great condition is a key to ensuring they are leading a happy, healthy life.

 

Your cats’ skin will look and feel great with a balanced diet

 

Similar to how what we eat as humans affects our skin, our pets should be eating a healthy balanced diet. Ensuring you’re feeding your pet the proper nutrients appropriate for their age and activity level can help them live a more active and healthier lifestyle. Some of the most important nutrients for your cats’ diet are omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients contribute to both a healthier skin and coat for your pet. If you’re not sure what food to feed your pet, make sure you consult your veterinarian.

 

Make sure to brush your cat often

 

Brushing your cat is an awesome way to help stimulate blood circulation, remove dead hairs and distribute oils throughout the skin and coat. Depending on the length of hair your cat has, you’ll want to ensure you’re brushing their hair as often as is appropriate. For cats with longer hair this means you might need to brush more frequently. Not only does brushing help avoid severe matting, it’s also a great excuse to bond with your cat.

 

Making sure you brush your cat frequently is a good way to make sure you notice if there’s anything wrong. According to the AVMA, cats are masters at masking signs of disease. Because of this, owners should make sure they are brushing their hair and checking in on their cat often. In doing so, they might be able to recognize signs of illness and pain much quicker. 

 

Don’t forget to bathe your cat 

 

Because cats are constantly licking and self-grooming, you may think you can skip this step but it’s still important. A good bath can be great for your cats’ skin, especially if your cat is sick or has an injury and is unable to groom themselves. If you’re unsure of how often to bathe or what type of shampoo (if any) to use, your veterinarian is a great resource. Bathing is an awesome way to remove airborne allergens and dust and keep your cats’ skin fresh and clean.

 

If you do your due diligence and take care of your feline best friend, the chances of them leading a happy healthy life are much higher. By feeding them a balanced diet, ang brushing/ bathing often you are providing the best care for your pet. If you are doing all you can to keep your cat healthy and notice they are scratching and/or licking their skin excessively, that might be a sign something is wrong. Keep an eye out for signs of illness and make sure to reach out to our team at the Bregman Veterinary Group if you happen to notice anything out of the ordinary. From seasonal allergies to parasites, your cat may need medical attention and our team is always there to help. 

Pet Dental Disease’s Four Stages

As we have discussed in previous blogs, your pets dental health is very important! Periodontal disease is often seen by our veterinarians, and can be found in most dogs and cats. This disease can lead to pain, infection, tooth loss and damage to other organs.

Dental health for our pet patients is very important to us at Bregman Veterinary Group, so we would like to place the focus of this blog on periodontal disease and further educate you on the stages of periodontal disease that can occur in pets.

Periodontal disease can be broken down into four stages, they are as follows:

Stage 1
The early stage is characterized by gingivitis. This is an inflammation of the pet’s gums as it responds to the existence of bacteria and tartar. You might notice some minor swelling of the gum area. You may also notice a visible thin red line on the gums next to the teeth at this stage as well.

Stage 2
A.K.A. periodontitis. At this stage there is a small amount of bone loss,  < 25% , visible on oral x-rays. Inflammation of your pet’s gums may occur along with visible plaque and tartar and bad breath. At this stage, your pet should get a professional cleaning to thoroughly remove the plaque and tartar, and to help reverse the progress of the disease.

Stage 3
At this stage serious damage starts. This stage is also known as moderate periodontitis. During x-rays 25-50% of bone loss can be found. Gums are swollen and aggravated and may even bleed. Significant pain may be present along with bad breath. It is recommended the infected/damaged teeth now be removed.

Stage 4
In the 4th and final stage, extreme periodontal disease is obvious. Bone loss is now >50%, visible in x-rays. Your pet could lose numerous teeth along with being in extreme pain. Infection could spread to internal organs as well now.

Preventing and Treating Pet Dental Disease

Periodontal disease can be treated, which is why you should always have an annual exam for your pet. This allows your veterinarian the ability to take the necessary steps for your pets oral care. These regular checkups, dental cleanings and daily brushing done by you go a long way towards a healthy mouth and life!
As always, your Bregman Veterinary Group is here for you and your pet! Don’t hesitate to contact us to schedule your pet’s next visit. Happy Brushing!

Common Cat Care Myths

  THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

There are many misconceptions when it comes to caring your cat’s health.  This can make it difficult to make sure that your cats are getting the health care they need to live a long and happy life.  Are you aware of these common cat myths?

Cat Myths:

• Cats Don’t Need Annual Exams – Cats are very good at hiding their illness.  While your cat may not be exhibiting any unusual symptoms, routine examinations can check for medical problems before they become a serious problem for your pet. 
• Indoor Cats Don’t Need Vaccines – Infectious diseases can be carried on your clothes and shoes or spread through an open window or screen door.  While indoor cats may require fewer vaccines, it’s still important that they are protected.
• Indoor Cats Don’t Get Parasites – Just because your cat doesn’t go outside doesn’t mean they are immune to parasites.  We encourage you to bring your pet in for a parasitic screening test.
• Indoor Cats Don’t Need Microchips – Even indoor cats can sneak out an open door or window.  Microchips are a great way to make it easy to identify your pet in an emergency.
• Cats Don’t Need Exercise – All animals, even your cat, can benefit from exercise!  It’s a great way to prevent obesity and keep your pet healthy.

For more cat myths and how to keep your pet happy and healthy, check out this article.  You can also contact our office with any questions you have regarding your cats health.

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Is Their a Reason Behind Your Cats Thirst?

 THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Sandra, having done some research on the Internet, concluded that her cat may have diabetes because of it has recently increased the frequency of its visits to the water bowl.  

When cats and dogs increase their water intake and their frequency of urination, diabetes mellitus is often a primary cause.  Although diabetes is usually the most common cause, it is not the only one, renal disease is often another common cause of these symptoms. Cats usually do not drink water for enjoyment, so if there is an increase in their intake there is a reason.  Sandra will need to take her cat, Chai, to the veterinarian for a blood panel, urinalysis and a spot check of his blood sugar level.  

These results will enable the doctor to determine whether it is renal disease or diabetes. Diabetes is manageable with insulin therapy, while treatment for renal disease is completely different, depending on the severity of the disease at the time it is diagnosed.  

Suppose Chai does have diabetes, his blood work will show an elevated level of sugar because he lacks insulin which drives sugar from his blood into his cells to be used as a source of energy.  The elevated sugar level increases the oncotic pressure which the brain interprets this and tells the cat to drink more water in an attempt to dilute the blood.  This increase in fluid is filtered by the kidneys and produces excess urine.  

Most treatments involve insulin therapy to replace the deficiency, although few cats can be treated long term by monitoring their weight.  Insulin is usually administered by injection twice a day, which usually becomes as routine as feeding your pet.  We like to monitor the blood sugar levels of the patient throughout the day in order to modify the dose to fit their specific needs.  Some cats will not allow these injections, which makes it hard to find success in their treatment.  If Chai is not one of these cats he should maintain a good quality of life.  

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