Whether or not your tabby’s heart stays healthy is largely due to the makeup of its genetics and the environment in which it grows up. While one cat may have more muscles or can jump higher, there’s no way to tell which cats will have heart problems and which won’t. The best thing that you can do for your lovable feline friend is to ensure to conduct proper medical checkups and provide a healthy environment where he can thrive. Here are five things you can do to keep your cat’s heart as healthy as can be.
1. Regular Checkups
Going to the vet is imperative in the fight against degenerative heart disease. At least once a year take your cat or kitten into the vet to have a physical conducted. The veterinarian will pay specific attention to your pet’s heart with a stethoscope examination. A professional veterinarian will have the skills and tools needed to assess whether or not your cat is suffering from a heart problem.
2. Get a Blood Test
Thankfully, veterinary medicine has developed a blood test that identifies cats that are at greater risk for heart diseases. Called a proBNP test, it measures how much peptide hormone (protein hormones released by the heart) is circulating the body. If peptide is found, the vet knows that the heart is being overworked. If steps aren’t taken immediately to reduce these symptoms, the peptide level will continue to rise.
3. Diet and Exercise
The food your cat consumes plays an important part in overall heart health and preventing debilitating heart diseases. A heart healthy diet includes high protein, low sodium catfood that will reduce fluid build-up and make it easier for your cat’s heart to pump properly. Also, senior cats may have more trouble gaining or losing weight, so adjust their diet accordingly.
Exercise is also important to maintain heart health, but may be tougher for you as a cat owner. When cats develop heart problems, they’ll experience a reduced exercise ability. And, unlike dogs who get exercised almost everyday, it may be much more difficult for you to tell when your cat has zero will to exercise. A few minutes every day of chasing a toy or climbing on a scratching post will go a long way in preventing heart issues.
4. Make Sure Kitty Cat Can Sleep
Make sure that your cat is sleeping well and is comfortable in his bed, especially if he’s older. Make sure he has his own private spot to rest, give him soft blankets to lay on, and make sure he’s in close reach of food and water. Additionally, if you have a senior cat, consider buying him an orthopedic bed which can be equipped with heat and/or a vibrating massage mechanism to decrease soreness and boost circulation.
5. Cat Supplements
Cat supplements may be one of your most promising options in keeping your cat’s cardiovascular system healthy. The all-natural Elk Velvet Antler is especially good at maintaining your cat’s health. A number of ingredients that include protein, essential amino acids, fatty acids, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, iron, copper, cobalt, zinc, sulphur, sodium selenium, nitrogen and more. Protein, amino acids, fatty acids and selenium are especially important in guarding our blood cells, heart, liver and lungs, and also stimulates increased antibody response to infection.
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