Library
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When the digestive tract is upset, vomiting and diarrhea may result. Since the causes of these symptoms are varied, it's best to consult a veterinarian. Often, a gastrointestinal (GI) diet is recommended to support the digestive tract and ensure the gut gets the nutrients it needs to recover. A bland diet of cooked chicken and rice might be recommended, but it has several limitations and is not appropriate for long-term feeding.
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Over 60% of cats in North America are either overweight or obese, so paying attention to the balance between activity and calorie intake is important. Once your veterinarian has assessed your cat's health, they can help you determine an optimal nutritional strategy.
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This handout discusses the risks and benefits of feeding commercially prepared fresh, whole-food diets, as well as home-prepared recipes for your cat or dog. Topics highlighted include food safety, nutritional imbalances, and the need to ensure that any diet has been well-researched for nutritional safety and completeness.
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Feeding your cat the appropriate amount of a well-balanced diet is vital to their overall health and well-being. Each cat has unique nutrition needs, dependent on individual preferences and activity levels. In addition, nutritional requirements and dietary preferences change over the course of the cat's lifetime.
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The optimal diet varies among individual animals in any species. The best way to avoid nutritional deficiencies and excesses in a home-cooked diet is to follow recipes formulated by veterinary nutritionists who are experienced in using formulation software. This handout outlines the advantages and disadvantages of home-prepared diets, and best practices to ensure the diet is complete.
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By-products are "secondary products produced in addition to the principal product" as defined by AAFCO. By-products are commonly found as ingredients in commercial pet foods and are considered highly desirable by many human cultures. This article discusses misconceptions and nutritional value of pet by-products in food.
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Corn and grain have been included in commercial pet foods for many years, but they have recently been portrayed as "fillers" with little nutritional value. Contrary to popular opinion, corn and grain provide a wide range of essential nutrients that support the health of dogs and cats.
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Contenido en español actualizado.
Translated from the original English article Obesity in Cats -
In North America, obesity is the most common preventable disease in cats. Just over 60% of domestic cats are overweight. Scientific evidence now shows that fat tissue is not benign; it actively secretes inflammatory hormones and creates oxidative stress, both of which contribute to increased risks for several diseases, as well as a decreased quality of life. Treating obesity as a chronic, inflammatory condition means regular veterinary assessments and strict attention to portion control.
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Obesity is the most common problem in cats in North America and leads to an increased risk of diabetes mellitus, heart disease, and several types of cancer. Extra body fat causes increased inflammation associated with osteoarthritis. Reducing inflammation and pain can help an overweight cat to regain activity, which in turn can lead to more appropriate weight loss. Obesity can be prevented or reversed when cat owners are aware of calorie intake, body condition, and improving movement or activity.
