Feeding & Nutrition

If your cat always seems to be hungry, here are a few reasons why that may be the case: from simple ones such as boredom to more serious conditions needing the vet’s attention. Is your cat acting hungry all the time? We tend to think of cats more as fussy eaters than food obsessed, but if you have a feline that doesn’t stop pestering you for food, it’s natural to wonder whether this is normal or if you should head to the vet. If you’re asking yourself ‘why is my cat always hungry’, here are a few possible reasons.

Cats can be quite tricky when it comes to food with some happily eating anything and others turning their noses up at everything. Read our article on what cats should eat and what they need in their diet to ensure they’re healthy and happy. Some cats can be finicky eaters, sticking their nose up at foods that don’t satisfy their taste buds, whereas others will happily gobble down the same dish day after day. Each cat is unique in their preference and it’s important to understand what cats like to eat to ensure that they’re getting all the nutrients they need to thrive.

Cats should only really drink one thing to stay hydrated - water. Despite popular belief, milk is not good for cats and it’s best to steer clear of dairy. Find out why milk is bad for cats and more with our guide. Can cats drink milk? The image of a cat happily lapping up milk is such a common one that many people don’t even question it. But it may surprise you to learn that sipping at cows’ milk is actually detrimental to their health, no matter how much they make like the taste of it. Ideally, cats should only be given water to drink. However, it’s important for your cat to stay properly hydrated, especially if they have other health problems such as kidney disease. Some individuals are really not keen on the taste of water, but there are a few tricks you can try to encourage increased water intake. Read on for our tips. Can cats drink milk? Is milk bad for cats? Yes – most cats are lactose intolerant, and consuming dairy products can lead to diarrhoea and vomiting. There are some specially designed cat milk options available, which are more suitable and contain reduced lactose. However, these should only be fed in moderation. Kittens will drink their mother’s milk for the first few weeks of life, or a specially designed ‘kitten formula milk’ if necessary. However, they will be fully weaned by around 8-9 weeks of age. Kittens have an enzyme in their stomachs that allows them to break down lactose from their mother’s milk, but adult cats don’t have this enzyme and lose the ability to digest milk sugars. Instead, the lactose in the milk may cause an upset stomach when it begins to ferment. Why do cats like milk? Cats love the taste of milk because it is high in fat. They will often choose to drink it even if it results in an upset stomach. If your cat is fed a high quality, balanced diet they do not need the extra fat from drinking milk, no matter how much they like it. If your cat has drunk some milk, watch them for any signs of vomiting or diarrhoea and contact your vet if you are concerned.

Find out how to encourage your cat to be more active, even if they live indoors. Getting your cat to exercise can sometimes be a challenge – especially if their idea of a perfect day is one spent snoozing on a sofa. As any cat lover knows, cats have independent personalities; they love having alone time for sleeping ad relaxing, and are unlikely to do anything they don’t want to do. This can make ensuring they get all the exercise they need to stay healthy and happy a challenge. It can be especially worrying for owners of indoor cats, who have no outdoor exercise to help keep them active. So how do you keep your cat active and convinced them to exercise? Unlike dogs who are always happy to go for a walk, cats need to be engaged with their task or they can rapidly lose interest. Luckily, they all have a few personality traits that you can utilise to ensure they enjoy exercise and keep their bodies and minds in tip top condition.

Cats are known for being proud and particular pets, and that doesn’t stop when it comes to what they eat! Like us, each cat will have their own favourite food and flavours, so fussy eating cats might turn their nose up at something that doesn’t tantalise their taste buds. If you find that your feline is being especially fussy, or that your cat is not eating at all, there are certain things you can try to get them gobbling up their dinner. However, if your cat is off their food for more than a day this can lead to serious complications including hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver). Contact a vet for advice if the following tips don’t improve your cat’s appetite. Why is your fussy cat not eating? Cats can be very fussy eaters, and this can be exacerbated by some of the factors listed below. Anorexia can also be a symptom of illness or disease, so you should seek veterinary advice if your cat has not eaten for more than 24-48 hours.

Kidney problems in cats are common, especially as they age. Cats' kidneys play vital roles in keeping them healthy - removing toxins, regulating blood pressure, and helping produce hormones for new red blood cells. With so much to do, it’s perhaps not surprising that as cats get older, it’s quite common for their kidneys to wear out after working so hard. There are a number of causes for kidney failure, from cat kidney diseases to tumours, and these problems can be acute or chronic. Read on to learn more.

Good digestion is one of the keys to excellent health. By digesting and absorbing the goodness from food, your cat can take in all the nutrients needed to stay in top condition.

True allergies are thankfully very rare in cats, and can often be confused with the more common (and less severe) food intolerances. Learn how to spot if your cat has an allergy, and what you can do to get them back to their happy and healthy selves again.

If you notice that your cat is going to the litter tray more often than usual, their stool is more liquid, or it has an increased volume compared to normal, then they may have diarrhoea. Diarrhoea in cats is an increase in the frequency, volume, or liquid content of faeces, leading to unformed or loose stools. The consistency of your cat’s diarrhoea can vary from soft but formed through to liquid/watery, and the colour can be darker or lighter than normal stools or even green, red or yellow. If you think your cat has diarrhoea, it’s important not to panic. Most of the time the condition is temporary and not serious, and is usually solved quickly with a simple change of diet or appropriate medical treatment from your vet. The severity and the duration of diarrhoea episodes vary depending on the underlying cause. Diarrhoea in cats is usually classified as either: • Acute (sudden onset and short lived) or chronic (more than 2-3 weeks duration) • Persistent (constant) or intermittent (i.e. comes and goes) As you can imagine, the most serious of cases are chronic and persistent. Causes of diarrhoea in cats Diarrhoea in cats can occur for a wide variety of different reasons. Some possible causes include:

Diabetes in cats is a long-term condition, but it needn’t have an impact on your kitty’s quality of life. Find out what to do if you suspect your cat has diabetes and how to manage it with our guide. Diabetes in cats is generally nothing to worry about – this long-term condition can certainly be managed with treatment, and it doesn’t need to impact hugely on your pet’s quality of life. In fact, with a little extra TLC, your cat will be back on all four paws before you know it. They’ll probably be causing mischief, getting attention from visitors, and escaping trouble just as they used to! If you have a cat with diabetes or simply want to find out more about the condition, read on to find out all you need to know, including the various cat diabetes symptoms to look out for.

If your cat is fussy about water, it might be time to find a new water bowl. There are lots of different options out there, so with a little research, you’ll be able to find the ideal bowl for your pet. Cats are by nature quite tolerant to thirst. If their water isn’t quite right – for example, it’s too warm or they don’t like their bowl – they might well choose to go without drinking. Equally, many cats will ignore their water bowl and drink from puddles instead, often for reasons you can’t work out. That’s why choosing the right bowl for you cat is so important. You can read more about how much water your cat needs to drink here. If you are concerned that your cat isn't drinking enough, contact your vet for advice.

Dental disease in cats is one of the most common conditions seen by vets today. It can also be very painful, especially if left untreated. However, the good news is that – unlike many health problems – it is usually preventable through proper dental care for cats.