Search Results
3532 results for “gut”
A Detailed Cat Weight-Loss Plan
A healthy house cat weighs about 3.5–5.5 kg; over 6 kg (except large breeds like Maine Coon or Ragdoll) means it's overweight and needs to slim down. Switch to a high-protein, low-fat, low-carb food and cut the daily total by 20%, repeating if needed once weight stabilizes. Boost activity with wand, laser, and feather toys to burn fat — but never slash food sharply, since long fasting can harm the gut or trigger fatty liver.
Why Is My Chinchilla Drooling?
Chinchilla drooling is usually a sign of mouth disease—stomatitis, gingivitis, ulcers, or misaligned teeth—and can also bring bad breath, pain, and appetite loss. For mild gum inflammation use a small-pet oral spray and a broad-spectrum antibiotic; for anything severe, or if digestion, stress, or the nervous system is involved, see a vet to find the exact cause.
Why Is My Dog’s Belly Swollen?
A swollen belly in dogs has many causes—overeating, gas, gastric dilation and volvulus (GDV), fluid in the abdomen (ascites), or lumps such as lipomas and tumors. Mild cases like a full stomach or gas often settle with rest and probiotics, but some are emergencies. If the swelling comes with vomiting, pain, fast breathing, or a rapid heartbeat, it may be GDV and needs immediate veterinary care. Any persistent or unexplained bloating, especially with weight loss or a palpable mass, should be checked by a vet.
Why Cats Suddenly Lose Their Appetite
A sudden loss of appetite can come from mild causes, weather, heat, stress, or fussy eating, or from illness such as mouth pain, digestive trouble, parasites, or systemic disease. Find the cause first: treat oral pain with pet anti-inflammatories and oral spray, settle the gut with probiotics, and deworm if parasites are to blame.
Why Does a Cat Vomit After Taking Deworming Medicine?
A little vomiting after a cat takes dewormer can be normal — the medication irritates the gut somewhat, and mild discomfort usually passes quickly. But if the reaction is severe or lasts a long time, see a vet. Always dose by weight to avoid overdose and poisoning.
How to Prevent Bad Breath in Dogs
To prevent bad breath, keep these points in mind: 1) avoid too much wet food and feed a harder, easily digested natural kibble; 2) brush regularly to remove food debris and limit bacteria; 3) give probiotics occasionally to support gut health; 4) see a vet promptly at any sign of oral disease.
Extruded vs. Baked Cat Food: What’s the Difference?
Extruded and baked cat foods differ mainly in process. Extruded food mixes meat, grains, and produce, then cooks and shapes it under high heat and pressure (120–140°C) before coating with fat and flavor — the mainstream since the 1950s. Baked food uses low-temperature baking (80–100°C), keeping ingredients and nutrients more intact and needing little starch as a binder, so it is usually grain-free with higher meat content. Extruded is cheaper and easier to store; baked costs more but suits sensitive stomachs and cats prone to chin acne. The real key is ingredient quality, not the process.
Do You Have to Transition When Switching Cat Food?
To be safe, always transition cat food gradually. A cat's simple diet builds gut flora matched to the old recipe; a sudden new formula can overwhelm it, causing poor digestion and stomach upset. Timid cats may also stress — refusing food, hiding, even accidents. The '7-day method' works best: 80/20 for days 1–2, 60/40 for 3–4, 40/60 for 5–6, 80% new by day 7, fully switched on day 8. Extend to 10–14 days for kittens, seniors, or sensitive stomachs. Skip the transition only if your cat has an iron stomach or the old food has run out — then add probiotics. Stop and revert at any sign of soft stool or vomiting.
Is Tapioca Starch in Cat or Dog Food a Problem?
Tapioca starch (from cassava, a tropical root) in pet food is normal and usually fine in moderation. It helps kibble hold its shape, provides energy, and lowers cost. If it sits near the top of the ingredient list, though, protein may be lacking — and since cats are obligate carnivores and dogs are meat-based omnivores, long-term high-starch diets cause muscle loss and weaker immunity. The 'tapioca is toxic' worry is a myth: raw cassava contains cyanogenic glycosides, but proper soaking, cooking, and drying remove them, and high-heat pet-food processing destroys what remains.
Can hamsters eat blueberries?
Yes. Blueberries are rich in anthocyanins and vitamins that boost immunity and vision. But hamster guts are sensitive and blueberries are watery, so feed only a little at a time.