| 1. What’s the best
way to keep your cat healthy?
Good nutrition. The latest
research has shown that raw food strengthens
the immune system. There’s a very easy
raw food recipe in The Natural Cat. The
second best diet is a very high quality
canned food with raw egg yolk and a good
multi-vitamin added.
2. Why do some cats
urinate outside the box?
Cats never urinate outside
the box unless something is wrong. There
can be many possible explanations. A dirty
litter box is, of course, the first possibility
to eliminate. Other possibilities include
the presence of an un-neutered male or
unsprayed female in the area or an illness
such as a bladder infection, bladder stones,
advanced kidney disease, problems with
intestines or anal glands, or cystitis.
The good news is that there are simple
ways to correct all of these problems.
I remember one case where Teddy, a neutered
male, was repeatedly spraying the drapes
in the dining room. We checked out all
the possibilities and had him examined
by his vet. Nothing seemed to explain
it. Then I found out that there were un-neutered
males running loose in the neighborhood
who were marking territory in the bushes
under the dining room window. We solved
the problem by trapping and neutering
the outdoor cats.
3. My two cats are 18
and 19 now and both are very thin. What
can I do to make them gain weight?
Here again, there are many
possible reasons. It is wise to have your
vet do a thorough examination and complete
blood tests. Include the special blood
test for hyperthyroidism (called a free
T4 test). Hyperthyroidism, kidney disease,
irritable bowel syndrome and cancer all
cause weight loss and, here again, much
can be done to correct the problem and
manage the disease. You will find information
on how to manage or cure over 40 diseases
in chapter 10 of The Natural Cat. I would
also reexamine your cat’s nutrition. You
need a very digestible food like PetGuard.
Add a little extra fat like butter of
egg yolk and extra fiber such as one-eighth
teaspoon of fine bran and/or psyllium
husk powder. Also feed 3 or 4 smaller
meals instead of two big ones so digestion
is easier.
4. How can I make my
elderly cats more comfortable?
Most older cats love warmth.
Make her a “snug retreat.” The directions
are given in the book. All you need is
a cardboard wine carton with a nice soft
towel inside. Lay it on its side up against
a radiator or, even better, get a clip-on
lamp with a 60-watt bulb. Clip it onto
a chair leg or a pulled-out drawer and
shine it into the box from about one foot
away. Old cats, kidney and cancer patients,
and all Siamese love it.
5. I want to clean my
cat’s teeth but I’m afraid to use those
commercial products that have so many
chemicals in them.
I know what you mean! Get
some mild cheddar cheese and make a soft
paste by mixing a small piece of it with
a little water. Put it on your index finger
and massage your cat’s teeth and gums
with it several times a week. The enzymes
that turn milk into cheddar also tend
to dissolve tartar. Cheddar does contain
salt so check with your vet if your cat
is a heart patient or on any kid of salt-restricted
diet. Also, in The Natural
Cat you’ll find instructions
on how to gently scrape off tartar with
your thumbnail. |
