How much water does a cat need?

The water that a cat needs varies considerably from cat to cat. As size of the cat, age, activity level and even weather conditions play a role in determining the amount of water a cat needs, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. One thing that is sure however is that cats need plenty of water each day, and prolonged dehydration can lead to bad health and even death. Water is vital for flushing out toxins, and keeping tissues healthy so a good clean bowl of fresh water every morning is important. It should be replaced as soon as it runs dry. Dry cat food has very little moisture in it, so it is important to remember that cats will need to drink more if they are on a dry food diet.

Cat owners can use the drinking habits of their cats as a way of determining any ill health. A dramatic change in the amount a cat is drinking can be a sign that the cat is unwell and possibly needs vet attention. Cats drink larger volumes of water in very hot weather as humans do, so make sure you are particularly vigilant in making sure they have enough to drink in summer.

If you believe your cat may be dehydrated, pull the loose skin gently at the back of the neck. If it falls back into place quickly then your cat is fine, if it takes time to go back, your cat is dehydrated and needs fluids immediately. If you want to encourage your cat to drink, a fantastic trick is putting ice cubes in their water bowl. This makes it interesting for them and gives them something to play with.

Having a dirty water bowl could be a reason why your cat doesn’t want to drink. Plastic tends to soak up smells and grime, so ceramic or stainless steel are much better to use. If some food drops into a cat’s water, they may turn their nose up at it as they don’t like spoiled water. Be sure to thoroughly clean your cat’s water bowl every day, and run it through the dishwasher whenever possible too.

Do any of you have any other information about cats and drinking water? Has your cat ever suffered from dehydration? Do you have any tips for encouraging your cat to drink? Send in your comments below.

How to read a cat food label

The quality of cat food your cat is eating is very important, as a poor diet can result in poor health for cats. When you head down the cat food isle of your supermarket, you could be forgiven for thinking the world of cat food is a bit of a minefield, because unless you know a few of the rules and understand a bit about how it works, it really can be a minefield.

Not many people realise how important the wording on a cat food label is, and what it implies for the product.

If the cat food product is described as “Tuna Cat Food”, according to the guidelines set by the regulators of cat food, this means that at least 95% of the product must consist of the stated ingredient, in this case tuna.

If there are two ingredients listed, such as “Tuna and Salmon Cat Food”, then the same 95% rule applies, with the first meat listed (tuna) as more predominant in the product.

When a filler word is present, such as “dinner” or “entree” or “platter”, although you might think this makes it sounds more tasty, the truth is it means the product only needs to contain 25% of the stated meat to comply with regulations. So a “Tuna and Salmon Platter”, only has 25% tuna and salmon present in the tin.

When the word “with” is used, that means just 3% of the product consists of the stated meat. There is a huge difference therefore between “Tuna Cat Food” (95% tuna) and “Cat Food with Tuna” (3% Tuna)

It is very important when you are selecting cat food to have a look at the ingredients list on the back, as here you will see what is contained within the product in the order of predominance. If an ingredient such as “corn meal” is listed first, then it is wise to steer clear of this particular food. The top quality foods always have the stated meat listed first. Also be aware that even though a product may be tuna based, there may still be other meats like chicken and beef products contained within it.

These are a few of the tricks used by manufacturers of cat food explained. Always look out for the wording on the front of the label and the ingredients list on the back as this information will give you a fair idea of what sort of quality the food is.

If you have any other tips on how to read a cat food label or ensuring your cat gets the very best in terms of diet, send in your comments below.

Pets shedding hair

Dogs and cats shedding hair can be a problem for owners as their home and themselves get covered on a daily basis. It is impossible to stop the shed of hair, but it is possible to minimise the problem by reducing the amount of loose hair and removing it so it doesn’t all end up on embedded in your sofa.

Dogs shed broken or damaged hair, so by ensuring their skin and coat are as healthy as possible, you will be able to automatically reduce the amount of hair that is shed.

1. Brush their coat to ensure it stays soft and clean. Brushing also removes the loose hair and allows you to get rid of it before it is shed all over your home.

2. Make sure you are feeding your pet a good quality pet food as a poor diet will lead to poor skin and coat conditions and make shedding more likely.

3. Give them a fatty acid supplement which is designed to keep coats healthy. Again, healthy coat means less damaged hair which equals less shedding.

4. Use furniture covers or car seat covers which can be washed regularly. Furniture attracts hair like moths to a flame so having throws or blankets available will prevent your furniture from becoming hairy!

5. Make sure your pet is not suffering from allergies or fleas by washing them regularly and using flea treatments. When your dog scratches they loosen yet more hair so stopping the scratching will really help.

6. Vacuum regularly, even every day if you have to. This will keep your home clean and free from hair.

7. Make sure your pet has regular checkups at the vet, which will ensure any problems can be identified and treated quickly. A variety of common health issues with dogs and cats can affect the quality of their skin and coats.

8. Use a lint brush or even some sticky sellotape to remove hair when it does get onto your furniture so it is unable to really embed itself in the fabric. By catching it early it is much easier to remove.

Although it is impossible to stop pets shedding their hair, the above ways are all effective at reducing the problem in your home. If any of you have any other ideas about how to stop hair from taking over your home, send in your comments below.

Importance of walking the dog

Walking your dog every day is an absolutely vital part of being a responsible pet owner and is so much more than simply a toilet break for your dog, or even a chance for a bit of exercise. Dogs need mental stimulation and social interaction just like humans do, and nice long walks provide both of these in abundance.

Any dog owner will tell you how excited their pooch gets at first site of the dog lead coming out - it is the one thing that dogs absolutely love to do. As a dog owner it is important to supply them with this positive attention by doing something with them that they absolutely love. Walks are also a great opportunity to practice obedience skills too, and it really helps an owner and the dog to bond.

The physical work out of the walk is important too and will keep a dog healthy and happy for a long time to come. Even dogs that have back gardens to roam about in still benefit from being walked as they often won’t get the full exercise they need otherwise. Being able to run freely and explore new sites and smells will provide them with mental stimulation and the physical exercise they need for good health.

Generally speaking, dogs need two walks a day, however dogs that live in apartments or places without outdoor space would really benefit from three or even four walks a day. They don’t have to be hour long hikes, just twenty minutes in the local park is sufficient to fulfill their needs. The best time to walk a dog is after their meal(s) as this is when they are most likely to need a toilet break.

Taking your dog for a walk is absolutely crucial for the health and stimulation of your dog. It is best to get into a daily routine so that it is never missed or put at the bottom of the ‘to-do’ list. Have any of you got any tips on walking dogs? Send in your comments below.