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In recent years, the pet supplement industry has boomed – with a range of product options claiming to support different functions. However, these should be approached with care and a very specific understanding of your cat’s needs. Most cats receive all the nutrition they need from eating a complete and balanced diet. Most complex cat foods, which have been developed to meet their dietary needs offer complete nutrition. Moreover, cat foods developed specifically for kittens, adult cats and mature cats, are designed to ensure your cat receives the correct nutrition for their age and physical needs. As a result, the addition of a vitamin or supplement without consultation with a vet, could actually result in toxicity. If your cat has certain health issues, or gets sick easily and often, it may be time to speak to your cat’s vet about whether supplements (or other supportive treatments) could help.   Photo by Sandy Millar on Unsplash

Cats are just as susceptible to digestive issues as humans, but without the ability to communicate with us, their symptoms can get worse very quickly. The most common digestive issues in cats are diarrhea (fast moving bowels) and constipation (slow moving bowels), both of which can be caused by a range of factors including a change in diet, increased stress, eating foreign objects – and in more serious cases, infections or parasites. Both conditions are often accompanied by vomiting or your cat refusing to eat. However, in some cases, like humans, digestive issues can be chronic. Cats can also be prone to gastroenteritis, irritable bowel syndrome and even pancreatitis. It’s essential to have the right information and support to best manage your cat’s digestive health. Get a professional opinion Whether you think you know what is wrong with your cat, or your cat is just generally fussy, ‘waiting to see’ is never the right course of action, because simple infections can develop into serious issues if left unattended. In addition to monitoring their eating and toilet habits, consult a vet as soon as you notice any change. Don’t attempt any home remedies, force your cat to eat or change their food again – this could make the situation worse. If you have more than one cat, and one cat gets sick, limit their interaction as much as possible in case the condition is contagious. Make sure your cats have separate bowls to eat and drink from and have a litter box for each cat.   Photo by Eric Han on Unsplash

Urinary issues, although reasonably uncommon in cats, can be very serious. While your cat may be stoic, or like humans, expect the issue to go away on its own, their inability to communicate means that it’s important for cat owners to know how to spot a potential issue. The most common problems are blockages in the bladder or a cat urinary tract infection. Crystals or small stones in the urine can be the cause, and these can develop as a result of dehydration, irregular bathroom habits or a more serious disease. These crystals can irritate the lining of the urinary tract, blocking the regular flow or urine, causing toxins to build-up. When this starts to happen, you may notice that your cat tends to cry out or vocalize when urinating, because of the pain. Other signs can be straining to urinate, urinating outside the litter box or even pacing anxiously, crying constantly or even hiding. If you notice any of these signs, don’t just wait for the issue to pass. Particularly if this is affecting a male cat, contact your cat’s vet urgently, because a urethral infection can infect their kidneys. Courses of treatment may include an initial examination, a course of antibiotics and may even require the removal of the stones in critical cases.   Photo by krakenimages on Unsplash

Diabetes is a serious medical condition which, like in the case of humans, can seriously affect your cat’s quality of life. Simply put – diabetes is a condition caused by a lack, or deficiency of insulin, which is the hormone which regulates how sugar is used in the body. The biggest issue when it comes to feline diabetes is that sugar is not properly absorbed into the cells and tissues in the body. Particularly if your cat is a regular eater, who maintains a stable weight, the presence of diabetes is often marked by significant weight loss – even though your cat is eating and drinking the same amount. Increased urination is also a tell-tale sign It’s important to make sure you have a plan, and the resources to look after your cat with diabetes. After the initial diagnosis, your cat will require regular visits to the vets, as well as treatment to address their insulin absorption. This treatment will come in the form of one to two insulin injections per day, which are administered under your cat’s skin. While you may be a little squeamish, and wary of hurting your cat – this is vital for their immediate and long term health and the vet will make sure that you are trained as to how to perform the injections correctly. As a general rule, it is important to ensure that your cat has eaten at least half of their allotted portion when the insulin is administered. In most cases, you will not be required to do home blood tests, unless directed by your vet. If you are, a helpful tool to invest in is a blood glucose monitor, which requires a tiny sample of your cat’s blood to check their glucose levels. Most cats who have a healthy diet, adequate access to healthcare and treatment have a positive prognosis and can even go into partial remission. However, it’s important to monitor your cat’s water intake, eating habits and ensure that they are engaging in regular exercise. If you believe your cat may have diabetes, please seek the advice of a vet urgently.   Photo by Paul Hanaoka on Unsplash