How Should We Feed Sick Cats?

It is difficult to detect when cats are sick. Cats, who have developed a survival mechanism to hide the illnesses and pains they experience in the wild, require close observation of their behavior. There are certain specific behaviors cats exhibit when they are sick to protect themselves. For example, if a cat that is not normally very vocal starts meowing loudly, or if a cat that prefers to spend time with its family starts hiding more often, it is necessary to be alert for signs of illness in cats. Of course, a cautious approach should also be taken in cases of loss of appetite, aggressive behavior when touched, diarrhea, and constipation. If the signs of illness in cats persist, they should be taken to veterinary clinics for examination. If a cat is diagnosed with an illness, one of the primary responsibilities of cat owners is to ensure that their entire life is structured around recovery. More specifically, aspects such as a sick cat's diet, water intake, and activity plan must be re-evaluated. In this article, you can find detailed information about what cat owners need to know regarding the nutrition of sick cats.

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When cats are sick, depending on the type of illness, they may lose their appetite, stop eating their favorite foods, or require specific nutrients. Therefore, when a cat is sick, it is essential to strictly follow the veterinarian's recommendations. This will make it easier for cats to receive the nutrients they need and strengthen them to overcome their illness.

Dry and/or wet food that fully meets their daily needs should be added to the diet of sick cats. Their water intake should also be closely monitored to prevent dehydration. When determining the form of food they will eat, it is recommended to evaluate both the cats' preferences and their health status.

How cats are fed when they are sick can be tailored to the specific health problem they are experiencing. For example, symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite can be observed commonly in gastrointestinal diseases, diabetes, allergies, and problems such as hairballs. Therefore, cats should be observed for approximately 12 hours after the symptoms appear, and if the symptoms persist, a veterinarian should be consulted.

After conducting examinations and making a diagnosis, veterinarians also create a nutritional plan to support the recovery process. Regardless of whether they are adult or kitten, the diet of sick cats is generally evaluated in terms of quality animal proteins, vitamins, minerals, and water.

Animal Protein Sources and Cat Health

Sick cats need animal protein sources that they can biologically metabolize and that are easily digestible. Since cats are carnivores, essential amino acids such as taurine and arginine are indispensable for their bodies to function optimally. These essential amino acids can be obtained from foods such as meat, animal organs, and fish. If cats are fed plant-based proteins instead of animal proteins during the recovery period, they may not recover quickly enough.

When a sick cat's diet is supplemented with high-quality animal proteins, their immune system can be strengthened. More oxygen and nutrients can be transported to their cells, and the water balance in their bodies can be restored. Pain and inflammation can be minimized, and they can also receive the necessary calories for the smooth functioning of metabolic processes.

The Importance of Minerals and Vitamins in Cat Health

Vitamins and minerals support the functions of cats' organs, increase protein absorption, and contribute to strengthening the immune system. Cats generally obtain the micronutrients they need through the animal protein sources they consume. However, sick cats may need additional vitamins and minerals due to dehydration and resulting electrolyte imbalance. You can find cat vitamins and supplements formulated to support the health of cats here.

Sick Cats Should Not Be Dehydrated

Cats can quickly become dehydrated when they are sick and/or lose fluids. Dehydration can cause various problems, primarily the failure of organs to function properly. Therefore, it is important to encourage sick cats to consume water and fluids.

To encourage cats to drink water while they are sick, it is more crucial than ever that their water is fresh and clean. Regular cleaning of water bowls, placement of water bowls in easily accessible locations, and ensuring the water is fresh are essential.

To support fluid intake in cats, it may be necessary to add wet food to their diet. Feeding cats with high-quality wet food is beneficial to meet their taste preferences, provide them with the nutrients they need daily, and support their fluid intake. You can review the types of wet food formulated specifically for the life stages of cats by clicking here.

Veterinary support may be necessary to eliminate the possibility of dehydration in cats that cannot drink enough water due to illness.

What Foods Should Sick Cats Not Consume?

When cats are sick, their digestive systems may not function ideally. Therefore, it is recommended to keep some foods away from them. The foods that sick cats should not consume can be listed as follows:

• Although cats can digest carbohydrates to some extent, they do not need carbohydrates in large quantities to survive. However, during illness, it becomes difficult for them to digest carbohydrates. Consuming foods containing carbohydrates can trigger digestive problems or worsen existing complaints.
• Cats should not be fed a high-fat diet during illness. Fat can slow down metabolism and make cats feel unwell. Therefore, it is considered ideal for sick cats to focus on lean protein sources.
• There is a common misconception that milk is nutritious for cats. Milk and dairy products containing lactose can cause stomach and digestive problems in sick cats.
• It is also not recommended for sick cats to consume vegetables and fruits. While safe vegetables and fruits can be added to their diet when they are healthy, during illness they should only be fed as approved by a veterinarian.

Illness May Require Customized Feeding

The health problems experienced by cats may require the implementation of special feeding plans. For example, cats with health problems such as kidney disease, urinary tract disease, gastrointestinal problems, allergies, obesity, and diabetes may be recommended to be fed with veterinary diet foods.

The diets of cats diagnosed with chronic diseases that require special nutrition and dramatically affect their general health should be planned in accordance with the guidance of veterinarians. It is also very important not to neglect routine health check-ups for cats that start a special diet for a specific disease. In this way, it can be concretely analyzed whether the cats benefit from the disease-specific feeding routine.