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Antioxidants are good for your cat because they play a key role in minimizing damage to cells, including cells of the immune system.
These important, naturally occurring nutrients help maintain health by slowing the destructive oxidative process of cellular molecules. They also can be important in supporting immune responses and vaccine recognition in cats. This may be especially critical for kittens that are being vaccinated while their immune system is still developing.
Additionally, antioxidants can reverse decreases in immune-cell function for senior cats, increasing them back to healthy adult levels.
Antioxidants are nutrients found naturally in the body and in plants such as fruits and vegetables. Common antioxidants include vitamin C, vitamin E and certain compounds called carotenoids (including lutein and beta-carotene). A blend of several antioxidants in moderate amounts may be more effective than high levels of one antioxidant.
As cells function normally in the body, they produce damaged molecules called free radicals. These free radicals are highly unstable and steal components from other cellular molecules, such as fat, protein or DNA, thereby spreading the damage.
This damage continues in a chain reaction, and entire cells soon become damaged and die in a process called peroxidation. Peroxidation is useful because it helps the body destroy cells that have outlived their usefulness and kills germs and parasites. However, when left unchecked, peroxidation also destroys or damages healthy cells.
Antioxidants help prevent widespread cellular destruction by willingly donating components to stabilize free radicals. More importantly, antioxidants return to the surface of the cell to stabilize rather than damage other cellular components.
When there are not enough antioxidants to hold peroxidation in check, free radicals begin damaging healthy cells, which can lead to problems. For example, free radical damage to immune cells can lead to an increased risk of infection.
Because antioxidants play a key role in minimizing damage to cells, such as those that make up the immune system, recent research examined the benefits of certain antioxidants on the immune response of cats. The results of these studies indicated that antioxidants are important in helping cats maintain a healthy immune system.
The research also showed that each antioxidant benefits the immune system uniquely, so one antioxidant at high levels is not as effective as a group of antioxidants acting together.
| Antioxidant | Source | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin E | Plant oil extract, tocopherols | Optimizes immune system’s T-cell activation |
| Beta-carotene | Vitamin premix, corn meal, chicken by-product meal and chicken fat | Optimizes types of cells present in the blood, increases antibody levels in the blood and optimizes vaccine recognition |
Recent research also examined the effect of aging on immune responses. The findings indicate that as cats age, immune cell responses may decline. Including antioxidants in your cat’s diet can help reverse the age-related decrease in immune cell function, returning it to healthy adult levels.
Cats are generally considered to be low-maintenance pets. However, that’s nothing but a myth. You need to care for a cat the way you would care for any baby, especially with regards to its health and overall well-being. Although medical treatments are available for most feline illnesses, prevention is always better than cure. Cat vaccinations, such as the anti-rabies and FVRCP vaccine, protect your furry friends from deadly infections like rabies. But did you know? These diseases are transmissible to humans as well. Yes. So, when you vaccinate your cat against such medical conditions, you also reduce the possibility of contracting fatal diseases from your own pet.
Feline vaccines are scientifically developed to boost the cat’s immunity and fight fatal diseases. Even though there is no ‘one size fits all’ protocol for immunization, veterinarians suggest cat injections depending on your pet’s age, overall health, lifestyle, and breed. Moreover, these vaccinations are primarily divided into two categories – core vaccines and lifestyle vaccines. Core vaccines are essential for every cat irrespective of their lifestyle, breed, and region. Lifestyle vaccines are given to cats after considering certain circumstances.
Administering rabies and other precautionary vaccines from a young age protects cats from falling prey to serious diseases. Mentioned below are essential cat vaccinations that every kitty must get:
These are anti-rabies vaccines for cats. They are given annually or once in 3 years – depending on the type of vaccine you choose – to protect your kitty from the fatal rabies virus. While this disease is fatal for your feline friend, it can also prove terminal for humans. Rabies often spreads through bites or scratches of infected animals. And rabies patients develop signs of aggression, disorientation, and hydrophobia post incubation stage. If not treated in time, rabies often results in fatal consequences for both animals and humans. Hence, anti-rabies vaccines for cats are a must from a young age.
These are 3-in-1 vaccine for cats. FVRCP vaccine prevents cats from three different viruses – feline rhinotracheitis virus, calicivirus, and feline panleukopenia virus. Instead of getting the kitten inoculated three times, you can simply get the FVRCP vaccine. This 3-in-1 vaccine for cats is recommended annually to protect them from highly infectious diseases.
Protect your kitty from leukemia virus by getting them vaccinated. This disease can spread through body fluids like urine, saliva, and feces; hence, FeLV infects cats while grooming or sharing a bowl with an infected cat. This fatal virus can process into various associated conditions such as anemia, lymphoma, or immunosuppression. Hence, the FeLV vaccine is recommended for cats from a very young age. This vaccine consists of two doses spaced three to four weeks apart for kittens and is followed by revaccination a year later for adult cats.
An FPV vaccine also protects your cat from feline panleukopenia. Kittens should receive an FPV shot once they turn 6-8 weeks old. You should also revaccinate your four-legged angel every three to four weeks until the age of 16 weeks. After this, a booster dose should be given between the ages of 1 to 2 years.
Developed to combat 4 diseases, 4-in-1 vaccine for cats protect against rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia, and chlamydia. These 4-in-1 cat vaccine are also called 4-way vaccines or FVRCCP. Feline chlamydia is part of the feline upper respiratory complex and an underlying cause of most early ocular infections. Hence, kittens should receive 4-in-1 vaccine for cats at the age of 8, 12, and 16 weeks, and a revaccination once they turn a year old. Cat parents are also suggested to revaccinate their kitty every 3 years to keep their purrfect pal hale and hearty.
F5 or Fevac 5 vaccines are 5-in-1 vaccines for cats that boosts your kitty’s immune system to tackle five viruses. Getting your kitty inoculated for this combination will ensure that it is safe from a range of fatal illnesses.
Vaccines are built to boost immunity and fight deadly illnesses. However, after getting vaccinated, your kitty might show mild signs of discomfort and other symptoms. These signs and symptoms are nothing but proof that its body is building a defense mechanism to defeat deadly viruses. Side effects of anti-rabies, FVRCP vaccine, or other combination vaccines for cats may include the following symptoms:
Lethargy
Loss of appetite
Vomiting
Fever
Diarrhea
Swelling and redness around the injected area
Ensuring that your feline friend is vaccinated from time to time aids in keeping them healthy and lively. Hence, every cat parent is recommended to plan a proper vaccination schedule for their fur babies.
