Maintain A Healthy Body Weight For Your Cat
Since overweight and obese cats have more fat stores within their body to mobilize and deposit in their liver, excessive weight can be one of the most significant risk factors for your cat to develop fatty liver disease.
If your cat has a little extra fluff in their coat youre not alone. Pets in the United States are overweight and continuing to get more overweight. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention found that 58% of cats in the U.S. are overweight or obese. This is probably because many cat owners like to spoil their cats, indoor cats dont often get much exercise, and not everyone knows what their cats weight should be.
In between vet visits , you can feel out whether your cat is the ideal body weight.
How to Tell if Your Cat is Overweight
- Your cat should have a discernible waist that, when viewed from the side, tucks up toward the back of the legs.
- You should be able to feel your cats ribs easily without having to press through a thick layer of fat.
- Your cats back should not be perfectly flat.
- Your cat should not have love handles.
Learn more about identifying and preventing obesity by reading, Recognizing and Helping Overweight and Obese Cats.
What Are The Specific Nutritional Requirements For Cats With Kidney Disease
Water
Cats with kidney disease need higher levels of water, which helps support the kidneys. Often, cats will automatically drink more when theyre affected by kidney disease. However, it is still essential to increase their moisture intake any way they cat. Canned food is usually the best way to accomplish this, as it includes higher levels of moisture naturally.
Of course, you should provide your cat with plenty of freshwater as well.
Protein
The kidneys must filter out waste products from protein. If the cat eats less protein, their blood will contain fewer of these waste products, decreasing the amount of work the kidneys must do. This can prevent the progression of the disease and lower your cats symptoms.
This is likely the essential part of any kidney disease diet. You dont want the protein too low, though, as your cats may begin to break down their own muscle mass to compensate.
Sodium
Sodium should be somewhat restricted to help the kidneys, as they filter out excess sodium as well. This can reduce the progression of the disease as well.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus should be limited as well to slow the progression of the disease. Why this works isnt known, but it is a commonly accepted fact within the community. Most foods have restricted phosphorous levels.
Omega Fatty Acids
How Can I Clean My Cats Teeth Naturally
There are various ways you can do some cat teeth cleaning at home naturally and without the effort of brushing. These include changing their diet or food intake, using tools of natural dental care for cats such as gels, water additives, and dental chews or toys, or simply giving them a bone to chew on.
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Best Wet Cat Food Of : Overall Picks
The following foods all combine nutritional ingredients, complete nutrition, and palatability. They are also highly recommended by cat parents and have price points that make them accessible to the majority of families.
Here are our favorite wet cat foods of the year:
Cats can be finicky eaters, but thats where Smalls steps up to the plateor, rather, the bowl! Smalls human-grade fresh cat food is protein-rich and picky-cat friendly. Their gently cooked, all-natural wet cat food recipes are available in three proteinschicken, turkey or beefand rounded out with healthy veggies like green beans, peas, kale, or spinach to provide important vitamins and minerals. No mystery meats or by-products, artificial flavors, colors, preservatives or sketchy stuff herejust pure goodness delivered to your doorstep. You can also choose from two different textures, smooth or ground. Talk about putting cats first!
Highlights
- Cat food subscription service with doorstep delivery
- Human-grade, high-protein, grain-free recipes
- Wet food is available in three proteins and two textures
- USDA-certified, humanely-harvested, and sustainably-sourced ingredients
- No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
- Contains enough taurine to exceed AAFCO standards
- Made in the USA
- Smalls will donate 10 meals to its cat rescue partners per every trial purchase, now through 12/31!
Things to Consider
Highlights
Things to Consider
How Is Hepatic Lipidosis Diagnosed
Diagnosis of hepatic lipidosis is made from blood tests that demonstrate poor liver function and from a liver biopsy or fine needle aspirate. The latter may be performed during an exploratory surgery or by inserting a needle into the liver through the skin. The liver sample is sent to a veterinary pathologist for analysis. A cat with hepatic lipidosis will have a large amount of fat in and among the liver cells. Other diagnostic tests may be performed in an effort to determine why the cat originally stopped eating. If the cause for anorexia is treatable or resolved, the prognosis is reasonably good.
“A cat with hepatic lipidosis will have a large amount of fat in and among the liver cells.”
In some cases, a presumed diagnosis may be made without a liver biopsy. If a cats history, clinical signs, and bloodwork are strongly suggestive of the condition and the cat is too unstable to obtain a biopsy, a presumed diagnosis may be considered adequate to proceed with treatment. Further tests may be required however, if your cat develops additional clinical signs or does not follow the expected course of the disease.
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Ask Your Veterinarian About Liver Disease:
Hills Science Diet Urinary Hairball Control Adult Dry Cat Food
- Perfect for stopping hairball issue
- Maintains natural skin coat
- Originally made in USA
Here comes another cat food from Hills for solving kidney diseases in felines. This dry cat food works greatly in treating problems related to kitties urinary and hairball systems. As per the products label, the magnesium levels in Hills dry cat food are optimal and just enough to support your pets entire urinary system. It is important to remember that if there is no damage to the urinary tract, these animals kidneys are safe. Most vets acknowledge the pack as a perfect diet for cats with kidney disease. Packed with good flavors apart from the required nutrients, there is no stopping you from buying it.
In our observation, this kidney friendly cat food proved to be made up of all-natural ingredients that are of superior quality. Thus, it only offers health and adequate energy to pussycats and no side effects. Thanks to Omega-6s and Vitamin-E, Hills Science Diet dry pet food contributes to shiny skin and coats all pets that feed on it. Integrated good fiber source reduces hairball in cats, which is quite impressive and unique in it. Moreover, all those added proteins deliver good muscle strength in felines if they add it to their pets daily diet. In the end, this urinary cat food non-prescription substitute is a complete product in giving perfect nutrition to felines that renders them a happy long life.
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Best Wet Cat Food For Sensitive Stomachs
If your cat is prone to digestive problems, finding a wet cat food for sensitive stomachs could help cut back on diarrhea, gas, loose stools. A digestive food wont necessarily be a cure-all for all of your cats issues, so make sure to consult a veterinarian before feeding your cat a special diet.
Here are some of our favorite wet cat food options for cats with digestive problems.
Hills offers a variety of prescription cat foods to help with certain digestive issues, but if your cat has minor digestive upset or only experiences it once in a while this non-prescription option is a great one to try. The food is formulated with prebiotic fiber to help support your cats gut health and improve stool quality. Not only does it help with some common digestion problems like loose and smelly stool, this cat food also provides ingredients to improve your cats skin and coat. Omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E keep your cats skin and coat soft, hydrated, and healthy.
Highlights
- May not solve a cats digestive issues, depending on whats causing them.
- There are additional ingredients and fillers. Read the labels before purchasing.
- Should be refrigerated after opening, like all wet cat foods.
The Importance Of Diet In Cats With Liver Problems
Studies have shown that diet plays a crucial role in cats suffering with liver disorders. The correct diet will help reduce the risk of any further damage to the liver by doing the following:
- To provide enough energy intake the diet must contain high quality proteins
- To reduce sodium intake so that fluid retention is reduced
- To increase antioxidant intake as a way of protecting cells from any further damage
- To reduce any symptoms of Hepati Encephalopathy should these be present and which are caused by a build-up of ammonia which can affect the brain
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The Benefits Of Therapeutic Kidney Diets
- Controlled Phosphorus Levels
Several studies have shown that controlling the levels of phosphorus in the blood via diet management can slow the progression of chronic kidney disease. Therefore, choosing a low phosphorus cat food for your feline will not only improve his condition but it can also prevent the onset of other diseases. Secondary hyperparathyroidism is one example of such a disease that occurs when the parathyroid gland releases too much hormone in order to increase the amount of calcium in the blood. Too much calcium in the kidneys leads to high concentrations of phosphate. This, in turn, can cause more compilations such as heart disease and joint paint.
- Low on Protein
Protein consumption comes at a price, and this price is none other than the waste produced as a result of the body breaking down protein into amino acids. This process releases toxic substances into the blood and the kidneys are responsible for flushing these harmful toxins out of the body. Cats suffering from kidney disease will have a hard time getting rid of this waste and may lose their appetite for food and become tired as a result. Introducing a low protein diet to your feline can have a domino effect on its body since less protein means less toxins released into the bloodstream and this eventually reduces the stress on the kidneys.
- Controlled Sodium Levels
- Essential Fatty Acids
- High Moisture Content
What Causes Sudden Liver Failure In Cats
Sudden-onset, acute liver failure in cats occurs due to necrosis of a significant proportion of liver tissue, which is cell death. This can be caused by a range of drugs and chemicals or toxins. It can also be the side-effect of another disease or injury leading to shock, blood clots, sudden circulatory failure and inability to breathe. There are many other causes of acute liver failure, including heatstroke.
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Look For Foods With Restricted Or High
When dietary protein breaks down during digestion, it produces waste. Healthy kidneys filter out this waste and send it on its way into the litter box. But as your cat loses kidney function, it becomes increasingly difficult to remove these waste products. Instead of passing through your cats body, they remain in the bloodstream. This is why BUN levels rise in cats with CKD.
In an attempt to reduce BUN levels, cats with CKD are often given protein-restricted foods. But in recent years, this practice has become increasingly controversial.
Experts worry that a protein-restricted diet will lead to severe protein deprivation, decreased muscle mass, and poor physical condition. Instead of cutting back to 20% or fewer calories from protein, you may choose to feed moderate levels of highly digestible, low-waste protein from high-quality animal sources.
The bottom line is that you want your cat to feel better, not worse. While a protein-restricted diet helps some cats to feel better, it may also lead to muscle wasting and weakness. Youll have to weigh the costs and benefits of a low-protein diet for your cat.
Inflammation Of The Gallbladder
Inflammation of the gallbladder is usually caused by bacterial infections that start in the intestines and either travel up the bile duct or are spread through the blood. Other causes include body-wide diseases, tumors, abdominal trauma, and obstruction of the bile duct. Loss of appetite, abdominal pain, jaundice, fever, and vomiting are common signs. The cat may be in a state of shock due to abdominal inflammation.
The inflammation can also spread to the surrounding branches of the bile duct and the liver. Diagnosis is based on blood tests and ultrasonography and can be confirmed by biopsy for bacterial cultures and tissue analysis. Treatment usually consists of removal of the gallbladder and appropriate antibiotic medication to treat infection. The outlook is good if surgery and appropriate antibiotics are started early but is less favorable if diagnosis and treatment are delayed. After surgery, cats are at risk for recurrent bacterial infections of the biliary tract. Your veterinarian may instruct you to take your cat’s temperature regularly so you can identify and treat these infections early on.
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Other Choice: Blue Buffalo Healthy Gourmet Natural Adult Flaked Wet Cat Food
- Dryer than other wet foods
- Inconsistent product
- Shipping probs
Blue Buffalo is no stranger to pet owners, but their Healthy Gourmet Natural Adult Flaked Wet Food might be new to you. Another food with real chicken as its first ingredient! Its also natural with no soy, byproduct meal, corn, or wheat.
You have options with this food. It comes in three different flavors plus you have the option of a variety pack. You can choose one of three sizes as well.
With Blue Buffalo, you dont have to be suspicious about the quality of their ingredients either. Your cat will be getting premium quality food when you choose this one.
If youre expecting a pool of gravy, adjust your expectations. For a wet cat food, this one is pretty dry.
At the risk of sounding redundant, we have to tell you that people, again, are having trouble with the quality theyre receiving from Amazon. People who buy the food in store and love it are extremely aware that Amazon is sending out second-rate stuff.
We truly hate to admit that, but at this point, theres no denying it. To deny it would be to lie.
The only cure we have for this is to continue, continue, continue to ask Amazon and these brands why thats happening. We havent been able to get a direct answer ourselves, and for that, were sorry. Youll know when that day comes.
For now, be ever vigilant, suspicious, and proactive about every item youre ordering online right now. Its the only offense and defense available to you at this time.
What Toxins Cause Liver Failure In Cats
Causes of Liver Toxins in Cats The consumption or inhalation of drugs and toxic chemicals can damage the liver in cats. Some common drugs that are known to be hepatotoxic include phenobarbital, primidone, phenytoin, danazol, lomustine, androgenic anabolics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs .
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Easy To Digest And Low On Calories
Baby food for cats with liver disease. Cats can be switched to a prescription liver approved diet, offered daily liver supporting supplements and vitamins, and any other support that your vet thinks they could benefit from. In general, diets for cats with liver disease should have: Retained baby teeth in dogs and cats need surgical extraction.
Even if theyre born healthy, they can eat something toxic that damages their kidneys or other problems can arise, like diarrhea. Instead of focusing on low protein levels, this food maintains a normal level of protein and approaches kidney disease from a different angle. A home prepared diet made from a recipe put together by a veterinary nutritionist familiar with your cats case is another option for owners willing to cook for their cats.
Pets like cats need to adapt their diet to specific needs or certain health problems. Feline hepatic lipidosis, or feline fatty liver disease, is most often caused by a cat going long periods without eating for one reason or another. However, a typical healthy diet for cats with liver disease includes the following:
Roundworms in dogs and puppies. All of these are better than. In kittens and young cats, liver shunts top the list of common causes of liver malfunction.
However, in some cats the shunt remains open High quality protein to reduce the workload on the liver Chicken liver for cats with.
It, too, is specifically designed to be very easy to digest for your cat.
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