Even though cats are known to be temperamental, we all love our felines dearly. Liver diseases are a critical problem found in cats. To fight these problems, a hepatic diet is essential. Let’s learn more about a hepatic diet, what hepatic ailments are, how to identify such diseases and what we can do as cat parents to combat them.
What is a Hepatic Diet?
A hepatic diet incorporates essential nutrition and is a well-balanced diet. This kind of diet is prescribed in order to tackle liver ailments. This diet reverses liver damage and prevents further deterioration. A diet that incorporates well-balanced meals rich in nutrition is known as a hepatic diet. This diet is usually recommended for cats with liver issues.
How does a liver function?
In a cat, the liver plays an essential role in regulating metabolism and controls how fats, carbs, proteins, etc. are being used. The liver performs multiple critical functions like storing glycogen, an energy source, distributing fats through the body and producing an enzyme called bile that supports digestion. The liver is the largest internal organ in a cat’s body. It is also responsible for regulating chemicals in the blood. Keeping the liver healthy is of utmost importance as it is responsible for numerous essential bodily functions.
What causes Liver Problems in a Cat?
The liver is a vital organ with several functionalities. When liver disease is detected in a cat it is important to get vet advice immediately. There can be several causes that might cause liver damage.
Statistically, certain breeds like the Siamese, Oriental Shorthairs and Abyssinian are more susceptible to developing liver disease than other breeds. Thus, knowing the breed of cat you own and researching about them is important. Senior cats have a higher probability of developing liver diseases. Liver diseases can pop up if your cat is overweight and does not have a very healthy, balanced diet. Some medicines like acetaminophen might also cause liver damage.
How to Identify Liver Problems in a Cat?
Jaundice or the yellowing of teeth or other parts of a cat’s body can be a major hint that your cat has liver problems. This can also be paired up with diarrhoea and vomiting.
If you have a cat that loves their meals and is extremely playful but has suddenly stopped eating as much resulting in weight loss and has become quiet, you should contact your vet. Signs like these may not mean much but can be a result of underlying liver damage.
The symptoms of liver disease in cats are usually similar to those of other minor diseases, because of which liver problems can go unnoticed. Hence, it is essential to contact your vet if the above signs show up in your cat.
Food for Cats with Liver Disease
Dietary regulations are the most important way of treating liver damage. Proteins with low purine percentages and simple carbohydrates are easy to digest and help regenerate your cat’s liver and keep it healthy. Intestinal bacteria will ferment the food in your cat's stomach if it is not easily digestible, thus increasing the bacteria in the colon.
The food provided should be of high biological value to avoid producing ammonia. Most canned food in the market has very low biological value and should be avoided at all costs especially if your cat has liver troubles.
Does Hepatic Diet Help in Liver Damage in a Cat?
Hepatic Diets are recommended when dealing with a cat that has liver problems. Hepatic diets are crafted in such a way that they will help bring your cat's liver to normal and also keep damage away.
Hepatic Diets consist of highly digestible proteins which do not strain the liver. Highly digestible proteins ensure optimal intake of nutrients by decreasing intestinal enzymatic activity.
It makes sure your pet has a low copper and sodium intake and a higher zinc intake resulting in minimizing copper accumulation in the hepatocytes. This also brings down portal hypertension while reducing extravascular water flow.
Increased antioxidant intake helps the liver fight molecules called free radicals that damage the liver. Foods with a high energy content are also essential as they reduce the meal volume, which results in decreased intestinal charge from the fats.
- It helps cats with various digestive tract disorders, including liver damage as well.
- It is a hepatic diet, made specifically for adult cats with liver problems.
- It consists of high-quality proteins which together support a healthy liver.
- The Royal Canin Hepatic Dry Cat Food has very low levels of copper to help minimise accumulation in liver cells.
- The product collectively creates an environment which avoids the formation of struvite and calcium oxalate stones.
- This comes in both 2kg and 4kg bags.
- This is a complete veterinary diet for cats with liver diseases, to help normalize liver functions.
- It has high palatability that encourages the cat to eat and in turn avoids malnourishment.
- It has all the essential fatty acids, with high-quality proteins and reduced copper levels.
- ISFM, i.e. International Society of Feline Medicine, recognizes this nutritional contribution.
- Hill’s Prescription Diet provides liver health support for your cat.
- It helps the liver tissue repair itself.
- Promotes and supports a healthy immune system by avoiding nutrient deficiencies and excesses in the liver.
- It contains antioxidants and highly digestible proteins.
- It contains controlled levels of L-carnitine to support the conversion of fat to energy in a healthy way.
- Protexin Denamarin provides good nutritional support to the liver.
- It is composed of silybin and S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe).
- The product is blister-packed with enteric coating to protect the SAMe from degradation.
- CVET NutriCareVet is a chewable liver support tablet for your cats.
- It consists of Vitamins E, B12, taurine, artichoke, thistle, and betaine hydrochloride.
- It comes in a pack of 80 tablets.
Prevention from the Start
Treating your cat right from its early stages is very important, especially because a healthy life begins at birth, right at home. You can avoid liver diseases or any other diseases in your feline by taking note of some everyday basic habits.
Most cats will never say no to more food, thus, monitoring how much food your feline is taking on a daily basis is important. Every cat needs certain calories for their age, weight, breed and body type, so, make sure your cat is getting the correct nutrition.
Give them a well-balanced meal, preferably with no more than 30% protein of high quality. The food should be rich in vitamins, high energy and easily digestible proteins. You can also use liver supplements from a young age to support them and their liver.
The amount and type of food a cat has throughout its life changes with age. Make sure to keep up with their age and feed them accordingly. You can contact your vet for the proper meal plans and keep them up to date with your feline’s health.
However, as soon as you detect signs of hepatic disease, consult your veterinarian who will be able to guide you further on what food your cat should eat, what should be avoided, and what medicines can support their liver health.
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