May 13, 2015

Nutrition – What Should Your Cat Eat?

Cats are obligate or true carnivores, meaning that they need a source of animal protein to survive. Feed your cat a high quality premium commercial food that is appropriate for the life stage and health status of your cat. This includes: Fresh raw meat Raw meaty bones Choose human-grade raw meat and raw meaty bones because pet meat/pet mince/pet rolls/pet meat and bone products can contain preservatives that can be detrimental to the cat’s health (e.g. sulphite preservative induced thiamine deficiency which can be fatal). However avoid sausages, sausage meat and cooked manufactured meats as they can contain sulphites. Many human foods cause illness, so avoid: Cooked bones. Chocolate. Garlic. Avocado. Grapes. Onions. Adult cats tend to graze and prefer to eat several smaller meals throughout the day/night. Food that takes a while to chew is a good idea, such as raw chicken wings. Ensure that your cat always has an adequate supply of fresh, clean water. Cats are true carnivores so they have a specific need for high quantities of animal based proteins and fats. They have unique dietary requirements for certain vitamins, fatty acids and also certain amino acids such as taurine, which can only be supplied by […]
May 10, 2015

Cat Hygiene

When it comes to hygiene, cats have high standards – they often feel happiest when everything is comfortable and clean at home. Cats are commonly infested with three types of intestinal worms – hookworm, roundworm and tapeworm.  To help control these worms and keep your cat happy and healthy, treat your cat every three months with EXELPET® worming products. Prior to using any litter please ensure that the litter tray size is adequate for your cat. If you have a large cat then the average litter tray may be too small. A good guide is if the tray is big enough for your cat to freely move around and perform 360° turns. Follow the instruction on your litter of choice for the best results. Did you know the first experiences a kitten has with the litter tray can influence their entire life? Very dusty litter or an unpleasant feel to the paws is equally disturbing as an unsafe location of the tray or an unpleasant smell from the litter. Providing your cat with a hygienic and comfortable environment from the very beginning will support your cat to stay true to their nature of being neat and clean and helps to […]
May 8, 2015

Cat Care – Housing

The RSPCA advocates keeping cats indoors. Indoor cats are less likely to: Wander into unfriendly territory. Encounter risks. Be exposed to cruelty. Sustain injuries from fighting. Catch diseases from fighting with other cats. Be injured in car accidents. How to keep your indoor cat happy: Provide plenty of toys to keep your cat amused. Cardboard boxes with holes cut into them are great for hide and seek games. Your cat’s favourite games will be the ones that involve you as she will be able to use her instinctive pouncing behaviour and will release pent up energy by chasing. Make sure your cat has a scratching post to distract her from sharpening her claws on your furniture. Provide plants such as cat grass to interest your cat and distract her from your pot plants. Cats love to bask in the sun; make sure your cat has a nice sunny spot to lie in (however, sun can be dangerous for white cats so be sure to check with your vet) For those cats that live both indoors and outdoors, one management strategy is to keep them inside from dusk until dawn. Cats need access to the outside or a litter tray, which […]