A vet has shared the three changes he would make to improve his cat’s life – and how it can make them live longer.
Amir Anwary, who is known as @amirthevet on social media, acknowledges his opinions might be ‘controversial’ but says they’re backed from experience and education.
To start with, he says he would hydrate their food pellets or use a water fountain because cats “are meant to get most of their hydration from the prey they’d hunt”.
He said: “They’re not very efficient drinkers. You need to add moisture to your cat’s food. Most cats end up in a state of chronic dehydration because they’re not drinking enough water and this can lead to bladder and kidney problems.”
Acknowledging some pet owners may disagree with his next point, he says he would stop vaccinating his cat every year once it reaches nine-years-old.
Instead, Amir says he would vaccinate them once every three years at most – claiming studies have shown cat vaccines contain “anti-kidney antibodies that attack the kidneys”.
He added: “Kidney problems are extremely common in cats and the exact reason for their kidney issues is not exactly known. There are several factors involved but one of the most predominant ones is coming from the anti-bodies from the vaccine.”
Justifying this, he says he fears kidney disease more than the diseases he’d be vaccinating his cat against.
Finally, he says he would give his cat with a good-quality Omega 3 supplement to improve their overall health.
He added: “It’s good for skin, it’s good for inflammation, kidney function, brain function. It is without a doubt something that I would add to my cat’s food every single day.
Commenting on his post, one user said: “i never vaccinated my cat but he’s indoor, me and my family always give our cat omega 3 supplement once a week, do you recommend it or should we give him omega 3 more often?”
Another user said: “Just vaccinated my 13-year-old calico who every vet thinks is five years-old for the first time in 12 years and I do put water in her soft food every morning. I bamboozle her two cups a day and olive oil in her pellets.”
A third user said: “My oldest cats were 26 and 27 when they died. They were both vaccinated when they were spayed, and just stayed indoors. They ate dry and wet, didn’t have any health issues until the end.”
One more user added: “My cat refuses any type of we food or hydrated pellets. Tried hundreds of flavours and textures. Tried not feeding her anything else – she had to go to the vet, she was so weak from not eating.”
While a final user said: “If you don’t vaccine your cat every year in the UK your insurance can be void.”