Nutrition & Health Care

Proper nutrition is essential for your cat's overall health. It helps her develop and maintain strong bones, a solid body, a thick, lustrous coat, bright eyes and healthy teeth. A malnourished cat is more susceptible to disease, infection and health problems during stressful situations. 

Nutrition For Kittens

At six months your kitten will closely resemble an adult in size. But don't be misled; she still needs to do a lot of growing up and filling out. She is still a kitten and should continue eating specially formulated food for kittens. Once your kitten has reached her first birthday, she is officially an adult. The high calorie requirement she had as a kitten has gradually declined and she can now be switched to an adult food.

From the age of one year to approximately seven years, cats are considered to be ":adults". Like kittens, adult cats require a complete and balanced diet to maintain good health, but in a lower caloric form than kitten food. Several brands offer formulas for adult cats that deliver the nutrition necessary for good health. Because Persian and Himalayan cats are more susceptible to urinary tract problems than most other breeds it is recommended that a special formula be used to aid in prevention of this problem.

As cats age, their metabolism slows thus requiring fewer nutrients than cats that are growing, gestating or lactating. Since older cats are often less active, a specially blended food is advisable. A good blend will should be formulated to help fight the stresses of aging. It should also help maintain healthy organ function, a strong immune system, good body condition and lean muscle mass in older cats.

Kittens are hardy creatures, but they still need regular veterinary care, special nutrition and lots of love and attention. Soon you will become familiar with what is normal behavior for your kitten. This will help you more easily detect unusual behaviors that you might want to discuss with your veterinarian.

Important: Regular tests and vaccinations performed by your veterinarian are especially important during a kitten's first year.

Your veterinarian will provide routine vaccinations fro feline distemper and upper respiratory disease. In addition, ask your veterinarian if your cat should be vaccinated against Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline infectious Peritonitis (FIP). Remember, some vaccines must be given as a series over a period of time and many require annual boosters. Your cat's initial rabies vaccination is essential and should be given sometime between 3-4 months of age, depending on the vaccine.

Common Illnesses of Cats  

Internal Parasites

Internal parasite usually live in a cat's digestive system and can be detected by an examination of your cat's stool

Some common internal parasites: Hookworms, tapeworms, roundworms, coccidia and toxoplasma.

Symptoms can include:  Small white segments around your cat's anus or in her litter pan, weight loss, weakness, diarrhea, mucus in the stool, anemia, vomiting, black/tarry stools, loss of appetite, ocular lesions and difficulty breathing.

How contracted:  Ingestion of infected materials that can include raw or undercooked meat, mother's milk, fleas or feces.

Next steps:  Contact your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment. Treatment can begin as early as two weeks of age and be repeated at two to three week intervals, as determined by your veterinarian. Frequent, thorough cleaning of the litter can help avoid re-infection.

IMPORTANT: Since toxoplasmosis can cause severe birth defects in humans, pregnant women should avoid changing the litter box, having a non-pregnant family member do the job.

External Parasites 

External parasites live on your cat's body and are diagnosed by physical examination. If left unchecked, parasites can make life miserable for you and your cat. However, there is much you can do to prevent and treat them. Prevention of parasites is easier, less expensive and less bothersome than treatment, so be alert for early signs and symptoms.

Some common external parasites: Fleas, ear mites, ticks, ringworm, mange.

Symptoms can include: Frequent scratching, shaking or biting of self; rough, red spots or bumps on skin; bare, oval patches on skin; loss of fur or excessive shedding.

How contracted:  Contact with infected cats or in wooded areas during spring and summer.

Next steps:  Contact your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment. Treatments include removal of parasites through special bathing and/or topical or oral medications.

NOTE:  The only way to fight flea infestation is to treat both your cat and her environment. Wash your cat's bedding in hot, soapy water and clean the carpeting with a commercial rug cleaner safe for cats. Use flea-killing room foggers, according to your veterinarian's instructions, to make sure all newly born fleas are destroyed. Consult a professional exterminator if the problem gets out of hand.

IMPORTANT:  Many external parasites can be transmitted to humans. Infected pets need to be treated right away.

IMPORTANT:  Never give your cat medication without first consulting with your veterinarian.

Information contained on this page includes material from the Pet Care Kit from Purina One, and from the professional breeder/owner of Electricatz.

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