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There are some cats
that have special needs that often will be best
addressed by putting them on a special diet. However,
you should be cautioned that a special diet is not a
substitute for veterinary medical care. A diet alone
will not “cure” a medical issue that requires
medication, surgery or other treatment by a
professional. It is advised to seek veterinary advice
before putting your pets on a special needs diet.
Sensitive Stomach – Several companies make
special, easily digestible cat foods for pets with
sensitive stomachs. Those who have cats that vomit
frequently, have regular bouts of diarrhea or exhibit
others signs of digestive problems are often interested
in this kind of food. Before purchasing this food, it is
suggested that you take your cat to a veterinarian to
determine the underlying medical cause of this problem.
Most sensitive stomach foods are very mild formulas that
contain very digestible food such as egg protein, rice
and oats. Please remember that if a cat vomits
frequently, a veterinarian should be consulted to
determine if there is an underlying medical cause of
this condition.
Sensitive Skin – Some companies also make special
foods for cats with persistent skin problems. These pets
may be troubled by dry, itchy skin, and their coats will
often look dull and unhealthy. Sensitive skin foods have
been formulated with extra nutrients that contribute to
skin health. Typically, these foods will contain high
levels of Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids, as well as
high levels of vitamin E and vitamin C.
Sensitive System – There are some cat foods that
combine the attributes of “sensitive stomach” and
“sensitive skin” formulas.
Hairball Control – When cats groom themselves,
they swallow hair. Much of this hair passes through the
digestive tract and comes out in the cat’s feces.
However, some hair will remain in the digestive tract.
This is the hair that will be removed when the cat
throws up a “hairball.” Although hairballs are
unsightly, they are very normal and pose no serious
threat to a cat’s health. However, sometimes hairballs
will become impacted and block the cat’s digestive
tract.
Cats that are prone to frequent hairballs are sometimes
put on a hairball control diet. We urge you to contact a
veterinarian if your cat is experiencing frequent or
severe hairball problems. Hairball control formulas
contain combinations of different fibers to help
hairballs pass through the cat’s system. In addition to
these fibers, many hairball formulas include added
essential fatty acids, antioxidants and similar
ingredients to promote healthy coat conditions.
Oral Care – Foods in this category have been
formulated to remove plaque from teeth before it hardens
into tartar. While oral care formula foods do not
eliminate the need for brushing the teeth, they will
help to reduce tarter on the teeth. When tartar builds
up below the gum line, it promotes the growth of
bacteria. This leads to inflammation and periodontal
disease. The bleeding gums associated with this disease
serve as a passage way that allows bacteria to enter the
blood stream, increasing the risk of heart, lung, liver
and kidney problems.
Urinary Tract
Disease - Inflammation of the urinary tract caused
by the formation of crystals is a common cause Feline
Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD). Same cat foods
formulated for pets that are predisposed to this problem
contain ingredients that are lower in some of the
nutrients that can contribute to crystal or stone
formation. These diets may also contain ingredients that
help to make the cat’s urine more acidic. Middle-aged,
overweight and under-exercised cats are more prone to
FLUTD, which affects about 1 percent of the feline
population. Symptoms include difficult and painful
urination, more frequent urination, blood in urine,
excessive licking of the genital area. Cats with FLUTD
will often miss the litter box when urinating, and may
seek out smooth cool surfaces such as a bathtub when
they urinate. If you have a cat that exhibits these
symptoms you should take your pet to a
veterinarian, since there are many non-dietary causes of
this problem, and only a veterinary professional can
diagnose them correctly. FLUTD can be the result of
Urolithiasis (urinary stones or uroliths), which are
collections of minerals that collect in the urinary
tract. In some case these stones can be dissolved by a
diet that promotes acidity in urine; in others surgical
removal is necessary. Since stones are prone to return
to the cat’s urinary tract, many veterinarians and pet
owners prefer to put these animals on diets designed to
help prevent the recurrence of uroliths. Cats that have
been diagnosed with a problem will most likely be put on
a prescription therapeutic food by a veterinarian. You
should not attempt to change this diet without the
approval of the veterinarian. Foods that reduce the risk
of urinary tract disease may also have low levels of
magnesium, since magnesium can promote the formation of
urinary stones if the urine has not been appropriately
acidified. Extra magnesium that the cat doesn’t use is
excreted into the urinary tract. Cats prone to urinary
tract disease should also be provided with constant
access to clean fresh water and encouraged to drink.
This can be done by using an automatic watering system.
The system constantly circulates water, making it more
attractive to cats as well as fresher tasting
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