Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) and Blood in Cat Urine One of the biggest health concerns amongst cat owners is the urinary tract health of their cat, known as Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) that affects the bladder and urethra of cats. This is a serious condition, which if left untreated can result in illness and sometimes death. Often there is not one single reason why a cat will develop FLUTD, as it’s often a combination of many factors that will culminate in this disease. While FLUTD can occur at any age, it is most commonly seen in middle-aged cats. Other factors can include obesity, stress of any kind, too much acidity or alkalinity of the urine, dehydration or a diet high in magnesium or other minerals. In some cases, the cause is never discovered. However there are many warning signs to watch out for which may include: • Prolonged squatting or straining in or out of the litter box (some owners may confuse this with signs of constipation) • Frequent urination or straining and only producing a small amount • Pain while urinating (meowing or howling) • Urinating outside of the litter box • Blood in the urine • Frequent licking of the genital area • Vomiting • Depression Additionally, diet can be a contributing factor in FLUTD cases, with research showing that feeding your cat a specifically formulated diet can help to maintain urinary tract health. PURINA ONE Urinary Tract Health Formulahas been developed by Veterinarians and Nutritionists to help maintain urinary tract health by reducing urinary p H and providing low magnesium. And don’t forget,hydrationis really important for cats with FLUTD so ensure plenty of fresh water is available at all times.

Digestibility is the percentage of a food’s protein and other nutrients available and utilised by your cat. Assuming your cat is in good health, digestibility can be judged by their stool quality and volume. FORMULA OF THE FOOD BEING FED The digestibility of the food will vary as the ingredient composition varies. NUTRITIONAL BALANCE The correct ratio of nutrients in the diet helps to ensure efficient utilisation of them by your cat. INGREDIENT QUALITY Lower quality ingredients can affect the digestibility of a pet food. PROCESSING Even a formula of good quality ingredients can have its digestibility reduced by over-cooking or over-processing.

Learn More About Your Cat. • In terms of development, the first year of a cat’s life is equal to the first 15 years of a human life. After its second year, a cat is 25 in human years. And after that, each year of a cat’s life is equal to about 7 human years. • Cats can rotate their ears 180 degrees. • The hearing of the average cat is at least five times keener than that of a human adult. • In the largest cat breed, the average male weighs approximately 20 pounds. • Domestic cats spend about 70 percent of the day sleeping. And 15 percent of the day grooming. • A cat cannot see directly under its nose. • Most cats have no eyelashes. • Cats have five toes on each front paw, but only four on the back ones. It’s not uncommon, though, for cats to have extra toes. The cat with the most toes known had 32—eight on each paw! • Some believe that if you dream about a white cat, good luck will follow. • Meows are not innate cat language—they developed them to communicate with humans!

Provide your kitten with safety and a sense of security. New kittens are dependent on you to help them stay safe and thrive in their new homes. Here’s what you can do to provide your kitten with safety and a sense of security: Give them time 10 to 12 weeks is the ideal age to adopt a kitten. Some are adopted as early as 6 weeks, but adoption at that age can be stressful for kittens and may make them fearful or shy. A kitten that has been gently handled by humans will be friendlier and more well adjusted, so look for inquisitiveness and confidence in a new kitten. Cover the basics Young kittens need a place to feel safe—something reminiscent of being surrounded by their mother and siblings. A blanket-lined cardboard box or cat bed can be a great replacement. For the first year, kittens require the extra protein and calories found in kitten-formulated foods, so be sure the food you choose is created just for them. Begin litter training by placing your kitten in the box after meals or right after waking and gently simulate digging with the kitten’s paws. Never punish a kitten for missing the box, and always praise him for using it correctly. Provide a scratching post to prevent furniture damage. Introduce new family members slowly Place the kitten in a quiet room, along with a bed, litterbox and food, until he gets adjusted. Introduce family members one at a time, providing extra oversight with children. Teach children how to gently interact with the kitten and remind them to wash their hands after handling him. Kitten-proof your home Bundle electric cords and place them out of the kitten’s reach. Put all small items away and remove poisonous plants and insect traps. Close the toilet seat lid, along with kitchen cabinets and the lids to washers and dryers. Go room by room Give your kitten the grand tour of the house, one room at a time. Try to prevent him from hiding under or behind furniture. To discourage climbing on the bed simply place him back on the floor when he jumps up or starts the climb. Prepare your other pets If you already have pets at home, be sure that they’re in optimal health before introducing a new kitten to the mix. To help ease anxiety, give older cats extra attention. Then allow them to approach the kitten briefly so that they can sniff each other. If they demonstrate physical hostility, separate them and try again in a few days. If you have a dog at home, don’t leave your new kitten alone with him. Introduce them with the dog on a leash. Prevent the kitten from running so the dog doesn’t try to give chase. And remember to reward all pets for their good behavior during these introductions. Keep playtime safe Choose toys designed with kittens in mind—nothing with any small parts that could be ingested. Small stuffed animals or feathers on the end of a small fishing pole are good picks. Get the first check-up Make a vet appointment within a few days of the kitten’s arrival and let the vet know the kitten is new to your home when you call. It can help to make a list of any questions you want to have answered. And be sure to talk to your vet about spaying and neutering, which can help prevent health issues and overpopulation. Typically, kittens can be spayed or neutered at 8 weeks of age—but you and your vet should decide when is best for your pet. Provide comfort while you’re away Secure the kitten in one room before you leave, and include a bed, litterbox, scratching post, toys, food and water. Consider adding a nightlight or leaving a light on if you’ll be gone all evening. You may want to try playing music or talk radio, too—the sounds can be soothing to a kitten that’s alone. Share twice the love Single kittens can get lonely—so consider a pair when you adopt! If you opt for just one, here’s a great way to help with loneliness: Wrap a ticking clock in a towel and place it near his bed—the steady sound is comforting, reminding him of his mother’s heartbeat. Then further ease his stress by picking him up and speaking to him in a soothing tone.

Most cats are considered kittens until around 12 months of age. Large breeds, like the Maine Coon, can take 18 months to 2yearsto reach maturity, though. During this period of growth and development, kittens need a complete and balanced kitten food. Once they’ve reached adulthood (according to their breed), it’s time to transition to anadult cat food. Can Kittens Eat Adult Cat Food? Kittens have different nutritional needsthan adult cats, so they need a kitten food to support those needs. If the food label says it’s formulated “for all life stages,” however, that means it’s safe for both kittens and adult cats to eat. When Can Kittens Eat Dry & Wet Food? Although kittens shouldn’t eat adult cat food before they’ve fully matured, they can begin eating dry kibble and wet kitten food much earlier. By three to four weeks, kittens can begin eating moistened dry kibble or wet food. Between six and eight weeks, kittens are fully weaned from their mother’s milk and can eatdry or wet kitten food. Why It’s Important to Switch to Adult Cat Food Kittens experience rapid growth and development, plus, they’re playful and have a lot of energy. Kittenfood has higher calories and moreproteinandfatto support energetic,growingkittens. It’s also formulated with DHA to help support brain and vision development, plus vitamins and minerals needed for their developing immune systems. Once they reach maturity, cats don’t needthe same amounts of those nutrients. Plus, they’re often less energetic, so eating a high-calorie kitten food could result in weight gain. When & How to Switch from Kitten Food to Adult Cat Food Around your kitten’s first birthday (or between 18 months and 2 years for large breeds), it’s time to switch to an adult cat food. We recommend transitioning to adult food over a 7- to 10-day period to help avoid any digestive upset. Here’s how: • Days 1-2:Serve 3/4 of the normal amount of kitten food and add 1/4 of the new adult cat food. • Days 3-4:Serve half kitten food and half adult cat food. • Days 5-7:Serve 1/4 kitten food and 3/4 adult cat food. • Days 8-10:Serve only the new adult cat food. If your cat resists eating the new food, slow the transition and give her more time before you increase the amount of adult food. Consult with your veterinarian for additional tips on making the switch fromkitten food toadultcat food. For more tips and information on kitten nutrition fromourexperts, seeour Pet Expertise page.

Choosing the right food for your kitten is an important decision. Nutrition supports her growth, development and can even affect her behavior. Giving her high-qualitykitten foodnow will help support many long, healthy years as an adult cat. If you’re a first-time cat owner, choosing the right food and knowing how much to feed and when is a daunting task. We’ll help you understand what to feed and when to help set you and your kitten up for success. What Do Kittens Eat? Newborn kittens get their nutrition from their mother through nursing. If separated from their mother, a kitten milk replacer may be used. The weaning process may begin around three to four weeks of age, at which time more solid foods can be introduced. Kitten Nutrition Kittens need a complete and balanced diet formulated to meet their unique growth and developmental needs. Look for a protein-rich kitten food to support her growing body and high energy. Calcium supports her teeth and bones and DHA helps support healthy brain and vision development. Can Kittens Drink Milk? Once a kitten has been completely weanedfrom her mother’s milk, she does not need milk in other forms. Although cow’s milk is often appealing to kittensand adult cats, it doesn’t contain the nutrients they need and cannot replace a complete and balanced diet. When Can Kittens Eat Dry Food & Wet Food? As kittens begin to wean, they can start to nibble (and play with) solid foods. Starting withwet kitten foodor moistened dry kibble will help through the transition. Start by combining one part of warm water and three parts of dry or wet kitten food (it should look like oatmeal). Over the next two weeks, gradually decrease the amount of water and increase the amount of food. By six to eight weeks, kittens can eat wet or dry cat food at will. With wet food and/or dry food, you can provide a greater variety of flavors and textures, which will help support her adventurous nature. You can also feed a combination of wet and dry food or dry kibble by itself. Once your kitten is fully weaned and eating solids, choose whichever option is recommended by your veterinarian and works best for your situation. Above all else, make sure the wet or dry food you choose is specifically formulated for kittens. How Much to Feed a Kitten Now you know what to feed a kitten, but how much should you feed her? The kitten feeding guide on the back of the package will tell you how much to feed your kitten. If you’re feeding dry kibble, you can put an entire day’s serving out at once or divide in half and feed her twice a day. You can also divide wet food in half and feed her twice a day. Any leftovers in her bowl should be discarded. You can store an open can of wet food in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Bring it up to room temperature before serving. The chart below can help you determine how much to feed your kitten. Refer to your kitten’s food packaging and consult with your veterinarian to ensure your kitten is getting the correct amount of calories each day. Kitten Feeding Chart Feeding charts are required on all kitten food packaging, but they don’t all look the same. Pay close attention to the chart on your kitten’s food label to ensure you’re feeding her the right amount based on her age and weight. Here’s a sample kitten feeding chart, similar to what you’ll find on kitten food labels: AgeWeight (lbs)Dry Food Amount (cups) AgeWeight (lbs)Dry Food Amount (cups)6 weeks2/3 to 1-1/31/4 to 1/37 weeksto 5 months1-1/2 to 5-3/41/3 to 16 months to 1 year5-3/4 to 122/3 to 1-1/4 Note:Amounts listed above are for a 24-hour period. Kitten feeding amounts vary from product to product based on calorie content and formula. Consult the feeding chart on the back of your kitten’s food packaging. Individual needs can vary, so consult with your veterinarian regarding special dietary needs. When to Feed a Kitten Once you know what to feed your kitten and how much, it’s time to create a feeding schedule that works for you both. Use your kitten’s name when feedingto help her learn her name, while also associating you with a pleasant activity. Creating a routine and feeding her at the same time each day can help your kitten feel secure and will aid in forming a bond between youtwothatwill last for many years to come. You can feed yourkittenone to three times a day,as long asyou don’t give her more than her total daily calorie needs. For example, you can put dry kibble in her bowl in the morning and she can graze throughout the day. If a twice-a-day schedule works better, give half her daily amount in the morning and half in the evening. Same for wet food or a combination of wet and dry food. Just make sure the wet and dry food combined meets the totalamountofcaloriesshe needs in a day. When to Stop Feeding Kitten Food Kittens grow fast and before you know it, you’ll need toswitch to adult cat food. For most cats, this transition should happen around her first birthday. Large breed cats like Maine Coons, however, take a little more time to mature. They may need to continue eating kitten food until between 18 months and 2 years of age. Your kitten’s first year goes by fast, but ensuring she's getting the right nutrients during thistime will help support her in the years to come. For more on kitten feeding and nutrition fromourexperts, visitour Pet Expertise page.

It’s really important that kittens are fed a specific formula designed just for them up until they are one year of age. Kittens grow at a phenomenal rate and have triple the energy levels of an adult cat. To support this growth and energy levels kittens need all the fat, fatty acids and most vitamins that adult cats need, as well as a lot more protein to provide the energy for their growing bodies. Purina ONE Kitten Food has 46g of protein per cup. Kittens also will benefit from DHA which is a nutrient found in mother’s milk, which helps vision and brain development. Because of their high energy levels, it makes it harder for kittens to get enough calories in just one feed, so that’s why it’s really important to feed them 3-4 times per day, or if possible allow them to free feed. Here are some other kitten feeding tips: • Where you feed your kitten is also important. Place your kitten’s food and water dishes away from foot traffic and noise in a place that is comfortable and easy for her to reach • Once you have chosen a suitable place, don’t change the location unless it is absolutely necessary. A plastic mat under the dish makes cleanup easier too. • Above all, always keep clean, fresh water available. If you have two cats, keep their bowls a reasonable distance apart to avoid confrontation or bullying. This is especially important when you’re feeding a kitten and older cat together. • Kittens are creatures of habit so establish a routine so that your kitten is fed at the same times each day. Use your kitten’s name when feeding her. This can help to reinforce her name while associating you with a pleasant activity. • A cat’s digestion is easily upset when you change her food, so it’s best not to change their food around too often. They’re not like us – they don’t get bored of eating the same food every day. • If you do change theirdiet- whether it’s canned or dry or between different brands- ensure it’s done slowly by still feeding their old food and increasing the amount of the new food over a period of at least five days so she can adjust. Don’t be surprised if her tummy gets upset in the beginning.

Dogs love to chew. So as owners research appropriate ways to channel this behavior, they may wonder, "Are rawhide bones bad for dogs?" Some are. But you can find rawhides that are healthy for your dog. Keep reading to learn what to look for in rawhide for your dog. Do dogs need to chew? They do! Dogs have an instinct to chew on things. So, a chewed-up shoe or gnawed furniture leg isn't your dog acting out. He's satisfying his need to chew. Giving him a rawhide can be a good way to redirect his behavior (and keep your belongings safe). What is rawhide? Rawhide is the skin of animals such as cattle or pork that is removed, dried and prepared for your dog to eat. Rawhides come in different shapes, sizes and sometimes has added flavor. Why is some rawhide bad for dogs? Companies with subpar quality and safety standards can make rawhide that is bad for dogs. "There are chemicals used in the process of removing the hide. Good quality rawhides have been washed and cleaned,” explains Purina Senior Nutritionist Jan Dempsey. But not all companies remove those chemicals as part of their production process. Other ways rawhide can be harmful to dogs include: • Bacteria-if it is not manufactured responsibly • Choking-if eaten in large chunks or swallowed whole • Digestive upset-if your dog’s system is sensitive How can I be sure rawhide is good for my dog? There are a few things to check that indicate rawhide is good for your dog. • Check out the manufacturer • Look at size • Observe your dog chewing “If the rawhide is not good quality or from a recognizable company that has good quality control procedures, it could have contamination,” says Dempsey. The process that companies use to gather and prepare rawhide is key when determining if rawhide bones are right for your dog. Another way to make sure rawhide is good for your dog is to look at the size. “You want rawhide that is big enough to easily chew,” explains Dempsey. You know your dog’s habits, including how he chews and eats. Take that knowledge and think about what shape and size could be appropriate for your dog. Rawhides are meant to be eaten over time, which means they get smaller gradually. “You don’t want rawhide to be so small it can become a choking hazard or they haven’t chewed it enough and it becomes a blockage,” says Dempsey. Is rawhide safe for puppies? Puppies can try a rawhide. But wait till they are about 6 months old. Their mouths are not fully developed and a rawhide may be too hard for them.

When transitioning your cat to new food, we recommend you do this gradually over 7 – 10 days as this will help avoid dietary upsets. Always follow the back of pack instructions as some brands may differ. DAYS 1-2 Introduce the new foodto your pet in small amounts, still primarily feeding the old food (25% of the new blend to 75% of the old). DAYS 3-4 Feed a little bit more of the new food to your pet each day (approximately 50% mix of new blend and old recipe). DAYS 5-7 (UP TO 10) Gradually increase the amount of new food (approximately 70% mix of new to old). By Day 7 you should be feeding the new food exclusively. Need more help with transitioning your pet? Call 0800 PET VIP or contact us via email to chat to our dedicated team of Pet Care experts, based in New Zealand.

Small dog food Small-breed dogs (<10kg) have higher ratios of surface area to body weight than larger breed dogs. They have a higher metabolic rate because of this ratio, therefore they have higher energy requirements. As a result, you should be feeding an energy-dense food containing more calories in a smaller volume than larger breed dogs. Some small breeds can also be picky eaters, so it is a good idea to feed thema highly palatable food. Energy density is a key factor in choosing the optimal dog food, but it also is important to consider the food’s nutrient content. Your dog’s nutritional health means receiving the proper proportion of required nutrients for their particular life stage. Protein, fat and carbohydrates are the key energy-producing nutrients, but dogs also need specific vitamins and minerals. Water should always be available, as it ensures appropriate hydration, helps regulate body temperature, and is fundamental at a cellular level for every process in the body. To compare nutrients in dog foods, you should always subtract the level of water already present in food. For example, dry food generally contains about 10 percent water, and wet food contains upward of 60 percent. The nutrients are contained in the dry ingredient portion of the food. Nutrient levels are expressed as a proportion of metabolizable energy, or energy that is ultimately available for the dog to use. Feeding a food that is appropriate for your dog’s life stage is imperative. Small-breed puppies are considered adult anywhere from 9 to 12 months old depending on the breed, while large and giant breeds may not fully mature until they are 18 months to 2 years old. Adult dogs should be fed to maintain ideal body condition. Variables that impact their energy requirement, and therefore their body condition, include age, gender, metabolism, reproductive status including neutering, activity level, and general environment. At around age 7, dogs start to enter into their senior years. This is marked by internal physiological changes that may not be apparent externally, such as a slowing down in the efficiency of the brain to metabolize glucose, the primary energy source. Senior dogs are also more at risk of both obesity and weight loss, so it is vital to maintain muscle mass while minimising fat gain. You canachieve this by feeding a diet with appropriate protein and fat levels. Choosing the right food for your small-breed dog is a revolving job. The right choice depends on his life stage, lifestyle and changing nutritional needs. Your ability to balance the energy density of your dog’s food to the energy needs of your dog will help promote a healthy life. It is important to follow the feeding guidelines relative to your dog’s individual needs and to perform a monthly body condition score. Feeding to Ideal Body Condition Please be mindful that feeding guidelines are suggested amounts based on their average energy requirements. Some dogs may need more or less food than suggested due to their individual status and activity level. Regularly examine your dog’s physique and monitor his body condition. That is the best way to determine how well your dog’s diet meets his activity level. If your dog has a full coat, you should get under the coat. This means putting your hands on the dog and feeling its ribs. You should be able to feel the ribs without excess fat. When you look down at a dog from above, his waist should be apparent behind the ribs in an hourglass shape. Finally, when viewed from the side, your dog should have a tummy tuck with a smooth, upward graduation from just behind the ribs to under the pelvis. The amount of food fed should be adjusted up or down to maintain the dog in an ideal body condition throughout your dog’s life.