AssistFeed.com

Welcome!

This site is a collection of information about assist feeding, feline nutrition, cat food, veterinary care and pro-active cat care. We hope that you can learn from us and that you will share your experiences with us. It's the collection of knowledge and experiences that enable us to take the best possible care of our loved ones!

Assisted Feeding can be the lifeline for our cat when it has stopped eating. I have heard people say "Well he'll eat when he's hungry!" but that isn't always the case. This misunderstanding comes from the fact that the big exotic cats are known for gorging themselves on massive meals and then sleeping for days with a full belly. The small cats, known as domestic cats, on the other hand, were designed to eat small meals several times a day. The natural food for cats is bugs, lizards, mice and the occasional bird if the cat is an excellent hunter. With the exception of the bird meal, an outdoor cat living in the wild must be hunting and eating during all waking moments.

Feline Hepatic Lipidosis (fatty liver disease) is one of the main threats for a cat that has missed a meal or two. The threat is especially dangerous for a cat that is overweight... and let's face it... most indoor domestic cats are overweight including some of mine. Feline Hepatic Lipidosis can strike even slender cats so be vigilant consistent meal times.

What is Fatty Liver Disease in Cats? Believe it or not, there is actually a reason for fat. Fat is store in our bodies as a source of energy. It is stored very securely and only used when absolutely necessary. When a cat is not able to get enough food or has stopped eating, it’s body releases fat cells. This would be fine and dandy but in domestic cats, the fat cells get clogged up in the liver and then there are all sorts of cascading problems.

The good news is that when caught early enough, fatty liver disease can be reversed by good nutrition! So that’s what this site is all about, how to help your cat eat so that fatty liver disease does not happy, and if your cat does have fatty liver disease, how to help your cat recover.

There are so many reasons why a cat might stop eating and lots of things we can do to help, so please explore the links at the left to learn more. I truly hope that your kitty is well soon.