It’s so difficult to hear that our feline friend has been diagnosed with an illness or disease. It’s especially heartbreaking when this diagnosis is possibly preventable. Example? Autoimmune disease in cats is much more prevalent now than ever before. Why? Because western medicine and big brand cat food companies have most of us cat parents believing that they have our best interest at heart.
This couldn’t be further from the truth.
Autoimmune disease in cats is one where antibodies or white blood cells are created and work against the body. Basically, the cat’s immune system attacks itself. This happens as a result of an imbalanced immune system. And who is in control of our kitties’ immune system health? We are. The cats’ parents.
The overuse or repetition of vaccinations exceed the immune system’s threshold, resulting in autoimmune diseases. The use of antibiotics, while sometimes needed, tears away the friendly bacteria of the body, leaving the immune system weakened and unbalanced. Steroids suppress the immune response but the overuse of these can cause the immune system to not work at all. Does your vet ever inform you of these things or suggest supplements to counter the negative effects? I sure hope they do.
“While Western medicine focuses on just one component of a disease, the goal of a holistic approach is to integrate all of the components of the immune system to bring them back into balance,” says Dr. Karen Becker, DVM.
Big brand cat food companies are allowed to label their foods as “healthy” and “balanced” simply because they put the government required vitamins and minerals into their ingredients… but the other ingredients in their foods don’t come close to being healthy or balanced for our cats. Without a proper, nutritionally balanced diet, cat’s immune systems suffer.
Veterinarian and author Henry Pasternak, tells it like it is: “Many pet foods advertised as “preservative-free” do, in fact, contain preservatives.”
So how can we help autoimmune disease in cats? I’ll give you 3 steps:
- Try natural approaches to your kitties’ health concerns, if at all possible. Many/most cat ailments can be reversed quickly without compromising immunity health.
- Feed your cat a premium, holistic food. A balanced raw diet, made at home is best – but there are many small holistic pet food companies that create fully balanced, human grade foods that you can purchase.
- Promote a healthy and active exercise program for your cat. I know this is sometimes difficult – but keep trying and you’ll win. When cats work their muscles, it helps cleanse the body of toxins and keeps the lymphatic system working well. This is a huge benefit for the immune system.
I’m writing this article from a hands-on perspective. We are currently dealing with a kitty who has been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease and we are actively following our own advice (and the advice of highly educated holistic vets) to insure that we are able to keep him happy and healthy forever.
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