Fur, Jaws, and Claws

posted by fmoore on Mar 3

Aging cats are going to take a little more maintenance as they mature. Visits to their vet should become more frequent to ensure that any problems are dealt with before they become life threatening.

One of the biggest problems that you need to consider as your cat ages is the health of its teeth. Teeth problems are one of the biggest causes of illness in cats, especially when they become older. In fact, it is often said that cats that live longest are those that don’t have any teeth left.

Your cat can get a buildup of plaque on the teeth which can cause gum problems. In turn, these gum problems can cause infections that lead to the deterioration of your cat’s internal organs, reduction in the quality of life, and the length of their life. Be sure to get your cat’s teeth checked and cleaned at least once every six months as they get older.

A handful of breeds are more prone to teeth problems than other breeds. However, the majority of gum disease often depends upon the type of food you are feeding them and the way that they eat. Some cats like to chew more than others and this chewing helps to clean plaque from their teeth.

Just as important as the cleanliness of your cat’s teeth is their overall comfort. As your cat becomes older, it will need a little more comfort. Not being as limber as they once were, giving your cat a nice soft surface to sleep on, away from drafts and in the warmth, will ensure that it remains in good health for longer.

Quite often cats will find a favorite place to sleep. Being that cats are very clean animals, this place will need to be cleaned on a regular basis or they will tend to move to other sleeping areas after a while.

There are some excellent cat beds available on the market designed to be very comfortable. They are relatively cheap and most of them are designed to wrap around the cat as they lie in their natural curled up sleeping position.

This gives your cat support and a sense of security. Good beds are made of materials that can be easily washed and dried to help maintain cleanliness and ensure that your cat stays in that same place the majority of the time. At this stage in its life, it is just like taking care of a parent. You want to make sure you meet their needs at every stage possible.

We offer access to an array of cat beds in the product directory that is included FREE with your download of Fur, Jaws, and Claws.

posted by fmoore on Oct 22

I normally don’t make assumptions. However, there is an exception to every rule. If you have a cat, companionship is probably very important to you. You value the companionship that your cat(s) bring to your life. So today, I would like to speak on the expected lifespan of a cat. I feel this is an appropriate opening topic so you can plan on how long and how full the relationship with your cat can be. Let’s begin.

Lifespan can vary quite considerably, depending on the breed of your cat. If your cat is overweight, as is true of humans, there is a high probability that it will have a shortened lifespan. This has become a MAJOR problem in the cat community. 65% of ALL cats suffer from obesity. This means that there is a high probability that your very cat(s) may be involved in this very epidemic.

Obesity has been consistently connected to health problems including diabetes, respiratory problems related to breathing, and extra weight that places additional stress and strain on cat’s limbs and internal organs. If your cat is well cared for, preferrably fed a natural diet throughout its life, and given adequate attention, it will usually live comfortably into its late teens.

Astonishingly, 85% of all cats over the age of four have gum disease. This can cause infections that can do damage to internal organs. As your cat ages, regular dental checkups will ensure that it will live longer by avoiding problems related to gum disease. Feeding your cat a nutritious diet is only more important.

Cats are quite durable animals. When offered the opportunity, they do try to look after themselves where possible by eating the right food that is natural to them.       

Their keen sense of smell helps them to avoid eating food that can cause illness. Since the common cause of early death in domestic cats is due to their owners feeding them the wrong food, this is by far the sense you, as an owner, can appreciate the most when you unknowingly offer them something that may not be good for them. In reading this blog, this should never pose a problem.

Feeding your cat a variety of foods in its diet will ensure that it is getting all the necessary nutrients to maintain good health. Do not assume that your cat can survive by just feeding it the same dried food every day and not keeping a fresh supply of water constantly available.

Cats will go out hunting, and they will eat what they catch, even if you have been feeding them a nutritionally balanced diet. If their diet is deficient they will be more inclined to hunt and find food that can maintain their health.

Giving your cat a warm, safe, stress-free environment, will extend their lifespan, and help them to be healthy enough to enjoy the geriatric years. Regular exercise will help maintain good health for a domestic cat that will commonly sleep most of the day.

And don’t be surprised to learn that there are many cats that have lived well into the early 20s. In fact, the Guiness World Book of Records list a certain feline living until the ripe old age of 36. Aim high and you will definitely have YOUR cat for years and years to come.

If you truly want to learn how to offer your cat the best life possible, be sure to pick up Fur, Jaws, and Claws: The Definitive Introduction to a Holistic Lifestyle for Your Cat. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.