Parasites are always a worry with our pets – let’s face it, our pets touch all sorts on the ground during their walks, sniffing sessions, and play time! It’s inevitable that they come into contact with faeces, urine, slugs, snails and so much more, giving many opportunities for parasites to be picked up, both internally and externally. Here at My Pet Nutritionist we want to help you understand more about parasites, how we can test for them, and how we can help the body rid of them. This is a bumper two part blog, providing you with all the need-to-know information regarding parasites! You can read Part 2 here! Welcome to part 1 – External Parasites Fleas Fleas can be identified as tiny black insects, moving in a hopping form. They jump and crawl around your dog, using a long feeding tube to suck blood from under your dog’s skin. they are very much visible to the naked eye, and another sign of fleas being present, is the dirt they leave behind – this can be identified as black matter in patches across the skin of the dog, at the base of hair follicles. Fleas can be picked up out on walks, or from communal dog establishments when in contact with another dog with fleas, or wildlife with fleas. There are different types of fleas, which target different animal species, some live happily on dogs and cats too, but others can only survive on their intended species, for example hedgehog fleas can only survive on hedgehogs. Cat fleas and dog fleas are the ones most commonly seen in pet households. They can also bite their humans too! If flea infestations are left for too long, the pet can become anaemic (particularly common in puppies), and also suffer with hair loss. Later in this blog post, we will discuss the dangers of using isoxazolines (chewable pest treatments) and spot-on treatments for our pets. Sometimes severe infestations do require one of these products to get them under control, as well as professional house exterminators, but we recommend avoiding these products unless it is as a last resort. Naturally, you can help prevent fleas through the use of selected essential oils (take extra caution with cats when using EOs) and neem oil on the pet, and feeding fresh garlic to dogs (though avoid feeding garlic to puppies under 6 months, and any Japanese breed as these are susceptible to allicin poisoning), as well as another herbal flea prevention supplement. There are many natural topical and internal products on the market, specifically for their target species, whether that’s cat or dog, so using these in a layered approach may give you the best chance of staying flea free! If your pet was to get some fleas, rubbing a thick layer of shampoo onto their dry coat, and leaving for 10 minutes before rinsing out using a comb can really help control the infestation. You can also purchase electric flea-zapping combs which can have great results! In severe cases, food grade diatomaceous earth could be sprinkled onto the coat, however this is extremely drying on the skin, and can be lethal if inhaled. You will also need to focus on steam cleaning your soft furnishings, carpets etc, and clean the house regularly, making extra sure to clean any small, potentially moist nooks and crannies, and wicker items as fleas seem to love these areas! Findings Here Findings Here Ticks Ticks get a really bad reputation – and for good reason, especially in some countries outside of the UK. Ticks can be identified as having a bulbous body, with very small head, and 8 legs, protruding from the head area. When they’re attached to your pet’s skin, you will be able to see the large rounded body (the larger the body, the more the tick has fed), with some legs seen very close to the skin. Ticks need to be removed as soon as possible, as they can carry a range of diseases – anything from Lyme disease (which is the most common tick bourne disease in the UK, though isn’t very common I itself) to disease leading to Alfa Gal Syndrome in humans, and paralysis in the host in other countries. They really can be nasty little creatures! To remove a tick, simply grab a tick removal tool and follow the basic instructions. They’re usually fail safe, and easy to use. If by chance, you do get the head stuck in the pet, these usually work their way out in time. To transmit Lymes Disease, ticks have to be attached for 36-48 hours, however some species of ticks carrying more sinister diseases in countries outside the UK can transmit disease quicker, so it’s super important to check your pets twice a day, and after every walk. You can read more about types of ticks, tick removal, and tick prevention in our blog dedicated to ticks here! Mites Mites come in various forms. The most common ones we see, are Mange (of which there are two types), harvest mites, and ear mites. Let’s take a look at some of these. Mange Mange presents as large areas of hair loss and scabbing. In severe cases, dogs can become completely bald. To test for mange, your veterinarian will take a skin scrape – a sample of the skin’s microbiome, which is analysed under a microscope for mite activity. Each type of mite is a different shape, so the type of mite can easily be diagnosed. Sarcoptic mange is often referred to as Scabies. Sarcoptic mange mites tend to live on the skin’s surface, and tend to be contagious. Ivermectin is the treatment often prescribed by veterinarians to battle sarcoptic mange, however there are some potential complication to using this, which we will discuss later in this blog. Some medicated, anti-seborrheic shampoos, are often used too. There are some natural options that may work in helping fight sarcoptic mange mites, including neem oil, turmeric, and some select essential
What should you feed your pet? It’s a very broad question, with many answers. No one individual is the same! That said, at My Pet Nutritionist, we aim to help pet owners make an informed decision. We recommend feeding fresh food to both cats and dogs. In this blog post, we will look at why we recommend fresh feeding, and touch on the different diets available on the market, and look at how each one is manufactured to give you an insight into why we do, or don’t recommend it. Why Feed Fresh? Fresh feeding, whether it’s raw, or cooked, uses whole food ingredients to form a complete, and balanced meal. Raw feeding is the closest diet to that of a wild carnivore, and cooked food is the next best option. Fresh foods are high in moisture which is essential for healthy kidney function, as well as general hydration. Fresh foods are highly digestible! As the ingredients are all biologically appropriate (which means all suitable for the species being fed), they are easy to digest. Unfortunately the bulk of the ingredients in dry foods are difficult for dogs or cats to digest, which can lead to long term health implications. The fact that fresh foods are minimally processed is also a huge benefit. The more processed a food is, the riskier it is to general health, both short, and long term. When a food is highly processed, carcinogenic compounds known as Advanced Glycation End-Products (AGEs) form. AGEs cause oxidative stress, generalised inflammation and premature ageing too. Glyphosate is commonly found in processed foods – you may have heard of Glyphosate before. Glyphosate is the active ingredient in many gardening herbicides! It is linked to cancer and major damage to the gut microbiome. This is not an issue with fresh feeding, especially if you purchase your dog or cat’s raw ingredients from organic sources. Fresh foods tend to be very low in carbohydrates; some vegetables contain carbohydrates, such as sweet potato, which may be fed in small quantities, but dry foods, and other processed foods are usually very high in carbohydrates; usually between 30% and 60% carbs! High carb foods cause blood sugar spikes, and can feed yeast, cancer, and lead to generalised inflammation. You can read more about carbohydrate consumption for dogs here. Cats are obligate carnivores so should not consume any. Finally, contamination of raw food is much lower than that of dry foods. Storage mites are a risk of dry food, but not of fresh foods as these are stored in the freezer. Mycotoxins and Aflatoxins are also commonly found in dry foods, due to their long dry-stored shelf life – again this is eliminated through freeze-stored fresh foods. A frequently asked question regarding safety of raw food vs dry foods, is salmonella contamination. Between 2012 and 2021, 80% of recalls due to salmonella were in fact, of dry food! A group of scientists surveyed 16,412 pet owners from 81 countries; a grand total of 39 had reported human illnesses due to raw pet food – just 0.2% – 9 cases were in the UK. Practice proper food hygiene, just as you would when preparing your own meals, and raw feeding is incredibly safe! Findings Here Manufacturing Raw Food Raw food manufacturing is extremely stringently controlled, and foods are DEFRA tested… more stringently so than raw meat sold for human consumption! Commercially prepared raw food is, in most cases, produced on a cold chain production line. Sound fancy doesn’t it? But what is ‘cold chain processing’? The meat comes into the factories in temperature controlled lorries. The meat is kept below a certain temperature throughout the manufacturing process – it is always kept either frozen or extremely cold at all times, leaving little room for bacterial growth. Once the products are minced, and packaged, they are stored in a deep freeze at below -18oC, before being transported for sale in temperature controlled packaging/vehicles. As you can see, this method is perfect for keeping nutrients intact and to their full potential. Premade raw foods are available for both cats and dogs! Preparing Raw Food at Home If you choose to make your own raw meals, commonly known as DIY, you may wish to freeze your meat first. Freezing is believed to eliminate the potential risk of parasitic burdens in meat, though little scientific scripture is available to prove, or disprove this theory – it may be best to err on the side of caution. As a basic guide, freezing lengths should be as follows: Game, pork and fish: 3 weeks OR deep freeze Other meat: 1 week OR deep freeze Findings Here Findings Here The ratio tends to be 80% muscle meat, 10% bone, 5% liver and 5% other secreting offal such as kidney, pancreas, testicle, spleen, brain etc. Heart and tripe are classed as muscle meat, not offal. To make this 80-10-10 mix into a complete meal, you will need to add plant matter, and omega sources. You can learn more about balancing an 80-10-10 here. If you are considering a DIY raw diet, and you want to learn all there is to know about the ins and outs of raw feeding, you can purchase our fantastic Ultimate Raw Feeding Guide for Dogs. Manufacturing Cooked Food Cooked foods are relatively new to the pet food market, with varieties available for both cats and dogs. Ingredients arrive fresh at the factories in temperature controlled vehicles, before being chopped to size, usually by hand, and cooked in large batches, at low temperatures. Temperatures of all ingredients are regularly checked to avoid bacterial growth, and ensure the food is properly cooked. Due to the nature of manufacturing, and minimal processing, these meals are rich in moisture! The cooked meals are then packaged, and in most cases, frozen in a deep freeze before being transported to retailers or directly to customers in temperatures controlled vehicles/cool box style packaging. Preparing Cooked Food at Home If you are planning to cook for your
Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we see a lot of confusion with regards to fasting your pets. The topic can cause quite the scuffle on social media, with largely varying opinions on the matter – so this blog article aims to help you, the readers, understand more about fasting, and when it is, and is not appropriate, or beneficial to do so. This post covers both cats and dogs, which both have very different needs, so we will split the blog into two sections; one for our feline friends, and one for our canine companions. What is Fasting? Fasting is quite a hot topic in both the pet, and human worlds! Fasting simply is, as it suggests – not feeding for a fairly lengthy period of time. The two types are: Intermittent fasting: feeding once per day, or twice per day, but no more than 6 hours apart, giving 16-23 hours between feeds Complete fasting: giving no food at all for a day or more. We will discuss length of fasting time for each species through this blog post. Should I Fast my Cat? The answer to this question isn’t a simple one – yes, and no. Cats should never be completely fasted, but can be fed one large meal per day in an intermittent fasting style. Cats are generally very susceptible to toxicity. Intake of dietary nutrients is extremely important for detoxification in cats, so regular and frequent feeding is essential. Cats should never go more than 24 hours without food! If the body is unable to suitable detoxify through nutrition, the risk of acute fatty liver increases. Lets take a deeper look at the science behind the importance of detox in cats. Cats are deficient in enzymes involved in later stages of detoxification. One notable example of this is glutathione peroxidase. Glutathione peroxidase is a catalytic enzyme, which reduces hydrogen peroxide to water, which detoxifies the body and limits the harmful effects of hydrogen peroxide. Findings Here A process involved in the later stages of detoxification, known as sulfation, is dependent on sufficient consumption of the amino acid, taurine. Unlike dogs and us humans, cats are unable to synthesise taurine from cysteine in their diet, so cats require direct taurine sources to ensure sulfation can occur. Ensuring a taurine rich diet for cats, helps to improve hepatic detoxification (liver detox). Findings Here Finally, cats are not able to synthesize arginine. Arginine is an essential part of detoxification via urea, and if lacking it in the diet, this can lead to acute encephalopathy. Findings Here Findings Here Should I Fast my Dog? Fasting dogs, in most cases, is ok… and can actually be very beneficial. Unlike cats, dogs don’t necessarily need to feed every day, as they produce enough of the enzymes and amino acids required for detoxification. In the wild, species in the Canidae family would only eat maximum one larger meal per day. There are some situations where dogs should not be fasted – we will take a look at these next! When Not to Fast While fasting may have some health benefits, it certainly isn’t for all dogs. In the following situations, dogs should not be fasted: If the dog has hunger pukes if not fed twice per day Dogs with acid reflux Puppies Dogs on medications which require food to be consumed before or after Underweight dogs, needing to gain weight Diabetic dogs Bitches in welp How Long to Fast For The length of time you can fast your dog for, very much depends on the individual. Generally speaking, dogs can safely go up to five days without eating, however hydration is important during this time. Most dog owners who fast their dogs, tend to do one or two full fasting days per week, others cut down to just one large meal every day, much like the fasting process for cats, discussed above. When a fast day is included in your dog’s schedule, it’s important to increase their daily portion of food for the rest of the days each week, to allow for the day with no food – so the fast day(s) allowed portion is split between the rest of the dog’s meals that week. We tend to recommend only fasting for one day at a time, and we would always recommend consulting with a professional before beginning your fasting journey, if you’re not a seasoned faster! Benefits of Fasting Once you have established whether you could possibly fast your pet, and for how long, we can look at the benefits this new feeding regime could have. Longevity Research shows that fasting can greatly improve longevity. Studies are mostly carried out on mice. Results show that mice who were fasted for complete days, and allowed to eat as much as they wished on days they’re given food, lived far longer than those fed a set amount every day. Not only were length of lives analysed, but the brain function was also studied. The part of the brain which is affected by Alzheimer’s disease in humans, the Hippocampus, was tested – those who were fasted regularly had less brain damage than those who ate daily, showing enhanced cognitive ability in aging individuals when fasting occurred. Findings Here Findings Here Stronger Immune Function and Infection Fighting Ability The immune system contains many different specialized cells, which each have their own function, and work together to create an immune response, and fight infection. The first cells we will discuss are Macrophages. Macrophages destroy bacterial cells, viruses, and foreign bodies by engulfing them. Another important role they play, is the engulfing and subsequent destruction of dead cells within the body. Fasting is known to increase macrophage activity, making fighting illness quicker. The next immune cells we will talk about are Neutrophils. These are a type of white blood cell – the most commonly found! Their role in the immune system is to engulf bacteria and other microorganisms. Neutrophils destroy the initial invading bacteria when bacterial infections first
As a cat owner, you may have had the joy of dealing with furballs at some point during your cat ownership! The panic setting in when you here ‘that noise’ coming from your cat, the fear of stepping in one when the lights are off… it’s never the most enjoyable part of cat companionship! Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we thought it would be useful to have a short guide on furballs in cats – learn what they are, why they happen, how to help prevent them, and what to do to support the body when the cat has one! What are Furballs? Furballs, are literally as they are called – balls of fur! These balls of fur are forced up through the oesophagus, and expelled through the mouth. They are usually tubular in shape, but can be unformed balls of matted fur, much resembling felt. The scientific name for ‘furball’ is ‘trichobezoar’. Fur is made from a protein called Keratin, just like our hair, and nails. Keratin is indigestible for all animals. How Do They Happen? When your cat ingests a large amount of fur, there becomes a backlog due to it being indigestible. As the amount of fur in the digestive system builds up, the risk of intestinal blockages becomes higher, so the body tries to expel it from the digestive tract. Poor gut motility may make this more difficult. Why Do They Happen? There are many reasons furballs may occur in your pet. Let’s take a look at some of these. General Grooming of Long Fur Longer haired breeds of cat tend to suffer more with furballs, purely due to more hair being ingested during maintenance grooming. The cats tongue acts like a comb – it is covered in tiny hook-like barbs, which act as the teeth of a comb in order to remove knots, and dead fur. Shorter haired cats also ingest fur during grooming, but this tends to be less problematic than those with longer fur. Maine Coons, Ragdolls, Persians, and other long haired breeds are most commonly seen with recurrent furball issues. Over Grooming Over grooming is one of the main problems we see in cats. This is when the cat obsessively grooms itself. While grooming to keep fur separate (and therefore comfortable) is normal, excessively grooming can cause baldness, and massively increases the chances of furballs. Overgrooming can be caused by anxiety in cats, as well as allergies. Stressed cats will often self-soothe by licking/grooming their fur. Those with allergies will be itchy, so the cat will over groom, in an attempt to calm the itch. Pain is also a possible reason for over grooming – in these cases, the cat will usually lick the area of pain. Imbalanced Microbiome The gut microbiome is an important factor in nearly every health complaint, and furballs are no different! Poor gut health can lead to poor motility in the gut. We need gut motility to be fast in order to push fur through, and to reduce contact between pathogens and the gut wall. Poor gut health, and an imbalanced gut with missing or reduced proportions of some beneficial bacteria can contribute to inflammation in the gut. This presents clinically as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). When the gut is inflamed, it becomes even more difficult due to poor gut motility, to push fur through the intestines and out through the anus in faeces. How Can We Prevent Them? Groom your cat regularly! The more grooming you do with brushes, the less loose fur there is for them to ingest during self-grooming! Try to groom your cat daily, especially if long haired, and also during spring, when the coat is shedding more. Feed fresh! The moisture content of fresh, or high quality wet foods is essential for so many aspects of feline health. Feeding moist foods is also great for gut motility, as the gut requires moisture to move fur along faster. Offering bone broth to those who are unable to eat a high-moisture food may be beneficial to increase the moisture consumed by your cat. Get those omegas in. Omega 3 is very important to reduce inflammation in the body, aiding gut motility, as well as keeping fur soft. The better condition the coat is in, the less shedding that occurs, and therefore the less furballs! Feed probiotics to help the gut microbiome flourish. Keeping the gut microbiome well populated can help gut motility, and help push the gathered fur through the gut. Ensure your cat’s diet contains plenty of fibre! Wheatgrass is a great source of fibre for cats, and can be found in our balanced recipes for cats! Findings Here Supporting the Body If you find your cat has a furball, there are some things we can do to help support the body. Conventional Treatments When you take your cat to the vet, and furballs are found to be the issue, they will often prescribe a form of laxative paste. These often contain artificial sweeteners, malt extract (high in sugar, and made from grains) and other undesirable ingredients, including non-specific ‘hydrolysed animal protein’, or meat meal (ground and dried abattoir leftovers). High sugar dietary components are not suitable for cats, and laxatives may cause other gastrointestinal problems if used regularly. Take a look at some of the natural options below! Fibre While fibre isn’t generally required by cats in large amounts, a little fibre in the diet can go a very long way! Organic Wheatgrass (commonly sold as Cat Grass) is high in dietary fibre, as well as being packed full of vitamins and minerals! It can be offered fresh, or powdered. A tiny sprinkling of Psyllium Husk may also aid gut motility. Mucilage Herbs An important group of supplements for those suffering from furballs, is mucilage herbs. Deglycyrrhizinated Liquorice (DGL), Marshmallow Root, and Slippery Elm are all fantastic choices. Mucilage herbs can help soothe the oesophagus, and the rest of the digestive tract, which is important to keep your cat comfortable during
Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we strive to help you decide on the best diet for your pet, including all the add-ons! We advocate feeding a fresh food diet when at all possible, whether that is raw or cooked using one of our balanced recipes. The big question often asked by pet owners is – does my pet need vegetables? The answer depends on the species of pet, and the individual animal! Let’s discuss the feeding of vegetables to pets, which veggies are suitable, and how much and often they should be fed! Do Cats Need Vegetables? Our feline friends are obligate carnivores. This means their diet should consist of meat, offal and bone. Cats will not benefit from a portion of vegetables, as they don’t have the required enzymes for digestion of plants or starch. Cats undergo a process called gluconeogenesis, which turns fats and proteins into energy, unlike many other species whereby carbohydrates are used for energy. During gluconeogenesis, a series of enzymatic reactions occur to achieve the release of energy from protein and fat. Findings Here Cats may benefit from a little wheatgrass and kelp; these ingredients are a great source of fibre which helps digestion and gut motility. They also contain a plethora of nutrition, such as Vitamin E, Zinc, Manganese, Iodine and copper. Kelp can help with plaque control on the teeth, and wheatgrass is great to aid immune health, eye health and vision, and also helps keep oral and gastrointestinal health in check. Do Dogs Need Vegetables? Unlike cats, while dogs are also carnivores, our canine counterparts are facultative carnivores; not obligate. This means they can benefit from a small amount of plant matter. For a more detailed explanation of facultative carnivorism, have a read of our blog: Is My Dog a Carnivore or an Omnivore? A complete meal for dogs does contain vegetables and fruits (collectively known as ‘plant matter’), as well as omega rich meat, fish or algae based sources. Dogs struggling with itchy skin may not tolerate some, or all vegetables – in these cases, vegetables should be avoided. If your dog is on an elimination diet they should not have vegetables, but may include vegetables as part of their elimination trial once protein choices are exhausted. Let’s look at the benefits feeding plant matter can bring! Benefits of Vegetables for Dogs There are a range of benefits plant matter can bring to your dog’s diet. These benefits cannot be sought from a purely meat diet. Polyphenols Polyphenols work alongside antioxidants to protect the tissues in the body from oxidative stress. In turn, this helps prevent cancer, general inflammation in the body, and coronary heart disease. Polyphenols inhibit transcript factors for inflammation by positively interacting with proteins which are involved in expression of genes, which ultimately helps keep inflammation in the body down. Studies also show that supplementing the diet with polyphenols when a dog has diarrhoea is beneficial as it helps reduce inflammation in the intestines. Vegetables high in polyphenols include: berries, nuts, seeds, and leafy greens. Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Antioxidants Antioxidants are a very important part of the diet, in order to keep your dog healthy. The body contains lots of free radicals – these are molecules which have an unpaired electron. These are extremely unstable, highly reactive, and can cause the onset of cancer, cataracts, heart disease, and inflammatory disease. They really are very damaging to healthy cells in the body, so we really need to work toward controlling levels of free radicals in the body, using antioxidants. When the diet is rich in antioxidants, free radicals are ‘eaten’ away from healthy cells in the body, which reduces the risk of oxidative stress. Not only is the reduction of oxidative stress a huge benefit to antioxidants, but eye health, cardiovascular health, and brain function are supported, as well as a reduction in inflammation in the body. Healthy ageing is largely down to reducing oxidative stress, so antioxidants are also very important for the ageing dog. Blueberries are excellent sources of antioxidants, as well as spinach, raspberries, and broccoli. Findings Here Findings Here Phytonutrients Phytonutrients bring wonderful anti-cancer and pro-heart health benefits. Studies show links between phytonutrient consumption, and longevity too! As well as these fantastic benefits, phytonutrients play a role in immune modulation, to keep the immune function strong, and prevent various diseases including skin cancer, internal cancers, inflammatory diseases, osteoarthritis, and others. It may also play a role in the management of diabetes, and allergies, as well as having anti-ageing effects. Findings Here Findings Here Choosing Suitable Vegetables for Dogs When choosing suitable plant matter for your dog, you need to consider the Glycaemic Index Rating of the vegetable in question. Glycaemic Index Rating Looking at the glycaemic index (GI) rating of plant matter is a very important part of choosing suitable options. The glycaemic index rates how quickly a food digests and causes a blood sugar spike. The lower the glycaemic index value, the longer it takes to digest that food, and the less likely it is to cause a spike in blood glucose. Higher GI foods digest quicker and cause a blood glucose spike. Try to feed lower GI foods more often, and only feeding higher GI foods occasionally, and sparingly. In general, the lower GI foods tend to be the most beneficial anyway! Findings Here Findings Here Some examples of Low GI foods include: Leafy green vegetables Broccoli Brussels Sprouts Cabbage Asparagus Spinach Peppers Mushrooms Avocado flesh Herbs Some medium GI foods include: Berries Pear Apple Some high GI foods include: Banana Melon Sweet potato Carrot Parsnip Pumpkin Butternut squash Introducing, and Serving Vegetables When introducing vegetables to your dog for the first time, you may wish to start by giving a little veg, of only one or two varieties to ensure they like the options given and so as not to put them off entirely. If your dog is itch-prone, or has allergies, avoid all medium and high GI
At My Pet Nutritionist, we understand the importance of hormones in the body, and how the slightest imbalance can lead to both minor, and major health issues. This guide will help you understand the role of hormones within the body. What are hormones? Hormones are found in all living organisms, from mammals to plants. They are substances found in the body which regulate bodily functions, including mental development, physical development, reproduction, and metabolism. What is the Endocrine System? The Endocrine system is comprised of all the organs and glands that produce and secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream and into the tissues and organs which use them. Thyroid Hormones Thyroid stimulating hormone While Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) is produced in the brain, by the Anterior Pituitary Gland, it is the most important hormone for thyroid function. TSH is the hormone which is needed to stimulate the production of other important hormones in the thyroid gland. Findings Here Dogs suffering from Hypothyroidism have been proven to have fluctuating amounts of TSH produced, which causes issues when trying to produce the relevant hormones in the thyroid itself, leading to Hypothyroidism. Findings Here Thyroxine Thyroxine, also known as T4, is the most important hormone produced in, and secreted by the thyroid gland. Tyroxine is essential for normal functioning of the heart and muscles, neurological development, digestion, metabolism and weight management, and bone repair/strengthening. Findings Here Findings Here Thyroxine supplements may help physical and cognitive abilities if used as a treatment for patients suffering with hypothyroidism. Findings Here Triiodothyronine Also known as T3, Triiodothyronine is another important hormone produced and secreted by the thyroid gland. It aids the control of metabolic rate, heart rate, neurological development, bone development, and digestion. It goes hand in hand with Thyroxine. Triiodothyronine is particularly important for skeletal development and function. Findings Here Calcitonin Calcitonin is the third important hormone produced by the thyroid, and is used in the regulation of calcium and phosphate levels in the blood. It also helps to protect the body against developing hypercalcaemia, by reducing the levels of calcium in the blood. Where the other thyroid hormones are stimulated by TSH, Calcitonin production is also stimulated by Gastrin; one of the gastric hormones, which aids muscle growth, and contributes to muscle health in aging individuals, as well as gut motility, and production of stomach acid. Findings Here Reproductive Hormones Oxytocin Oxytocin is produced in the brain, in the hypothalamus, and is released by the pituitary gland for use in the reproductive system. This is the hormone responsible for sexual arousal, and bonding between mother and infant. The uterus contracts when stimulated by Oxytocin, so it is an important hormone during labour too. Trust and recognition are also controlled by oxytocin, as well as the bond between the owner and pet. Findings Here Findings Here Progesterone Progesterone is responsible for the preparation of the uterus lining; the endometrium. Once fertilized, the eggs will embed themselves in the endometrium, where they will grow and mature. Relaxin Relaxin is utilised in both the musculoskeletal system, and the reproductive system. In the reproductive system, it aids the growth of the placenta, and also helps imbed the fertilized egg (embryo) into the endometrium. In the musculoskeletal system, Relaxin is involved in cartilage and tendon health, as well as bone and muscle repair Findings Here Findings Here Testosterone Testosterone is particularly important for males, however it is present in females too. In females it regulates breast tissue, and fertility. In males, testosterone not only aids sex drive, but also regulates distribution of body fat, bone density and muscle mass, and it also aids the production of Red Blood Cells, and sperm. When testosterone is taken away too early, through premature neutering, the risk of a huge variety of health problems can increase, including weight gain, arthritis, uneven bone growth, poor bone strength, various cancers, among other health issues. Findings Here Adrenal Gland Hormones Cortisol Cortisol has many functions in the body. It is produced in the Zona Fasciculata, which is in the very centre of the Adrenal Gland. It’s functions in the body include controlling the body’s intake and use of protein, fat and carbohydrates, increasing blood sugar levels, decreasing inflammation, and regulating blood pressure. Cortisol is also known as the ‘primary stress hormone’ – it’s the hormone which helps relax urges of stress or anger, and helps build the bond between owner and dog, alongside the aforementioned Oxytocin. Findings Here Adrenaline This one may be quite self-explanatory. When you think of what it feels like to have an adrenaline rush; this is the role of adrenaline! It causes an increase in blood pressure, expansion of passageways to and from the lungs, heightened pain threshold, more acute sensitivity to sounds and sights, and is also very important for distributing blood to muscles. Findings Here Findings Here Aldosterone Produced in the adrenal glands, Aldosterone is responsible for regulation of water to salt ratios in the body. The amount of salt to water in the body dictates blood pressure, so Aldosterone is essential in the regulation of normal, healthy blood pressure. Findings Here Noradrenaline Produced in the adrenal medulla, this is an important hormone used by the brain. It regulates cognitive function at all ages, and is also an important part of arousal and attention span. Findings Here Pancreatic Hormones Insulin This may be a hormone you most likely will have heard of. Insulin is a massive part of diabtetes. Why is this? The role of insulin is to lower blood glucose levels. Type 2 Diabetes is caused by a spike in blood glucose levels, where insulin is not present enough. This hormone is produced in the pancreas. Findings Here Glucagon Alongside Insulin, Glucagon is also produced in the pancreas, and also helps regulate glucose levels within the body. Glucagon regulates glucose homeostasis by stimulating the production of glucose form the liver. Findings Here Findings Here Somatostatin Produced in the pancreas, Somatostatin inhibits the secretion of insulin and glucagon, which is
Those feeding a fresh diet, whether it’s raw, or lightly cooked, will notice their pet’s meals contain offal. Offal is one of the important elements to include in your carnivorous pet’s meals. Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we wanted to highlight this element of the diet, and explain it’s importance! Is My Pet A Carnivore? Dogs and cats are both carnivorous species; however they are different types of carnivore. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning their diet should be made purely from meat, offal and bone. Dogs are facultative carnivores, which means they predominantly eat a meat based diet, but may benefit from the addition of plant matter. Offal is essential in the diet of both cats, and dogs. What is Offal? When we speak about offal, many people may think back to their biology lesson days, or the packet of giblets and organs that comes with their Christmas turkey! These organs are offal, to some extent; but in the raw/fresh pet food world, we need to be a little more specific! In the world of pet food, when we refer to ‘offal’, we actually mean ‘secreting offal’. ‘Secreting’ means ‘produces a useful substance’; so secreting offal, is organs which produce a substance used by the body. Secreting offal includes: Liver Kidney Spleen Pancreas Testicle Brain We, humans, may think of heart, lung, and tripe as ‘offal’ – which in human terms, it is; however these are classed as muscle meat when talking about a fresh diet for pets. The heart pumps blood through the body, the lungs bring oxygen into the body and rids the body of unwanted carbon dioxide, and tripe is the lining of the stomach. None of these organs produce their own useful substance, so are not classed as offal in the raw diet. How Much Offal Do I Feed? For healthy pets, they require 10% offal in their diet. No more than 5% of this should be liver, due to it being incredibly nutrient dense – it really is a powerhouse! The rest of the raw diet should be 80% muscle meat, and 10% bone. In a fresh cooked diet, it’s important to follow a recipe balanced to FEDIAF, like ours! What is the Role of Offal in the Diet? Offal provides numerous vitamins and minerals; we will discuss what each organ provides! All offal is high in moisture, which really helps keep the dog’s kidneys from being under stress, and reduces the risk of UTIs. Each organ fed, provides benefits to the same organ within the dog’s body too! Liver offers a huge amount of fat-soluble Vitamin A, which is essential for healthy vision, healthy growth and development, and support of the immune system. Liver contains large amounts of water-soluble Vitamin B2, which is responsible for metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Vitamin B12 is found in abundance in liver, which keeps nerve and blood cells in good condition, as well as being involved in the body’s production of DNA. As liver contains so much of these vitamin, it’s important to include in the diet, but not to feed more than 5% of the entire diet. Liver is a great source of Copper; the mineral responsible for keeping the nervous system healthy, keeping blood cells healthy, and aiding the immune system. Findings Here Kidney is a great source of the mineral, Selenium. Selenium protects cells against damage and infection, and also aids the production of DNA. Kidney contains a wide range of B vitamins, including B1, B2, B6 and B12. B6 is very important for brain function, as it controls the level of homocysteine; an amino acid associated with cognitive decline when found in large amounts. Vitamin D is found more in kidney than any other organ, and is essential for regulation of calcium and phosphate in the body, which keep bones, muscles and teeth in good condition. Findings Here Spleen contains high concentrations of iron. Iron is essential for many bodily functions, including haemoglobin production, myoglobin production, as well as production of many hormones. Vitamin B12 can be found in relatively large amounts in spleen, and is also very high in tryptophan; the amino acid which aids the sleep cycle, through regulation of serotonin and melatonin. The liver uses this amino acid for production of Vitamin B3, which is essential for DNA production. Findings Here Pancreas is one of the higher fat offal options. It doesn’t contain any particularly notifiable amounts of vitamins or minerals, but it does offer a range of very useful digestive enzymes. It may be worth considering feeding pancreas as part of a balanced diet if your dog has a sensitive stomach, and requires a little extra digestive help. One study shows replacing ‘lecithin’ in the commercial diet of a dog with lack of pancreatic function, with raw pancreas, is massively beneficial! Findings Here Testicles (yes, we said testicles! Chuckle, if you wish – we do! Some readers may wish to cross their legs when reading this section!) are a great source of vitamin B12, and are also high in protein, and very low in fat. They contain a great amount of sodium too, which is essential for health contraction and relaxation of muscles throughout the body. Chloride is also in abundance in testicles, which along with sodium, regulates the mineral uptake and hydration of the body. Findings Here Brain is a great option for your pet, though contains the same amount of fat as it does protein. Unlike any other offal, brain is a fantastic source of essential fatty acids. The Omega-3 Fatty Acid, DHA, is a natural anti-inflammatory, which is usually found in fish and raw eggs. Brain contains huge amounts of DHA, which is excellent for brain health and cognitive development. A fantastic choice for all dogs, but especially growing puppies, and senior dogs who may be prone to cognitive decline. Findings Here When is a Low Offal Diet Required? Very occasionally, some dogs may require a diet lower in offal than others; namely those requiring
Our feline friends can often be left out when we talk about enrichment for pets – we notice plenty of top tips for our dogs, but sometimes end up a little lost when it comes to our cats. So, how can we enrich our cat’s life? We’ve popped together some ideas. Species Appropriate Diet Cats have evolved as hunters that consume prey containing high amounts of protein, moderate amounts of fat, and minimal amounts of carbohydrates. The cat has seemingly evolved as a strict or obligate carnivore; meaning the nutrients they require are found in animal tissue. As such, the consensus is that there is no current nutritional basis for energy to be supplied by carbohydrates; providing other nutrients are being supplied. There is also evidence that there is limited amylase activity in the pancreas and small intestine (even compared to dogs), which may explain why some cats will not tolerate high starch diets. The fact that cats are also defined as hypercarnivores (small carnivorous mammal with a proportionally large brain) indicates they have a high brain glucose demand. This high demand simply could not be met by carbohydrates present in a natural prey diet; and so, cats therefore have a higher rate of gluconeogenesis (the production of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources). It is considered that due to the limited intestinal enzyme capacity, consumption of excessive amounts of digestible carbohydrates will not lead to glucose absorption, but rather a substrate for increased microbial fermentation, causing gastrointestinal adverse effects. In similar tests to dogs, cats are able to target their nutrient intake. When given the choice, they will specifically aim for a high intake of protein. In times of low protein, they will opt for an increased fat intake to achieve balance. When carbohydrate intake was high, this limited intake of other nutrients and resulted in deficits – for that reason, a carbohydrate ceiling was proposed for the cat. What this means, is that your cat will thrive best on a fresh food diet, high in protein and moderate in fat. If you find you have a fussy eater, sometimes engaging in play before mealtimes can mimic you cat’s natural prey drive and increase interest in food. Findings Here Limit Toxin Exposure Whenever the body is exposed to something, it must do something with it. In the case of toxic substances, it must make it less toxic, hence the word detoxification (de=remove or reverse). Detoxification pathways fall into three phases. The first two phases are concerned with breaking down the toxin in the body, and phase three is concerned with excreting it. For us to manage ours and our cat’s toxic load, all three phases need to be working optimally. Phase one is particularly nutrient demanding, and it produces a lot of reactive oxygen species in the process (those cheeky things that result in oxidative damage which destroys and damages cells). Phase two is also nutrient demanding, but drafts in many different processes depending on the compounds being detoxified. Phase three deals with getting rid of them once and for all, and occurs in the gut, skin, liver and kidneys. So, it stands to reason that optimal organ function is helpful here. The issue is that the cat is playing catch up. They aren’t as efficient at these processes as other species, like us, and when we are increasing the toxin burden year on year, it becomes problematic. They have even demonstrated a total inactivation of certain genes responsible for certain phenol detoxification. So, whilst limited toxin exposure is important for us all, it’s even more important for our cats. Where possible, limit exposure to: Plastics Mould Smoke Air pollution Heavy metals VOCs – air fresheners, cleaning products, fabric softeners The Struggle of The Cat in Our Toxic World Is Your Toxic Home Affecting Your Pet Allow Them To Engage in Normal Behaviour All cats are different. They have different energy levels and how they behave will depend on their age, breed and past experiences. But there are a few things that we need to ensure for all cats, no matter what. make sure your cat receives enough mental, social and physical stimulation to satisfy their individual behavioural needs provide your cat with safe toys and regular opportunities to play with friendly people and by themselves make sure that your cat can rest undisturbed if they want to make sure your cat has opportunities to exercise each day provide suitable indoor activities to keep your cat active, if they don’t go outside make sure that your cat can reach all the things that it needs (for example bed, food, water, litter or outdoors) without having to get too close to things, people or other animals that may scare them make sure children allow cats to exhibit normal behaviours too. Let Them Hide Cats get stressed. There is no denying that. But they are often a little more subtle in their anxieties than other animals. As in humans, cats will have the same response to stress. They may choose to fight, flight, or freeze. When they fight, they become aggressive and defensive. Flight will see them withdrawing from the threat and perhaps running away. When cats freeze, they crouch, lie still, and try to avoid any attention. There is a ladder of response in most animals, and this is no different in cats. They will often show subtle signs of discomfort or stress. If the trigger doesn’t disappear, the behaviour will progress. You may start with the flat ears, then the pupils will dilate. You may have a low growl or a silent hiss. Them running off or lashing out with their teeth and claws may be a few steps up the ladder. For some cats, there are triggers which they can’t easily escape from. The most common is a multi-pet home. It is well-established that those cats exposed to dogs report higher stress-hormone levels in their urine. However, some cats have incredible relationships with resident dogs. Generally, if the cat
There is a common misconception in the feline world. Many of us will see a hiding cat and make it our mission to coax them out. Whether this is whilst visiting a friend or taking in a new addition and they shoot straight under the cooker. We want them to come out so we can scratch under their chin. We want to reassure them. But what if we were to tell you that the welfare of said cats is greatly improved when they are given the opportunity to hide? Our want to reassure the cat is largely misplaced. We like to think we can fix it; but sometimes giving these cats the opportunity to decompress will fix more than our head poking under the bed with a handful of cooked food! To support the stressed cat we need to think outside of the box, or inside, as this case may be. Stress in Cats Cats get stressed. There is no denying that. But they are often a little more subtle in their anxieties than other animals. As in humans, cats will have the same response to stress. They may choose to fight, flight, or freeze. When they fight, they become aggressive and defensive. Flight will see them withdrawing from the threat and perhaps running away. When cats freeze, they crouch, lie still, and try to avoid any attention. At this point, you are probably imagining an outdoor cat with a territory to protect or one who has run into some difficulty on their hunt. But cats can become stressed for many reasons. They may spot an intruder (from the comfort of their windowsill), furniture may have moved, their litter may be different because the pet shop ran out of their usual one or there may be guests in the home and suddenly the day to day routine has drastically changed. You then have the colossal life changing events like bringing another new pet into their home, or them being the new addition to a busy home. The personality of the cat will largely determine how they respond to stress, much like in humans. Friendly and bold cats will often be more resilient in the face of change or stress; these are the cats who have generally experienced positive early socialisation, exposure to novel experiences and regular human handling. Interestingly, those cats who have a friendly father tend to grow up experiencing less distress in novel situations. Findings Here But it also seems that the personality of the owner can affect how a cat responds to stressful situations. If we explore the Big Five Inventory for human personality, owners who score high on neuroticism (who are more likely to feel anxious, worry and fear) report that their cats are more aggressive, anxious, and fearful. Owners who score high on conscientiousness report their cats are less anxious, fearful, aggressive, aloof, and avoidant. Those who are conscientious are often defined as organised and we know that a consistent routine is a great way to reduce stress-related behaviour in cats. Findings Here Studies like this include largely self-reported data, so the behaviour of both owner and cat could merely be perception, but it gives food for thought most certainly. Spotting Stress in Cats Cats can be incredible at hiding their emotions. This would have been an evolutionary advantage – no-one can prey on a weakness if they can’t see it. But there are subtle behaviours which show us they aren’t particularly fond of a situation. Immobility (freeze response) Crouched body Laying flat on their belly Tail under their body Wide eyes Flat ears Meowing, yowling, growling Hissing Shaking Excessive salivating Involuntary toileting Some cats will attempt to make themselves look bigger by way of piloerection. Their hand stands on end along their back, but more commonly you’ll notice a suddenly bushy tail. In dogs we notice this as getting their “hackles” up. This is an involuntary nervous system response because of the circulating adrenaline which makes the muscles contract. Be mindful though, cats will also do this if they are cold or aroused, so assess the situation to establish if it’s stress related or not. Again, this makes total evolutionary sense; a predator would think twice about hunting a larger prey. There is a ladder of response in most animals, and this is no different in cats. They will often show subtle signs of discomfort or stress. If the trigger doesn’t disappear, behaviour will progress. You may first notice flat ears, then the pupils will dilate. You may have a low growl or a silent hiss. Them running off or lashing out with their teeth and claws may be a few steps up the ladder. Chronic Stress For some cats, there are triggers which they can’t easily escape from. The most common is a multi-pet home. It is well-established that those cats exposed to dogs report higher stress-hormone levels in their urine. However, some cats have incredible relationships with resident dogs. Generally, if the cat is the first to arrive in the home, the cat-dog relationship will be more comfortable, and indoor cats are more likely to live amicably with dogs, than outdoor cats. Interestingly, it is usually the cat that is the driver of any aggressive encounters with dogs. In short, the cat will call the shots on whether the relationship is harmonious or not. Findings Here In a multi-cat home, it is much the same. Some cats cohabit perfectly well, but others may not. Strained relationships can result in excessive grooming, indoor soiling, spraying and even urinary retention, commonly resulting in conditions like cystitis. Cats may also self-soothe by way of sleeping and eating, so they may start to gain unnecessary weight. This is where the idea of learned helplessness appears. This is the “why bother?” concept of managing stressful situations. After repeated exposure to a stressor, the animal perceives they are unable to control or change it, so they stop trying. It’s easy to spot the acute stress
Whilst we thought we were leaving acne behind in our teenage years, sadly, our feline friends can and do suffer with it. Appearing as red bumps, black dots or dirt on your cat’s chin, cat acne is the result of the hair follicles (more commonly the ones on their chin) becoming “plugged!” There are a number of reasons why this condition affects cats, so let’s take a look at it in a little more detail, with some of our top tips to tackle it. What is Cat Acne? Cat acne is more technically termed follicular keratinization. This is when there is an over production of keratin which is a protein found in the outer layer of skin. This excess keratin becomes trapped in the hair follicle and starts to form pustules or pimples. Cat acne is similar to human acne; characterised by the development of folliculitis (inflammation of the hair follicle). What are the Signs and Symptoms of Cat Acne? Dirty appearance on the chin Lesions on the chin Blackheads/infected follicles Swollen lips What is particularly interesting is that cats can experience acne on other parts of their body too, but it is more common on their chin. Potential Causes of Cat Acne The Skin’s Immune Barrier Function The skin is the largest organ of your cat’s body. It consists of three major layers: The Epidermis – (Epi – upon or above) this is the outer layer of skin, the protective layer. The Dermis – the dermis supports and nourishes the outer layer. It provides strength and elasticity. Here you will find collagen fibres, sweat glands, sebaceous glands, and hair follicles. You will also find cells that release histamine and other inflammatory mediators when faced with an allergy or injury. The Subcutis – (sub meaning under or below) this in the innermost layer of the skin, where you will find fat and muscles. Subcutaneous fat provides insulation, padding and storage for reserve energy. Not only does the structure of the skin prevent water and electrolyte loss to help maintain body homeostasis, but it forms a protective barrier which helps protect against infections, parasites, and the elements. This is the often-forgotten role of the skin – that it forms part of the immune system. If this barrier is compromised, we start to see issues on the surface (in the form of skin disease), along with body wide inflammatory issues. What Can Compromise the Skin Barrier? Over-grooming This can be a common behaviour in a stressed cat. They may over-groom in an attempt to soothe. You will notice bald patches, but once your cat has removed their hair, it wont be long until they start compromising their skin too! Watch for signs of stress in your cat, they may become more withdrawn than usual, they may hide more often or become less tolerant of people. In more severe cases they may toilet in inappropriate places. Pheromone diffusers can be great options to help calm a stressed cat, but also giving them plenty of opportunities to hide. In shelter environments, cats have noted huge reductions in stress-related behaviours in less than 10 days, when they have been allowed to hide. It also didn’t affect their ability to be rehomed. In short, those cats allowed to hide were less-stressed, more eager to approach strangers and more active. Findings Here Cats are largely solitary animals. They have always marked their territories by way of scent. They rub their facial glands around their environment and also mark by way of urine, faeces and anal glands. Not only does hiding allow them to watch for threats from one direction only, (the one way into the box) it is also a confined space where they are very quickly surrounded by their own scent. The key is to have ample hiding spaces. So, if you have more than one cat, they each need their own space to hide. Free from dogs, children and other territory intruders. You could simply place carboard boxes around your home, perhaps in the usual places your cat chooses to hide, or you can buy activity centres with boxes attached. Cocoon style beds are also perfect; just remember to buy one with removable, washable covers. Overgrooming can also be a sign of boredom – it often becomes more common in winter, when cats are spending more time indoors. If this is a concern, provide plenty of opportunities for your cat to engage in natural behaviour, within the home. Study after study shows us that enriched environments reduce the stress-hormone found in stressed cat’s urine considerably. Allergens If pesky allergens or irritants come into contact with the body, they soon feel the full wrath of the immune response. What starts with inflammation, will venture to a targeted attack in order to eradicate the invader. But this does consist of redness, heat, and pain. This can result in pets scratching in an attempt to remove the less than comfortable inflammatory response. In the process, not only has the skin been exposed to an allergen, resulting in an inflammatory response, but paired with scratching, the skin barrier is compromised further, which then becomes a vicious cycle. Remove potential allergens from the home where possible, this can be the washing detergent you use on fabrics and cat beds, to the bowl your cat eats and drinks from. Ceramic or glass plates often bring great relief to cats suffering with cat acne. As plates are flat, they are also in less contact whilst eating. The same also applies to the food you feed your cat. As we know, a huge number of immune cells are found in the gut – what this means is that the gut trains the immune system in what to respond to, and what to ignore. When we feed a food high in antigenic compounds, the immune system responds in true inflammatory style! Not only this but there is a direct link between the gut and skin health – when gut health is compromised, we
Obesity is one of the most common issues that cat owners bring to My Pet Nutritionist with good reason. We know that being overweight increases the risk factors for developing: Cancer Diabetes Heart disease Osteoarthritis and degeneration of joints Urinary issues Surgery complications Respiratory difficulties Kidney disease In a nutshell, being overweight significantly compromises quality of life and actually, the length of it too! So, let’s take a look at some of the common reasons why your cat may be overweight, and we’ll share our top tips for tackling obesity in cats. Is Your Cat Overweight? Obesity is defined as an accumulation of excessive amounts of adipose tissue. It is generally a state of positive energy balance. When food is ingested, it is digested and metabolised. The body uses the nutrients it needs and converts the main macronutrients to energy. Macronutrients consumed over and above those that are needed, are converted into adipose tissue, for use at a later stage. Cat body scores run from 1-9. Ideal bodyweights score 4-5, ribs are not visible but easily palpable, there is an obvious waist and there is minimal/small amount of abdominal fat. Body scores are a much more appropriate approach to establishing body proportion in cats as weight doesn’t accommodate for breed differences or activity levels. Your cat is overweight if: Ribs are difficult to palpate under body fat, Waist barely visible or absent, There is rounding of the abdomen. Why is My Cat Overweight? Perception Do you know your pet is overweight? In an 8000-household study, 68% of surveyed owners report thinking their pet is the perfect weight. 67% of surveyed owners did not see obesity as a concern. This is in contrast to that reported by vets, who show concern that over half of all pets are overweight. Do we simply not see that our pet is overweight and therefore aren’t employing any tactics to manage it? Food Intake Most foods on the market include a feeding guideline based on weight. One of the most common mistakes made by owners is to feed based on the current weight of their pet, not the ideal weight (when tackling a weight issue). Not only that, but weight is a bit of a misnomer anyway. With so many different breeds it is difficult to establish standardisation. It’s important to feed the pet in front of you. Energy requirements vary depending on lifestyle, age, activity, and time of year. Cats for example may be less active in the winter. The type of food you are feeding your pet will also play a part. Starch is the storage from of carbohydrates found in plants and as we know, dry pet foods have large quantities of starch. Starch can be divided into rapidly digestible starch, slowly digestible starch and resistant starch. Rapidly digestible starch can be produced by the exposure to heat, pressure, or moisture decrease (read: exactly what happens during pet food manufacturing). Rapidly digestible starch results in a blood sugar spike, calling the pancreas to action. Insulin shuttles glucose into cells that need it, but also facilitates its entry into adipose tissue! Insulin also stops the breakdown of fat and prevents the breakdown or triglycerides into fatty acids (causing a build-up in fat cells). This is why we always advocate feeding a fresh food diet. Cats are obligate carnivores; in that they get everything they need from animal tissue. Quite often, removing a dry food from a cat’s diet results in significant weight improvement. It’s a Family Affair One of the biggest challenges with feeding cats is getting everyone in the home on board. Cats tend to tell everyone in the home that they still haven’t been fed! This results in many mealtimes, served by many different family members. To tackle this, work out an appropriate food intake in any one day and portion this into a Tupperware. Ensure all family members understand this – when the food has gone, the food has gone – if most of the food has gone by lunchtime, what’s left needs to be kept until dinnertime! Account for Physical Activity We have a nuance in the cat. Some are indoor cats, where others are outdoor cats. This brings a significant difference in activity levels. Whilst the calorie in:calorie out model of obesity is simplistic, it is a consideration to make. For the indoor cat who engages in little physical activity, their food intake may need to be significantly lower than thought. We can enrich their lifestyle with more opportunities for exercise; through activity centres or play but we should also consider reducing their food intake if they are becoming overweight. We should also account for mobility challenges in the ageing cat and how this will influence their nutrient needs. Treat Intake Keep a log on how many treats you are offering your cat, whether it’s scraps from your plate or treats you have bought in. These are easy to nip in the bud if you are trying to manage your cat’s weight; the key is to ensure your cat is satiated from their mealtimes. Cats Are Not Small Dogs Be Mindful of Behaviour For some cats, being demanding can be a problematic behaviour rather than a request for nutrients. Does your cat have plenty of opportunities to engage in their normal behaviour? Do they have access to safe toys and regular opportunities to play with both people and by themselves? Can they rest, undisturbed when they choose? Can they meet their basic needs easily? Can they access food, water, beds, and litter without being disturbed or scared by other pets/people? Obesity in cats is a significant concern, and one that can impair their health and lifespan. Our top tips include: Opt for a fresh food diet (ditch the dry!) Feed the cat in front of you, based on their age, activity level and lifestyle Get the whole family on board If you would like to learn more about obesity in pets, we have a number of other
We are often told that pet ownership has health benefits, the seminal work of Friedmann and colleagues in 1980 demonstrated that pet owners who suffered a heart attack were four times more likely to survive than their non-pet owning counterparts. But we generally consider that these pet owners, in fact own dogs, and with their increase in physical activity due to the exercise requirements of the dog, it’s not a far stretch to correlate dog ownership with better physical health. However, there is more and more data suggesting that cats too can improve our physical health, and most certainly our mental health. So, could there be more to us keeping these feisty, stubborn, and wholly independent beings in our lives? Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we thought we’d look into it in a little more detail. Cats and Stress It seems that cat owners on the whole, are calmer when faced with stressful situations and recover much quicker than non-cat-owners. The main theory behind this is that social support provides a buffer for stress; and it does, we know that having strong social networks in times of stress can mitigate the harmful effects, but it seems that cats, and pets on the whole, provide even more of a buffer. It is thought that cats, unlike humans are non-judgemental (although many cat owners would disagree here), so not only are they a support, we’re also not worried about what they think of us. We also find their purr relaxing. Whilst it would be great to find some complex data to suggest that the frequency of the purr helps us to relax, the reality is a little less glamourous. When we are sat next to our cat or they are on our lap, we instinctively pick up on their purr. We’ll make a fuss and listen. Quite often we start to eliminate outside noise, literally and metaphorically. Whilst we’re focussing on their purr, we’re not thinking about that extended to do list, or that deadline we’ve got to make in work. We are simply there, listening to a purr. It’s a less intentional form of mindfulness. In it’s basic definition, mindfulness is about bringing your focus to what you’re sensing or feeling at that moment. Some owners will naturally change their breathing, slowing it down to mirror their cat. This action stimulates the vagus nerve which is the chief of the parasympathetic nervous system. This system is our rest and digest system, the one that counters our fight and flight. So, often without even realising it, simply sitting, in the moment with the cat, listening to their purr, we have moderated our stress response. This will also apply when we are watching them roll over in the sunshine, or play with their toys, we are simply being with them, nothing more, nothing less. Cats and Relationships Whilst we’ve all heard the phrase, crazy cat person, it seems that when assessed against personality factors, cat owners are more socially sensitive, trusting and like other people more than non-cat owners. As we mentioned earlier, social support is a buffer in times of stress, so it could be suggested that as cat owners tend to get on with other people more, they have a better social network, providing more of a buffer, therefore making them more resilient in tough times. So, whilst owning a cat is not directly linked to better relationships, people who choose to own cats tend to possess personality traits that help them experience quality relationships. Findings Here This could largely be due to the hormone oxytocin. This hormone plays a role in social bonding, reproduction, childbirth, and the period after childbirth. In humans it is seen to increase when touched, when we watch an emotional movie or engage in group activities. Humans have many oxytocin receptors compared to other animals, demonstrating our need for social interaction; affecting our central nervous system and peripheral nervous system, oxytocin is a key player in reducing stress hormones. Oxytocin is known to increase when petting both cats and dogs, and it has been demonstrated that this increase, subsequently enhances trust of a stranger, meaning cat owners may be more likely to engage in new social relationships and increasing that social network. Cats and Sleep Study after study have demonstrated that cat owners report they are happier, more confident, less nervous, more energetic, attentive, and less lonely. They also report they sleep and focus better than non-cat owners. Findings Here All of this could in fact be due to our sleep cycles as a cat owner. Humans function on a circadian rhythm, which is around a 24-hour sleep-wake cycle. Without going into the ins and outs of it, without a sleep drive, we struggle to fall asleep. Part of this sleep drive is the accumulation of a neurotransmitter called adenosine throughout the day. To fall asleep, we respond to the hormone melatonin, which ramps up at night, in response to light cues. In short, what our body experiences throughout the day affects how we sleep that night. This is why, if anyone ever struggles to sleep, a routine is the first thing they are told to implement. And, as any cat owner will attest, cats know exactly what time breakfast is! Even if your cat doesn’t venture into the bedroom to claw at your feet for their breakfast, one of the first thoughts to cross a pet-owners mind in the morning is the need to get up and sort the cat/s/dog/s out. Without knowing, us pet owners get into a routine, very quickly. We tend to get up at the same time most days, keeping our circadian rhythm steady. If we have better sleep hygiene, we will experience more quality sleep and therefore be more energetic throughout the day, and likely be more focussed. So inadvertently, pet ownership results in a routine which keeps our sleep on track. There is also the consideration that some owners allow their pets to sleep on the bed with
