One Health

Should I feed my cat dry food in the morning and wet food at night or vice versa? What's the best feeding routine? Which food is suitable for a cat with skin or heart conditions? Also, how should I handle a cat in heat? She can't be spayed due to a heart condition.. Whenever she goes into heat she scratches her body excessively and ends up making wounds which causes her skin issues to flare up. So, I want to follow the best routine and choose the right food to help take proper care of her.

------------------------------
Hungry Dewdney
Animal Welfare Coordinator
Cat Food
AK
------------------------------

For feeding, there's no strict rule about dry in the morning and wet at night - what matters most is consistency and total daily calories. Many vets recommend including wet food daily because it supports hydration, which is especially helpful if there are heart concerns. Dry can be fine too, just measure portions carefully. For skin or heart conditions, I'd strongly suggest asking your vet about a prescription or limited-ingredient diet formulated for cardiac or dermatologic support rather than choosing a regular over-the-counter food. When she's in heat, try to reduce stress and overstimulation - keep her indoors, provide soft bedding, trim her nails, and consider a recovery suit or soft cone if she's scratching herself to the point of wounds. If you're comparing specialized foods, Chewy has a good selection of prescription and sensitive-skin formulas, plus detailed ingredient info to review before discussing options with your vet.

------------------------------
Tyrone Pierce
Veterinarian
Maryland Hospital
MD
------------------------------