Enter a keyword below to search for articles and products.
It’s common sense that feeding your cat a high-quality diet has its benefits. But when it comes to maximizing your cat’s lifespan, diet is only part of the equation. Read up on everything you need to do to ensure your cat lives happily for a long time to come.
Let’s start with something you do every day: feed your cat. There are several healthy options to choose from, so we’ll help you zero in on the formula that’s best for your cat. It’s important to note that cats are natural carnivores. Therefore, a formula with meat as the primary ingredient is a great place to start. Meat as a protein source has certain nutrients, such as taurine, that non-meat protein sources simply do not.
Regular visits to the veterinarian can help nip health issues in the bud. For instance, a vet will be able to tell if your cat is gaining too much weight and can recommend a diet and fitness program to get your kitty back to a healthy size.
You may even want to bring a fresh fecal sample along to your next appointment. Your vet can use this sample to search for ringworms. This tip can save you extra trips to the vet’s office in case your cat does not cooperate, so to speak, during her appointment.
Also, vets provide your cat with the vaccinations she needs to fight off diseases such as feline rabies. Some vaccinations are required annually, while others should be administered every three years. Your vet’s office can help you keep track of it all, so remember to schedule that appointment!
Your cat relies on you for more than just healthy food and fresh water. She needs stimulation. Sure, cats love their independence, but let’s be honest, they love getting attention. By playing with your cat for even 10 to 15 minutes a day, you are doing wonders for her lifespan. Some great games to play don’t even require fancy toys. Get a piece of string and tie it around a clean sock, then yank the string whenever your cat comes in close to investigate. Voila! Instant fun!
Cats don’t go on runs like dogs do, so keeping your cat active with games and toys is the best way to help keep her fit.
Follow these tips and your cat will be on her way to a long and happy life with you. You’re a great owner for taking the time to read this article. It shows how much you really care about her. Now step away from the computer and show your cat some attention!
Why should cat food have sodium in it? Sodium content in cat food has an important nutritional and dietary function, just like it does in your food! But it’s important to understand just what it does and how much of it is healthy. That way you can make the best possible decisions about what to feed your cat.
Sodium is an essential mineral for life. Inside the body it is found in the blood and in the fluid that surrounds cells. Sodium itself helps ensure proper nerve and muscle cell functions, maintains a healthy cellular environment and prevents cells from swelling or dehydrating. The sodium levels in IAMS™ cat foods are balanced with other minerals, vitamins, fats, proteins and carbohydrates. That way you can be sure your cat is getting enough for their health.
Meat, poultry, fish and eggs are all good natural sources of sodium, and are the primary ingredients in all IAMS™ cat foods including IAMS™ PROACTIVE HEALTH™ Healthy Adult.
Sodium may also be included in commercial cat foods in the form of ordinary table salt. Salt is an important ingredient in making food more palatable for animals, as well as for people.
The Association of American Feed Control Officials recommends that dry cat foods contain at least a minimum of 0.2%1 sodium — 0.2% of dry matter your cat eats, or 0.5 grams per 1,000 kcal — for maintenance and to support normal growth and development. While higher sodium intake may cause increased thirst, water consumption and urination, excess sodium is passed in the urine.
A veterinarian may recommend changing your cat’s sodium intake to help decrease high blood pressure, eliminate excessive body fluid or as a precaution if kidney, liver or heart heath is a concern. You can keep track of your cat’s overall wellbeing at home if you regularly check their C.A.T.S. — Coat, Appetite, Temperament and Size — for any changes that might lead to questions for the vet.
Healthy cats of all ages don’t normally require a low- or reduced-sodium diet, so be sure to talk to your vet about any sodium concerns you may have before making a change.
Cats’ bodies work differently from our own, and learning to care for them is a process! What your cat eats impacts everything from their energy levels to their mood to the health of their skin and coat. By understanding what healthy cats and kittens need from their food, like sodium, antioxidants, fiber and more, you’re better able to give your cat a diet that helps them thrive.
