3 Simple Steps to Natural Health For Cats
Natural health for cats doesn’t have to be difficult
We’ve all heard the expression, “Small changes can make big differences.” When it comes to exploring natural health options for your cat does it feel overwhelming? Where do you start? Don’t feel like you have to be an expert in holistic medicine, nutrition or alternative therapies. By simply doing a little research you’ll be amazed at all the great nuggets of information you can find.
Personal experience was my teacher
My first step into alternative medicine began with a foot injury. Because conventional methods weren’t healing my foot, it forced me to look “outside the box.” The same thing happened with my cats’ health problems. Several years ago my cat Hershey had developed pancreatitis…not once, not twice…but three times within 3 months. After making trips to the vet for the first two episodes and a phone call after the third with the same doctor, he recommended I take Hershey to a specialist (translation: expensive tests and a lifetime of toxic drugs). I decided it was time to look for a better alternative.
When Lili developed feline acne back when she was younger, the vet we took her to suggested it was due to bacteria growing in her food bowl and proceeded to scrub off the scabs. It turned out she was wrong as the scabs just came back. Therefore, I sought out an integrative vet who referred me to another specialist–a dermatologist for animals. That next visit cost me $100 and all she could recommend was expensive allergy testing and expensive, hypo-allergenic diet foods. Shocker! That was enough.
Naturopathy for cats
I ended up taking both Hershey and Lili to my Naturopath, a natural health doctor. Clearly in both cases, the vets were only looking at ways to treat symptoms (which is what veterinarians are trained to do), not look for the cause. Putting a “band aid” on the problem would never make it go away, and I was not interested in a lifetime of toxic drugs and reoccurring bouts of illness or skin eruptions. Rather than a temporary fix I wanted true healing.
Lili loves sleeping on dad’s gym bag
Through muscle testing and a special energy medicine technique called ECR (Energetic Cellular Release), we were able to get to the root of the problems for both Hershey and Lili. If you don’t remember anything else about natural health, here is a premise you must understand: treat the CAUSE, not the symptoms. It’s quite the opposite approach from traditional allopathic and veterinary medicine, which focuses on treating symptoms!
Hershey
Ways to save money and boost your cat’s health
I understand that having cats, especially in multi-cat households, can be expensive. Veterinary costs are outrageously expensive, not to mention food, supplies, treats, furniture, and toys. Your heart would go to the moon for your fur baby, but your pocketbook can quickly put a halt to it before you’ve made a dent in your grandiose intentions.
Emergency medicine or treatment for a serious disease can be extremely costly. Furthermore, it’s unthinkable to have to choose between saving your precious kitty…or not. So what can you do to minimize the costs and still give your precious kitty the very best in natural health? Let me give you three simple steps.
Sojos freeze-dried venison liver treats
Eat “clean” and as “close to nature” whenever possible
The first thing to consider is what your cat eats. Because they are carnivores cats need a meat-based diet, and the best biologically appropriate diet for them is raw. Can’t afford to feed a 100% raw diet? I know it can be more expensive, and you’re not even sure if your cat will eat it! Try blending a small bit of raw with wet/canned food. Lots of manufacturers make small packages, so it doesn’t have to break your budget. Thawing a little bit at a time rather than the whole package can prevent food from spoiling. In addition, mixing a small bite of raw meat from the grocery store into your cat’s wet food is another way to experiment with it.
Introducing freeze-dried raw food is another suggestion. Sprinkle/crumble this on top of your kitty’s food and use it as treats. In addition, try alternating your cat’s wet food with a premium selection or mix a bit into your cat’s other food.
Natural Flea & Tick Spray for Cats
Reduce or eliminate exposure to toxins and pesticides
Secondly, find ways to reduce your cat’s toxic load. Begin by switching your household cleaning products over to the ones with natural, non-toxic ingredients. Remember, your kitty walks on your floors that you mop with chemical laden cleaners, and these products have very powerful smells, too. Products like Clorox Bleach and Lysol are toxic and full of dangerous chemicals. Breathing the fumes or having the product come in contact with your skin or your kitty’s feet can have undesired consequences.
Rather than using toxic and potentially deadly flea treatments and collars, try using essential oils and diatomaceous earth. There are several great natural products on the market that are safe to use on your cats and their bedding, too. Did you know that air fresheners and calming aids (Feliway) include synthetic chemicals and endocrine disrupters? Instead try diffusing essential oils or natural air fresheners by Mrs. Meyers Clean Day.
More ways to reduce your cat’s chemical load
Avoid tracking in chemicals on your shoes by leaving them outside the door if you’ve been working in the yard or flowerbeds. Explore using natural pest control and gardening/lawn products if your kitty is allowed outside.
Remember, toxins are not only found in cleaning and gardening products. Cheaper brands of commercial pet foods are loaded with chemicals and cheap ingredients that can wreak havoc on your cat’s health. Therefore, reading pet food labels and learning what ingredients to avoid is a must. To learn more take a look at this page.
Perhaps most importantly, avoid repeated, unnecessary vaccinations. Did you know that one vaccine can provide a lifetime of immunity in most cats? If your kitty lives indoors there is little risk for acquiring diseases cats get vaccinations for. Furthermore, vaccines do not come without great risk. In light of this fact I highly recommend asking for titer tests instead of exposing your cat to the dangers and risk associated with them. Titer tests measure the levels of immunity for a given disease. If a titer is positive it shows an effective immune response to the given disease.
Homeopathy and herbal medicine are great options for pets, too
Replace toxic drugs and medicines with natural alternatives when possible
Finally, seeking out advice from a holistic veterinarian or Naturopath for natural alternatives can be extremely helpful. Explore using herbal medicine, homeopathy, supplements, essential oils, and other natural products in lieu of drugs. Often times these are very effective in addressing a specific health condition or illness.
You have LOTS of resources available out there! Unfortunately, your traditional vet won’t tell you about them because they don’t know. Remember, lessening the toxic load on your cat’s body and keeping her diet as close to nature as possible will help keep her immune system strong. As a result you’ll have a healthier, happier cat! 😺 And this advice holds well for humans, too. 😀
Have questions? I am your resource! Submit your comments and questions below.
