Seasonal Coat Health
Seasonal changes have a much greater affect on your companion animal’s health than you might realize.
As we head into the fall and winter, most of us will be cranking up the heat. Unfortunately, heated homes are often very dry, which can lead to dryer skin. Pervasive dryness causes skin cells to die at an accelerated rate. When you see dandruff, which is the sloughing off of clumps of dead skin cells, this is symptomatic of too-dry skin. The hair of the coat also dries out, leading to increased shedding.
To combat pervasive dryness, consider using a humidifier during the months that you use central heat. Humidifiers, which are widely available, can remedy this problem quickly and relatively inexpensively. The use of a humidifier will not only help the skin and coat of your companion animal, it could help to improve the health of your skin, too.
As we have mentioned in previous newsletters, nutritious foods like Life’s Abundance and Instinctive Choice can go a long way to improving the health of the coat and the skin, which is the body’s largest organ. In fact, the majority of the protein content cats eat goes to help support the skin and coat – over 90%. Adding a nutritional daily supplement like Life’s Abundance Wellness Food Supplement to your cat’s diet can also provide much needed aid in keeping the coat lustrous and the skin pliable and healthy, all winter long.
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Do You Use Litter Boxes...
you have a cat, you probably know how unpleasant litter boxes can be. Everybody likes a clean bathroom, and cats are no exception. In what follows, Dr. Jane outlines several tips to ensure the cleanliness of your home and your kitty’s litter box.
• Use litter sparingly, just enough to cover the bottom. If you use any more, it can make changing it out a more difficult task.
• If you have many cats in your home, Dr. Jane recommends having one litter box for every two cats.
• Litter should be changed on average every two days.
• Periodically, wash the box with a non-toxic cleaner. Dr. Jane uses a simple mixture of water and dish soap. Heavily perfumed soaps or more potent cleansers may leave the container with an offending odor and keep cats away.
• To help reduce unpleasant smells, add a small amount of baking soda to the litter.
• Overly foul waste is often the result of feeding a lower-quality food. Better nutrition may make a big improvement in reducing the level of odor in your cat’s litter box.
For years, the only litter choice available was clay-based. When pouring this litter, you can actually see a small cloud of dust rising up. Some vets speculate that this dust can lead to respiratory problems, although there are no substantive studies to support this belief. Although slightly more expensive, pet parents should consider using corn or wheat litters which can extend the amount of time in-between cleanings. Additionally, they're biodegradable and environmentally-friendly.
Some cats and kittens will eat litter, and this can lead to intestinal blockages. If you notice this behavior, discontinue litter use right away. Instead, try using shredded newspaper or a similar product.
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When Cats Become Mothers
Experts agree that the best way to prepare cats for motherhood is by providing them with the best possible nutrition. The developing immune systems of embryos are dramatically influenced by the mother’s overall level of nutrition. And the amount of protein the mother consumes has a direct affect on the size and health of the kittens when they are born. These are just a couple of reasons why we here at HealthyPetNet believe that the nutritional demands of motherhood cannot be stressed enough.
Dr. Jane strongly recommends that pregnant cats should be free-fed. You can still control the intake – just make sure you’re measuring out the same amount of food daily. You should also be vigilant about providing fresh water, changing out the water daily. And be sure to keep the litter box clean to minimize the likelihood of illness.
When a cat is ready to deliver her litter, she will seek out a safe place in your home. Often, this place is one where she traditionally enjoys hanging out alone. Be sure to put a blanket or a bed of towels on the floor for her comfort. Make sure that this spot is free from cool or cold drafts. Dr. Jane recommends against using an electric blanket, preferring the use of a lamp on the floor to warm the area.
Monitor your cat’s weight during pregnancy, as overweight cats have more difficulty delivering their litters. It’s normal for pregnant cats to gain weight, especially during the last weeks of pregnancy. Feel your cat’s ribs periodically – if you have difficulty finding them, your cat may be gaining too much weight.
On the other hand, losing too much weight can also be a concern, especially for nursing mothers. On occasion, they may refuse dry food, so be sure to provide canned food. If your pregnant or nursing cat stops eating, contact your vet right away.
Consider providing pregnant and nursing mothers with a daily supplement like Life’s Abundance Wellness Food Supplement for Cats. Be cautious about providing a supplement with guaranteed levels of calcium and phosphorous, unless under the direction of your veterinarian.
With your loving assistance, your cat can bring healthy kittens into the world.
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Keep Your Cats Health In Check
As most of you know, I have an abiding love for all animals. My farm is a thriving community of life all by itself, with six horses, two goats, two chickens and my dog, Otto. But I also have a special place in my heart for cats; in fact, I have seven cats with me right now.
While our feline friends can be openly affectionate, they can also be very secretive when it comes to revealing their hurts or signs of illness. Even though we may believe that we are tuned in to our companion animal’s health, not all pet parents are aware of all the things they need to monitor. If your family includes a cat, here are just a few helpful tips on what to look for:
• Look at your cat’s eyes. Are they clear and bright? You’ll notice right away if they appear dull. Changes could be due to a number of factors, including poor nutrition, worms, respiratory problems and heart ailments. If dullness persists, please consult with your vet.
• Look in your cat’s mouth, paying special attention to the gums. Most cats should have pink gums, although dark cats may have gray gums. When you press your finger on the gums, they should lose some of their color, but the original color should return quickly. Very pale or blue gums could be a sign of anemia.
• Pay particular attention to the skin and coat. Poor circulation results in diminished nutrient delivery, which can have a negative effect on both the skin and coat. A healthy cat will tend to have silky hair. A dull and brittle coat may indicate a problem, or may simply signal a need for additional nutrition.
• Overweight cats are candidates for a variety of health issues, so it’s important to check their weight periodically. If there is more than an inch to pinch, then chances are that your cat is too heavy. A hanging tummy is not necessarily an indication of obesity, but more often a symptom of hormonal changes, resulting from being spayed or neutered.
• Check the pads of your cat’s feet for warmth. If they feel cold (provided they haven’t been walking on a cold floor) this may point to a circulation problem.
If you detect any of the above symptoms or notice anything else worrisome, you should discuss your findings with your veterinarian.
Additionally, I encourage you to keep a journal handy to keep notes about these examinations. It doesn’t take long, and the information you collect could prove invaluable to you later on. Consider sharing the information that you accumulate with your vet during routine check-ups.
We all know that being attentive to the health needs of your cats is an important part of being a pet parent. Not only is it necessary to be on the lookout for potential problems, it’s crucial to be proactive by feeding them a complete and balanced diet. And in my decades of work as a holistic veterinarian, I can’t tell you how many satisfied HealthyPetNet customers have shared personal stories of how the health of their companion animals has been transformed for the better.
I can’t stress this enough – the single best thing you can do to promote the health of your cat is to feed them superior nutrition, with foods and daily supplements that are carefully crafted.
To find out more about my product formulas, I invite you to join me for my monthly call.
For all you do for your sweet companions, and for your continued business, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
All my best,
Dr. Jane Bicks
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