How is the human digestive system different from a cats digestive system?
cats are carnivors
What is the effect of vegetable oil on a cat's digestive health?
Odds are you (and your cat) won’t have any problems. Cats are incredibly efficient at breaking down and digesting fat, so I would be very surprised if there was any diarrhea fallout (I am trying to imagine how much veg. oil a cat would have to ingest to override that system….usually fat is only going to cause diarrhea/show up in the stool in a cat with a whopping intestinal problem or pancreatic failure). Keep in mind, it is pretty common to have a vet recommend adding vegetable oil to a dog or cat’s food if they have dry/flaky skin to see if it helps the situation, so it is commonly used without fear of gastrointestinal upset.
Does ingesting pet dog/cat hair by mistake cause health problems?
No, in most cases.Ingesting pet hair results in hairballs but nothing serious in humans.Chances of contracting ticks are quite rare by swallowing pet hair.Remember, if people were to get sick just because of ingesting dog hair, then this world will be filled with more canines than humans.The real issueDogs suffer from a worm infection called dog tapeworm or Echinococcus granulosus. These eggs are normally found in their hair.Humans can suffer ingestion and can harbour these worms in their brain, lungs, and liver.This disease is known as Hydatid disease.RemedyRegularly deworm them and maintain them clean.Wash your hands after touching them every time.Some people can also contract bronchial asthma or allergic rhinitis.People suffering from allergies should refrain from touching cats or dogs.Cats are known to suffer from toxoplasmosis parasite infection. When humans ingest hair with this parasite, then they are prone to premature labour and birth defects.As a precaution, wear gloves while cleaning cat poop.MUST READS:Alert: What Foods Can Dogs Eat Safely?What Foods Can Cats Eat? Find Out Foods Unsafe For CatsLiked the Answer? There's lot more info about pets on : PetmooFollow Petmoo on : Quora, Facebook, Instagram & Twitter
What is the best cat food for a cat with a sensitive stomach?
In my practice I see this problem commonly and I generally give the advice that the top five food allergens/sensitivities are: fish, beef, dairy, corn and wheat. Avoid these in your cat's diet. In general, try to find foods that are turkey or chicken based and have few ingredients. The best non-prescription diets I have found are Instinct turkey or duck (single protein source) grain-free diets. The dry diet has tapioca rather than grain and most cats seem to tolerate it well. Canned diets are easier to find and just require a thorough reading of ingredients. If this is a vomiting problem, you should know that the most common problem causing vomiting is chronic small intestinal inflammation, but vomiting can also be caused by respiratory disease, heartworm infection, gall bladder disease, pancreatic disease, hyperthyroidism, heart disease, and kidney disease to name a few. Hairballs are not normal on any regular basis and frequent hairballs are a sign of delayed emptying of the stomach. It is never normal for cats to vomit any more than it is for you to vomit, so if this is the problem, pay attention to it. It is unfortunate, but many veterinarians have not been educated well in this area, so if you have a veterinarian that tells you that it is normal for a cat to vomit or that it is because they eat too fast, find another veterinarian. Chronic vomiting very often leads to intestinal lymphoma if it is left untreated. Finding a good feline veterinarian can be a lifesaver!
Why do people give cats milk when it is bad for them?
The relationship between cats and milk has been portrayed in art and literature as far back as any of us can remember. "The Aristocats" and "Tom and Jerry" gave us the idea that cats love milk, therefore, cats should be given milk. But the fact is, like most make-believe relationships, real-life doesn't quite measure up.As cats mature beyond kittenhood they begin to produce less lactase, which aids in the digestion of milk. Eventually, this leads to complete or partial lactose intolerance. A regular diet of milk can cause an upset stomach, diarrhea and vomiting, causing dehydration and other health problems.Some cats love the taste of milk, but when it comes to their digestive system, it's often an unrequited love. It's okay to give them a taste occasionally, but it's not a good source of nutrition and not really worth the risk of making them sick. Goat's milk or lactose-free milk is fine, but it's not a necessary part of their diet.Thanks for the A2A SedFurther reading:Is Feeding Cats Milk Safe or a Bad Idea?Is Milk Bad for Cats?
How often should I give my cats cat grass?
My cats have access to my garden and every few months or so they will eat some grass and, of course, come in an throw it up on the rug! So I would say they eat it when their tummies seem to need it. I think many people do buy the grass from pet stores and have it inside for their cats. If your cat were to eat it every day and throw up every day it might be of some concern.
When one of your cats throws up their food a few times per week, is it that the cats have stomach problems, or is the problem the cat food?
I’ve had a couple pukey cats over the years, there’s more non lethal reasons for it than lethal. Reasons I’ve experienced?Scarf & Barf. (google it) Solution: a dish that makes them work for their food (and eat slower) or feed them much smaller portions a lot more times a day.Hairballs. Can be stuck in the tummy and not coming up. Harder to diagnose if it’s a stuck over-sized hairball. Solutions: Meds, hairball remedy food, more brushing, get used to a lot of throw ups.Cat is just pukey. Vets can give you a tummy settling med to help them not throw up so much. Not sure how good it it for long term use.Grass or green bits eaten. Solution: none except keep the amount of greenery they eat down some. It’s not harmful to the cat, can’t say that for the carpet.Early stages pancreatitis. See the vet!!!! May require serious medical intervention or could cause the death of the cat.Bad Cat Food. Have seen this a number of times. Solution: Gently and without trying to buy the store, try them out on different foods by a different manufacturer. Or if your the kind who is able, try making cat food for them. Reason for the different manufacturer? All the foods made by one manufacturer often will have the same basic ingredients and additives beyond just chicken, fish or beef etc. Cats can be sensitive to some chemicals or additives. A different maker might have a different set of additives. But it’s really hard to tell what honestly goes into a can or bag of food.
Can hairballs make cats uncomfortable?
Since cats spend so much time licking and cleaning themselves, they swallow a lot of hair. Hairballs, or 'fur balls' are quantities of hair that accumulate in the cat's stomach or small intestine. Normally, most of the hair that is swallowed is expelled through the cat's digestive system in her stool. Problems occur when hair that does not get excreted gathers in the cat's stomach or intestine and forms a dense ball or mat which cannot be passed. The ball is then vomited. The signs of hairballs in cats, then, are related to the digestive system and include vomiting, loss of appetite, or constipation. Hairballs are actually one of the most common reasons that cats vomit. The 'hacking' you may notice when your cat is bringing up a hairball may be gagging or retching, as the cat tries to vomit the hairball. Hairballs do not cause respiratory symptoms. While it is normal for a cat to have them occasionally, large numbers of hairballs are dangerous. Hairballs can block the intestinal tract, making it impossible for the cat to either vomit or eliminate. Twenty-five percent of all impactions (when something is 'stuck' in the digestive tract) diagnosed by veterinarians are due to hairballs. There have been cases where hairballs the size of baseballs were removed from the stomachs of cats. Signs of a major hairball problem and possible impaction are retching, inability to defecate, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or a swollen abdomen. See your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your cat is impacted.
Why does my 16 year old cats stomach growl so much and so loudly?
16 years is very old for a cat. Advanced age sometimes presents problems with effective digestion and it could be that she simply is producing too much gas. Is she on a senior diet for cats? The formula for the senior cat diet is designed for the older cat's special needs. If she is gaining weight, her food needs to be cut down some. Too much can also cause gas, as well as weight gain. If you need to change to a senior diet, you might want to call your vet and ask for a recommendation. If you do change her diet, introduce the new food slowly so she will get use to it. I start with 3/4 regular diet and add in 1/4 new diet for several days and then increase to 1/2 and 1/2 and so on until the switch is made. Meanwhile, you can try Chamomile which is a specific for helping to sooth most canine and feline digestive disorders. It can be used in any form as often as desired. It may help. If the problem persists, becomes worse, or you are just uncomfortable with the situation, get her to the vet. Do take her to the vet, regardless of result anyway and get her a good exam, just to make sure she does not have any hidden problems. Old cats need an exam more often than the youngsters. The better the care, the longer she will have to share your love.