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Your dog can get parasites from many different sources, including contact with infected dogs or from a contaminated environment.

The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention estimates that 60% of cats are overweight or obese. In animals, fat starts to accumulate around internal organs before it’s visible from the outside. That means by the time you notice your cat is gaining weight, her health may already be negatively affected. A 10-pound cat only needs about 200 calories a day. Being overweight or obese doesn’t just affect how your cat looks, it also increases her risk for many health problems including: Cancer Decreased lifespan Heart disease Bladder stones Type 2 Diabetes and insulin resistance Osteoarthritis If your cat does become overweight or obese, talk with your veterinarian about ways to get your cat back to a healthy weight. This could include a change in diet or starting an exercise program. Your veterinarian can help you to find a solution that works for you and your cat.

Diarrhea is a common condition in which there is excess water in the stool due to either the colon’s inability to absorb water as it travels through the intestines or due to the excess secretion of water by the large intestine. Diarrhea may be either acute (one or more episodes of diarrhea lasting less than 14 days) or chronic (lasting more than 14 days or intermittent over 3-4 weeks). For dogs, many cases of acute diarrhea can be attributed to a dietary indiscretion, which is less often the case for cats. Cats, in fact, are more likely to have cases of chronic diarrhea. Diarrhea may be a clinical sign of an intestinal problem or a disorder not involving the intestines.

Veterinarians make a distinction between vomiting and regurgitation. Vomiting refers to the forceful expulsion of contents from the stomach. Regurgitation, on the other hand, is the passive return of contents from the esophagus. Food that is regurgitated never makes it to the stomach. Vomiting can be acute (sudden) or chronic (long-term). Acute vomiting lasts less than 3-4 days and has no other signs present. Chronic vomiting refers to vomiting lasting longer than 5-7 days or intermittent vomiting that does not respond to medical treatment. Chronic vomiting can occur more than once or twice a day and be accompanied by other clinical signs, such as blood, abdominal pain or fever.

Your cat needs a high-quality balanced diet to make sure she gets the vitamins and minerals her body needs. New pet food diets and trends come and go, so be sure to ask your veterinarian any questions before starting your cat on a new diet. If you’re wondering what to feed your new cat, ask your veterinarian for a recommendation. Cat and dog foods aren’t the same and you shouldn’t feed your cat dog food or vice versa. Cats need specific vitamins and amino acids, such as: Vitamin A: In order to keep a cat’s vision and skin healthy, your cat needs a certain amount of Vitamin A. Dogs don’t have to worry about getting vitamin A from their food because their bodies turn beta carotene into this necessary vitamin. Taurine: While dogs can make their own supply of this important amino acid, cats need to get it from their diet. Feeding cats dog food can lead to a type of heart disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Though many people think cats like a fish-only diet, feeding only fish to your cat won’t give them the amount of taurine they require. Arachidonic acid: This fatty acid helps cats produce an inflammatory response to naturally protect against illness, control skin growth, and help other parts of the body function properly. While dogs can make their own, cats need to get arachidonic acid from their food. Protein: Cats need more protein than dogs and fewer carbohydrates. This is especially important for kittens and adult cats who are nursing.