Cats are not dogs that will do anything for food. They don't eat everything that is put in front of them either, because cats are gourmets – at least most of them are.
Cats are individualists and don't like monotony. When it comes to nutrition, however, it's not just about encouraging your pet to eat and making it happy; the right food is also important for keeping it healthy.
Let's start with a list of feeding mistakes to avoid – and recommendations for good cat nutrition.
With a good ready-made cat food – dry or wet – you are on the right track. You can seek advice from a specialist store, but you can generally assume that the nutrients, protein, and fat content are tailored to your cat's needs. The only question then will probably be which varieties your cat likes best.
If you mainly feed dry food, please make sure that fresh water is always available, as your cat will need more of it than if it is fed wet food, which already contains moisture.
You can also combine both types of food. It is even best to get your cat used to varying its food from an early age. Older cats should not experience frequent changes in their diet in order to protect their gastrointestinal tract.
There are special varieties tailored to young cats, older cats, and cats with increased or special nutritional requirements, for example due to illness.
If you prefer to cook yourself, this involves a lot of work, but you will know exactly what is in your cat's bowl. You should find out more about the necessary ingredients in cat food and have a ration calculation carried out. This can be done through a veterinary nutritionist (see relevant article).
What is important: No matter which cat food you choose, make sure that your cat does not become "food imprinted" and suddenly refuses to eat anything other than a certain type of food. Also, be alert for any signs of allergy after feeding a particular product. These symptoms may indicate an allergy:
There is even cat food for specific needs or conditions that can only be purchased from your vet. Common special foods available from vets are available for cats with:
If you would like expert advice on nutrition, please contact your vet. They will be happy to advise you. You can make an appointment for individual nutritional advice directly via petsXL.
Tumors on the ovaries of mares are among the most common growths of the female reproductive system. They can occur regardless of breed and age and are often the cause of behavioral abnormalities or disturbances in the mare's sexual cycle. Depending on the type of cell affected, different types of tumors can occur, but they are usually benign.
Tortoises are fascinating animals that many children love. But before you bring a tortoise into your home, you should be aware that there is much more to it than just finding them cute or interesting.
As the saying goes, when two completely different people meet and have communication problems, they are "like cats and dogs." Dogs and cats do indeed seem to be fundamentally different. But opposites aren't always bad. It's entirely possible for the two to enjoy a peaceful family life together in the same household.
Magnetic resonance imaging, also known as nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, is one of the most modern and safest imaging techniques. It is used in veterinary medicine to diagnose a wide variety of diseases.
It is not uncommon for dogs and cats to develop inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), which is very painful and can quickly become life-threatening.
A cat's attempt to get outside through a tilted window can result in serious injury. In most cases, cats manage to squeeze their head and upper body through the window but then get stuck with their hindquarters in the slanted gap. Attempts to free them only make the situation worse, causing the cat to slide further down into the gap and become trapped. The consequences can include serious external and internal injuries, collectively known as tilt window syndrome, which can often lead to the death of the cat.
The adrenal gland disorder known as Cushing's disease was first described in humans in 1910 by Harvey Williams Cushing, after whom it was named. It involves increased stimulation of the adrenal cortex, resulting in excessive cortisol production (hyperadrenocorticism). The resulting symptoms are referred to as Cushing's syndrome. Unlike Addison's disease (adrenal insufficiency), Cushing's disease is not life-threatening. It mostly affects older, small dogs and breeds such as boxers, poodles, and dachshunds.
When a dog's kidneys can only perform their vital functions to a limited extent, this is referred to as kidney failure. The disease is often not recognized immediately, as it initially manifests itself with very unspecific symptoms. Dogs over the age of five are particularly affected, with certain breeds having a genetic predisposition to kidney disease.
Just like in humans, tartar and plaque are really common in our furry friends. These yellowish, rough deposits show up mainly on the corner and front teeth and can lead to serious gum inflammation. Older dogs, small breeds, and dogs with crooked teeth are especially at risk because their teeth don't clean themselves as well.
If you have decided to get a rabbit as a pet, it is certainly interesting to learn a little about the different breeds of rabbits. Below you will find a few breed profiles. Decide for yourself which rabbit suits you best. You may also want to visit one or two breeders and get some more detailed advice.
Are you one of those people who dream of teaching Beo to talk? Training and taming birds requires patience and empathy for your feathered friend. Nothing is impossible, but some species are more talented at speech than others, while others prefer to live their own lives in small flocks and are not particularly interested in "conversing" with humans.
In veterinary medicine, retained placenta refers to the placenta and egg membranes remaining in the uterus after the birth of the foal. This is not a separate disease, but rather a symptom of various functional disorders. It is one of the most common problems during the birth process in mares and occurs in 2 to 10% of all foal births.
