How to Prevent Cat Cataracts
Cataracts are opaque spots on the eye lens that block vision and, if left untreated, can lead to blindness. If your cat's eyes are experiencing white, gray or blue spots, redness and inflammation, or discharge, your cat may have cataracts. Also look for changes in your cat's behavior that indicate vision problems, including bumping into objects, a reluctance to check out new areas, or unwillingness to use stairs or climb onto objects. Although most cataracts occur with old age or simply genetics, there are a few things you can do to ensure your cat's eye health.
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Keep your cat indoors to prevent eye injury from fights with other cats, which can lead to infection and scarring. Indoor cats are less likely to suffer from cataracts and other ocular disorders than cats that are allowed outdoors frequently and, as a result, exposed to more elements that could damage your cat's vision.
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Monitor your cat's eating habits will help avoid most serious health problems, including cataracts. A high-protein, low-carbohydrate and low-sodium diet will generally keep your cat in good health. Most veterinarians recommend canned food over dry food because canned food tends to contain more meat, fewer carbohydrates and more water. A diet high in carbohydrates can lead to feline obesity, which puts your cat at risk for ailments such as diabetes, a disease often linked to cataracts.
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Add vitamins and minerals to your cat's diet to further prevent vision problems. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can also lead to serious health problems for your cat. Several vitamins have shown to promote eye health, as well as overall health, in cats. For instance, Vitamins A, C and E contain antioxidants, which repel free radicals that could damage the eye. Also, bilberry extract, a fruit derivative, has ingredients that help maintain vision. And zinc, a mineral found in healthy eye tissue, protects eyes from inflammation and damaging light such as UV rays. Consider multivitamins such as Ocu-Health, which combines carotenes, botanicals, vitamins and other nutrients to maintain and boost vision.
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Have your cat checked by your veterinarian for cataracts, glaucoma and other serious eye diseases on a regular basis. Routine glaucoma and cataract exams can help catch serious vision problems in your cats. The earlier these ailments are caught, the easier they are to treat with surgery. As cataracts are more likely to occur in older cats, have your cat's vision examined more frequently as your cat ages.
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