Obesity and Overfeeding in Cats

As an adoption centre we are seeing increasing numbers of overweight and obese cats being brought in for rehoming. Many owners are unaware of the harm that overfeeding, or feeding an inappropriate diet, can do to their pets. It can be a long process to get them back to a healthy weight, and this is particularly difficult in the centre environment where they have less freedom of movement and get less exercise than they would in the home. We can keep them on a restricted diet, but they often become frustrated in the pen environment, and need lots to do to distract them from thinking about food! So how can owners prevent their cats from becoming overweight in the first place?

Cats are carnivores, and need a balanced diet with the correct amount of nutrients, as well as regular exercise and opportunity to display their natural behaviours in order to maintain a healthy weight. They have a much higher protein requirement than other mammals so meat is an essential part of their diet (cats should not be kept on a ‘vegetarian’ diet). However, this does not mean they should only be fed wet food. The easiest way to ensure they get the right balance of protein, vitamins and minerals; and to keep their teeth in good condition, is to feed them on a ‘complete’ dry food diet, with good quality wet food a few times a week.

Do’s and Don’ts

Do choose a good quality complete pet food

Do provide fresh water and change it daily

Do follow the feeding guidelines on the packaging, and weigh your cat regularly to ensure they are getting the right amount of food for their size

Do ensure your cat gets regular exercise. This can be playing in the garden, playing with toys or other cats, hunting etc. and can be encouraged using puzzle feeder balls so they have to work for their food!

Do Not overfeed – too much food is just as harmful as too many treats and can lead to obesity which can cause many other health problems

Do Not give supplements unless recommended by the vet – these can cause a dietary imbalance and may be harmful

Do Not give cats dog food – the balance of nutrients is not suitable for a cats dietary needs.

Do Not give cats milk – many cats are lactose intolerant and can get a bad belly from it, and it is very high in calories

Do Not give cats ‘people food’ – even a small treat can be a huge amount of calories to a cat!

This chart demonstrates how much a ‘small treat’ can mean in terms of a cat’s daily calories.

 

Obesity

Obesity in cats is very serious. It stops them being able to carry out natural behaviours such as playing, hunting, and grooming as well as being a risk factor for many other health problems! This can include liver disease, diabetes, skin conditions, joint pain and urinary problems.

Indoor cats are particularly prone to obesity because they tend to get less exercise than those which go exploring and hunting in the great outdoors! It is important to provide indoor cats with lots of stimulation in the form of toys, scratching posts, puzzle feeders, etc. and to be very strict and avoid overfeeding so that they maintain a good weight.

Cats are defined as overweight when they are 15% over the ideal body weight, and obese at 30% over the ideal body weight. Ideally you should be able to feel your cat’s ribs easily when you stroke the body lightly, and should be able to see a clear waistline when you look at them from above.

This chart shows how a cat’s body condition can be measured.

If you think your cat is overweight, it is always best to consult a vet so they can advise you on the best way to control their calorie intake, and increase their exercise. This will usually involve a special low calorie diet, weighing or measuring food before it is given, and things like puzzle feeders or interactive toys to encourage more exercise. Overweight cats should never be put on a ‘crash diet’ or starved, as this can be very harmful. Instead the best way is a gradual reduction – it can take up to a year for a severely overweight cat to reach its ideal body weight. But the health benefits to your cat will make it all worth it, and they will thank you for it J

image via

 

For more information please read the Essential Guide on Feeding and Obesity which can be found here: http://www.cats.org.uk/uploads/documents/cat-care-leaflets-2013/EG04_Feeding_and_obesity.pdf

 

 

And the Understanding Feline Origins Interactive Tool which can be found here: http://learnonline.cats.org.uk/content/ufo

Older Cats Need Love Too!

A lot of our cats are over the age 7 and are often overlooked due to this. They are often our longest stayers due to kittens and younger cats being favoured despite them being in tip-top condition and often not having any health problems! Cats can live into their 20's these days with better quality food, lifestyle and vet treatments available.


Cheeky Chops - currently available for adoption!

Often cats that are a little older we find tend to have great personalities, are generally very settled in life and make for awesome lap cats!

We treat cats on admission for things that older cats often suffer from such as needing dental work so once they have had it they have a Hollywood smile again! As with us humans, the older we get the less active we become so we find the golden oldies enjoy having nice long grooming sessions but don't let that fool you - they also love to play catch with catnip mice and feathers on sticks!

Josie - currently available for adoption

Once a cat is over 12 they are classed as 'geriatric', here are some top tips for keeping your cat comfortable and happy during their Twilight years:

* Nice comfy bed - well padded and warm.

* Somewhere high to perch up - but they may need a box or furniture strategically placed to help them climb if they become a little wobbly on their feet.

* Litter Tray - when the weather gets colder you may find your cat doesn't want to go out much or the ground may be a little too cold and hard to dig! It's always a good idea to keep a litter tray down so your kitty doesn't have to go far to do it's business :)

* Scratching Post - as your cat gets older it may find it difficult to stretch higher up so horizontal scratchers are perfect to get their claws into.

Tommy - aged 15 went to live in his forever home earlier this year :)

 Caring for an older cat brings a wonderful amount of joy, knowing that their wandering days are long gone and they appreciate home comforts and affection. Older cats are often excellent and tolerant of children and are great to sit and fuss with.

If you would like more information on older cats or want to see some of the older cats we currently have up for adoption then please visit our website: http://www.bridgend.cats.org.uk/bridgend/adopt-a-cat

Cats and Fleas!

Every year we have hundreds of cats and kittens admitted into our care with severe flea infestations. A number of these cats will need urgent vet treatment due to flea bit anaemia, most cats will survive once they receive vet treatment, sadly kittens are more vulnerable and don’t always survive.  In this blog we discuss the flea life cycle and what steps are needed to make sure you cat stays flea free

Fleas can be found on most animal species but are more commonly found on cats and dogs. A flea is a small wingless insect which feeds on the blood of animals. There are more than 2,000 types of fleas that can be found on animals around the world.  An adult flea can grow around 3mm in size and can jump up to 50 times the length of its body!  In the summer months we see a big boom in fleas. This is because the flea’s life cycle happens at an accelerated rate when the weather is warmer. Another contributing factor is that our pets spend more time outdoors in the summer.

 

Flossy - 1 year old heavily pregnant female admitted into our care with a severe flea infestation

 

The life cycle of fleas

An adult flea will live on its animal host permanently. The entire cycle from egg to flea will take between twelve to twenty two days, depending on temperature and humidity. Warm homes with fitted carpets are ideal conditions for fleas to reproduce all year round.

Female fleas will produce 50 eggs daily. These eggs will fall off the cat where they will hatch out into larvae within two to sixteen days. After this stage they then change into immobile pupae within a cocoon. While in the cocoon the pupae will grow into an adult, it will stay in the cocoon until it senses the presence of a cat, such as heat or vibrations. When it senses these it will emerge and attach itself to the cat within seconds. If no host can be found the flea can stay within its cocoon for up to two years!

 

 

The signs of fleas

·        Itching

·        Bites on humans

·        Flea dirt

·        White eggs in the cats sleeping areas

 

Fleas move around fast so sometimes they can be difficult to spot. An effective way to check your cat for fleas is to comb your cat with a fine toothed flea comb while placed on a white sheet of paper. Fleas may be trapped within the comb or black specks (flea dirt) may be visible on the paper. Flea dirt is the droppings of fleas which consist of undigested cat blood.

Treating fleas

For an effective flea treatment we recommend a licenced product. This will come from your veterinary surgery in a spot on, injection or table form. Flea collars and unlicensed products should be avoided. Do not use a product intended for dogs on your cat as it can be toxic.

To control a flea infestation adult fleas must be killed and the environment treated so prevent re-infestation. The most common product used to treat households is in a spray form. This spray should be applied to carpets and furnishings. This spray should never be used on the cat itself. Regular vacuuming will also help reduce the number of fleas within the home.

To prevent re-infestation regular, monthly treatment of your cat is recommended. It is also recommended that any other pets within the home are also treated regularly. It can be hard to get an infestation under control, sometimes taking weeks or months. This is why it is important to take the necessary steps to prevent fleas before an infestation can occur.

It is important to treat your cat as fleas can cause many other health problems to your cat:

·        Fleas feed on blood, this can cause anaemia which can be life threatening.

·        Fleas can transmit other infectious agents.

·        Many cats develop allergies from flea bites which can cause hair loss, scabby skin and sores.

·        Cat fleas can bite humans which will result in an itchy raised bump.

·        Fleas can carry the larval stage of a tapeworm which a cat may ingest while grooming.

Licenced products from vets is the most effective way to control fleas

Hope our blog helps you keep your cats flea free!

Purrs for now!

 



Cat Flu

͎

Cat Flu

 

Cat Flu is like a human cold. However, it can be serious, even fatal in kittens and in adult cats with underlying illnesses. Unfortunately, cats flu still persists despite the availability of vaccines.

A kitten should be vaccinated around 9 weeks of age, with the second important dose given at 12 weeks. A booster vaccination is needed after 1 year to enhance the initial level of immunity. Regular boosters throughout your cats life will help maintain the level of protection against cat flu, feline parvo virus and feline leukaemia. A simple vaccination is all your cat needs to stay protected.

 

What causes cat flu?

Feline herpes virus (FHV) or feline calici virus (FCV) are the 2 main causes of cat flu. Other causes of cat flu include a bacteria called Chlamydophilia felis - previously known as Chlamydia - and Bordatella bronchiseptica - the cause of kennel cough in dogs.

 

 

Symptoms

 

• Sneezing
• Runny eyes and nose
• Dribbling
• Quiet and subdued behaviour
• Loss of appetite
• High temperature
• A cough or loss of voice
• Pneumonia   

FHV can cause a potentially life threatening illness. Ulcers can form on the surface of the eye. The eyelids can become very swollen and adhere to the eyes surface. This causes unbearable pain and leave the cat with long term complications following damage to the sinuses and nasal passages.

 

FCV causes a milder form of cat flu. In adult cats, usually the only sign of the FCV infection is painful ulcers on the tongue, roof of the mouth or the nose. Kittens often show signs of lameness and a high temperature. FCV is also thought to be linked to gingivitis in cats.

 

Chlamydophila causes discharge and redness of the eyes.

 

Bordatella causes many flu symptoms described above but often progress to the chest. Kittens often have a high death rate from this as progression to the chest causes serious infection. Cats infected with bordatella may develop a cough.

 

   

 

How is it spread?

The flu virus can be spread in many ways including:-

 

• Contact with 'carrier cats'. These cats are infected with either of the flu viruses but do not show any clinical symptoms. Stressful situations may cause the cat to shed the virus therefore infecting other cats.
• Indirect contact with an infected cat. The flu virus can survive in the environment for up to 7 days and can be spread by food bowls, grooming equipment, peoples hands and even on our clothing. These are known as fomites.
• Direct contact with an infected cat. The flu virus is present in the cats tears, saliva and nasal discharge.
• Sneezing can project flu virus particles far enough to infect another nearby cat.

In a rescue situation, disease control and good barrier nursing is vital!

 

How is cat flu treated?

GOOD NURSING IS VITAL!

 

There are no effective anti-viral drugs in common use. Anti-biotics somewhat help as once the virus has damaged the delicate lining of the nose and airways, bacterial infections erupt and causes complications such as pneumonia.

Nursing care is important. Blocked noses and mouth ulcers can make your cat lose its appetite and may not want to drink. This causes dehydration which can be dangerous in kittens. Because your cat has lost its sense of smell and may have a sore throat, sloppy, strong smelling foods should be offered.

Discharge from the nose and eyes should be bathed regularly. Steam inhalation help to loosen catarrh. A few drops on Olbus Oil in hot water left safely out of the cats reach can really help.

 

Long term consequences?

Following infection many cats become carriers and can still infect others even of they showing no symptoms.

The existence of carrier cats can often be the reason a new kitten can develop cat flu when introduced to a household of apparently healthy cats.

Carrier cats will sometimes have a runny eye or a few sneezes occasionally.

Re-occurring flu follows stressful events such as house move or a vet trip.

Others are more unlucky and can be left with chronic rhinitis which is a permanent thick runny nose.

It is thought that calicivirus contributes towards gingivitis and soreness of the mouth.

 

Please get your cats vaccinated to protect them and others from cat flu. Speak to your vet for advice.

 

 

 

 

 

Kitten Fostering

My name is Hilary Rice and I have just retired having spent the last 24 years as chef and owner of a small restaurant in Dinas Powys. I have always been passionate about cats and three years ago decided to see if there was any volunteer work I could do with Cat’s Protection.

On enquiring in Bridgend I could not believe my luck when I was told that CP was just about to start fostering out mums and kittens. This would help ease the pressure on the ever-busy maternity section and help socialise the kittens at the very important 2-8 week stage of their lives.

Working restaurant hours, although long, meant I was around for kitty meal times and had 2-3 hours a day to spend caring for mum and kittens.

We prepared a kitty foster room in a spare bedroom, making space for a pen, and 2 areas for litter trays and a different area for a feeding station. Cat climbing frames, toys and cat beds in place and a thorough check to make sure the whole room was kitten safe and we were ready to start!!

I eagerly anticipated my first little family’s arrival – how tiny were they going to be? How many of them? Was the mum going to let me anywhere near them? I suddenly felt a huge sense of responsibility together with great excitement!

Teresa and Alice from CP Bridgend arrived one afternoon in April 2014 carrying 2 cat baskets, a big pen and all the supplies I needed to care for my new little foster family. Tina and her 3 three-week-old kittens Theo, Tobias and Terence were all jet black. We placed them in their new pen and after giving me contact details in case I needed advice, Teresa and Alice left and I was now officially a kitty fosterer!!!

 

As a fosterer each day begins around 8am, when mum and kittens (from 4 weeks) are ready for breakfast. Followed by cleaning litter trays and thoroughly cleaning the pen, time then to check the kittens from ears to tail, to make sure they are all fit and healthy. Next, play and cuddles, after which they are ready for a snooze again, so pop them all back in the pen. During the day then they have two more meal times and at least two more play and cuddle times. These times increase from about 4 weeks as kittens get bigger and need to be introduced to different experiences and people.

 

Time flies by and at 7 weeks old, just at the curtain climbing stage it is time to arrange for mum and kittens to return to CP to be adopted. Now they are strong, confident, happy and cuddly kittens ready to take on the big wide world. I always shed a few tears as I leave them, then head home to prepare the room ready for the next little family!
 

I love fostering; it is so rewarding to see the growth in confidence and increase in size of the kittens in such a short time and the good feeling of setting them up for their life ahead.

Pregnancy and Having a Cat: Dispelling the Old Wives Tales!

Every year cat’s protection receives hundreds of calls from concerned pregnant women who fear they will contract toxoplasmosis from their cat. Though cats do play a part in the life cycle of the parasite, human contact with the cat alone does not increase the risk of infection. Statistically non- cat owners are just as likely to contract the disease and even vets are no more likely to be infected with the parasite than non-vets.

Research has shown that the biggest risk of contracting the infection is through eating undercooked meat or consuming contaminated soil via unwashed vegetables. Contracting the infection will not make you seriously ill however; it could affect unborn babies if it is picked up for the first time during early pregnancy.

 

 

 

 What is toxoplasmosis?

 

Toxoplasmosis is caused by the microscopic parasite T.gondii (Toxoplasma gondii)

Cats become infected with this parasite when they consume uncooked meat that contain the T gondii cysts, this includes infected rodents. Cats will begin to shed the oocysts in their faeces for 10-14 days but do not usually shed again unless the cat contracts a serious illness such as FeLV or FIV meaning a healthy adult cat should not pose a risk to their owner or an unborn child. Good hygiene considerably reduces the risk of infection as oocysts only become infectious between one and five days after being passed in the faeces.

How to reduce the risk of infection via cats

 

·     Get somebody else to change your cat’s litter tray possible and if you cannot, wear gloves and wash your hands thoroughly after.

·    Change cat litter daily as T.gondii is infectious between one and five days after the cat defecates.

·    Do not feed your cat raw meat.

·    Keep outdoor play sand boxes covered.

·    Wear gloves when gardening in case a cat has defecated in the area.

   

If you have cats it is very likely that you've already contracted toxoplasmosis and become immune to it and fortunately with good hygiene it is unlikely that you will contract toxoplasmosis during pregnancy. If you are still concerned you can get your cat tested at your local vets. To further reduce the risk, ask somebody else to clean the litter trays for you daily and if not possible use gloves and wash your hands thoroughly after.

 

For more information please visit: http://www.cats.org.uk/uploads/documents/cat-care-leaflets-2013/VG20_Cats_and_pregnant_women_-_Toxoplasmosis.pdf