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461 results for “Malnutrition”
What to Do If Your Turtle Eats Only Meat and Rejects Pellets
A turtle that refuses pellets for meat usually has a taste preference or a digestion issue, but long-term meat eating risks gut inflammation, pickiness, malnutrition, and fatty liver. First check that the pellets are fresh and clean, or try a different brand, shape, or flavor—always soak pellets in water so the turtle can swallow. You can also change the routine: more swimming time and sunlight boost appetite. The firm fix is 'starvation training'—offer only pellets, no meat, until hunger wins. If nothing works, or you're unsure the turtle needs food, consult a veterinarian for a tailored plan.
Why Is Your Cat a Picky Eater?
Picky eating often has a simple cause. A too-deep bowl blocks access; stale kibble loses its smell to a sensitive nose; an unwashed bowl grows microbes that ferment and repel the cat; or the cat simply dislikes the current flavor - some prefer fish, some chicken, and 'digging' at the bowl means try a higher-protein food. Signs: refusing kibble but loving treats, cans or meat; eating a bite then playing; if it ignores even favorite treats, suspect illness not pickiness. Long-term pickiness brings malnutrition, anemia and low blood sugar, so keep meals calm and switch to a palatable food when needed.
Why Cats Become Picky Eaters and How to Fix It
A picky cat risks malnutrition, anemia, low blood sugar, and a weak immune system, so correcting it protects health. The fix is structure: controlled portions, few treats, a gradual mix-down to staple food, and timed meals that teach good habits. This guide covers the harm and the practical methods.
How to Switch Your Cat’s Food the Right Way
Switching cat food badly can trigger refusals, vomiting, or diarrhea, so the job calls for method. The safe route is a gradual seven-to-ten-day transition that blends old and new food in shifting ratios. This guide also covers what to do if diarrhea appears and how to handle the smaller portions needed when moving from home-cooked meals to calorie-dense commercial food.
Three Reasons Why Cats Shed Excessively
Heavy shedding is one of the most frustrating parts of cat ownership, but not every cause is out of your control. While seasonal coat changes cannot be stopped, diet and nutrition often can be fixed. This article breaks down three common triggers: weather shifts, too much salt, and poor nutrition, with practical steps to keep loose hair under control.
Dietary Care for a Pregnant Cat
Pregnancy is a long, delicate process, and a mother cat's nutritional needs rise sharply before and after birth. Poor-quality food or a single, protein-poor diet can slow fetal growth and even cause miscarriage, while too much fat triggers obesity, a leading cause of pregnancy loss. This guide covers balanced feeding and three nutritious ingredients that support a healthy pregnancy.
What Happens When Dogs Eat Cheap Low-Quality Food Long Term
Cheap dog food of unknown origin can lack the nutrients a dog needs while carrying excess salt, sugar, and additives. Fed long term, it harms health in many ways: diarrhea, malnutrition, extra strain on the liver and kidneys, hair loss and dry skin, obesity, and dental decay. To protect your dog, choose a high-quality food with balanced nutrition, protein around 25 to 30 percent, fat 14 to 17 percent, and salt under 0.8 percent. Good food lists real meats by name, avoids artificial additives, and comes from a trusted brand.
Treating and Preventing Cat Tartar
Ignored mouth hygiene leads to tartar, common in cats over two on soft food, peaking at five and eight. Plaque hardens into tartar that causes gum damage, loose teeth, and bad breath. Professional ultrasound scaling under anesthesia is best; severely bad teeth should be pulled. Prevent with early brushing using pet paste and gauze, and feed cat kibble.
Daily Care Tips for Exotic Shorthair Cats
Shedding comes from season change, poor nutrition (often human food lacking protein), or illness. Manage it with regular brushing, which also massages and aids circulation, and proper baths (every 5-7 days in summer, 7-10 in winter); over-bathing harms skin. A grooming glove builds bond and cleans fur.
What to Do If Your Dog or Cat Has Tapeworms
Many species of tapeworms parasitize dogs and cats, and the adult worms seriously harm their health, while the larval stages often use livestock or humans as intermediate hosts, threatening both animals and people. Common species include Dipylidium caninum, Taenia spp., Echinococcus granulosus, Mesocestoides, Spirometra mansoni, and Diphyllobothrium. Infection causes intestinal inflammation, malnutrition, and in severe cases intestinal blockage, with signs like vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and odd behavior. Diagnosis relies on clinical signs plus fecal egg exams. Prevention means regular deworming, not feeding raw offal, and controlling fleas. Treatment uses praziquantel (5 mg/kg dogs, 2 mg/kg cats), arecoline hydrobromide, bunamidine, or fenbendazole under veterinary guidance. Because some tapeworms (like Echinococcus) also endanger human health, prompt and correct control matters.