For cat owners: I thought Id share some research (found on veterinarian sites; perhaps Laura LHeureux Neal can also weigh in). Hyperthyroidism, which is Rascals issue, is very common in aging cats and I thought Id share some of the classic symptoms, which -- in hindsight -- were glaringly obvious. All the dense terminology aside, excess thyroid hormones cause muscle wasting in cats, first visible in their hindquarters even though theyll still have that belly. They drink lots more water, eat more, and often will have lots of energy (sometimes in the middle of the night), but they are burning off more calories than they are taking in, and so the body starts feeding on itself. Untreated, the cat will starve. There are different treatments available, and you should consult your vet for whats right for your cat. But from a nutrition standpoint, everything Ive read says dont feed your hyperthyroid cat dry food, because theres not enough water in it. Canned cat food should be at least 50% protein (and not necessarily marine fish, either, which has high concentrations of iodine) and less than 10% carbohydrates, which mimics their diet in the wild. Rather than need less food as they age, they need more -- like kittens. So if your geriatric cat (10 years is displaying these symptoms, dont think its a normal part of aging. Take your best to the vet right away. Save yourself some worry and heartache.
Posted on: Wed, 02 Apr 2014 10:52:53 +0000
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