Keep a Cool Cat

"Cats are the number-one pet in America, and we spend more annually on cat food than we do on baby food. Aloof, cuddly, sensitive, selfish, sweet, tough, complicated, playful, silly, elegant, unpredictable, and incredibly resilient, cats are highly entertaining."

Cats certainly are "unpredictable" and we here at RAHU love them for that. However, it can be a little tricky when it comes to providing them with wild health. Take a look at this list created by, Dr. Barbara Royal for ways to keep your cat cool.

• Owners with multi-cat households should be aware of each singular cat's nature and provide safe havens for troubled or trouble making cats (like cat trees or a room only they can access).
• Procure the right number of litter boxes. The solution for this is to have a box for each cat and then add one more. Four cats, five litter boxes. 
• Choose a few quiet places for the boxes that are easy to access.
• Clean the litter box daily. Cats have a superior olfactory sense. Use a chemical-free litter. 
• Don't use an uncomfortable mat, or sharp plastic grass in front of the box. 
• If you have multiple cats, maintain multiple food and water stations to decrease stress. Are these bowls easy to access? Cats are desert animals, and by the time they feel thirsty, they may already be dehydrated. If they are feeling intimidated, it may add to a health problem. If your cat is fighting kidney or urinary issues or diabetes, plentiful water is a must. 
• Feed your cat a "Catkins" diet--a low-carb diet. Feeding a cat a high--carb diet is a disaster in many ways. Carb-heavy diets increase the incidence of obesity and are associated with diabetes, inflammatory bowel problems, and allergies. Without the carbs, cats with these conditions improve and lose weight. If your cat is underweight, have your vet rule out all possible underlying issues, such as parasites, hyperthyroidism, and kidney disease, and then feed more of a high-quality food. 

• Most pills can be crushed into tuna juice or meat baby food. If the cat won't eat it, you can syringe-feed from the side of the mouth. 
• Coat pills with butter and place at the back of the tongue--it will go down more easily. 
• Compounding pharmacies can make most meds into a tasty liquid. 
• Minimize contact, where possible with plastic bowls. They exacerbate chin acne and allergies. 
• Make sure there is low stress associated with the food bowl, litter box, and living situation. 
• The high moisture content of canned or frozen raw foods is more suited to a cat--an animal that would rarely drink in the wild.

With these tips, we hope you can create a more harmonious relationship with your cat. Let us know how these tips have worked for you and your feline friend in the comment section and here's to Wild Health!