Most household cats are overweight are obese, but there are ways to help
Published in the December 24, 2014 – January 6, 2014 issue of Morgan Hill Life
Dr. Jeanne Haggerty-Arcay
Dr. Jeanne Haggerty-Arcay
The trend for obesity in humans has been mirrored in our feline populations and has become a very important factor in feline disease. Most household cats are overweight or obese. This is in part due to a lack of exercise.
Indoor cats exert less energy than their outdoor counterparts and far less than their ancestors, who had to hunt for food.
The average indoor cat spends most of the day at rest, often with little stimulation for movement. In addition, many people have adopted a feeding practice that includes free access to dry food possibly with the addition of treats and some canned food. Here are some ways you can help shed some weight from your feline friend and prevent disease at the same time.
Diet: Cats are what we call obligate carnivores, meaning they are designed to eat very high protein levels compared to carbohydrates.
Unfortunately, many commercially available dry foods are primarily carbohydrate based with a smaller protein component. This is thought to contribute significantly to weight gain, since cats are not designed to metabolize large amounts of carbohydrates.
The current recommendation is to switch overweight cats to canned diets in order to restore more normal protein to carbohydrate ratios. Some cats will lose a significant amount of weight with this change simply using over-the-counter foods. In cats that will not eat canned food, it is critical that the dry food be measured daily.
Every food will have a feeding chart on the bag. The amounts listed are per day, not per feeding, and your cat should be fed according to their ideal weight, not the current weight.
Talk to your veterinarian to determine your pet’s ideal weight. When these strategies are unsuccessful, prescription weight loss diets may be needed to achieve results.
For cats that have outdoor access, animals they catch and neighborhood cat food may provide a significant source of calories.
Exercise: It can be very difficult to increase exercise, especially in indoor cats. Here are a few strategies you can try:
Move the food bowl around in the house at each meal so the cats has to roam the house to find food.
Stimulate play with mouse toys, feather toys, laser lights or whatever else your cat likes to chase.
Provide your cat with a climbing apparatus, such as a multi-level scratch post.
Medical Implications: In addition to affecting their overall health and mobility, excessive weight is a major predisposing factor for diabetes. Other common weight-related problems include: arthritis, urine scald, poor coat health, lack of grooming, and overgrown nails.
Dieting a cat requires time and dedication.
Unlike dogs, if they are dieted too quickly or if they do not eat for a few days (as with cats that are fed a diet they do not like), they can develop hepatic lipidosis, a very serious and potentially fatal liver disease that develops when the cat’s body goes into starvation mode. Talk to your veterinarian about your cat’s ideal weight, screening for existing disease, and developing a safe and effective plan for weight loss.
Dr. Jeanne Haggerty-Arcay received her undergraduate degrees in biology, biochemistry and Spanish from the College of Notre Dame, Belmont. She graduated from U.C. Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three young children, running, cycling and plans to return to her equestrian pastime in the near future.
