The obesity epidemic in this country has not been lost on our cats.
A 2011 study by the APOP (Association for Pet Obesity Prevention), stated that more than 50% of domestic cats are considered overweight or obese.
Feline obesity is responsible for numerous diseases and disorders, including feline diabetes, arthritis, respiratory problems, heart disease, and liver disease, most of which can be eliminated once your cat is back to a normal weight.
Armed with an understanding of feline obesity and a weight management strategy, it is possible to get kitty back to a healthy weight.
Common Reasons for Feline Weight Gain Physical Activity - Cats gain weight the same way humans do, by consuming more calories than they burn.
In nature, food acquisition requires physical exertion.
Animals in the wild never know when or where their next meal will be making an appearance, so they are frequently on the hunt.
Hunting for food requires a great deal of physical activity.
With the domestication of cats, the need to hunt as a means of survival is no longer required; therefore, the physical activity of hunting is not essential.
Nutrition- Cats are strictly carnivorous animals.
They were not meant to eat carbohydrates.
Cats lack two important enzymes, amylase andglucokinase, which break down and help the body process carbs.
Cats have the ability to convert proteins to energy, therefore needing fewer carbs.
This results in the unused carbs being stored as fat.
Feeding Schedule- Ad libitum or free-choice feeding is when food is left out for consumption all hours of the day.
Free feeding is like being on a kitty cruise ship - 24 hour buffet.
Unfortunately, this provides opportunity for cats to feed for reasons other than hunger, including boredom.
Things You Can Do 1.
Make an Appointment with Your Veterinarian - Cats are made of up of different breeds, body types, sizes, etc; therefore, before beginning a weight management program, make an appointment with your veterinarian.
Determining the extent of your cat's weight problem, and whether it could be caused by an underlying medical condition is crucial to your strategy.
This is especially important if your cat has put on a few pounds in a short period of time.
2.
Keep kitty busy- Cats typically sleep 13-16 hours per day, so making the best of the time when kitty is awake is crucial.
Cats need some type of physical activity each day, so set aside a few minutes to focus on playing with your cat.
Not only will your cat benefit from the exercise, you both will benefit from the time spent together.
With so many cat toys on the market, you should have no problem finding one that your cat will love.
Here are some of our favorites.
Laser pointers - I have yet to find a cat that doesn't love playing with a laser pointer.
Feathery wand - While each cat will have his or her own toy of choice, the feather topped wand is a favorite of all our cats.
Milk rings- If you purchase milk in a plastic jug, you will have an unlimited supply of these little rings.
Our cats bat and chase these things all over the house.
3.
Read labels- The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) suggests that you look for the following information when reading cat food labels to ensure that the food you are purchasing falls within the recommended guidelines.
What to look for on the label - Compliance with AAFCO's requirements for "Complete and Balanced," as evidenced by that wording on the label.
- Named protein source - look for "chicken, lamb, or beef," rather than "meat.
" - On canned food particularly, the protein source should be the first listed ingredient - Check the expiration date for freshness What to avoid - Words such as "by-products," "meat and/or bone meal," "animal digest," and most other descriptions including "digest" or "meal," and added sugars - Chemical preservatives, including BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin, and propyl gallate - Corn meal as a filler - Excess of carbohydrate "fillers" (Dry food can contain as much as 50 percent grain) If your cat is severely overweight or has a weight related health issue, there are a number of prescription cat foods that are formulated for specific needs.
Please contact your veterinarian for guidance on which food would be best suited for your cat.
4.
Implement a feeding schedule- If you have been free-feeding your cat, then you will need to slowly transition to scheduled feedings.
Obese cats who are deprived of food, or whose food intake is greatly restricted can develop hepatic lipidosis, or Fatty Liver Syndrome, which is a very serious disorder, and left untreated could be fatal.
If your cat is already obese, again, it is important to consult with a veterinarian before making any food or feeding changes.
He should be able to offer additional tips on how to transition to a feeding schedule without risking the health of your cat.
A change in feeding schedule can also help your cat maintain a healthy weight, thus reducing the chances of obesity related health problems later in life.
In addition, a scheduled feeding plan is a good way to keep track of your cat's food intake.
Feeding schedule example: Begin by determining the appropriate food portion for your cat based on the packaging guidelines.
Place half that amount in her bowl each morning, and encourage her to eat at that time.
After she has finished, remove the bowl.
At the next scheduled feeding time, place the remainder of the food in her bowl, and again, encourage her to eat.
Since she has not been able to graze during the day, she will probably be grateful and hungry.
Again, remove the bowl when she walks away.
Eventually she will understand that she needs to eat until she is full at each feeding, since the food will not be available all day.
With some time and patience you should have her on a routine schedule; eating when she is hungry, and eliminating the temptation of eating when she is bored.
In addition to feeding your cat a good quality, well balanced cat food, you should also provide plenty of clean drinking water.
Water is essential to your cats' good health.
Water helps to regulate your cat's body temperature, aids the body in the digestion of dry cat food, and helps with the absorption of vitamins and minerals.
Cats that do not consume enough water are prone to acquiring bladder and/or kidney health issues.
Unfortunately, cats have no control over how or what they are fed, and they don't understand the importance of physical exercise, a balanced diet, or counting carbs.
Maintaining a healthy weight is essential to the health of your cat, and as cat owner, you are his only resource to help him stay healthy and happy.
With time and patience, you can help your cat slim down to a healthy weight, and hopefully add many more years to your life together.