Introduction
Heart disease in cats can be prevented through yearly veterinarian exams and feeding cats the right diet. In cases where the heart disease is caused by inherited genetic conditions or a physical deformity in the heart, early diagnosis can help to extend the health of the heart and the cat’s longevity.
Preventing Heart Disease in Cats
Symptoms of heart disease in cats are not normally noticed until the condition is reaching an advanced stage, and at this point severe damage may have already occurred in the cat’s heart. However, annual veterinarian visits may help to diagnose or catch a problem with the heart early. Yearly blood screening tests for conditions which can affect the cat’s heart, such as heartworm infection and hyperthyroidism, may also catch these conditions before the cat’s heart is severely impaired.
In rare cases, heart disease may be caused by a taurine deficiency. Cats and kittens that are fed a home cooked diet that is not supported with proper nutritional supplements are at risk for developing a taurine deficiency. Feeding your cat a premium quality cat food diet will prevent this form of heart disease from occurring.
Breed Susceptibility to Heart Disease
Certain cat breeds are more prone towards developing heart disease. In these cases the heart disease cannot normally be prevented, but if is diagnosed early then treatments can begin in a timely manner. Owners of cat breeds which include Ragdolls, Persians, Main Coons, and American Shorthairs should familiarize themselves with heart disease symptoms and ensure that they have their cat’s heart checked on at least an annual basis.