Why You Should Care about Your Cat’s Immune System

In recent years, cats have become urban apex predators, and can seemingly win almost every fight they start, whether over territory or prey. The reverence for cats nowadays is still influenced by their reverence in ancient cultures such as Ancient Egypt, where they were assumed to be vessels for the gods. Nowadays they have taken their place alongside us, like dogs, although they’ve still retained their aloofness and fighting spirit.

Despite your cat perhaps being the toughest kitty in town, much like every other vertebrate, they’re prone to a huge variety of pathogens. These pathogens are prone to bring discomfort, disease, and in some cases a premature death to your cat, and can take hold seemingly overnight. Although our furry feline friends are tough as nails, we need to consider the modern environment they’re in, and whether or not immune support for cats is necessary.

Here is a look at why you should care about your cat’s immune system.

Full-Time Explorers

The recent inception of cat collar cams has allowed us a glimpse into the daily lives of our full-time feline explorers. We were always aware that they can disappear for hours, sometimes days, only to return as if nothing happened, although nothing could’ve prepared us for what these videos showed. This video from CNN showed us that they will fearlessly traverse storm tunnels, fight opossums, and explore every inch of the undercarriage of our cars when left to their own devices.

By Tooth and Claw

When they’re out there keeping the mean streets clean fighting other animals, they are also making themselves more prone to infection via any of their battle wounds. The immune system of a cat is generally strong enough to stop any pathogens from entering the skin, even through the stomach lining. Although any open wounds on your cat will make them much more prone to infection from pathogens, especially if the injury is in an awkward place that interferes with healing.

If your cat is an avid fighter, then finding products that provide immune support for cats may be vital in ensuring their long-term health.

Signs and Dangers of a Weak Immune System

A weak immune system in cats is usually caused by a deficiency in a type of white blood cell called phagocytes. These phagocytes work by engulfing foreign contaminants in the blood, through a process called phagocytosis. A low count of phagocytes in a cat may be due to an infection, otherwise, a low count present at birth can lead a feline to be susceptible to respiratory, gastrointestinal, and skin infections.

When to Worry

Generally speaking, a cat can be born with a weak immune system and still live a relatively normal first few months. Although over time the feline's body stops nursing the supply of antibodies, which can rapidly decrease immune system response. Signs of a weak immune system can include:

●     Anorexia

●     Continuously becoming ill

●     Dull coat

●     Lethargy

●     Recurrent infections or infections which don't’ respond to conventional treatment

●     Symptoms related to feline parvovirus, feline leukemia virus, or feline immunodeficiency virus

Be sure to take your kitty to the vet to have their blood done if they’re showing any of these signs.

How they Feel

As already alluded to, cats are explorative creatures and take much pleasure in roaming their territory. When they’re suffering from lethargy or anorexia, they may not have the energy to go out and do what they want to do, which can be frustrating and upsetting for them. They’re also very proud creatures and will know that their coat isn’t up to scratch. Finally, repeatedly being sick from infection or illness, or suffering from one of the immunocompromised disorders mentioned above, is understandably incredibly uncomfortable for them.

How You Can Help

If you’re like most cat owners, you would do anything for them to ensure their health and comfort in their daily lives. Although before you go running out to buy the first thing you can find which provides immune support for cats, here are some things to consider.

Indirectly Improving Immune Systems

A common misconception about immune systems is that we can directly affect them through the ingestion of various products. Although this is untrue, we can affect the components which they rely on for healthy immune function and immune competence, which can in turn improve the efficacy of their immune system.

Look for the following ingredients in any immune support products for your kitty:

●     Coenzyme Q 10 (CO Q 10)

●     Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA)

●     Pyrroloquinoline Quinone Disodium Salt (PQQ)

Not only can these help aspects of your cat’s immunity to function better, they can work with each other to improve your cat's overall health. Be sure to check with your vet whether immune support is right for your kitty.