Urinary Tract Infections are a common medical condition in cats that can be treated and prevented with dietary management. If your cat is urinating outside the litter box; straining to urinate (evidenced by going in and out of litter box or squatting for long periods of time), has blood in their urine; excessive licking of their genital area, or vomiting; these are signs indicating a lower urinary tract infection. Even though the condition is not usually life-threatening for your cat, you should contact your veterinarian to get treatment for the infection.

One of the more common heart diseases in cats is known as feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHCM), a serious and progressive disease of the heart muscle. There is no definitive cause for this disease, but it is known to often be associated with high blood pressure. Symptoms of this disease include loss of appetite, lethargy or weakness, sudden development of difficulty breathing or fainting.

It should be noted, however, that symptoms are not always present and the first sign of disease could be sudden death. Another consequence of the disease may be the formation of a blood clot that lodges in a blood vessel near the hind limbs of your cat, resulting in paralysis and loss of blood supply to the hind limbs. It is therefore important to bring your cat to your veterinarian every year for a thorough physical examination. We can check for heart murmurs and changes in heart rhythms that can suggest heart disease.

The type of food your cat eats will have an effect on its dental health. You should always choose hard food and treats designed to promote good feline dental health from when they are a kitten.

Another good way to promote good dental health in your cat from an early age is to brush its teeth. Older cats may not be as well disposed to this as kittens, so beginning this tooth care measure at an early age is important. A veterinarian can clean your cat's teeth similarly to a dental hygienist. In some cases, cats may need to be sedated.

As you play with your cat, check out the gums at the tooth line. If they appear red or irritated, your cat may have the beginning of gingivitis, or gum disease. This can be an increasingly serious condition that could cause infection or tooth loss in your cat. If you notice a change in your cat’s eating habits, such as chewing on one side of its mouth or showing signs of soreness when chewing, there may be something serious going on with your cat’s teeth and gums.

Onions contain a substance which destroys red blood cells in your cat, causing a form of anemia. Garlic contains a similar substance and should be avoided.

These foods contain a bitter, poisonous alkaloid which can cause violent lower gastrointestinal symptoms. The leaves and stems are particularly toxic.

Chocolate is very toxic to both cats and dogs and should be completely avoided.

Although not toxic, many cats are lactose-intolerant causing milk products produce stomach upset, cramps, and gassiness. If your cat loves milk, and begs for it, a small amount of cream may be okay, two or three times a week (the more fat in the milk, the less lactose)