Frequently asked questions

A kitten should be having access to its mother’s milk until 6 weeks old. At 4 weeks you can look at gradually weaning him on to a kitten diet such as Go-Cat Kitten. Mix Go-Cat Kitten food with cooling boiled water to make a sloppy porridge-like consistency. This can then be fed in a number of ways:

1. You can then smear a little around the mouth. The kitten's natural reaction is to lick it off.
2. You could let the kitten use its natural sense of smell to explore the food itself.
3. Alternatively, let it cool to body temperature. Then pop it into your kitten's mouth by hand.

A specially formulated kitten food will contain abundant protein to help support healthy tissue and organ development, and higher levels of essential minerals such as phosphorous, magnesium, zinc and iron to help kittens build strong bones and teeth. Cats also have a unique requirement for taurine, an essential amino acid that helps promote a healthy heart and vision. A kitten will require a complete and balanced kitten food such as Go-Cat Kitten food until it is 1 year old.

When your cat reaches a year old, it's time to move him on to an adult diet.

No. It is very important to feed your kitten a specifically formulated kitten food so that you are supporting his growth and development. Adult cat food is designed for cats that are fully grown and are therefore maintaining the growth that they have already done.

A pregnant or lactating cat needs extra vitamins, minerals, protein and extra calories for energy. These nutritional requirements are the same as those of a kitten, which the Go-Cat Kitten recipe provides. By feeding her Go-Cat Kitten, she'll get 25% more protein compared to a Go-Cat Adult diet, taurine and extra vitamins and minerals. Ideally your cat should start eating a complete and balanced kitten food as soon as you are aware that she is pregnant. This will help support the extra requirements that she will have from the early stages of pregnancy.

The amount of food your cat needs rises dramatically while she nurses. Leave your cat as much to eat as she needs during the day by leaving out a bowl of dry food. She also needs water to produce milk, so ensure you leave out a large bowl of fresh, clean drinking water and that you keep it topped up.

Cats that spend most or all of their time indoors need extra care when it comes to nutrition. They have limited access to natural nutrients from nature and can sometimes suffer from lack of exercise, leading to weight fluctuation. Indoor cats also tend to increase their grooming, leading to more hairballs.

Go-Cat for Indoor Cats helps to replace some of the essential nutrients from garden greens. 100% nutritionally complete and balanced, it contains a carefully adjusted balance of proteins and calories to help reduce the risk of unwanted weight gain. Go-Cat for Indoor Cats also contains an optimum balance of minerals to help maintain a healthy urinary tract, natural fibres to help reduce hairballs and aid digestion and chicory to help reduce litter box smells. You can find Go-Cat for Indoor Cats in most supermarkets and pet shops alongside the standard Go-Cat range.

An adult cat with normal level of activity requires a standard adult diet. You can feed your cat any good quality cat food (like Go-Cat) that is complete and balanced - provided your cat isn't pregnant or nursing. From age 7 onwards, cats should be moved onto a diet specially formulated for senior cats, such as Go-Cat Senior 7+.

Go-Cat’s parent company, Purina PetCare, makes many different products to suit the purses and preferences of our customers, and the tastes and preferences of their pets. All of these are nutritionally balanced in accordance FEDIAF Nutrient Profiles, to provide for the requirements of pets at different stages of their lives. However, the price of our products varies due to the quality and cost of the ingredients and the manufacturing process involved. Like supermarket value and finest ranges for humans, this does not mean that cheaper foods are in anyway detrimental to the animal's health and well being.

The decision to feed your cat dry food or wet (cans, trays or pouches) depends on your cat's tastes. Both options can provide variety and all the nutrition your cat needs as long as it is a complete food. Some cats love the crunch of dry food while others enjoy the moist chunks of wet food, and you may even choose to feed both.

It's difficult to compare between a wet or dry product for two reasons:

• The energy density of the food is different. Dry foods are more concentrated, offering a lot of nutrition in a small amount of food. This means that you need to feed smaller quantities than with wet so follow the feeding guidelines on the pack.
• The water content of wet foods can make it appear as if some nutrients are present at a lower level. This is not true, however, as your pet actually eats more food.

Remember that when feeding your cat, always ensure there is a supply of fresh, clean water.

We suggest introducing a gradual change, by progressively substituting a little more of the new dry food for the old food, until day ten when your pet can eat the dry food exclusively. You will probably notice that your cat drinks more when being fed solely on dry food. This is to be expected as he is now getting less moisture from his food and needs to drink more to balance this out.

No, it is not good for cats to eat dog food. This is because cats and dogs have different nutritional requirements and the cat's requirements are more stringent.

Cats are true carnivores or meat eaters and need specific nutrients, which a dog food cannot give them. One of these is called taurine. Dog food doesn't have as much taurine in it and would not provide a balanced diet for a cat. Cats also require a much higher level of protein and a food manufactured to provide specific essential amino acids.

The unique dietary requirements of cats can be easily met by providing them with a complete and balanced cat food such as Go-Cat.

Even though many cats are still very active at the age of 7 and over, there will be changes internally which require a different diet. By feeding a complete and balanced diet such as Go-Cat Senior 7+, you can be sure older cats are getting the nutrition they need to help keep them happy and healthy.

Due to an increase of nutritional awareness amongst pet owners, senior diets are now more commonly being used when a cat is over 7 years old. Therefore, we are constantly looking to provide more varieties and formats for older cats to enjoy. Go-Cat is made by Purina PetCare and you might also like to consider other products from the Purina range to feed your senior cat.

Take a look at Size Matters. It’s a great source of information and advice from Go-Cat’s parent company, Purina PetCare.

Protein is an essential nutrient that is vital for the majority of bodily functions. Therefore, you would not want/need to reduce the protein level, unless there was an underlying medical condition in which case a senior diet would not be suitable.

The phosphorus levels in our ranges are formulated according to the European Pet Food Industry Federation’s Nutritional Guidelines for Complete & Complementary Pet Food for Cats and Dogs. They are regularly updated to include the latest nutritional research and are peer reviewed by independent nutrition experts throughout Europe.

Recently these guidelines have been extensively reviewed and updated. Our ranges continue to comply with these nutritional guidelines, which specify recommended levels of phosphorous for pets of different life stages.

Some cats prefer drinking running water, and some cats prefer to drink from ponds and stale puddles. However, as long as you provide a bowl that is always full of fresh water, you do not need to do anything else. Cats will often drink out of your sight, leading to the perception that they do not drink much.

Most wet cat food contains 70-80% water, and cats get most of their daily water requirement from their food. If they have a diet of 'dry' food only (which does contain some water) you are likely to see them drinking more.

A fresh supply of clean drinking water should always be available.

Ideally not. Feeding your cat the correct diet is a key part of his treatment. Your vet may recommend a veterinary prescribed diet. These may be more expensive than standard diets but are specifically formulated to meet your cat’s special needs and should always be the first choice if recommended. You may find it useful to have a look at the Purina Veterinary Diets website.

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (F.L.U.T.D.) is a relatively common and unfortunate problem that can affect cats. It is actually a group of diseases that share the same clinical symptoms, and crystal formation is one of the recognised causes. There are a number of risk factors that can predispose cats to this condition and these can be summarised as:

• Age – there is a peak occurrence of F.L.U.T.D. from 2 to 6 years of age
• Gender and neutering – neutered males are unfortunately more predisposed to this condition than females
• Overweight and obese cats are also more likely to suffer
• Lifestyle – indoor cats with little or no outside access and no exercise are at increased risk
• Breed/Genetics – some breeds such as Persians are more at risk than others, suggesting an inherited predisposition
• Stress – this is a huge risk factor for the development of this condition and especially relates to multi-cat households and abrupt changes in daily routine, or a new cat in the neighbourhood etc.
• Low water consumption – this is another well recognised risk factor and as such it is vitally important that there is always plenty of fresh clean water available for your cat to drink, ideally from a variety of sources such as multiple water bowls, water fountains, feeding wet food etc.

Go-Cat is specifically formulated to produce a neutral urinary pH. However, given the above number of risk factors for the development of F.L.U.T.D. and crystal formation, diet alone will not be able to prevent this condition.

Whilst there is no scientific evidence to suggest that commercially prepared diets cause F.L.U.T.D., the most recent evidence suggests that some types of urinary tract disease (such as that caused by crystal formation) may be helped by specifically formulated diets, as suggested by vets. Purina (the company that makes Go-Cat) also sells a cat food called Purina Veterinary Diet UR St/Ox for the nutritional support and management of two types of urinary crystals that cats commonly suffer from i.e. struvite and oxalate.

We would recommend discussing the use of a specific veterinary prescribed diet such as Purina Veterinary Diets with your veterinary surgeon. It is also a good idea to consider ways to minimise the risk of future re-occurrence of this unfortunate problem e.g. by increasing play/exercise, perhaps considering weight loss (but only if your cat is already overweight), trying to minimise stress etc.

There are two forms of Diabetes, but the one most commonly diagnosed is commonly known Diabetes Mellitus. To diagnose diabetes, your vet will generally undertake a urine analysis or blood test. Different practices will suggest different methods of treatment. Some vets may suggest both dietary therapy and insulin injections, whilst others may suggest one or the other in the initial stages. Ultimately, once your cat is stabilised, diabetes should not genuinely affect your cat’s life and can be easily managed in conjunction with your veterinary surgery.

True dietary allergies or food intolerances is rare in pets. Most of the food allergies diagnosed result in skin symptoms and 10-15% result in tummy upsets. It’s important to obtain an accurate diagnosis as these symptoms can also been seen with multiple other skin and gastrointestinal conditions.

Food allergies can occur at any time in your cat's life. Some intolerances can be revealed early, via a blood test, but in most cases it is usually after the symptoms have been spotted that treatment begins. It is important to remember though, that food allergies when they do occur are actually due to an abnormal response in the cat’s own immune system i.e. they are not caused by a particular problem with the food.

Typical symptoms of food allergies include:

• Itchy skin
• Recurrent ear infections
• Scratching
• Hair loss
• Hot spots
• Skin abrasions
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea

An accurate way to diagnose a true food allergy or dietary intolerance is by conducting a food elimination trial. This involves putting your cat on a highly restricted diet. Most allergies are triggered by proteins within a food, so it is the protein culprit that needs to be determined in a food elimination trial. This means putting your cat on either a veterinary recommended hydrolysed diet or a novel protein diet for a six to twelve week period, then gradually introducing single protein sources to identify individual allergens. See Purina Veterinary Diets for more information.

Abscesses commonly develop as the result of a bite from another cat. Even a cat with clean teeth will harbour a number of bacteria that can be injected under the skin when the cat bites. As the cat removes his teeth the skin comes together trapping the bacteria underneath that leads to the infection.

If your cat has an abscess developing, the pus will build up underneath the wound and may cause your cat to feel unwell. Abscesses become very painful and may burst if left untreated. In most cases, your vet may lance the abscess to drain the pus and your cat may require a course of antibiotics to counteract the infection.

If your cat is losing hair, it could be due to any of a number of reasons. Ringworm, fungal skin infections, hormonal problems, infestations of fleas or mites, allergies or psychological causes can all cause of the problem.

Hair loss can also be down to something as simple as grooming. Cats keep clean by licking themselves - but not every cat is an expert, particularly overweight cats! Others, meanwhile, may groom too much. Excessive grooming can be spotted when a cat starts to lose hair, especially on the belly, the back and inside the back legs.

Excessive hair loss can also occur after kittening, in old age, and when cats are ill or fed a poor diet.

If you notice that your cat has started losing hair, your first port of call should always be with the vet for a thorough physical examination. This may involve taking skin scrapings, blood tests and hair samples for testing. Initially, your vet will look for parasitic infestations, and discuss your flea treatment regime. If this is effective and up to date, your vet will need to investigate further.

Behavioural reasons for your cat's hair loss are best backed up by evidence. So if you suspect your cat is stressed and anxious, keep a diary of times and specific circumstances when hair licking and pulling takes place. Your vet will then be able to assess whether you simply need to change something in your cat's environment, or whether a prescription of anti-anxiety medication is needed for your pet.

Cats reach puberty at 5 to 9 months. Oestrus starts suddenly. If the cat is mated her oestrus will stop abruptly after several matings a day. If there is no mating, the oestrus lasts 5 to 10 days and recurs after 5 to 12 days.

Signs of oestrus are often alarming for owners who often think their cat is in excruciating pain (and consequently call their vet). She cries and yowls (especially loud in oriental breeds), waves her tail around and puts her back end up and crouches down on the front legs.

It is generally thought that most cats will come into season 3-4 weeks after giving birth. However, there has been evidence of cats getting pregnant whilst still feeding their kittens post birth!

Cats should be fed as individuals and the amount of food required depends on his activity level, temperature and body metabolism. A good body condition is one in which the animal is well proportioned with an observable waist behind the ribcage and ribs that can be felt with a slight layer of fat covering them. Purina PetCare, who make Go-Cat, have a Body Condition Tool - you can use to check if your cat is over or underweight.

Because cats tend to be graze feeders, they should have access to their food for several hours each day. As with other animals, an available source of clean, fresh water should always be present as it is important for virtually all their body functions.

The amount of food needed will vary according to the nutrient density of the food and the individual cat. A cat's appetite and total food consumption may vary from day to day. This should not pose a problem unless the loss of appetite persists or the cat shows signs of illness or weight loss. In these situations, a vet should be consulted.

Fleas are not just your cat’s problem. For every flea living on your cat, there could be ninety-nine developing fleas in your carpeted, centrally heated home!

Fleas are the most common external parasites of cats and dogs. Adult fleas can live for seven to fourteen days and will divide their time between living on your cat to feeding and laying eggs. The females lay many eggs a day, which fall to the ground. The eggs hatch into tiny larvae that burrow into carpets and upholstery. The warm micro environment provided by modern homes is the perfect breeding ground for fleas.

They develop into pupae, remaining dormant for many months. When they sense warmth and vibration, the adult fleas emerge and jump onto a passing host, your cat, to start the life cycle again.

The most obvious sign to spot fleas is persistent scratching by your cat. Fleas are dark brown and 1-2mm long. You may find them in your cat’s coat during combing (with a fine-toothed comb) particularly in short hair breeds, as well as tiny black specs of flea dirt. Flea dirt can be differentiated from ordinary dirt by placing it on a moist paper towel: whereas dirt will sit unchanged, the paper surrounding flea faeces soon turns a reddish colour (actually blood in the faeces). High humidity and temperatures make late summer the peak season for fleas, but central heating in winter means you need to de-flea your cat throughout the year.

It is also worth checking your cat for tapeworm as tapeworm eggs are often shed in flea faeces, which are then ingested by the cat when grooming. Look out for small seed like objects in your cat’s faeces, these are actually dried egg-filled segments released by the adult intestinal tapeworm.

There are many treatments for fleas and worms available in the shops. Your vet will be able to advise you of the most suitable treatment for fleas on your cat and in your house.

Make grooming part of your cat's regular routine, introducing it as early a possible - ideally when your cat is still a kitten. Grooming will not only give you the chance to spot external parasites and skin wounds, and keep fur off your sofa, you'll also be spending quality time bonding with your pet.

How to groom:

• For shorthaired cats, use a fine-toothed metal comb weekly and a natural-bristle or rubber brush to remove any dead hairs.
• Gently brush or comb your cat's hair, using strokes in the direction that the hair grows.
• Use the bristle brush to sweep up the coat in the direction of the head, and then smooth it down again.
• For longhaired cats, groom daily with a steel comb
• Any knots can be teased out with your fingers, or cut off carefully with blunt-ended scissors. Alternatively, you may want to get your vet to do this as it is very easy to cut the skin.
• If grooming is a struggle, try offering food treats, stroking and talking reassuringly, then gently start to groom as your cat's attention turns to the treat.

Cats are so clean by nature that there is very little for an owner to do. You should give them a quick check over once a week, cleaning their ears and eyes with a damp piece of absorbent cotton. Also check their teeth and claws. If they need scaling or clipping, then you should take your cat to the vet to get this done.

Also run your hands over your cat to check for lumps and look carefully for fleas.

All cats are susceptible to, and must be immunised against the "big three" diseases:

1. Feline Infectious Enteritis (FIE) also known as Feline Panleukopenia, an often-fatal infection of the intestines, causing loss of appetite, fever, vomiting and diarrhoea.
2. Feline Calcivirus (FCV), a severe virus affecting the respiratory system
3. Feline Herpesvirus, also known as "cat flu".

These vaccinations together are commonly referred to as ‘flu and enteritis’.

Whilst the majority of cats in the UK and Ireland remain adequately vaccinated against the major infectious diseases, the diseases are relatively uncommon. Insufficient immunity against these potentially fatal diseases not only puts your own cat at risk, but also your neighbourhood cats and the feral cat population.

Vaccination is also recommended against Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) which affects the immune system and has a very poor prognosis. Some areas of the UK and Ireland have a much higher incidence of FeLV in the local cat population, so advice on vaccination for this disease should be sought from your vet. However, as the consequences are so serious, vaccination against FeLV is recommended.

Vaccination is also recommended against Clamydophilia Felis, which causes conjunctivitis and upper respiratory tract disease.

You should discuss vaccinations with your vet and try to keep an up to date record of what has been given and when they are next due.

The main worms that affect cats are roundworms and tapeworms.

Roundworm especially affects kittens. Your pet should be treated more frequently when younger and then every 3-6 months throughout its life. Your vet will provide you with a worming regime at time of first vaccination.

Tapeworms look like small pieces of rice and are often seen stuck to the anus or onto the tail. Cats can get this parasite by hunting and eating their kill (e.g. birds, mice, etc.), by eating raw meat, or from fleas in their coat. For effective treatment of this difficult to remove parasite, see your vet who may also advise appropriate flea control. Most treatments will need to be repeated as the animal can re-infect itself with this parasite (often immediately).