Nearly forty percent of America’s cats are suffering from Feline Obesity. Cat obesity is defined as being 15% or more about the ideal weight range for your cat.
This is important because obesity reduces your cat’s healthy life span by one-third.
In addition, feline obesity also predisposes your cat to Heart Disease, Skin Disorders, Cat Arthritis, and Feline Fatty Liver Disease, Cancer, Lower Urinary Tract Disease, and Feline Diabetes.
Feline Obesity can either cause or result from Feline Diabetes.
In either case weight loss helps regulate your cat’s blood sugar and may decrease and in many cases completely eliminate the need for insulin.
Feline obesity also increases the risk of anesthesia, makes cats more intolerant to heat and reduces their stamina.
FACT: A cat or dog in optimal body condition has 15 to 20 percent body fat.
CAUSES of FAT CATS
The feline aging process effects body weight. Cats and dogs less than 2 years old are rarely over weight. Pet Weight problems in cats tend to increase with increasing age. Six to eight years of age is when most feline weight problems peak.
After 10 to 12 years of age many cats tend to slim down and many end up with a less than optimal body condition.
Your cats breed and genetics also influence body weight. In contrast to dogs, mixed breed cats are more likely to suffer from weight problems than Pure Breed Cats.
CAT WEIGHT GAIN and FELINE NEUTERING
Neutering male and female cats decreases the rate at which a cat’s body functions called the metabolic rate, by about 25-30 percent. Reducing calories by the same amount will help prevent cats from gaining excess weight after being neutered.
Low levels of Feline Thyroid Hormone can also cause excess weight gain. Hypothyroidism or low thyroid levels in cats, unlike dogs, are uncommon, affecting less than one percent of cats.
Your cat’s body weight is influenced by several factors. Consuming excess calories because well-meaning pet owners indulge their cats with over-sized portions and too many treats, is the most common cause of fat cats.
WHAT YOU AND YOUR VET CAN DO
Before starting your cat on any weight-loss program, have yourveterinarian confirm your suspicions. Rule out medical problems that mimic obesity, like heart and liver disease, hypothyroidism, and diabetes.
First determine whether or not your cat is overweight.
Most cats should weigh between 8 and 12 pounds or 3.5 to 4.5 kilograms. Some cats may top the scale at 5.5 kilograms but cats over 6.4 kilograms are definitely obese. Cats should have an hourglass figure which means that their chest should be wider than their abdomen.
To successfully lose weight cat owners must reduce dietary calories, increase exercise and monitor their cat’s progress regularly. High quality lean protein like chicken, turkey, beef, or liver making up at least 50 percent of the diet is necessary to prevent the loss of lean body tissue. Protein levels over 50% help stimulate metabolism and promote weight loss.
Reduce your cat’s dietary fat to less than 10 percent of your cat’s diet. Dietary fat reduction may contribute to a dry skin and hair coat. Fatty acid supplements, for example, adding a few drops of extra virgin olive oil to your cat’s meals or supplementing your feline’s diet with the pure Omega-3 Fatty Acids EPA and DHA will help to prevent dry skin and hair coats.
Increase your cat’s dietary fiber up to 15 percent under your vet’s guidance. Fiber provides bulk which makes cats feel full and keeps them happy while they lose weight. Avoid fiber in excess of 20% of your cat’s diet as that can interfere with absorption of minerals which may lead to other feline nutritional disorders.
Consider providing your cat with a natural, balanced comprehensive daily vitamin-mineral supplement.
To encourage feline weight loss, initially decrease the total number of calories by 20 percent and set a maximum initial weight loss goal at 15 percent, then make calculations accordingly. Feline weight loss should be greater than 0.5 percent per week, 1% is considered ideal. Losing more than one percent of body weight weekly is not advisable in cats, as this generally causes cats to lose lean body tissue in addition to body fat.
Consider feeding your cat smaller meals more often. Take your cat’s total daily ration and divide it up into 4 to 6 small meals a day. Each time your cat eats, energy is required to metabolize the food which then burns calories and promotes weight loss. Your cat will feel full, be happy and get lean.
Dr. Carol’s Tip: Spread your cat’s food out on a very large cookie platter. This method makes the food take longer to eat and at the same time it looks like a lot more chow to your cat.
Leave cat food out for 20 to 30 minutes then pick it up. Don’t free feed! Either avoid feline snacks, or feed healthy treats like fresh vegetables. Keep treats to less than five percent of your cat’s diet.
Fresh vegetables act as a source of dietary fiber. Vegetables enjoyed by many cats include: tasty, tender white asparagus tips, finely grated, raw zucchini or carrot strips, finely chopped alfalfa sprouts, lightly steamed broccoli and creamed corn.
Remember the best treat of all is your love. Pet, hug, kiss, massage, belly rub and brush your cat as much as possible. It’s all calorie free and cats love it!
Be sure your cat has free access to clean, fresh water at all times.
Be creative and play interactive games with your cat.
WHAT CAT OWNERS CAN DO
Play with your indoor cat at least 10 minutes, four times a day.
Create interactive cat games and schedule feline play periods. Consider getting your cat a kitten to play with.
Cats enjoy laser mice games and dangling bird toys and other games that enhance their natural hunting instincts.
Many cats enjoy walking on a harness.
COMPLEMENTARY FAT CAT THERAPY
Some feline fiber sources that can be added to cat meals: 1 teaspoon of wheat bran, 1 teaspoon of finely grated carrots or zucchini or 1 teaspoon of peas, corn or chopped green beans.
TIP: Cat Nip (Nepeta Cataria), pictured on the left, is an herb most cats love. It’s available at pet food stores and may be stuffed into toys, and/or rubbed onto hemp perches. The loose herb can also be sprinkled onto cat food or used as a low calorie treat. It stimulates your cat’s nervous system so felines feel good and want to play.
Catnip is very safe and has no known adverse effects. Offering your feline, cat nip 2-3 times a week is a fun, safe and effective way to stimulate your cat’s activity levels, promote fitness and help shed a few excess pounds.
About Dr. Carol
Dr. Carol is a pet health researcher, a Board Certified Anti-Aging Pet Health Diplomat, a published author and a practicing, holistic veterinarian in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.
She welcomes new canine and feline patients.
Dr. Carol also offers pet health consultations and answers pet health questions and makes homemade pet diets by phone and e-mail for her online pet loving community.
Pet owners may contact Dr. Carol directly at her veterinary office toll free at 1-866-372-2765 to make an appointment for their dog(s) and/or cat(s) today.
Bookmark www.drcarol.com/blog for the latest pet health news, anti-aging tips and updates for your dogs and cats
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