Heart problems in cats used to be rare. Now, it is becoming more common.

This points to something we're doing. Something we changed from when it was rare to when it became common.

Some possibilities include:

• poor breeding
• the diet - more commercial cat food, less prey
• health care - more veterinary procedures
• lifestyle changes from outside to inside, and stress

Although poor breeding is definitely an issue, with in-breeding, breeding from unhealthy cats and 'designer' breeding, even those cats remote from such interference can still suffer with heart problems.

Most domestic cats are fed commercial cat food. This is devoid of nutrition, contains rotting waste from the human market, is loaded with chemicals, contains inappropriate food for our felines, is cooked beyond recognition as food.

Without a doubt, this is one of the main causes of any and every health condition, including heart problems in cats.

Although the dry kibble is the main culprit, the wet canned food is not far behind.

When the kibble is left down permanently, this is an added problems. Cats, as carnivores, fare better on long gaps between meals. Cats do not graze. Horses, and other herbivores, graze.

Whilst most people rely on the veterinary services for all their cat's health care, most of the treatments are chemical and toxic.

Vets are not eclectic. They have been trained by big p-harma to match condition A to drug B. 

Not about causes. Not about sensitivities. Not about individuals.

In addition, they have been trained by big pet food, so their understanding of nutrition is rather limited.

Holistic veterinarians, the real ones rather than the ones claiming to be for the increased trade, almost as one embrace raw feeding as well as holistic health care.

It's a far cry from mainstream veterinary practices.

Without a doubt, cats are happier outside, with the earth under their paws, the sun on their fur, with the freedom to explore and hunt their own food.

This is not normally possible in our urban settings, with dangerous roads, high rise apartments and often kind hearted but over zealous people on the look out to rescue stray cats.

However, a catio, a fenced in garden or balcony can offer something similar.

Cats are very sensitive to stress, both in the household itself, but also in their individual humans.

It goes without saying that it is best all round to live with a minimum amount of stress.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, HCM,  is one of the most common heart problems in cats. This translates into reduced efficiency of the heart leading to fluid in the lungs which causes difficult breathing.

Ditto for congestive heart failure.

Heart murmurs are not uncommon although this does not necessarily mean a heart problem.

Arterial thromboembolism, ATE, are clots, which can happen in the hind legs causing lameness or pain.

All these conditions can make a cat to feel miserable, with a preference to sleep a lot and be alone.

These symptoms are also common to many other conditions.

To resolve any and every problem, the best way is to look beyond the effects. To look at possible causes. To look back to the time it didn't happen. There you'll find the answers.

Not in toxic veterinary drugs.

Changing the diet to the one cats evolved on over eons, is one of the best things you can do. And only you can do it.

Choosing an holistic health care practitioner for any extra help your cat may need will transform the health of your cat from decline to vibrancy. And the health of your bank balance. It's a win-win.