Did you know that many of the illnesses that cats suffer from can be treated by simple dietary changes?
Whether you are talking about cats, dogs or even people, diet plays a huge role in overall health. Just as poor dietary habits in cats can put them at risk for many different illnesses, making simple dietary changes can also treat many different illnesses and help to reduce or even alleviate symptoms. The following is a list from our veterinary clinic in North Bellmore of a few of the illnesses that could potentially be treated with dietary changes:
Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes Mellitus is also referred to as type 2 diabetes, and in cats, it can be quite responsive to dietary changes. In many diabetic cats, a diet high in protein and low in carbohydrates can lessen the need for insulin, or maybe even eliminate it altogether.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism means that your cat produces an excessive amount of the thyroid hormone. Since the presence of iodine is important for the production of the thyroid hormone, many pet manufacturers have started producing low iodine cat foods. This has helped control hyperthyroidism in many different cats.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Switching your cat to a hypoallergenic diet, like those that include novel protein sources, such as green peas or venison, is a very important piece of treating IBD in cats. Probiotic nutritional supplements can also be helpful, especially if they contain intestinal microorganisms.
Allergies
Obviously, if your cat is allergic to certain foods, eliminating those foods from their diet can eliminate the symptoms they are experiencing. However, if your cat’s allergies are triggered by environmental factors, like mold spores, pollen, mites, etc., dietary therapy could also prove helpful. Giving your cat nutritional supplements that contain omega-3 fatty acids can help to relieve allergy symptoms in cats.
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease
If your cat has feline lower urinary tract disease, then their urine can irritate them when it comes into contact with the bladder walls. Concentrated urine affects the bladder much more than diluted urine, and switching your cat to canned food adds more moisture to their diet, which helps to dilute their urine. It’s also advisable to look for cat food that is designed for optimum urinary pH and bladder health. Additionally, nutritional supplements that contain cranberry extract could also help to prevent urinary tract infections.
As you can see, diet plays a huge role in your cat’s overall health, and it could even help to treat many different illnesses that cats suffer from. If your cat has one of the above illnesses, please note that you should always talk to your veterinarian before making a change in their treatment. It’s also a good idea to get information from your veterinarian about the types of food you should be feeding your cat.
Whether your cat has an illness that you are seeking treatment for or you just want to ensure that your cat has the best possible diet in general, our veterinarian in North Bellmore can help. Please contact us today to learn more about your cat’s diet.
