As the saying goes, "illness enters through the mouth." Whether it's a person or a pet, it's easy to get sick if you're not careful about their diet. Many people now keep Exotic Shorthair cats as pets, their adorable and endearing appearance is irresistible. However, if you don't pay attention to their diet, they are also prone to illness. Below, we'll take a look at some dietary taboos for Exotic Shorthair cats. 
1. Exotic Shorthair cats fed liver and carrots are prone to rickets and can also be poisoned.
Studies have shown that the ideal calcium-to-phosphorus ratio in cat food is approximately 1:1, while liver is low in calcium and high in phosphorus, with a ratio of 1:36 in fresh liver. If cats consume liver long-term, it can lead to calcium deficiency. External symptoms of calcium deficiency include: 1. Weakened stomach function, loss of appetite, and gradual weight loss. 2. Decreased activity, fear of heights, and reluctance to jump from heights. Severely calcium-deficient kittens may develop sunken shoulders and a narrowed pelvis, leading to constipation. In cold weather, kittens are also prone to hind limb weakness, which can lead to paralysis in severe cases. This is what we commonly call rickets.
Liver itself contains a large amount of vitamin A, and carrots contain beta-carotene. One molecule of beta-carotene can be broken down into two molecules of vitamin A in a cat's body. If a cat is fed liver and carrots for a long time, its vitamin A levels will be severely excessive, and the cat will be prone to vitamin A poisoning.
If your cat already enjoys eating liver, you can mix the new cat food with liver and feed it to your cat for about 10 days. After that, increase the amount of new food and decrease the amount of liver each day until your cat is fully adapted to the new food.
2. Raw fish and raw meat should not be eaten.
Feeding cats uncooked fish can cause vitamin B1 deficiency because raw fish produces an enzyme that destroys vitamin B1. A lack of vitamin B1 in cats can lead to seizures, heart disease, and intermittent shock.
Furthermore, feeding cats raw fish can introduce unnecessary parasite problems, causing difficulties for both you and your cat. The Agricultural University Animal Hospital has treated many cats with liver disease caused by parasites contracted from eating raw fish, leading to jaundice and hepatitis. Liver disease can also cause ascites and kidney disease, which are practically incurable illnesses for cats.
3. Chicken liver should not be a staple food.
Chicken liver mainly contains protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamin A, vitamin D, phosphorus, and other components. It is highly nutritious, palatable, and has a unique fishy smell, making it a favorite of dogs and cats. However, long-term consumption of liver, especially as the sole food source, can lead to certain diseases.
Obesity – Because chicken liver is rich in fat and carbohydrates, dogs and cats that eat liver for a long time will have excess energy and become obese. Being too fat will increase the incidence of diabetes, pancreatitis and cardiovascular disease.
Skin itching – Chicken feed often contains growth promoters, most of which are metabolized by the liver. Therefore, long-term consumption of chicken liver can cause food allergies or chronic cumulative poisoning, which can easily lead to skin diseases.
Vitamin A poisoning – Chicken liver contains a large amount of vitamin A. If a dog is fed chicken liver mixed with carrots, it will have an excessive amount of vitamin A. If it cannot be excreted in time, it will cause vitamin A accumulation poisoning, resulting in diseases such as pain, lameness, and tooth loss.
Calcium deficiency – Because liver is high in phosphorus and low in calcium, and phosphorus also inhibits calcium absorption, long-term consumption of liver can lead to calcium deficiency in the body, causing rickets in young dogs and cats or osteomalacia in adult dogs and cats.
Bleeding – The body's blood clotting requires calcium. If dogs and cats eat liver for a long time, causing calcium deficiency, it can lead to blood clotting disorders, making it difficult to stop induced or acute bleeding.
Postpartum seizures – Dogs and cats that have been fed liver for a long time are prone to hypocalcemia after giving birth due to significant calcium loss from lactation, while their own calcium reserves are already low. Symptoms include panting, drooling, seizures, and limb rigidity. If not treated promptly, it can lead to death.
While there are various drawbacks to eating liver long-term, it doesn't mean chicken liver is absolutely off-limits. In certain situations, chicken liver is a good supplement for dogs and cats:
First, dogs and cats that are prone to colds and diarrhea can take advantage of the high vitamin A content in chicken liver to maintain the integrity of the epithelial cells of the respiratory and digestive tracts, thereby enhancing their body's resistance.
Secondly, for dogs and cats with poor appetite or serious illness who have no appetite, the good palatability of chicken liver can be used to stimulate their appetite and gradually restore their digestive function.
Third, for dogs and cats that are malnourished or thin, the high protein content of chicken liver can help them increase their nutrition and improve their physical condition.
