Cats And Fruit

Summer is almost here and with the backyard grill going, you can't help but want your companion to join in on the indulging. The staple of the summer for any meal is always fruit. But, how do you know what is safe and unsafe? Let's head right into it with the following list...

Safe Fruit Instructions: All fruit must be washed and all rinds, inedible skins, seeds and pits must be removed before feeding.

Safe Fruits 

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Cranberries

Blueberries

Strawberries

Raspberries*

Apricot

Banana

Orange

Pear

Pineapple

Mango

Cantaloupe

Watermelon**

Apple***

* Raspberries have great anti inflammatory properties and are low in sugar but should be given in moderation because they contain small amounts of Xylitol. In high does this sweetener can become quite deadly. 

** Watermelon is a great way to keep your cat hydrated. This fruit is 92% water and contains potassium along with Vitamins A,C and B6 which can help maintain healthy muscles. 

*** Apples must be feed in moderation and the core and seeds must be removed first because it contains cyanide. Apples also contain Vitamins A,C for healthy bones and for senior cats its a ideal snack because apples are high in fiber.

UnSafe Fruits

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Cherries***

Grapefruit*

Lemons*

Limes*

Persimmons*

Raisins**

Grapes**

* Severe kidney damage

** Severe upset stomach

*** Deadly

You may have noticed a lot of citrus is on the unsafe fruit list. Most cats can not even go near citrus because of how acidic. If you hold up a freshly cut grapefruit more than likely your cats eyes will squint up or they may even run away. Even though oranges are on the safe list chances are your cat may not go near it.

How do you introduce fruits? With any new food you must introduce in small doses and one at a time. This is to monitor any health changes. Introducing new foods can potentially cause upset stomach, vomiting and diarrhea.

Did I just take the fun out of feeding your cat fruit? 

It's important to know and beware of these issues so everyone can join in on the fun. If you know your cat is prone to being sensitive to foods, I suggest trying watermelon first or strawberries. Most cats typically prefer you hold the fruit for them and let them just lick and nibble. 9 times out of 10 they enjoy just licking it and not even eating it so don't feel discouraged if your cat just treats it like a lollipop. Never leave your cat unattended with fruit, all cats have different personalities and eating habits and you don't want your best friend potentially choking.

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Cats And Allergies

Allergies can hit any of us even our feline companions. This is Kiki a Seal Point Siamese with a  allergy condition. You may be asking yourself, "Why is this cat bald around the eyes?"

This "baldness" is from scratching. A few days before this picture was taken Kiki could barely even see. His eyes were swelled shut and he had bloody hair line cuts under the eyes.

Kiki unfortunately has lived this way for most of his adult life, the state of his condition does not happen overnight. It is very important as a cat owner to pay attention to your cats habits and grooming. If you notice your cat is always scratching or excessive grooming in the same location, you should get it checked as soon as possible.

What could your cat possibly be allergic to? Can you believe anything and everything including themselves. That's right even pet dander can cause them to have a sneezing frenzy. Most allergy's are caused by food and or sensitivity to litter dust. 

Allergy testing can be as simple as taking blood or as extreme as a skin sample. Not all vet practices do allergy testing. It is important to ask your vet what they suggest and what testing they do preform. Blood testing is typically less expensive but is only used to test for certain allergies. The same goes with skin samples. I like to suggest to those that are on a limited budget to start off with what they can afford at the moment. Now please keep in mind that just because the blood test tells you something your cat is allergic to doesn't mean he or she wont test positive on a skin test for other allergens. But it is a good start. 

We all would love to avoid the vet office if we could and sometimes we can. It is extremely important to keep a eye on your cats behavior. For example, Kiki has just went to the litter box and about 15 minutes later Kiki starts to cough. The first question to ask yourself is, " Has this happened before?" If you answered Yes, when did it occur and what was he doing before he starting coughing? Look for patterns in your cats behavior, they will help tell you the story of what the problem might be. 

When or if you do find your cat has allergy's, it is important to treat and take it very seriously. What i mean by this is have your pets tag changed to include its allergy's. You will also need to include this anytime you may board with a pets hotel or even flying on a airline. 

Even if your cat does not have a allergy you can improve its way of life because your cat will get older and become more sensitive. I like to recommend owners use natural cat litters because they contain less dust and no perfumes, most have unscented or a natural pine scent. Your homes filtration, have you ever thought about this? Using a high grade filter can work wonders for you and your pets. Depending on size they can be costly but the effects and what it could tell you about your home are worth it. When you first use these filters please make sure you check it at the 3 week mark. Why? You may be shocked that your filter is already full and black. That's right all those pollen spores, dust spores and your pet dander floating around can make you go through a filter super fast. If this is the case you need to reevaluate your home and cleaning schedule involving your pets grooming and home dusting and vacuuming. 

Allergies can come as basic as i described above or as harsh as food allergy's and flea allergy's.

In Conclusion, always monitor your pets and never put off a issue you see that is escalating. Let Kiki serve as a reminder that pet abuse doesn't always have to mean physical abuse.

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