Nutrition and Health

     The proper amount of nutrients in your kittens diet is important to insure your kittens growth and development. Good nutrients will help keep your kitten to stay active and grow.

     Their food should contain protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, provided in the correct amounts for your cat or kitten. We recommend dry kibble as canned foods can cause diarrhea, especially if they were already on dry food from the breeders. At The Kitten Palace we use Canidae natural pet food.

     Protein is very vital for growing and active cats and kittens, and also helps repair damaged tissue and muscles.

     Fat and carbohydrates are good for a  shiny healthy coat and skin but also the most important source of energy.

     Vitamins and minerals are important for your cat or kitten and is already in your food mix. If you have any concerns contact your veterinarian before giving your pet vitamins or minerals, you could harm your pet!

     Here at The Kitten Palace our mothers are given a good quality food, this will insure our kittens are getting good nutrition inside the mother. This helps the kittens to be healthier and gives them a better immune system that help makes them more resistant to disease so they can have a longer healthier life span. We recommend a NO by-product food. By-product is all the unused meat leftovers and is not healthy for your cat or kitten. It is important to feed the food the breeder gives you for the first couple months while your kitten is adjusting to it`s new home.

     Water bowls and food bowls should not be plastic! With plastic bowls your cats are more prone to feline acne and you can`t clean between the scratches where bacteria grows. Use metal bowls and clean with a bleach or antibacterial soap, use hot water and rinse thoroughly. Keep your food and water separate from the litter box, Cats are very clean animals and don`t like to eat our drink next to where he or she poops.

     Toys are a big part of a healthy, happy kitten, activity, mental stimulation, and coordination. Kittens will play with anything! The proper toys help your kittens grow to be the stalkers and hunters they are. You can never take that away from a cat, any cat!

     There are many toys for cats and kittens on the market, a laser lite can entertain your kitten for hours, but so can a ping pong ball in a empty box, or even a simple plastic bag. There are mechanical toys as well, remote  controlled mice, flitter teaser cat toy, where they chase plastic dragonflies. What ever you decide remember kittens will bite the toys, if there is metal inside the toy or a sharp part inside the toy it could hurt your kitten, break his or hers tooth or rip a tooth out. So what you get your kitten to play with does matter. I still think the personal touch with a little piece of string will do more to help you connect and grow a strong bond with your kitten than a remote mouse ever will.

     Introduction to kids and pets. Wonder why this is under nutrition and health? Even a kitten with the best nutrition growing up, gets eaten by your saint bernard, I would say that's a health issue for the kitten! Introductions should be done slowly, a little at a time, and always supervised. Teach the children how to pick up and support the kitten completely, also teach them how to play with the kitten. It will take a little time but well worth it. A little love and understanding will give your family a special new member.

     Litter. What litter to use? Whatever litter you choose, it should be dust free. Dust from your kitten scratching in the litter box will cause dust that will get into there little lungs. If your using litter that's not dust free I would leave the top off of the litter box so less dust remains in the box when there using it.

     Vet visits are a big part of your kittens health, leave the carrier out so your cat or kitten can play and get used to being in it so they won`t be scared to travel in the crate, and your cat or kitten will be more comfortable.

     Hairballs, all cats that groom themselves get hairballs, There are many different types of hairball remedies. Start your pet early, kittens love the taste and lap it up. Keeping up with brushing your pet and the bath when needed will help with the hairballs as well.

     Declawing is illegal in most countries. Scratching is a natural instinct in every cat, it helps them stretch out and it feels good to do the scratching motion, also there claws shed so scratching is part of the process for sheading.

     It is something all cats do and need a proper place to do so. We recommend a scratching post forty or fifty inches high so your cat can stretch his or hers full length. Don`t use a carpet covered scratching post, that may teach them that carpet in other parts of the house are also for scratching. Rope our carboard scratchers are best, a little catnip and your kitten will be attracted to where you want him or her to scratch.

     When you declaw a cat it can cause other problems, such as spraying, not using the litter box properly, not ever beaning able to fully stretch again, depression and behavioral problems can occur.

    Your cat's kidney play a vital role in maintaining her health. They help control her blood pressure, regulate the bloodstream, produce important hormones, enzymes, and red blood cells, as well as remove metabolic waste from the blood. If the cat's kidneys aren't able to do their job property, this can lead to significant, life-threatening problems for your cat. 

Common causes of cat renal failure.

    Kidney failure is one of the most common causes of severe illnesses in cats, especially in older cats. There are two categories of renal failure in cats: acute renal failure and chronic renal failure. signs of acute renal failure usually manifest over a week or month's time, while chronic renal failure is present for a longer period. the risk for a cat kidney disease is higher in certain breeds like Persians and Angoras, but the disease is typically acquired. 

Potential causes of kidney failure in cats include:

* Decreased blood or urine flow to the kidneys.

* High blood pressure.

*Cancer.

*Obstructions such as kidney stones.

* Ingestion of toxic substances, such as antifreeze, pesticides, medications and cleaning chemicals.

* Advanced dental disease.

* Some long-haired breeds { such as Persians and Angoras } have a genetic predisposition to the disease.

*Age older than seven years.

* A food high in phosphorus or increased levels of protein can increase the disease's progression.

* Outdoor cats have a higher risk for acute problems due to their potential increased exposure to toxins.

Signs of kidney failure in cats.

    Common signs of kidney failure in cats may be difficult to detect because of their similarities to other disorders like diabetes and hyperthyroidism. Unfortunately, kidney failure is a progressive disease, and symptoms may not be apparent for a long time. If you notice any of these signs in your cat, contact your vet:

* Reduced appetite.

* increased thirst.

*Frequent or no urination.

* Bloody or cloudy urine.

* Vomiting.

* Poor coat appearance.

* Lethargy and depression.

* Weight loss.

* Bad breath.

* Sore mouth or mouth ulcers.

* Diarrhea or constipation.

* Increased sleeping.

Treatment for feline kidney disease.

    Cats in early stages of kidney disease usually do not show signs of the disease, Typically, signs do not appear until 75 percent of kidney function has been lost. With early diagnosis, acute renal failure can be detected and managed. However, chronic renal failure is a incurable condition that mainly affects older cats and is treated with palliative care. Depending on the condition, your vet may recommend fluid therapy, food modification, blood pressure drugs, dialysis or a transplant.

    Because symptoms may not be apparent until your cat's kidney functions have been lost, it is important to make sure your cat gets her regular check-up at the vet. This could be the difference in catching it early and catching it to late. Also it is helpful to document unusual tendencies you notice in your cat from the onset such as the ones listed above; this can be very helpful in helping your vet to determine if your cat's kidneys need to be further examined. It's recommended that all cats 7 years and older get a " senior screening " at their annual check-up in order to determine if your cat has kidney issues.

    Providing the proper nutrition for your cat can help reduce the risk of kidney disease and failure and improve her overall health. If your cat has been diagnosed with kidney disease, modifying her food can help slow the progression of disease and lengthen her lifespan. Specially formulated foods can be beneficial to the kidneys by having less protein and phosphorous than other pet foods. Phosphorus restriction can lessen the severity of the symptoms and progression of kidney damage, while decreased, high-quality proteins can help restore normal acid-base levels.

    Balanced nutrition is an essential part of an active, healthy lifestyle. If your cat has kidney problems, the right nutrition can positively impact her life. Make sure you have fresh water available to your cat at all times, consult your veterinarian and discuss the best food for her kidney health. Be sure to ask your veterinarian about special cat foods that support kidney health, and see if they are right for your cat if she is diagnosed with kidney problems.

For more info: www.hillspet.com/cat-care/healthcare/feline-kidney-disease