Proper nutrition is essential for any animal. When an animal is not fed the correct diet a lot of things can go wrong. A weakened immune system and improper nutrition will often cause animals to be more susceptible to things such as broken bones, yeast infections, irritable bowel syndrome, infertility, dull and lifeless coats, etc. In time, these things can progress to even more serious problems.Many of the commercial foods do not supply all of the nutrients needed to promote and maintain optimum health in our pets. Supplements are available to furnish the nutrients and trace minerals they may miss in a normal diet. However not all supplements are created equal. For instance, if a calcium supplement does not contain the correct balance between calcium and phosphorous, it can do more harm than good. I found this out the hard way. I now use Primal Cal by Oasis.Nutritional Analysis of Chicken and Turkey Necks Considerations when designing diets for exotic felines A Guide to Medical/Nutritional Management of Felids (including hand-rearing information) Oasis supplements Consideration When Designing Diets for Felines Zoo Standards for keeping small felids in captivity HealthEvery pet deserves to be kept in peak condition. Those that consider breeding owe it to their animals and to potential buyers to insure that their animals are at optimum health before they breed. It is up to the breeder to know whether or not the cat carries inherent diseases and if so, not breed them. Do your homework, and choose your stock carefully. Please remember - every animal should not be bred.Reproductive Failure and Infertility in Cats Husbandry Standards for keeping Small Cats in Captivity (including nutritional breakdowns) Natural Treatment for Ear Mites Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Feline Respiratory Disease Complex Vaccines - Other Vaccine Concerns Abnormal Events of the Feline Luteal Period Could My Feline Fertility Problems be Caused by G-Strep?
CoronavirusThe coronavirus is a very controversial, yet serious virus. It can be something as simple as the common cold, or can mutate into FIP in cats that have a weak or compromised immune system. Unfortunately - this virus is been found in about 80% of all catteries. The United States is behind on how it deals with the virus and breeders really need to take a closer look at clearing this from their catteries.
Page from the University of Georgia Feline Coronavirus serotypes 1 and 2: Seroprevalence and Association with Disease in Switzerland Many things around the home can be toxic. Cleaning supplies should be made inaccessible to a curious kitten. Rat poisons, insecticides, etc., should be stored in areas away from the family pet. Also, when creating a garden inside or outside the home, one should make sure the plants are not toxic to pets.PoisonsCornell University Poisonous Plant Informational Data Base There has recently been some controversy concerning the use of soft wood shavings such as pine and cedar for bedding. The two links below explain why.
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