FOOD & NUTRITION

Have you tried a probiotic on your cat to see if it would settle her stomach and relieve either constipation or diarrhea? If so, did it work? If not, veterinary researchers arent surprised. The evidence behind currently marketed probiotics, supplements that contain supposedly good bacteria to help an overactive or sensitive gut adjust, is pretty limited, says J Scott Weese, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM.

Raw food diets, already popular for dogs, are gaining devotees among many cat owners as well. The idea is to mimic as closely as possible the ancestral diet that the wild ancestors of domestic cats evolved on: freshly-killed prey, eaten raw. Proponents believe this approach makes for healthier cats. But a growing chorus of health professionals is raising red flags about raw food diets (RFDs). …

If you want to feed your cat homemade food, theres nothing wrong with that, emphasizes Dr. Heinze. All you have to do is cook it! Thats the only way we know that these diets are free from bacterial contamination. While most homemade cat-food diets are nutritionally inadequate, your veterinarian can suggest ways to make sure your cat is getting all the nutrients she needs. If you are feeding a homemade diet, suggests Dr. Heinze, I…

When your cat is diagnosed with diabetes, its certainly going to require a lifestyle change for your pet, explains Deborah Linder, DVM, Head of Tufts Obesity Clinic for Animals at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Your cat can do very well, and have an excellent quality of life for many years, she says. But it does require intensive management by the owner.

Researchers at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University recently analyzed 90 canned foods from 45 brands to determine if commercial canned cat foods meet the thiamine requirements set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). This study was prompted by six recalls of thiamine-deficient cat food in the past five years. …

According to new research, feeding your overweight cat more frequent, small meals throughout the day could help increase his physical activity and ultimately help him to lose weight. I think veterinarians will be interested in this information because it gives them evidence to be able to recommend something to pet owners that could help with feline obesity and diabetes, said study leader Kelly S. Swanson, PhD, associate professor of comparative animal nutrition in the Department of…

Youve probably heard a lot of this lately: Grain free. No gluten added. Have you seen descriptions such as these on cat food - or in advertisements? Grain-free is a big new trend in cat food. Proponents argue that cats are healthier without grains or gluten - that they have fewer allergies and better digestion. But do they actually have any scientifically-established benefits?

You heard somewhere that when your cat reaches the age of seven — or was it nine? — it's time to switch him to a senior food formula. That seems to make sense; after all, you've most likely changed your own diet as you've aged, cutting back on calories and carbohydrates and increasing supplements.

But is what's right for you also right for your cat? Not necessarily.

"One size does not fit all," emphasizes Lisa Freeman, DVM, PhD, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.

Interpreting cat food labels can be a challenge, but in the end it comes down to common sense and this surprising advice: Dont focus too much on ingredients, says Lisa Freeman, DVM, PhD, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.

As a feline practitioner, I frequently hear the word finicky to describe the state of a cats appetite. The word was popularized in the 1970s by Morris, who was marketed as the worlds most finicky cat - deigning to eat 9Lives only. And the word finicky has been firmly rooted in our vernacular ever since.

In a multi-cat household, it can be difficult to feed different foods to different cats. Feeding the proper food to the right cat is especially important when one or more have medical problems. Age also plays a role. Kittens require energy-rich food to develop healthy bones and muscle. Overweight cats need nutrient-dense formulas with fewer calories. Underweight cats need more calories...

In my feline-only veterinary practice, not a single day goes by without a client asking me: What is the best diet for my healthy cat? These days, it is becoming increasingly more difficult to answer this (seemingly) simple question. Many people feel that cats should be fed canned food only, and that dry food is extremely unhealthy.