Keeping Cats Healthy and Preventing Cancer – Part 2

Following on from last month, this month’s newsletter forms Part 2 of our series, in keeping cats healthy and cancer prevention.

This month, we will focus on the next 2 tips that are also crucial to help cats live a healthier lifestyle.

This article is again written by our medical specialist, Vicki Adams, who is a trained Veterinarian and Veterinary Epidemiology Consultant, working for the Animal Cancer Trust Charity.

3.   Exercise

It's widely understood that obesity carries negative implications, including the potential for chronic inflammation that can contribute to cancer development and other serious health conditions. What might not be as commonly known is that the opportunity for your cat to shed excess weight and attain a fit condition persists throughout their life; it is never too late to lose weight. Weighing your cat and monitoring body condition and muscle condition, scores regularly as key factors in helping to maintain a healthy lean body and prevent your cat from becoming either excessively overweight or underweight, as they age.

The significant positive impact of regular exercise is universally acknowledged. It stimulates the immune system and triggers the release of endorphins. Consistent exercise also aids in increasing gastrointestinal motility, which in turn contributes to the normalisation of faecal patterns and the expulsion of toxins from the body.

Cats are naturally energetic and tend to engage in short bursts of activity, enjoying pursuits like chasing, pouncing and ‘zoomies’. If your cat is not active indoors, lacks outdoor access or carries extra weight, it is beneficial to incorporate exercise into their daily routine. A good starting point might be two sessions of

15 to 20 minutes of play each day, which can be gradually increased as your cat becomes fitter and more enthusiastic. Keep play sessions brief and ensure there’s ample time for rest in between. It’s important to never force your cat to participate in activities they’re not interested in.

In the wild, cats get most of their exercise through hunting, which involves chasing and pouncing. The best way to mimic this behaviour is through interactive play. Cats often have specific toy preferences, so begin by offering a variety. Once you determine their favourites, rotate one or two toys every few days to maintain their interest—repeatedly using the same toy can become monotonous. While it may be tempting, especially with kittens, it’s not a good idea to use your fingers or toes for play. This can encourage them to bite and grab, which can be painful. As cats are most active during dawn and dusk, mirroring their natural hunting instincts, these times are ideal for play sessions.

If they show disinterest, it’s best to stop, rather than forcing them to continue. For cats that are less interested in playing, creating an engaging indoor environment with cat furniture can encourage climbing and exploration. This will help keep your cat physically active and mentally stimulated throughout the house. Special cat furniture on the walls will encourage your cat to make full use of the house!

Cats love to scratch, regardless of whether they’re inside or outside – however indoor cats will benefit from a few extra scratching options around the house. Look for different types of cat scratchers to help make it more interesting for your feline friend – different surfaces such as sisal, wood, cardboard and carpet can all work well!

4.   Emotional Wellbeing

Understanding the domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus) requires a recognition of its evolution from a more solitary ancestor. Domestic cats are considered non-obligate social creatures, meaning they can thrive independently while still possessing innate survival instincts inherited from their forebears.

Each cat displays a unique level of sociability, influenced by its genetics, personal experiences, and immediate feelings of safety. The sensitive developmental phase, typically between 2 to 9 weeks of age, plays a crucial role in shaping a cat's social behaviour. Negative experiences during this time can lead to lasting fear and stress in adulthood. Thus, not every cat will benefit from the companionship of another feline.

With regard to quality of life, what’s important is emphasizing the positive and minimising the negative. Cats are sentient beings, capable of experiencing both positive and negative emotions. They naturally strive to seek out positive experiences and avoid negative ones. Enhancing feline well-being involves fostering positive emotions, which include engaging in typical species-specific behaviours, while also reducing negative emotions like fear, frustration, and pain. Both emotional states are significant, and cognitive health—defined by the ability to think clearly, learn, and remember—is essential. The aim should be to ensure that the positive aspects of a cat’s cognitive, emotional, and physical life outweigh the negative influences.

The term ‘well-being concepts’ has been proposed as a term that encompasses welfare, well-being, quality of life and happiness. For many healthcare professionals, emotional well-being stands on par with diet and exercise in the realm of cancer prevention. They uphold the belief that emotions and overall health are intricately linked through the immune system. Embracing a holistic perspective entails the reduction of stress and fostering emotional support for our pets. This can be achieved by creating a safe, secure and affectionate environment with a harmonious balance between play and rest and by encouraging social engagement with both people and other animals.

Cats experience a range of emotions, and their emotional wellbeing is essential for their overall health and happiness. Maintaining their wellbeing requires a balance of physical and mental stimulation, preventative healthcare and proper nutrition. While cats may not possess the same capacity for abstract thought as humans, they can feel fear, anxiety, frustration, and even sadness or distress. Stress in cats can manifest in various ways, such as trembling, withdrawal, hiding, changes in activity levels, excessive scratching or chewing and even aggressive behaviour. Their emotional wellbeing is closely linked to their physical health, with pain, illness and boredom negatively affecting their state of mind.

Cats form strong bonds with their owners and other animals, finding comfort and happiness in these connections. Supporting their emotional wellbeing involves creating a safe and stimulating environment. Many cats find reassurance in physical affection, such as cuddling, nuzzling or gently pawing at their owner's face. However, it's important not to assume that cat emotions mirror human emotions. While they experience feelings, they likely do not dwell on events, or feel complex emotions like jealousy, resentment or hurt in the same way humans do.

We hope these second 2 tips relating to your cat’s health and cancer prevention, have been useful and we will present further advice and tips, in the next part of the series, and those to follow.

The 4 issues discussed so far – diet, water, exercise & emotional well-being, are all equally important in helping your cats to have a happy and existence.

Reference.

General principles of feline well-being. J Feline Med Surg. 2021 Nov;23(11):1072-1073. doi: 10.1177/1098612X211051608. PMID: 34693809; PMCID: PMC10996893.