Many supermarket cat foods provide a nutritionally complete diet, but the more expensive "gourmet" brands, based on a single ingredient might not. Check the lables carefully.

Aproximately one out of every four cats is overweight for its frame. Reducing fat by using "lite" foods can help a cat who has a weight problem, but a high fiber diet may help more. Do not put your cat on a "crash diet" without consulting with your veterinarian. Going without food and losing weight too rapidly can cause fatal liver damage.

When food is plentiful, most cats will graze - eat a little at a time and come back often for more.

Your cat can get tapeworms from adult fleas or by ingesting raw meat or fish. Natural prey such as rodents also can carry worms. If you see signs of tapeworms in your cat's feces (they look like grains of rice), contact your vet.

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