Re: cat thirst drive, in addition to wet feed using a fountain type waterer encourages more drinking as cats prefer moving water (which is why they like to drink from faucets too)
Golden Retriever with recurring skin inflammation/outbreak/infection?
- Thread starter bawkbawkbawk
- Start date
We use a filtered fountain waterer called an aqua-cube, and we keep their water separate from their food, which also encourages water intake. Our cat Charlotte is a water-nut, she is constantly wet and plays in the tub, water bowls and the water fountain, so her water intake isn't a big concern for me, but it's better to be safe than sorry.
We have a couple of water nuts in the mix here too -- well, had as one is my daughter's cat so she has moved off to college with her and the other was my old man cat who was put to sleep last year. They stand in the water, bat at the water, dip their paws and drink off the paws, dig all the water they can out onto the floor --- old man cat used to try to get into the bath or shower with me.
We feed Evolve cat food, it's cheaper than most grain-free foods but is still a high-quality cat food. Cats have a low thirst drive, meaning they don't feel the urge to drink water as much as humans or dogs do and therefore they often won't drink enough water to keep their kidneys healthy. Over time this can cause crystals and blockages in the urinary system, that's why wet food is better. It gives them more water and keeps them more hydrated than if their only moisture intake was normal water.
A pelleted or crystal litter is probably going to be your best bet dust-wise, I'd found that every clay litter has dust, regardless of whether it's dust free or not. Charlotte has eaten a few low quality foods over her life, because various people we shared a home with free-fed their cats and allowed her to eat their food, even when we made it clear we didn't want her to.I haven't noticed a correlation between the foods with grain and the stains, but I have noticed that when living with my boyfriend's parents, who smoked, never dusted and had five other cats, her eyes got nearly unbearable. We moved, and our house now is almost entirely open-air, and very well circulated. I wouldn't say they're getting better but they definitely not as bad as they were.
I'll have to look into Evolve because the Wellness is pretty pricey especially since she hates i . The wet food she loves but hates this dry food and is constantly stealing dog food. I will have to look into a water fountain too. Our cat used to be a water nut but I've found it's off and on.
Interesting you mention the smoking and dustinf8 too because my dad and brother smoke (though they never smoke in the house if that makes a difference) and though we try to vacuum and clean other ways, we don't dust either lol maybe i need to start.
I'll have to get some crystal litter too. Makes sense clay would be dusty given what it is. Just stinks they advertise as dust free.
Oh and I've noticed that since we ran out of wet a couple weeks ago she's been drinking more water. Need to getget some more ASAP.
@bawkbawkbawk Hello! Sorry for replying to such an old thread, but we are currently experiencing the same thing with our 9 year old golden retriever! Our vets have been very puzzled by his lesions, and resistance to treatments of: antibiotics, increase in apolquel, and some different cleaners. He went for a biospy to check for Lymphoma, which came back negative, but we are still at a loss for the cause of the issue! His lesions are on the same spot as your beautiful girl! He has just started steriods (they didn't want to start these until we ruled out cancer), and he's currently waiting for results on a culture swab to test if he is resistant to any antibiotics to treat him again with a different antibiotic. They have also said about referring to a dermatolgist if he doesn't improve, and we are resistant like your husband! lol.
All this to say, did you ever find a cause of the problem, or even a solution for your girl? Did changing food help? Did the chlorhexidine shampoo do the trick? Sorry again for this long story and for posting after such a long time, but we really are at a loss and seeing the picture of your girl has given us hope that he isn't the only one!
All this to say, did you ever find a cause of the problem, or even a solution for your girl? Did changing food help? Did the chlorhexidine shampoo do the trick? Sorry again for this long story and for posting after such a long time, but we really are at a loss and seeing the picture of your girl has given us hope that he isn't the only one!
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