How to keep our feline family members in top shape
When we talk about preparedness, we often focus on stockpiling supplies and learning survival skills. But true preparation means being ready to care for every member of our family – including our feline companions. In a world where veterinary care might not always be readily available, knowing how to provide natural, alternative healthcare for our cats isn’t just a preference – it’s an essential skill.
Our grandparents and great-grandparents knew how to care for their animals without running to the vet for every minor issue. They understood the power of natural remedies and preventive care. Today, we’re reclaiming this knowledge, but with the advantage of modern research to help us understand what truly works and what could be harmful to our cats.
As preppers, we know the importance of self-reliance, but we also need to be smart about it. Some “natural” remedies that work great for humans can be dangerous or even fatal for cats. Their unique biology as obligate carnivores means they process substances very differently than we do. That’s why this guide will not only show you what works, but also warn you about popular natural treatments that could harm your feline family members.
Critical Warnings: Common Natural Remedies That Can Kill Cats
Before we dive into effective natural treatments, let’s address two popular “natural” remedies that should never be used with cats. This information could save your cat’s life when conventional veterinary care isn’t available.
Essential Oils: A Silent Killer
If you’re stocking essential oils in your preparedness supplies, keep them far away from your cats. The danger lies in cats’ unique biology – they lack specific liver enzymes (UDP-glucuronosyltransferase) that are necessary to process these oils. Without these enzymes, their bodies cannot eliminate these compounds, which leads to toxic buildup in their system. What makes essential oils particularly dangerous is that cats can absorb them in multiple ways: through their skin, fur, and respiratory system. Even diffused oils can cause respiratory distress, and normal grooming behavior spreads the oils throughout their system as they clean themselves. This combination of factors makes essential oils a serious threat to feline health. Remember: Just because something is natural doesn’t mean it’s safe for cats.
Honey: Not for Feline Use
While honey is a staple in many preppers’ medical kits and has amazing healing properties for humans, it should be saved for human use only. Cats’ bodies are simply not designed to handle honey safely. As obligate carnivores, they lack the ability to process concentrated sugars properly. When exposed to honey, cats face multiple health risks: they can develop serious dental problems, are at increased risk for diabetes, and may experience dangerous blood sugar spikes. Raw honey poses an additional threat due to the risk of botulism. Moreover, since cats are true carnivores, honey provides absolutely no nutritional benefit to them. Keep your honey stockpile for human use and away from your feline family members.
Building Your Natural Cat Care Arsenal
Now let’s focus on what actually works. These treatments can be stockpiled and used effectively when conventional care isn’t available.
Nutrition: Your First Line of Defense
Cat nutrition supplements is as vital as human supplementation
If you’re considering raw feeding for your cat, understanding the proper ratios is crucial for success. A properly balanced raw diet should consist primarily of muscle meat, making up 83% of the total diet. This should be complemented with 7% bone content, while liver and other secreting organs should each comprise 5% of the diet. Getting these ratios right ensures your cat receives the nutrition they need in proportions that mirror what they would eat in nature.
Along with the basic raw diet components, certain supplements are essential to stockpile to ensure complete nutrition. Your cat needs 250mg of taurine daily, along with 30 IU of Vitamin E. A good B-complex vitamin should be included in their regime, and EPA/DHA supplements should total 100-150mg combined daily. These supplements help fill any nutritional gaps and ensure optimal health, especially important when conventional pet foods might not be available.
Natural Medicine Cabinet: Herbal Protocols
For digestive issues, Slippery Elm is your go-to remedy:
• Dosage: 1/4 teaspoon powder per 10 pounds of cat
• Preparation: Mix with warm water to form paste
• Timing: 20 minutes before meals
• Storage: Keep powder in airtight container in cool, dry place
For kidney support, use this rotation system:
Weeks 1-2: Dandelion Root
• Dosage: 2 drops of tincture per 10 pounds of body weight
• Frequency: Twice daily with food
• Form: Use alcohol-free tincture only
• Method: Mix into wet food or small amount of bone broth
Weeks 3-4: Nettle Leaf Tea
• Preparation: Steep 1 teaspoon dried nettle leaf in 1 cup hot water for 10 minutes, strain
• Dosage: 1-2 tablespoons of cooled tea daily
• Method: Mix into food or use oral syringe if needed
• Storage: Make fresh daily or store refrigerated for up to 48 hours
Weeks 5-6: Corn Silk Tincture
• Dosage: 2-3 drops per 10 pounds of body weight
• Frequency: Twice daily
• Form: Use glycerin-based tincture only
• Method: Add to wet food or small treat
Take a one-week break between cycles and monitor closely.
Stress Management Without Chemicals
Managing your cat’s stress levels naturally requires a multi-faceted approach using safe, proven alternatives to medication. Start by stocking Feliway or similar pheromone products, which mimic cats’ natural calming signals. Another effective tool is cat-specific calming music, which you should download for offline use in case of emergencies. Environmental enrichment is equally important and can be achieved through simple items you likely already have or can easily store. Create a stress-reducing environment with cardboard boxes for hiding and play, high perches that allow your cat to survey their territory safely, hidden feeding stations that satisfy their natural hunting instincts, and a collection of toys that you can rotate to maintain interest. These simple tools can make a significant difference in managing your cat’s anxiety and stress levels without resorting to chemical interventions.
Nurse Cat
Physical Medicine: Hands-On Healing
Learn these techniques now, they require no supplies:
• Base of tail pressure point: digestion aid
• Behind ear massage: stress relief
• Shoulder blade circular motion: immune support
• Gentle spine strokes: overall wellness
Emergency Care Kit
When building your natural first aid kit for cats, several key items deserve a place in your supplies. Calendula tincture, diluted at 5 drops per ounce of saline, serves as a gentle but effective antiseptic and wound cleaner, helping to prevent infection while promoting healing. Pure aloe vera gel, specifically from the inner leaf only, works as a natural anti-inflammatory and can help soothe minor burns, scratches, and skin irritations – but be sure to only use pure inner leaf gel as the outer leaf parts can be toxic to cats. Colloidal silver (10-20 ppm) acts as a natural antibiotic alternative, useful for treating minor infections and wounds – it can be applied topically or given orally in small amounts under guidance. Together, these three items form the foundation of a natural first aid kit that can handle many common feline injuries and skin issues.
Also have a sterile saline solution and clean gauze and bandages
Immune System Support
Stockpile these immune boosters:
• Medicinal mushrooms (turkey tail, reishi, cordyceps): 50mg per 10 pounds
• Vitamin C (calcium ascorbate): 250mg daily
• Quercetin: 125mg per 20 pounds
When Natural Isn’t Enough
Even with the best preparation, some situations require professional help. Know these warning signs:
• Labored breathing
• Complete food refusal for 24+ hours
• Severe dehydration
• Uncontrolled bleeding
• Seizures
Building Your Skills
Doctor Cat
Start now, while you have time:
1. Practice these techniques during normal times
2. Document what works for your specific cat
3. Build relationships with holistic vets
4. Store physical copies of natural cat care guides
5. Create detailed records of your cat’s normal vital signs
The Path to Self-Reliance
Natural cat care is an essential part of preparedness. By learning these skills and stocking the right supplies now, you’ll be ready to care for your feline family members even in challenging times. Remember, every cat is different – what works for one might not work for another. The key is to practice these methods now, while you have the safety net of conventional veterinary care available.
Your next step? Start building your natural cat care supply kit and practicing these techniques. The time to learn isn’t during an emergency – it’s now.
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