Cat Health

Did you know that your cat's eyes differ from our own? Interestingly enough, cats don't see as well as people or some other animals in the daytime. Because their eyes are shaped and function differently, they are born with other abilities that allow them to be great hunters as well as sense any threat. Here are a few facts about your cat's eyes that you probably didn't know and which may also explain some of his behavior.

Part of the reason cats are great hunters is because they are able to see especially well in the dark. Their eyes are larger and rounder than humans, in relation to the rest of their body. The size and shape allows them to see well in dimly lit conditions. This makes it easy for them to hunt at night and catch their prey. If you're really lucky, they'll bring back evidence of their hunting, including the birds and mice they catch.

Cats are only able to focus clearly within a few feet. Lucky for them, their keen sense of smell helps them to know when danger is approaching. Cats are also particularly sensitive to movement and vibration. They can sense someone in the area before they actually see the person or animal. Because cats are very sensitive to any type of movement, they can actually hunt easier at night than during the day when there is bright sunlight.

As your cat ages, this awareness diminishes, requiring extra care so that they don't run into problems with other animals that they can no longer sense by movement alone.

Because cats can't rotate their eyes as much as humans, their peripheral vision isn't as good as people or other animals. This lack is made up for in their flexibility. They are able to turn their heads further than humans and other animals and this allows them to easily see in any direction.

So, there you have it. The major differences between cats eyes and people. Understanding how your cat's eyes work can actually help you in understanding his behavior a bit better - including why at times he seems to more active at night.

Did you know that you may be overlooking one of the most important aspects of your cat's health? Many people spend a lot of time and money on cat toys, vet visits, litter boxes and the like, but never stop to consider what they're feeding their cat. Your cat's food is a very important factor in his overall health and quality of life. Providing a diet that is high in carbohydrates, and with not enough protein, is not only an unhealthy choice, but could have dangerous consequences, as well.

To figure out what your cat needs most from his cat food, we can look at their wild counterparts. Wild cats eat mice, birds and other sources of protein, as well as drinking lots of water. This type of high protein diet is essential for your cat as well. And no, you don't need to start feeding mice to your cats - there are many quality cat foods that provide a sufficient amount of protein, as well as carbohydrates and fats, which are also necessary in your cat's diet.

Something very important to remember is that while carbohydrates are important in your cat's food, a high carbohydrate diet can actually cause serious health issues for him. Cats can become diabetic when given a high carb diet for a prolonged period of time. A constant intake of carbs can cause him to become insulin resistant, which in turn will interfere with his blood glucose levels, just like in humans.

Common signs of diabetes in a cat are drinking excessive amounts of water and eating considerably more than normal. A cat's back legs may also become weakened as diabetes progresses, causing him to wobble when he walks. The only way to rule out diabetes is with a blood test that your veterinarian can perform.

If your cat is diabetic, it is sometimes possible for the diabetes to go into remission by altering their diet. This means seriously limiting the amount of carbs your cat ingests, and increasing his protein intake. Increased protein helps to stabilize blood glucose levels.

When choosing a cat food, you should take some time to read labels, and even speak with your veterinarian to find the best choice for your cat. A high protein diet that has limited carbohydrates is the best choice for any domestic cat, just as it's the preferred diet of his wild counterparts.

For more information on cat nutrition and cat foods, read our article: Choosing the Healthiest Cat Food for Your Cat

The article provides a more detailed look at cats' nutritional needs as well as explaining what you should look for in choosing your cat's food.