Embarking on a vegan diet might be suitable for some people but what about our feline friends? The truth is that a cat cannot survive on a vegan diet. These diets simply do not provide all of the nutrients that your cat requires for a healthy life.

Cats are obligate carnivores. This means that they require meat in their diet and have specific nutrient needs that can only be supplied through the ingestion of animal meat.

Taurine is an amino acid that all cats need in their bodies - and they can't create it themselves. If they're low in taurine, cats can experience heart disease, vision problems, and other health issues. Taurine can only be provided through the diet, and is only available through animal sources. Although there are synthetic supplements available these are not recommended.

Vitamin A and arachidonic acid also need to be provided in your cat's food and these are primarily available through animal sources.

As a result of these unique dietary requirements, a cat is unable to safely eat a vegan diet. Even with synthetic supplementation, producing a cat food that is complete and fills all of the nutritional needs of a cat is difficult (and dangerous) without adding meat to the diet.

So if you choose to adopt a vegan diet, we ask that you please do not expect your cat to eat the same way!

If you notice a bad smell coming from your pet, it's time to take action. In most cases, a strange odour is an indication that something's not quite right and in some cases it can be a symptom of a more a serious and painful disease.

Here are of the most common smells to be on the 'sniff out' for:

Smelly mouth: 'Doggy breath' is not normal! It can indicate dental disease and may be painful as well as lead to other problems such as heart disease and kidney disease. Systemic diseases such as diabetes might lead to a strange 'fruity' smell on the breath. Occasionally a tumour or a foreign object such as a piece of bone or stick can also cause a foul odour. The bottom line is, if your pet has a smelly mouth you should arrange a check up with us asap.

Stinky bottom: A stinky rear end might be secondary to flatulence from a poor diet or secondary to a gastric upset. Blocked anal glands can also lead to a 'fishy' smell from the bottom. When it comes to smells from this part of the body, you should ask us for advice!

Smelly ears: Smelly ears can be an indication that there is a bacterial or fungal infection in the ear/s. These can be highly irritating and painful for your pet. Sometimes foreign bodies in the ear canal/s such as a grass seed or the presence of a growth such as a polyp might also lead to a smelly ear. If your pet's ears don't seem right you should get us to have a look.

Smelly skin: Stinky skin is not normal in pets either. Anything that disrupts the skin’s normal protective mechanisms can cause a bad odour. Underlying problems such as wounds, allergies, parasites, cancer, endocrine diseases and immune disorders can all lead to a stinky coat. You should arrange a consult with us for further investigation.

If you are worried about your pet, we are always the best people to ask for advice.