How does a cat's immune system work?

A strong immune system is important for a cat's body to protect itself against pathogens. The foundation for this is laid in the first hours after a kitten's birth through the colostrum. It contains a particularly large number of antibodies, which allow the kittens' immune system to develop and become fully functional over time.

In our article, we explain how to successfully strengthen a cat's immune system and provide important tips on proper nutrition for cats.

How does a cat's immune system work?

A cat's immune system consists of its natural defenses. These are essential for the animal to be protected from pathogens and external influences. While cats receive their first antibodies by consuming their mother's milk, they develop numerous their own throughout their lives. A cat's skin is a first barrier against pathogens, but mucous membranes, hair, and stomach acid also provide defense.

Only when pathogens can overcome these do the phagocytes come into play. These recognize foreign bodies, engulf them, and then break them down. Once a cat's immune system has successfully acted against a specific pathogen, it can "remember" this strategy. It forms specific antibodies that immediately act against the pathogens next time and, in the best case, fight them off.

What weakens a cat's immune system?

For a cat's immune system to function properly, certain things that could weaken it should be avoided.

This can sustainably damage the immune system:

• Unhealthy food: Overloading organs is often the result, and they are often metabolized into waste products and then excreted.
• Obesity: Cats should ideally be of normal weight. Anything else can negatively affect metabolic processes, including the immune system.
• Deficiency symptoms: If the cat does not receive all the nutrients it needs for a healthy life, important regulatory circuits may be disturbed or cell production inhibited. It can also be that the natural barriers, which include the skin and intestinal wall, become more permeable due to the deficiency.

If the cat is weakened, a high-calorie complete feed often helps.

• Lack of exercise: If cats are noticeably sluggish, the tissues may no longer be properly supplied with blood. This slows down the transport of defense and messenger substances.
• Stress: Cats are sensitive animals - some of them are also anxious. Factors that contribute to stress in a cat's life are sometimes barely noticeable to us humans. It is all the more important to get to the bottom of the matter if your own cat appears particularly stressed or nervous. Has new furniture been placed, or has another four-legged friend moved in?
• The problem with stress hormones is that they often negatively affect the body's defenses. To calm the cat, loving attention and quiet feeding and sleeping places are particularly important.
• Intestinal parasites: Cats are occasionally affected by parasites such as worms. This is not always harmless, especially for young cats. The parasites can multiply quickly in a cat's body and thus affect its defenses.
• Chronic organ diseases: If organs such as a cat's kidney, heart, or liver are diseased, this can also negatively affect the body's defenses. The mechanisms for transport and the production of important substances are then often only possible to a limited extent.
• Infections: Cat distemper, feline leukemia virus, or feline immunodeficiency virus can also be dangerous for the immune system.
• Medication: Medications such as cortisone and chemotherapeutics inhibit cell division and prevent the production of defense cells.

Strengthening the immune system

First and foremost, a healthy diet is essential for strengthening the immune system. This means that the cat receives all the important nutrients through its food that it needs for a healthy cat life.

If an imbalance of certain nutrients arises due to improper feeding, the cat's immune system can be negatively affected. Therefore, one should always provide one's cat with a suitable complete feed and, if necessary, sensible food supplements. In this way, the cat's body can form the important antibodies that protect it from pathogens.

In addition, it is also important that the cat gets enough exercise. To encourage movement, you can either play with it or at least provide it with enough toys for self-entertainment. Cats should also be able to go outside regularly. For indoor cats, it is recommended to have a secured balcony available where they can get fresh air now and then.

Cats usually sleep up to 17 hours a day. That they can do this undisturbed is also of great importance for strengthening their immune system. Cats therefore need a cozy sleeping place and plenty of rest.

Finally, one should also pay attention to adequate hygiene in areas where the cat eats or does its business. Where there is a lack of cleanliness, bacteria can multiply more quickly.

Antibodies for strengthening

Antibodies are protein bodies produced by a cat's immune system. They successfully protect the animal from viruses, harmful bacteria, fungi, or parasites again and again. While small cats, as already mentioned, absorb their first antibodies with their mother's milk, further ones must be formed throughout their lives. This is possible through feeding high-quality food.

Natural immune boosters for cats

To strengthen a cat's immune system, various herbs and other natural ingredients can be used. These include rosehip, echinacea, and cat's claw. Ideally, these are contained in a high-quality complete or supplementary feed for cats.

Healthy and high-quality food

For a cat to always be able to produce enough antibodies, it must always receive high-quality nutrients with its food. Additives such as sugar and grains should not be present in cat food, or only to a small extent. Furthermore, the general terms "animal by-products" can indicate that it is a low-quality food.

If a healthy food has already been found that the cat likes, you can also pamper it with a suitable food supplement. It is only important to ensure that it does not suffer from an excess of certain nutrients.

Healthy fats and oils

Essential fatty acids, which are involved in important functions in a cat's body, cannot be produced by cats themselves. Therefore, they must be added to the food in sufficient quantities and in appropriate quality. Important fats and oils include Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. These are involved in building cell membranes. In addition, they have anti-inflammatory properties and a supportive effect in keeping a cat's liver, kidneys, skin, and musculoskeletal system healthy.

Omega-6 fatty acids are found in relatively high amounts in meat and fish, while Omega-3 fatty acids can be added to food through oils and fats. Salmon or linseed oil are best suited for this.

Superfood Spirulina Algae

Among the foods that serve to strengthen a cat's defenses, spirulina algae is considered a true superfood. And rightly so, as it can offer support not only with valuable plant proteins, vitamins, and minerals but also in cases of inflammation and diseases caused by viruses or bacteria.

Fluid

It's no secret that cats are generally poor drinkers. Therefore, it is important for both indoor and outdoor cats to ensure that they consume enough fluids throughout the day. If the water bowl is outside, it must be checked regularly in winter, as a layer of ice can quickly form on it.

Some cats absolutely refuse to drink water from a regular water bowl. In that case, setting up a special drinking fountain for cats might help. The flowing water encourages the feline friends to drink.

If even that doesn't help, you can choose a wet food that the cat particularly likes. Wet food contains significantly more liquid than dry food for cats and can thus compensate well for a lack of fluid.

FAQ

For cats to remain in the best possible health for as long as possible, they need strong defenses. But do cats naturally have a strong immune system? And which vitamins are important to maintain it? We answer these and other questions in this section.

Which vitamins are important for cats?

Vitamins that cats absolutely need are vitamin C (for metabolism and immune system), B vitamins (metabolism and skin function), vitamin D (bone and teeth formation), and vitamin A (for eyes and muscle building)

What can I do to strengthen the immune system?

A cat must receive high-quality food, get enough exercise, and breathe fresh air. Sufficient rest and sleep are also important to strengthen the body's defenses.

Do cats have a strong immune system?

For cats to build a well-functioning immune system, they receive important antibodies from their mother's milk shortly after birth.

Which complete food for cats?

A good complete food for cats must be formulated in such a way that the need for all nutrients is covered. This can be either wet or dry food. It is important that it is labeled as a complete food.

Conclusion

Cats – like us humans – need an intrinsic immune system to keep dangerous pathogens away. They receive their first antibodies from their mother's milk shortly after birth, but more should be developed throughout their lives.

To strengthen a cat's immune system, cat owners are advised to choose healthy cat food with all important nutrients. This way, you protect the sensitive four-legged friends from infections and provide support in every season.

Recoactive products can significantly contribute to maintaining and strengthening the immune system. They are generally well accepted by cats.