Cats eat different amounts of food, and the variation is a result of weight, age, gender, or health status. When feeding a sickly cat, you must observe careful dietary management, considering that it is an integral part of controlling and treating cat sickness. Some diseases in cats require that you carefully monitor their diet to manage the condition, prevent reoccurrence of the disease, or slow down the rate of disease progression. The lack of some vital nutrients in a cat’s diet or the absence of a specific diet composition could be the cause of sickness. Listed below are different kinds of cat sickness, and how you could help:
Cats with Joint Problems
You probably have an old cat that suffers from joint pain; well, worry no more. To counter the joint pains and the slow degeneration, some experts would recommend foods that are rich in omega six and omega-three fatty acids, these cat experts claim that the fatty acids would act as anti-inflammatories. Consider adding cartilage precursors and eicosatetraenoic to the sick cat’s diet to serve as food preservatives. The cat food needs to be supplemented with L carnitine and should be low in energy and fats to maintain a suitable weight. When the cat suffers from obesity, the joints are strained; thus, the cat experiences discomfort and increased pain. Generally, the foods should contain low portions of phosphorus, sodium, and calcium, making the meal ideal for aged cats.
Cats with Kidney Disease
Renal issues are common with cats, and it requires the right dietary management to minimize the damage that may occur in the cat’s kidney. You, therefore, need to reduce the amount of sodium, phosphorus, and protein in the cat’s diet. Consider adding Omega 3 fats to the food that improves blood flow to kidneys. It is also necessary that you add some B complex vitamin supplements to the food. Increase the number of carbohydrates in the diet to sustain the energy levels and keep in mind that the reduced protein metabolism will minimize the strain effect in the kidneys.
Cats with food allergies
You need to purchase special foods for your cat experiencing intolerances or food allergies. Such meals usually contain digestible proteins such as duck, salmon, or eggs. The meals also have low reactive carbohydrates such as corn, rice, or potatoes. Besides, you can always opt to purchase pet foods that have hydrolyzed proteins. Moreover, it would be essential that you increase the number of antioxidants and fatty acids in their meals that will help maintain their skin in a healthy state.
Cats with Diabetes
For this type of cat, consider managing the disease with foods rich in fiber and protein. Besides, the cat’s diet should have low fat and carbohydrates. This diet serves to minimize obesity and bring down the blood glucose level. You can also consider offering the cat arginine supplements that stimulate the secretion of insulin.
Cats with Digestive problems
Your cat might be suffering from vomiting or diarrhea, therefore consider feeding it with a digestible diet that is high in fiber and low in fat. Such a meal would restore balance in the intestinal flora. Also, consider offering the cat vitamins and electrolytes that would compensate for lost nutrients.
Cats with Kidney Stones
You need to manage the cat’s diet carefully, thus reducing the effects of kidney stones. It is essential that you, the cat owner, reduce minerals that form calcium oxalate and struvite crystals. Besides, you need to offer your cat some specially formulated meals that will modify the urine pH, thus preventing the recrystallization of the minerals. In case your cat is prone to struvite crystals, consider feeding it with meals that increase urine acidity and for cats prone to oxalate crystals, consider alkalizing their food. The cat meals should have extra carotenoids and vitamin E that are oxidants which fight urolithiasis.
Feeding Techniques
Your cat might be extremely sickly and unable to feed itself. It is, therefore, necessary that you finger feed the cat. Scoop a bit of the smooth pate canned meal with your hands then place it on the cat’s tongues or the roof of its mouth. In some extreme cases, consider syringe feeding, whereby you will use a syringe to squeeze food besides the cat’s mouth. Your cat might be weak due to its inability to eat, and with the assisted feeding technique, the cat might regain the urge to feed.
Cats suffer from different diseases and handling the disorders have different nutritional requirements. You must ensure that you either supplement the cat’s diet or assist it in feeding. After all, your most significant achievement is to see the cat in a happy mood.
