And since wet food is 75% water, it costs a lot more per ounce of real nutrition, so the same rationale goes here: unless they need wet food for a specific reason, dry will do fine. What with the recession and all, it makes sense to save money on regular purchases (like food) to serve as a cushion in case of unexpected medical bills, or whatever.

Of course, none of this means you shouldn’t buy cans of salmon or fancy treats for your dear cats. Just use them as treats, not everyday meals!

We are giving them high protein canned food to replace some of the kibble they eat (similar to what Panther is getting). Charger is a large male Bengal at 19 lb 12 oz. Agile is a broad chested formerly feral feline at 15 lbs. Our goal for the next two years is to get them down to about 18 lbs and 13 lbs respectively. So, much more exercise, combined with having to jump up to platforms for smaller quantities of food is in store for both cats.

• less anxious or annoyed cats (and dogs)
• regulated portioned feeding can help prevent or reverse obesity (versus free feeding out of a bowl)
• feeding times can be specified with some models
• your cat can be fed without you being there — good for short trips away from home or long days at work

A few disadvantages:

• you have to keep it very clean
• prevent ants or other insects from inhabiting the feeder
• set the times correctly
• with most models it dispenses only enough to be feeding one or two pets
• each model presents varying degrees of difficulty being programmed — some are less intuitive than others

Notable for techies in Korea and Japan: Korean mobile operator SK Telecom has created a way to feed your pet using their cell phone feature. I wonder when someone will bring capability to the US…

Then there is the futuristic looking coffee maker sized automated and programmable Perfect PetFeeder is available in the US — for about $499.00US

Or the gravity fed elevated wheeled food or watering stations by Critter Cooler. For about $95.00US.

Having said all that, here are a few less costly models I have seen that you might want to consider:

Petmate’s Bistro Electronic Portion Control automatic feeder

Synchronic’s Lentek PD06G 6 Day Automatic Feeder

Radio Systems’ Petsafe PF5-11 5-Meal Electronic Pet Feeder

Blitz’ 11899 25lb Automatic Feeder

Plus there are a large number of gravity fed kibble feeders by Petmate that you can find in almost any pet store.

For any of these feeders look at:

• the sturdiness of the construction
• warranty
• ease of cleaning
• ease of emptying and refilling
• food capacity
• will it hold and dispense the type of food your cat likes to eat
• anticipate a trial period for any new feeder
• be sure the construction does not allow an industrious cat from pawing out additional kibble, or breaking the mechanism!
• if you return the feeder, let the seller (and manufacturer!) know what went wrong — the pet food industry is a billion dollar market — the best way to bring about change is to provide consumer feedback!

We are also supplementing with more canned food, especially for our diabetic cat Panther. The canned foods we chose are higher protein, fewer carbohydrates, thus straining his metabolism less.
When you are shopping be sure to check the expiration dates before you buy any pet food or treats.

To read the ingredients on some canned food bring your magnifying glasses (only half joking) — until someone pointed it out — I did not see that Wellness brand foods contains small amounts of garlic which damage the red blood cells of cats and dogs. The label print is tiny!

Be sure that taurine is in the cat food you buy, until it was intentionally added to cat foods, cats were having heart problems from a lack of taurine. The Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research’s article explains this better than I can.

The article “Cats Are Different“by T. J. Dunn, Jr. DVM subtitled “Find Out How A Cat’s Nutritional Needs Are Different From A Dog” is a terrific layman’s level explanation of our pet’s nutritional needs. Read and learn!

Lastly, I found this article and thought you might find it interesting, too: Pet Food Storage Tips, Part One: Dry Food

From their Business Wire Press Release:

Celebrate the 500,000 Adoptions Milestone for Morris’ Million Cat Rescue campaign

A shocking 3 out of every 4 cats that enter shelters do not leave alive. The reality is that 5.5 million cats are euthanized each year, representing 71% of all cats that enter animal shelters. Many don’t know that there are tremendous advantages for the entire family in owning a pet — for adults, pet ownership can decrease the risk of having a heart attack by up to 6%. Pet ownership can teach children about responsibility, compassion and loyalty — in addition, positive self-esteem is enhanced in children with pets. And pet ownership has been shown anecdotally to help children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to focus and concentrate.

About Morris the Cat

In 1968, a street-wise orange tabby from a Hinsdale, Illinois shelter was languishing for a loving home after being abandoned by his owner when the shelter staff noticed something special about the cat – a certain star quality. They quickly contacted Bob Martwick, a professional animal handler who quickly adopted him on the spot, and — 20 minutes from death — Morris the Cat got a second chance. Recognizing his charisma, 9Lives cat food quickly signed him up, and the entire nation took notice of this new star of their television commercials.“

“Morris’ Million Cat Rescue mobile adoption bus will visit Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade between Santa Monica Boulevard and Arizona Street from 12:00 p.m. – 5 p.m. PDT to mark the momentous occasion and to promote pet adoption. The 500,000^th cat will be officially adopted by Audrina Patridge of MTV’s “The Hills,” who will also participate in an exclusive check-donation ceremony. A grand total of $10,000 will be donated in her name to a local area shelter, Feline and Friends, to help them continue in their mission of finding loving homes for homeless cats.

According to Thomas, the Morris’ Million Cat Rescue tour will be making additional stops this year in San Francisco (9/27), Sacramento (10/03), Portland (10/11), Seattle (10/18), and Denver (10/27) before going on winter hiatus. For more information about Morris’ Million Cat Rescue Campaign, bus or van stops, visit www.9Lives.com.”

I have seen misleading information on blogs and private email lists — check here before panicking.

As cats age, their physical needs and capabilities gradually change. There are many new products available to help keep your feline friend's life comfortable and happy. This article does not take the place of talking to your veterinarian about health factors affecting aging cats or medical treatment for your cat. We include this article because we believe in supporting the continuing education of people who care about their feline friends, and we wish to increase your awareness of the types of products and help available. We have looked through many large pet supply stores, cat care catalogs, and web sites to find the product information and the average prices ($US) mentioned here.

Food and Water

Cats over 6 years of age start having different dietary needs than younger cats. They may become less active, requiring fewer calories, and more high fibre diets. Ask your veterinarian what proportions of protein, fats, fibres, phosphorous and other nutrients your cat may need at this point in his life. Remember, these proportions can change over time, depending on your cat's health.

As cats age, one of the first problems, due to lowered physical activity, can be excessive weight gain. Many cat food manufacturers offer weight maintenance dry foods. Read the labels! These can have varying amounts of ingredients. Any food labelled "lite" is subject to strict regulations by the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Their "Pet Food and Specialty Pet Food Labelling Guide" ($125) contains all the legal information pet food manufacturers must abide by.

Several cat food manufacturers, such as Nutro/Max and Science Diet/Hill, have created "Senior" canned and dry food specifically for the dietary needs of cats over 7 years of age. Please ask your veterinarian for specific recommendations based on your cat's health history.

As Glory became 7 years old, she started to develop food allergies and some digestive problems. We tried some off-the-shelf "Senior" and other food products, to no avail. Off we went to our veterinarian for help. After using standard allergy control methods to eliminate possible allergens, Glory now eats Innovative Veterinary Diets "Duck and Potato" dry food exclusively with no problems. This company, whose products are available only through veterinarians, has a number of very specific food products for cats with dietary related health problems.

Older cats may develop a lower sense of thirst which can lead to dehydration. Make sure you have more than one place where your older cat can drink fresh water that is changed daily, perhaps close to her favorite perches as well as her food. Canned foods can help increase the moisture your cat ingests.

Movement and Joint Problems

Like humans, cats can develop arthritis. Various veterinary powdered and encapsulated formulations are available to provide arthritis and joint care as cats need them. These medicinal preparations are sold in vitamin type bottles, and can be flavorless or have cat preferred flavors. The powder is usually given by mixing it into the cat's food. Several different mixes of these 4 ingredients can be purchased without a prescription. Dosage depends on the cat's weight. Some are in powder form, others in pills to be crumbled or "given as treats".

All powdered or granular products we saw have the measuring scoops included. Before buying any of these, we strongly suggest you consult your veterinarian. You may find a substantial price variation between in-person stores, and on-line stores. Shop around, but before buying any additive in bulk, make sure you get your cat's approval, or you may end up with a big bottle of inedible stuff on your shelf.

Glucosamine and Vitamin C combined are sold for "mild or early stage" arthritis or joint problems. Average $25.00 to $30.00 per bottle. Glucosamine is sometimes sold mixed with various vitamins. Prices vary considerably.

Preparations with the Chondroitin sulfate, Glucosamine and Vitamin C are often found in 120 to 275 (single scoop) dose bottles and priced $20.00 to $40.00. With MSM, plus the above three ingredients, prices are about $30.00 to $60.00. MicroLactin (sometimes mixed with glucosamine) is a proprietary low lactose milk protein derivative priced at about $20.00 a bottle.

• Chondroitin sulfate — helps to block degenerative enzymes that attack joint cartilage
• Glucosamine — renews the fluid inside the joints thus helping to smooth joint movement
• Vitamin C — promotes healing and the formation of collagen for healthy joints
• MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) granules are a natural form of organic sulfur, and are added into preparations with the above 3 ingredients to help advanced joint conditions
• MicroLactin acts at the cellular level in the early stages of inflammation

Bedding

Cats love to be warm, and older cats often like soothing heat even more than younger ones. As a result, there are many warm beds to choose from. Be sure to read the packaging to find out what features the product actually has.

Estimate the size of bedding needed by how much space your cat likes to use when lying down and sleeping plus a few inches. Obviously, a 15 lb. cat requires a larger mat than a 9 lb. cat. But don't make the mistake of getting one that's too big, since cats prefer to be curled up snugly, and feel more secure in a place that's big enough than one that's too big.

Self-warming cushions: Special thermo-reflective material is encased in decorative heavy fabric, often with extra cushioning. The thermo-reflective material (generally aluminized bubble wrap) uses your cat's own body heat to warm the entire cushion. Washable. Elasticized covers for window perches also available. Average price below $20.00 but as high as $35.00

Modern hot water bottles: Less than 12 inches in diameter, a sealed dense plastic disc that contains warmth retaining gel can be microwaved and put under your pet's favorite cushion. Easily washed off. Average price $20.00

Electric cushions: Usually designed so that the fabric can be removed and washed separately. Advanced models will have the thermostat set for normal feline body temperature of 102 degrees F when in use, and lower when the cat is not on it. Other models keep the cushion at an average of 13 degrees above room temperature. Electric bedding cushions can come in S-M-L sizes at a price range of $30.00 to $80.00. Generally, the electric cord is about 5 feet long. Some models use 12 or 24 volts in the cable to the mat, rather than the full 120 volt house current; these might be considered safer, since there is less danger of electric shock. All of these electric models are for indoor use only.

Incontinent cat waterproof protection: Reusable and machine washable bed pads and bed covers for quick cleanup. These have three layers such as is used for human patients, a "wick-away" top layer, absorbent middle layer and vinyl base. Average pricing $14.00 to $20.00.

Cat Furniture

Aging cats still want to get up to their favorite spots. You can help your cat by providing feline sized ramps or stairs connecting the ground with that favorite place. Measure the height so you know whether the ramp or stairs will be high enough before you shop. Ramps let your cat choose the length of her stride, steps do not. Of the products we have seen most are carpeted, and the carpeting can come in "decorator colors". You can also provide cushioning such as throw rugs on hardwood floors near where your cat may jump down to cushion his landing.

Some straight board ramps can have rung-like attachments to help yo
ur cat climb and descend and cost about $20.00. More elaborate ramps can have a non-slip rubbery type fabric on the walking surface, carpeting or heavy duty fabric elsewhere, priced $100.00 to $130.00. Some ramps have multiple tiers that are held together by Velcro, and you can adjust the location as needed, priced at about $120.00. For traveling cats, 20 inch to 70 inch fold away polypropylene ramps are sold for about $60.00 to $130.00.

Carpeted stairs (two or three high) can have attached toys, be treated with catnip, and have hidey holes. Be sure the stair height is comfortable for your cat to use. Prices vary from $85.00 to $150.00