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Why Fiber Is Important for Your Cat’s Nutrition
Why Fiber Is Important for Your Cat’s Nutrition

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Reasons to Include Fiber-Rich Cat Food in Your Pet’s Diet

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A cat’s diet largely includes other smaller animals as they are carnivorous. However, most cats avoid consuming the animal’s intestinal tract which contains most fiber. This can lead to a lack of fiber in the cat’s diet. But do cats need fiber? Yes. Lack of fiber can result in irregular bowel movement, digestive issues, and other similar health concerns. 

Cats often munch on green grass and leaves to ease constipation. However, they might resist including fiber in their daily meal and only rely on it when ill. But, to ensure your cat’s best physical well-being, you should choose fiber-rich food for cats.

Understanding the classification of fiber for cats

Fiber-rich cat food is essential as it helps in maintaining their digestive health. Thus, pet parents should try to include the necessary amount of fiber in their kitty’s diet. It will help maintain their digestive health and overall well-being. Cat food fiber can be classified based on its solubility.

  1. Soluble fiber: This type of fiber can easily dissolve in gastric juices and gut water. A certain type of soluble fiber also turns into a gel to make excretion easier for the cat. Fiber-rich cat food should include soluble fiber as it is necessary for their digestion and gut health. Cat food with fiber is easily available in the market and is necessary for their physical well-being.
  2. Insoluble fiber: Fiber-rich cat food should contain insoluble fiber alongside soluble fiber. Insoluble fiber adds bulk to the food which ensures easy movement of food through the digestive system. This type of fiber also makes the stool consistent and reduces the chances of constipation.

While choosing cat food with fiber, you should make sure it includes both soluble and insoluble fiber. Besides, the cat’s gut bacteria can break down both soluble and insoluble fiber to produce new compound that helps in nourishing their colon cells.

Why do cats need fiber?

Fiber-rich cat food contains prebiotics, which means they also contain good bacteria that are necessary for a healthy intestine. So, as a cat parent, you should invest in high-quality cat food with fiber to keep your little fur baby’s gut health in check. However, how much fiber does a cat require??

Although fiber is essential for cats, they require it in limited quantities. Too much fiber can risk restricting absorption of nutrients in their body, whereas too little can lead to poor digestive health. The appropriate quantity of fiber for cats is between 1.4 to 3.5% of their daily calorie intake.

Good sources of fiber for cats

Planning to include cat food with fiber in your kitty’s daily diet? Consider adding the following food options to their meal to increase fiber content in your fur baby’s diet.

  1. Animal fiber: Providing fiber-rich food made using a mixture of feathers, fur, bones, tendon, cartilage, and other animal organs can help improve your kitty’s intake of fiber while still sticking to a purely carnivorous diet.
  2. Carrots: Occasionally, you can add a little piece of cooked carrot to the cat’s diet. Carrots are a good source of fiber and vitamin C. They are also non-toxic; hence, you can add a little piece of raw carrot or slightly steamed or boiled carrot along with their daily meal to turn their regular diet into a fiber-rich one.
  3. Green beans: Another fiber-rich food for cats is green beans. This low-carbohydrate food is one of the richest sources of fiber. If planning to add fiber for cats, include a small amount of green beans to their diet.
  4. Wheat bran: This byproduct of wheat is an expensive source of fiber for cats. Wheat bran’s nutty-sweet flavor intrigues cats and can easily provide them their daily fiber without much hassle.
  5. Broccoli: Like most green food, broccoli is yet another good source of fiber. You can serve a small piece of blanched broccoli to your kitty’s diet to keep indigestion and constipation at bay.
  6. Spinach: Rich in vitamins C and K, spinach is a very good plant-based fiber for cats. You can add a few leaves of cooked spinach to your kitty’s daily meal and ensure they get their daily dose of fiber for better gut health.
  7. Lettuce: Lettuce contains a good amount of fiber and water. Allowing your kitty to nibble on a lettuce leaf occasionally will ensure sufficient fiber consumption while also keeping it hydrated.

Besides relying on the above-mentioned plant-based and animal-based fiber, you can also buy IAMS high-fiber cat food to ensure that your kitty gets the right amount of fiber in its meal. IAMS high-fiber cat food such as IAMS ProActive Health Adult Original with Chicken contains a moderate quantity of fermentable fiber along with the chicken. This cat food with fiber is made using fermentable fiber and chicken that your cat is sure to relish. Besides, IAMS is a popular cat food brand that is known for using best-quality ingredients, so your furry friend gets nothing but the best.

Frequently asked questions

  1. How do I get fiber into my cat?
  2. You can easily add fiber into your cat’s diet by choosing a cat food brand that offers fiber-rich cat food or by adding animal-based or plant-based fiber to their daily meal.

  3. Is high-fiber diet good for cats?
  4. Yes, cats need fiber for better gut and intestinal health. However, a cat’s fiber intake should not be more than 3.5% of its daily calorie diet.

  5. Does wet or dry food have more fiber?
  6. Dry food often has more fiber as it contains more bulk compared to wet food which contains more moisture.

  7. Do indoor cats need more fiber?
  8. Yes, all cats need fiber for better digestion and gastrointestinal health.

  9. What fiber is best for cats?
  10. Plant-based fiber such as broccoli, lettuce, carrots, wheat brans, spinach, wheatgrass, and green beans are good for cats. You can also add animal-based fiber such as animal feathers, cartilage, bone, and ligaments to your cat’s diet for encouraging fiber consumption.

  • Cat Vaccinations
    Cat Vaccinations
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    Cat Vaccinations

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    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.

     

    Different Cat Vaccinations and When to Vaccinate

    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:

    1. Rabies vaccine

    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.

    1. FVRCP vaccine

    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.

    1. FeLV vaccine

    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.

    1. FPV vaccine

    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.

    1. 4-in-1 vaccine for cats

    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.

    1. 5-in-1 vaccine for cats

    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.

     

    Cat Vaccination Side Effects

    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:

    1. Lethargy

    2. Loss of appetite

    3. Vomiting 

    4. Fever

    5. Diarrhea

    6. 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.

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