Brenda J. Ernest, DVM, Dipl. ABVP - Veterinarian 

  11816 N. 56th Street Temple Terrace, Fl. 33617

813-985-2889 

                                             close to I-75,  University of South Florida, and New Tampa 

                                                                   we speak pet            

board-certified specialist in dog and cat practice

           special interest in ferrets, rabbits, small mammals, and birds       

Radio-iodine treatment

centers for hyperthyroidism

Animal Medical Clinic

4020 S. Babcock St.

 Melbourne, FL  32901

(321)-727-2421

Cat Thyroid Center   

717 S. Tamiami Trail (US 41)

Ruskin, Fl 33570-4749 

(813) 641-3425  

 Fax: (813) 645-3336

Florida Veterinary Specialists and Cancer Treatment Center

3000 Busch Lake Boulevard

Tampa, FL 33614

(813) 933-8944

Fax: (813) 936-9595  

Radiocat  

9220 Estero Park Commons Blvd 

      Estero,FL 33929        

 800-323-9729  

Veterinary Radiology Services

of So. Florida

University Animal Hospital

9410 Stirling Road

Cooper City, FL 33024

(407) 479-0460

(305) 432-5611

NUTRITION

Cats originated in the desert and has evolved to obtain water requirements almost entirely from the moisture content in food. Canned diets contain enough water that cats consuming them rarely need to drink.   Thus the cat needs to drink less than 1 oz. of additional water per day whereas a cat consuming a dry diet needs to drink over 7 oz. of water per day.   This can be difficult because cats are not naturally big drinkers and frequently leads to bladder and kidney problems.

Cats, being true carnivores, must have meat in the diet.   Cats require 20 amino acids to make all the needed body proteins. Ten can be created in the liver and need not be present in the diet.  The other 10 amino acids are essential amino acids and cannot be made by the liver.  They must be supplied by meat in the diet.

Cats have no absolute carbohydrate requirement. Carnivores convert glucogenic amino acids and glycerol to glucose for the maintenance of blood glucose.   In general, an absence of dietary carbohydrate in the feline diet will not affect blood glucose levels or cause an energy deficiency; this is because the body can use protein and the glycerol portion of fat for glucose production, and fat and protein for energy.

At Animal Diagnostic & Wellness Center, we recommend dry and canned foods be fed on a daily basis.  The average 10 pound cat maintains lean body weight on 1/4 cup of dry and 1/3 to 1/2 can of food per day.   This may vary depending on your cat's age and activity level.  Obesity is a serious problems in pet cats and can lead to diabetes, stool problems, heart disease, arthritis, and liver disease.e.  

                                                          to see how your cat measures up.      

 For more information on cats and their nutritional needs, visit these websites:    Nutrition       Cornell University  

Keep them safe.  Keep them inside.  Visit the indoor cat initiative        Looking to adopt - check out breeds  

                                                                 Common Conditions

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address questions and comments to info@animaldiagnosticcenter.com