Cat Food

Cats do not eat like dogs or humans. They are obligate carnivores which means they are very strict carnivores and need high protein, low carbohydrate diets. They get their essential nutrients from animal tissue and their diet requires more than twelve of them which include vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and amino acids.

With cats, another important consideration is that too much of a good thing can become a bad thing in terms of food and nutrients. They should only ever receive the correct amount of nutrients, and not a single particle more. Supplements in fact which are sometimes given to dogs and of course taken by humans can be very dangerous for a cat and should only be given if approved by a vet.

Cats need clean, fresh water at all times. Water is essential to their health for removing waste products, regulating body temperature and digesting food among other things.

Dry food is a cheap option for cats, however the quality varies dramatically. Often dry foods can be quite unpalatable for cats and sometime digestion can be problematic. If you do use dry food, make sure the bag is kept in a cool, dry place and not use it once the expiration date has passed. Lengthy storage of dry food can diminish its nutrient levels and also cause the fats within the product to become rancid. Keeping food for months at a time should be avoided therefore if possible.

Semi moist foods are often more expensive but more palatable and digestible for cats. They are generally made primarily from meat or meat byproducts mixed with preservatives and ‘fillers’ such as soybean meal or cereals. Once the packet is open the product starts to deteriorate so it should be eaten quickly.

Canned food has the highest amount of moisture and for that reason is very beneficial. It is palatable and easily digestible and the variety is often enjoyed by cats. Canned food is of course the most expensive and although an unopened can lasts longer than any other type of food, once opened it needs to be refrigerated. It is important to still read the nutrition labels on canned food because some brands can be nutritionally incomplete. You are looking for the nutritional guarantee on the label.

Cost and health factors play a large part in what to provide your cat. If you want further information, don’t hesitate to contact your vet who can provide you with recommendations of suitable food. Have any of you got any insights into the best cat food available on the market? Send in your comments below.

Pet Passports

Interestingly, the idea of a pet passport was first introduced in Britain by the Monster Raving Loony Party. A pet passport is one aspect of ‘The Pet Travel Scheme’ (PETS) that allows your pet to travel freely between countries without having to undergo a period of time in quarantine which was the only way previously a pet could travel. The scheme first came into action in 2001 when several European countries signed up to it and agreed for pets to move travel freely between member countries. Since then countries like the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand have all joined in and are now part of the scheme.

There are of course a number of requirements before your pet can travel, and the process is more complicated than simply acquiring a passport from your vet. Your pet needs to be fitted with a microchip, undergo a series of inoculations (notably rabies) and receive a certificate of health amongst other things before they can travel. The requirements for travel in or out of a country also vary between countries. If you want to travel with your pet, the best thing is explore all the requirements for the country you are leaving and country you are traveling to, online. Often your pet will also need a worm and flea treatment 24 hours before travel too.

Although initially the procedure may seem complicated, it is a vast improvement on previous hoops that had to be jumped through before your pet could travel.

Pet Vaccinations

Vaccinations are important for your pets to ensure life threatening diseases cannot be contracted and they are kept healthy and strong throughout their lives.

Young animals like puppies and kittens are particularly susceptible to diseases and illnesses and the necessary precautions should be taken to ensure their survival and boost their own natural immunity.

For dogs, the main diseases that can be vaccinated against are;

• Canine distemper (Hard pad)
• Canine parvovirus
• Infectious canine hepatitis
• Leptospirosis
• Canine parainfluenza virus
  
  

The main diseases that kittens and adult cats can be vaccinated against are;

• Feline Infectious Enteritis
• Cat Flu
• Feline Chlamydia
• Feline Leukaemia
  
  

For rabbits, the third most popular mammalian pet, vaccines available can prevent;

• Myxomatosis
• VHD (Viral Haemorrhagic Disease.)
  

The vaccines themselves work by stimulating antibodies to set up a ‘protective screen’ against the disease which kicks in when the animal has an encounter with it.

Vaccinations against these infectious diseases will prevent your pet from contracting or carrying any of them, although regular boosters are necessary throughout their lives to ensure this. Your vet can send you reminders of when the boosters are required but the primary round of vaccines should be administered around the 8 week point.

Special consideration should also be given to pets that regularly stay in kennels or catteries as they can be exposed to further infectious diseases such as tracheobronchitis (kennel cough), Bordetella bronchiseptica and cat flu. Additionally, pets that travel abroad can be susceptible to serious diseases such as Rabies, leishmaniasis (spread by sandflies), heartworm (spread by mosquitoes), babesiosis (spread by ticks), and ehrlichiosis (spread by ticks). Steps should be taken to prevent this from occurring.

Do any of you have any advice on vaccinating pets against illnesses and disease? Send in your comments below.

How to keep pet costs down

There can be no denying that keeping a pet, any type of pet, costs money. If you are having money difficulties, the last thing you need are more bills and costs caused by your furry friends. There are a few tricks you can do to make sure the costs are kept to a bare minimum.

Take care of some of your pet’s needs yourself
Minor jobs that your pet needs doing from time to time can easily be done yourself. From brushing teeth to trimming claws, brushing coats and even cleaning ears regularly to avoid infections, you can carry out these tasks with ease. If you are unsure how to carry them out your vet can advise you. Make some notes and then you never have to pay for these services again.

Make sure you are not over-vaccinating
Some vaccinations are no longer required year on year. Ask your vet for clear instructions on what vaccinations are needed and how often. Otherwise money could be being poured down the drain.

Buy your medications online
This is a guaranteed way to save you money, buy all your medications, lotions and treatments for your pet online. The savings available are huge.

Don’t choose the first veterinarian you come across
Instead, shop around so you can compare prices which can differ wildly. Make sure you choose one of high quality though, as this must not be compromised.

Shop around for supplies
Cat litter trays, dog kennels, bird cages and toys can vary in price so make sure you shop around a bit to find the best deals.

Say no to fashion and ‘bling’
Do not buy any unnecessary items for your pet such as fancy collars, clothes and other ‘pet bling’. Let’s face it, your pet gets nothing from it and it just hurts your purse.

Consider pet insurance
There are many different types of insurance available. Make sure you choose one that is cost effective for you. This may be one that includes routine check-ups and procedures, or it may be one that deals only with emergencies or serious illness.

Think before buying your pet ‘a friend’
Try to resist adding to your pet brood. Additional pets mean plenty of additional costs.

Save for end of life care
End of life problems can run up huge bills. It is advisable to start saving now so there aren’t any additional problems of payment to add to an already stressful time.

Don’t necessarily buy the cheapest food
This may cost more in the long run as cheaper food can lead to a host of health problems. Also cheap food can contain ingredients that cause hyperactivity and affect training and behaviour.

Don’t overfeed your pet
Apart from going through the food faster, your pet could gain too much weight. An overweight pet opens a door on further problems relating to health that could cost a small fortune further down the line.

Spay or neuter your pet
Spaying and neutering is important for your pet not just to avoid reproduction, but also so various illnesses like prostrate and ovarian cancer are less likely to occur. Once neutered dogs also roam less, so are less likely to be hit by a car.

Do any of you have any other tips on how to keep pet costs down? Send in your ideas and thoughts for us all to share.