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Curb fat-cat
problem with diet, exercise
August 23,
2007
Many of us have received e-mails of the "believe it or not" pet photos
that continually circulate on the Internet. One of the most common is
the photo of the obese cat. But obese pets are no laughing matter.
There are more cats in the United States than dogs, and cat obesity is a
very common problem. In fact, 40 percent of cats in this country are
obese.
An obese cat is one that has 20 percent or more excess body weight.
Unlike humans there is no chart or formula that defines what is a
correct body weight, but the overall body appearance is a way to
determine whether your cat is overweight.
A veterinarian can help you determine whether obesity is a problem in
your feline companion, but if it's difficult to feel your cat's ribs and
you feel a layer of fat over their rib cage area, they're likely
overweight. Another method is to view your cat from above. If their back
appears expansive and you can't observe a noticeable waistline, it's a
safe bet to assume that your cat is obese.
The fact that we love our pets so much is, in my opinion, the top
contributing factor to their obesity. Unless they have discovered a way
to raid the icebox or hop in the car to go to a fast-food drive-through,
we are the ones who control or, rather, don't control their food intake.
I'm definitely a guilty party when it comes to giving both my cats and
my dog more food than they really need. It's a constant struggle for me,
and often my willpower to curtail my extra handouts is weak, to say the
least.
We shower our pets with food as much as we do kisses and belly rubs.
Diabetes is the most common health problem found in obese cats, but
other health ailments include lower urinary tract disease, breathing
problems, joint stress and even nonallergic skin diseases.
Feeding habits can contribute to obesity, especially when it comes to
cats who often are allowed to "free feed." We fill up the cat bowl to
full capacity in the morning and let them feed all day to their heart's
content.
We should establish a set feeding time, dole out a small portion for
each feeding, and when it's gone, it's gone. With dogs we measure food
in cups, but for cats it's recommended that we measure food in ounces.
For example, a 7-pound cat like my tortie Pepper should receive about
0.6 to 1 ounce of food per portion, and her portions shouldn't exceed
two per day.
Our domesticated cats, like their humans, often don't get enough
exercise. They sleep throughout the day, aren't walked like dogs and
have a constant supply of food available at all times. Providing them
with interactive toys and actually interacting with them is a way to
provide exercise. It also helps you bond with them and increases their
socialization, which is as essential as food and water for our animal
companions.
And just as with humans, increasing an animal's protein and decreasing
the intake of carbohydrates is a dietary change that can help them lose
weight. Obesity in our companion felines, or any pet, can make their
lives unnecessarily painful. It's understandable that we want to shower
them with love, but consider time, affection and interaction rather than
that extra treat. That's just as delicious and has no calories.
- Gloria
Dauphin
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