FOOD & NUTRITION

Many of us maintain a little stockpile of our favorite snacks in a cupboard somewhere. And plenty of pet owners feel that their beloved four-legged companions deserve their own stash of treats as well. But does the habit of giving treats actually benefit our cats - or is it more a matter of anthropomorphism than anything else?

While individual cats may differ dramatically in various ways, all are alike in their need for a nutritionally sound and palatable daily diet. Fortunately, says Cailin Heinze, VMD, assistant professor of nutrition at the Cummings School, nutritionally sound cat foods are readily available in abundance these days on the shelves of local supermarkets and pet supply stores. …

Most cat owners have experienced the finicky nature of their pets, but a new study shows that cats actually navigate a mixture of wet and dry food offerings to intake the appropriate amounts of fat, protein and carbohydrates necessary for their good health. According to the study (in the Journal of Comparative Physiology B), domestic cats regulate their dietary intake by selecting food despite differences in the macronutrient content, moisture and texture.…

Regardless of how distinctive their individual personalities may be, all cats have in common the need for a nutritious daily diet. Although the most readily available sources can be found on the shelves of virtually any food market or pet supply shop, many owners are convinced that their cats will benefit most from meals that are prepared at home. …

Not many owners that Ive met, says Dr. Cailin Heinze, have been successful at getting their adult cats to eat a homemade diet. Cats develop very fixed food texture preferences early in life, and it can be hard to transition them to different types of food later on. In any case, she urges those who are interested in making the attempt to observe the following bits of advice: …

Cats in general are very good at concealing the outward signs of illness. Eons of experience in the wilderness have taught them to be wary of revealing any debilitating physical disorder that might signal their vulnerability to a potential predator. This is certainly the case when it comes to feline dental disease. …

Believe it or not, you can find at least 50 cat foods on the market with promises on their labels that claim everything from weight loss to reduced calorie to weight management. But just what do these phrases mean? Unfortunately, they can mean whatever the manufacturer wants them to. …

When Blazer tipped the scale at 29 pounds, his owner knew it was time to take action. He has always been a big boy, explains Susanne Jenkins of her tabby cat. But over the course of one long winter, he simply blew up. He was living with four dogs and getting into a lot of dog food. …

Join the club: About 40 percent of cats are overweight or obese, according to peer-reviewed studies. Unfortunately, that number may actually be an underestimate, says Deborah Linder, DVM, DACVN, head of the Tufts Obesity Clinic for Animals at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Feline obesity is associated with many health conditions and diseases - including diabetes, skin disease and joint disease.

Do a rib check. When you feel your cats rib cage, it should be no more padded than the back of your hand. If your cat appears to be overweight, add up the number of calories he or she receives each day. Count regular food, treats and table scraps. Be honest. (See article on healthy treats in Catnip, May 2013.) Provide daily diet information to your veterinarian during your cats wellness examination. Since obesity can cause other…

Like all mammals, domestic cats require a nutritionally sound daily diet, containing appropriate amounts of vitamins, proteins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats and water. Most of these dietary components come from the commercially prepared foods that the typical cat consumes each day, while adequate amounts of other important nutrients are manufactured within the cats system by means of complex biochemical processes. …

Q My husband and I live in an elderly community, with plenty of pet lovers. Our neighbor recently lost her toy breed dog,...