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.
This disease is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the mare's reproductive system, which is mainly transmitted through mating. The stallion is only a carrier of the pathogen and does not show any clinical symptoms. The disease, known as contagious equine metritis (CEM), was first described in detail in 1977 and is a notifiable disease in Germany.
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.
With increasing age, the number of cats suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD) rises. Between 30 and 40% of all cats over the age of 10 are affected. It often goes unnoticed for a long time. However, the gradual decline in kidney function continues to progress. CKD is one of the most common causes of death in cats and is unfortunately incurable.
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.
You are called to the stable because your horse can hardly move. It is standing in its stall or in the pasture and trying to relieve pressure on its front hooves by placing all its weight on its hindquarters and bringing its front legs forward. This characteristic stance is familiar to many horse owners, and there is little doubt about the diagnosis. Your horse is suffering from acute laminitis. This is one of the most painful conditions a horse can suffer from and, along with colic, is the leading cause of death in horses. Laminitis is always considered an emergency and treatment by a veterinarian is essential.
Rotaviruses are the most common cause of diarrhea in foals. They are widespread among horses and highly contagious. However, they only cause symptoms in young foals.
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.
What a wonderful feeling. Finally, your own horse! Everything went smoothly, from the trial ride to the pre-purchase examination to the purchase transaction. Your horse can move into its new stall. For new horse owners, this is a very exciting time, which is sure to raise a few questions about keeping conditions, health care, training, and much more. First and foremost, you should purchase basic equipment for your new horse that can be used for working and riding. You will quickly discover that you need a lot more than just a saddle and bridle.
This viral disease, also known as canine distemper due to its high contagiousness, is an acute infectious disease that is widespread worldwide. Puppies between two and 16 weeks of age, unvaccinated dogs, and older dogs are particularly at risk. If left untreated, the disease is usually fatal. However, modern vaccines provide effective prevention.
