If your cat is having health problems then Nutrition can prevent, or reverse these diseases, etc from happening.
Remember that these problems have increased since the introduction of convenient commercial pet food.
1. Obesity- dry food diets are sprayed with animal fats, like a candy coating to entice cats to eat this cereal based foods. These heavy carb laden foods do not satisfy our cats appettite, making for a grumpy unsatisfied cat. Free feeding can also cause obesity, and free feeding is too hard on their pancreas. Feeding a high protein grain free canned food, or Raw diet. using the formula (weight of cat x 13.6 + 70= the amount of calories to feed a day) do not go by what the can says its alwsys overstated.
2. DIABETES - Genetics may be a contributing factor, but the carbs in dry food put such a load on the cats pancreas, and is putting a constant surge of sugars into their system which a cats system is not designed to handle. A switch to a low carb grain free wet food, or Raw can prevent, or actually reverse this disease without the need for insulin.
3. PANCREATITIS- Our cats pancreas is not adapted to a high carb diet, thus a high protein wet, or Raw diet will help to avoid furhter damage to the organ.
4. IBD (Irritable Bowel Disease)- Hypoallergenic diets do not always work, there is just too many machines, and hands in large factories for the chance of cross contamintation. IBD cats are likely reacting to the preservatives, and or grains in todays pet foods (canned cat food can cause allergies aswell). The best food for a IBD cat is a Raw Diet period. That way you can do an elimination diet in case the allergy is to fish, beef, or Chicken (common allergens)
5. UTI's/Crystals - WATER, WATER,WATER. Cats being descendents of the African wild cat, are not natural water drinkers, so they need to get the water from the food they eat,(canned, or Raw). When on a dry kibble diet, no amount of water will hydrate them enough, the cats bladder needs to be kept flushed out. Grains, fruits, vegies, and Tuna can change the Ph of the Urinary tract, and Starches like Potatoe and Rice raise the glucose level, not good. Best diet a canned grain free, or Raw diet.
6. CRD (Chronic Renal Disease) A cat with this disease still needs protein, contrary to what alot of vets think. Phosphate Binders, or egg whites can be added to the wet, or Raw food to dillute the phosphorous. The protein is needed to give the cat the energy to repair itself. No Dry food for a cat with CRD Period!!
7. Hepatic Lipidosis- A lot of cases of this disease happpens to Obese cats, so preventing obesity is the key. If your cat had Hepatic lipidosis a hig protein wet, or raw food will have to be syringe fed.
8. Dental Problems- Dry food of any sort will not clean your cats teeth,this is a myth! Your cat needs to have their teeth cleaned with a cat toothpaste and brush, vet cleanings, and or Raw meaty bones.
9. Heart Disease- Protein resrtictions is not needed, salt restriction may help. Weight loss is a problem when a cat has Heart Disease, so you must find a food that your cat will eat, if your cat eats the prescritption food for this then add egg white to up the protein in the food.
10. Hyperthyroidism- Feed a wet, or raw diet, No soy, as this has been found to affect teh thyroid gland in humans, along with your vets recommended treatments.
Side note* Did you know that there was a study done that shows that Rice in pet food depletes the Taurine levels in the cats food.