Recently I was at the veterinarian for feline Stevie's annual checkup when I noticed an unusually large number of cats being treated for bladder problems such as stones and urinary tract infections. I asked my vet about it and was surprised when he said "Most cat owners don't think about cat bladder health until it is either too late or an illness of some kind has occurred."I would guess bladder conditions and disorders account for at least 40 percent of all unscheduled cat veterinarian visits with such common conditions as urinary tract infections, bladder stones, and urinary incontinence always ranking high on the list of conditions requiring veterinary help. In this article we will focus on what you can do to insure cat bladder health and avoid the unforeseen expense that can accompany these types of conditions.
The suggestions listed below should ensure your cash will stay in your wallet and not go towards buying your veterinarian that new red sports car with the license plate DR. PET 1.
*Water, water, water! Yes, did I mention water. It is vital that your cat drink enough water to flush the bladder and urinary tract regularly. Their water should be purified, served in either a ceramic or metal bowl, changed out regularly, and located for easy access.
*A blend of wet and dry food is best. Dry food absorbs water like a sponge and can easily cause an otherwise healthy feline to become dehydrated. On the other hand with wet gravy laden foods they may tend to only lick the gravy and leave the food, both wasting food and failing to satisfy their dietary needs. A mix of 80 percent wet and 20 percent dry has worked well for me and might be a formula worth considering.
*Litter box convenience. Sometimes aging cats have aches and pains that keep them from urinating as often as they should. By placing an extra litter box or two around the house you may help them do a better job of flushing the bladder and urinary tract.
*Litter box cleanliness. One of the biggest threats to cat bladder health is a bacterial infection entering through the urethra and working its way up to the bladder. By changing litter frequently and washing out the litter box with some type of bacterial killing soap you will be greatly reducing the chances of any type of bacterial infection occurring.
*Neutral pH foods. Bladder stones are another serious risk to cat bladder health. PH levels that are too high or too low can lead to crystals in the urine and ultimately stone formation. Additionally, if you start to notice crystals in the urine it may be time to reduce the amount of calcium and magnesium in your cats diet until things improve.
*Keep them active. Inactivity can be a big problem when it comes to cat bladder health. A good rule of thumb here is to set aside at least 5 minutes a day for play and exercise.
*Don't leave them alone for days at a time. If you are going to be out-of-town, or on vacation, ask a neighbor, relative, or close friend to stop by and do what needs to be done.
*Recondition and protect the bladder with a homeopathic remedy. My personal experience with homeopathic remedies to promote cat bladder health has been very good. Some of the better homeopathic cat bladder health tonics contain one or more of the following ingredients: Berberis vulg, Cantharis, and/or Staphysagris. Homeopathic remedies are very safe and can be used alone or in conjunction with conventional treatment options when needed.
Robert D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic consumer advocate for natural pet health and natural living with over 10 years experience in the field. To learn more about pet health along with information about a safe and effective herbal and homeopathic remedy for pet bladder health Click Here
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_D_Hawkins 
No comments:
Post a Comment