Several frequent ailments in cats and dietary suggestions to prevent them:
1. Shafts of hair-longer haired cats and cats who overgroom frequently have them. Regularly groom your car to avoid this. Feed your cat a balanced diet to reduce deficiencies-related hair loss and include an oil supplement for healthy skin and coat.
2. Allergies and skin problems
These may result from allergies to certain foods or environments, as well as bugs and fleas. With the right treatment and medicated baths, ticks and fleas can be managed. In order to determine whether your pet has a food allergy, you should examine their diet and gradually alter what they are fed. Including good fats can also aid in supporting the skin.
3. Problems with digestion
We don’t include veggies in cats’ diets because they are obligate carnivores and can be finicky eaters. Constipation can be greatly alleviated by adding healthy fats for system lubrication, small amounts of fiber, and moisture-rich diets (cats are desert animals and sometimes will not drink water; try encouraging drinking by adding bone broth to the diet or providing water fountains for a continuous source of water).
4. Dental illness
Research indicates that dental disease affects over 50% of cats who are older than five. Early brushing desensitisation is the best approach to prevent dental problems in cats. If your cat is a chewer, you should also let them chew on meaty bones. If not, there are alternative options including water additives and natural dental supplements. Be wary of water additives; thoroughly inspect the components and select those that are safe and natural.
5. Diabetic
Cats who are obese typically have a higher risk of developing diabetes. If your cat is diagnosed with diabetes, the first thing you should do is try to move your pet to a fresh food diet where you have complete control over the ingredients so you avoid all starchy carbs that cause glucose levels to skyrocket. Processed starch is found in most dry and commercial foods. Naturally, keep an eye on your cat’s blood sugar levels and, if necessary, insulin dosage by working with a licensed veterinarian.
(The author, Anjali Kalachand, is a nutritionist.)
