Really Fat Cats

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feed him less

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but a harness at petsmart for him and you can walk him or feed him a diet meal.

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Like humans, overweight cats are at risk for health problems and do not generally live as long as cats that are trim. In addition to being at a greater risk for liver disease and diabetes mellitus, overweight cats show greater incidence of arthritis, skin problems, and other medical conditions.

Certain medical conditions can cause obesity in cats, and any cat with a weight problem should be examined by a veterinarian prior to initiating a weight control program. The veterinarian will determine if there is an underlying cause for the obesity or if there are other medical conditions present, which could complicate weight reduction. The rate of weight loss in obese cats is critical to their overall health. The veterinarian is also a valuable resource in helping you establish a weight reduction program specific for you and your cat. Certified veterinary nutritionists are also a good resource.

One of the main reasons weight reduction programs for cats fail is that one (or more) member(s) of the household, or even the neighborhood, is not following the recommendations. Everyone must agree that the program is essential for the life and health of the cat. Each must follow the recommendations regarding diet, treats, exercise, etc., if the program is to be successful.

Essential to a good weight reduction program is reducing the calories fed, but how much? Most weight loss protocols for cats recommend feeding 75% of the energy needs your cat would need when she is at her ideal weight. There is extreme variability (up to 20%) in the actual energy of cats of the same weight, since their activity level can vary greatly. For this reason, the cat’s response to the weight reduction program is monitored and adjustments made as necessary.

Table scraps are often high in fats and sugars, and thus in calories. Feeding your cat before you cook or eat may help decrease his begging. If you cannot resist giving treats, choose a treat that is made for cats and is low in fat. Examples include:

Air-popped popcorn, non-salted and non-buttered

Broccoli

Cooked green beans

Baked or frozen canned diet food (Cut small slices of canned food and bake them at 350ºF until crisp. Store in refrigerator. Alternatively, simply freeze slices of the canned food and feed it frozen to your cat.)

Commercial low calorie cat treats

In addition to reducing calorie intake, it is important to increase the calories used. Exercise programs for cats are more difficult to design than those for dogs. Some cats will walk on a leash and this would be excellent exercise. Even just going outside under supervision can get the cat to move around a bit more. Some cats enjoy watching cat ‘videos’; it may not be that much exercise, but at least it keeps them alert and prone to bat at the TV at least a few times. Buy the cat some new toys and initiate play with the cat. Try a little catnip. In addition to burning a few extra calories, exercise and play may help keep the cat’s focus away from the food bowl.

If you are feeding less food, it also means your cat is receiving fewer nutrients. A vitamin/mineral supplement helps guarantee your cat’s body has what it needs to stay healthy, alert, and active. Until recently, many of the weight reduction cat foods were deficient in fatty acids, and supplementation was necessary. One of the consequences of decreased fatty acid intake is a dry, flaky hair coat. To keep your pet’s skin and coat healthy, it may still be necessary to supplement your pet with a fatty acid supplement such as Derm Caps or Drs. Foster and Smith Vitacaps.

Various medications and nutraceuticals are being evaluated for use as an adjunct to the more traditional weight reduction program. We are not aware of any ongoing studies on the use of these compounds in cats, however, there may be in the future.

Keep a written log of food intake (including all treats), exercise, and weekly weight. Weigh your cat weekly on the same scale at the same time of day. (Weigh yourself holding the cat, then weigh just yourself and subtract the difference. This may not be highly accurate, so you may want to use the scale at a veterinarian’s office or borrow a baby scale.) It is sometimes helpful to plot out this information (dates and weights) on a graph. Remember, you may hit ‘plateaus’ in which your cat seems stuck at a certain weight. This is common. Do not despair, but continue with the weight reduction program, making sure no one in the household is ‘cheating.’

Once the weight is lost, the last thing we want is for the cat to regain it. To be sure that does not happen, continue weighing your cat as you gradually increase food intake. You can either feed more of the weight reduction diet or change to a diet that is less restrictive. Be careful when feeding free choice (the bowl of food is always there); some cats will do fine with this, others may abuse the privilege. If weight is regained consistently for 2 weeks, or more than 3% of weight regained in one week, go back on the diet program. Remember, exercise needs to continue after the weight is lost or pounds will start to accumulate again.

When the weight goal is reached, congratulate yourself and your cat. You will be amazed at how much younger and livelier your cat seems to be. Enjoy the longer life you will be able to have with your happier, healthier friend!

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ask you vet to recommend a healthier variety food that is healthier and play with him more (ie: mechanical mouse, toy on a string, etc.)

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10 steps to help the cat lose weight:

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make him chase a twinky

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Diet cat food. Give him a certain amount twice a day. I might tell you how much to give him on the bag of food. Then, maybe you could by some cat toys and let him chase them around the house with you.

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My husband got our cat one of those timed feeders. I called it the cat abuse device. It’s hard to say no when they sit there and stare at an empty bowl! But, my fatso has lost weight from the feeder.

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BUY A PUPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My cat was the same way until we brought home our puppy she has been so busy watching out for the dog she doesn’t have time to be lazy.