IAMS DIGESTIVE CARE
There is no doubt in my mind, cats have delicate digestive systems. At our clinic, enquiries about vomiting in cats are extremely common. And the frequency of this event can range from once every few months, to weekly, or often more frequently than that!
In New Zealand, most of our cats spend time outdoors where they prefer to toilet in gardens and bush. Most owners don’t see what their pet’s faeces look like, and so most of us would not know if our cats had episodes of diarrhoea.
Combine the high frequency of vomiting with the relatively unknown incidence of diarrhoea in our furry friends, and a diet developed to promote gastrointestinal health makes a lot of sense!
Iams Digestive Care is designed to do just this.
WHY IS IT DIFFERENT FROM WHAT I FEED NOW?
Iams digestive care is designed to maintain gastrointestinal health by combining a unique blend of fibre made up of Beet Pulp and Fructooligarosaccharides (FOS).
WHY IS FIBRE SO IMPORTANT?
Cats are “obligate carnivores” (they MUST have meat as the main source of their nutrients to thrive) which means they need much less carbohydrate in their diet than dogs or humans do.
HOWEVER- a small amount of high quality fibre is required for a few reasons
- To help optimise “good” bacteria essential for health of the digestive tract - probiotic activity
- To help better absorb nutrients and vitamins essential to a healthy immune system
- To provide a substrate for waste materials promoting small firm stools
ARE THERE ANY OTHER BENEFITS TO FEEDING THIS DIET?
Yes! Iams Digestive Care has a dual action dental benefit, which means that it will slow down the accumulation of plaque and tartar, helping promote good oral health.
The mouth is the first part of the digestive tract so it makes sense that a healthy mouth will contribute to a healthy gut.
WHO CAN I FEED IAMS DIGESTIVE CARE TO?
All your cats! As we mentioned earlier, even those cats who do not show any symptoms may have gastrointestinal disease that you are unaware of. Iams digestive care will benefit all cats between the ages of 1 and 7 years and is suitable for long term feeding.*
FINALLY AND MOST IMPORTANTLY
The type of gastrointestinal issues we are talking about are mild and subclinical (having no obvious effect on the body). It is VITAL, that if your cat suddenly starts vomiting, or the frequency is increasing or you notice diarrhoea or weight loss, that you contact your vet first. He or she can give your cat a physical exam to ensure there is no other cause for the problems and tell you whether Digestive Care is suitable for your cat.
Digestive Care is NOT a replacement for a veterinarian’s examination!
* Not to be fed to cats on prescription diets or with special dietary requirements as prescribed by your veterinarian.
