| Cats have been loved by people all over the | | | | Cats have been loved by people all over the |
| world. They’ve been around for ages and | | | | world. They’ve been around for ages and |
| were even found sacred by some religions and | | | | were even found sacred by some religions and |
| cultures. Now ages later there’s thousands | | | | cultures. Now ages later there’s thousands |
| getting put down each week and many dieing | | | | getting put down each week and many dieing |
| from leukemia. A cat’s nutrition is important in | | | | from leukemia. A cat’s nutrition is important in |
| preventing diseases even Leukemia and Feline | | | | preventing diseases even Leukemia and Feline |
| Aids. | | | | Aids. |
| Leukemia has become a common disease in | | | | Leukemia has become a common disease in |
| outdoor cats. There are vaccines available to | | | | outdoor cats. There are vaccines available to |
| prevent them from catching it but it only | | | | prevent them from catching it but it only |
| prevents 95% so there is still a 5% chance of | | | | prevents 95% so there is still a 5% chance of |
| contracting the disease. Domestic cats have a | | | | contracting the disease. Domestic cats have a |
| much lower chance of catching the disease as | | | | much lower chance of catching the disease as |
| long as they’re not exposed to other cats | | | | long as they’re not exposed to other cats |
| that haven’t been tested for the virus. There | | | | that haven’t been tested for the virus. There |
| are many symptoms of the disease so it’s | | | | are many symptoms of the disease so it’s |
| hard to diagnose without a test. Most vets offer | | | | hard to diagnose without a test. Most vets offer |
| the test in their clinic. Make sure you get your cat | | | | the test in their clinic. Make sure you get your cat |
| tested and keep them healthy. Besides cats | | | | tested and keep them healthy. Besides cats |
| catching the disease from each other the second | | | | catching the disease from each other the second |
| way is through very bad nutrition. | | | | way is through very bad nutrition. |
| Most cats are fed a dry diet. Owners don’t | | | | Most cats are fed a dry diet. Owners don’t |
| know better and just grab the cheapest food | | | | know better and just grab the cheapest food |
| they get their hands on from a local supermarket. | | | | they get their hands on from a local supermarket. |
| Before we even own a cat as a pet we have to | | | | Before we even own a cat as a pet we have to |
| understand what their needs are when it comes | | | | understand what their needs are when it comes |
| to their diet and nutrition. Cats naturally are | | | | to their diet and nutrition. Cats naturally are |
| carnivorous animals. They have short intestines | | | | carnivorous animals. They have short intestines |
| and a small stomach so their diet needs to be | | | | and a small stomach so their diet needs to be |
| concentrated, highly digestible, low in residue and | | | | concentrated, highly digestible, low in residue and |
| high in protein. Adult dog’s protein intake will | | | | high in protein. Adult dog’s protein intake will |
| decrease to a third of a puppy’s required | | | | decrease to a third of a puppy’s required |
| protein consumption. A kitten needs 1 ½ the | | | | protein consumption. A kitten needs 1 ½ the |
| intake of an adult. An adult cat needs a high | | | | intake of an adult. An adult cat needs a high |
| protein diet. A cat can’t receive nutrients and | | | | protein diet. A cat can’t receive nutrients and |
| vitamins from most plants so it is required for | | | | vitamins from most plants so it is required for |
| them to eat meat. They eat even the organs of | | | | them to eat meat. They eat even the organs of |
| the animal so they absorb the digested nutrients | | | | the animal so they absorb the digested nutrients |
| derived from the animals. Since they are partially | | | | derived from the animals. Since they are partially |
| or wholly digested the cat can process the | | | | or wholly digested the cat can process the |
| vitamins in its own body. They do not have a | | | | vitamins in its own body. They do not have a |
| dietary requirement for carbohydrates. They do | | | | dietary requirement for carbohydrates. They do |
| need a lot of water though. All living cells revolve | | | | need a lot of water though. All living cells revolve |
| around water but the cat has evolved to get | | | | around water but the cat has evolved to get |
| most of their water through their food. The | | | | most of their water through their food. The |
| difference in moisture from dry to wet food is | | | | difference in moisture from dry to wet food is |
| about a 60% difference! Cats increase their water | | | | about a 60% difference! Cats increase their water |
| intake voluntarily but it’s not enough to keep | | | | intake voluntarily but it’s not enough to keep |
| them hydrated. | | | | them hydrated. |
| The water intake in their diet is really important | | | | The water intake in their diet is really important |
| but if they have all the water in the world and | | | | but if they have all the water in the world and |
| their vitamins are lacking then it will do no good. | | | | their vitamins are lacking then it will do no good. |
| They have to have a complete diet. Make sure | | | | They have to have a complete diet. Make sure |
| your cat is receiving all of the vitamins and water | | | | your cat is receiving all of the vitamins and water |
| it needs to function correctly. They will love you | | | | it needs to function correctly. They will love you |
| forever for it. | | | | forever for it. |
| | | | | |