Pet Cat Lose Weight
Pet Cat Lose Weight |
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A Weight Loss Program for Cats
Cats are at risk for health problems if they are overweight. In addition to liver disease and diabetes mellitus, overweight cats are prone to arthritis, skin problems, heart failure and kidney disease. Older cats are often fat to obese. As a result, they have a 2.7% greater death rate than trim cats. You can tell if your cat is overweight if you can run your hand along his flank and not feel his ribs. Before you begin any weight loss program for your cat, first consult your veterinarian. Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, can cause obesity, and only your Vet can determine this. He/she will help you establish a weight reduction program for your cat. A typical diet plan begins by reducing caloric intake by 30% and decreasing by 10% increments every 2-3 weeks until a 1% weight loss per week is achieved. Rapid weight loss is not recommended because the weight, as human dieters will tell you, usually comes back after the weight reduction diet has ended. Some cats can suffer severe liver disease and even liver failure due to hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease) if the weight loss is too rapid. If your Vet does not recommend a change in diet, you should continue feeding your cat his/her regular food, if it is low in fat and carbohydrates. Instead of leaving the cat’s dish full for him/her to nibble on during the day, feed him/her 2-4 small meals throughout the day. Make sure that everyone in the household buys into your cat’s diet. No table scraps! Treats should make up no more than 10% of the cat’s total calories. Even if your cat begs for them, avoid giving him/her extra treats. Overweight cats are generally not as agile as trim, fit cats, so try feeding the overweight cat on the floor. If you have more than one cat, don’t allow the dieter to eat their food. After 3-4 weeks, your cat should be examined by your Vet and any adjustments necessary be made to the diet. If your Vet wants to change your cat’s diet, talk to him/her about switching from dry to wet food. Dry food dehydrates cats and contributes to bladder and kidney problems. The best cat foods contain vitamin-rich fish oils, low fat, reduced calories, high fiber content and a high ratio of protein to calories. Why does this work? A low fat diet helps to control a cat’s calorie intake. Fiber helps the cat feel full, but be aware that it often results in large frequent stools. Sounds simple enough, doesn’t it? Some of you are no doubt saying “that won’t work with my cat. He’s too fussy.” It’s true. Many cat owners have tried unsuccessfully to switch their cats to a better diet. Cats have a tendency to turn their noses up at any new food and simply walk away. They often require a gradual switch over two to three weeks. Once you change from one food to another, plan ahead and stock an adequate supply. Don't run completely out of the new food and expect the cat to eat his old food or a different new food. He might or might not avoid it, but the sudden switch can upset his stomach. A word of caution. When you change the cat’s diet, he/she may suffer from diarrhea, change in stool, runny eyes or itchiness. This is common and usually passes within a week. If it does not, go back to the old food and consult your Vet right away. Your cat may be allergic to the new food. (read more about human food allergies).
A cat that is eating less food is getting fewer nutrients. Your Vet may recommend a vitamin/mineral supplement to help your cat stay healthy, alert, and active. A fatty acid supplement will keep your cat's skin and coat healthy. Dehydroepiandrosterone helps cats lose weight faster and lowers cholesterol levels. L. carnitine affects the utilization of fat by the cat’s body and helps reduce weight. Pyruvate alters the metabolism. Chromium picolinate promotes the activity of insulin. Coenzyme Q10 aids energy production at the cellular level. Cats gain weight when they don’t exercise as much as they should. Cats, like their human masters, require regular exercise to stay healthy. Exercising a cat, however, is not as easy as exercising a dog. Cats exercise when they want to. Many are extremely resistant to walking on a leash. You may have to resort to buying new toys or catnip to make your cat more active. CatChannel.Com suggests using toys and household items that will get your cat to leap and stretch, run up and down stairs, and climb. In addition, you might create an obstacle course of boxes, bags and soft-sided tunnels. Because cats are exercise resistant, the solution to their weight problem is often found in a revised diet. As mentioned above, this may be difficult to do. Consult your Vet and follow his/her advice. Be patient and let things happen over time. Your cat will thank you for helping him lose weight, improve his health, and live longer.
References http://www.catchannel.com/care/weight/article_5361.aspx
http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=therightweightlossprogramforcats
http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=switchingfoods
http://www.vin.com/VINDBPub/SearchPB/Proceedings/PR05000/PR00174.htm
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=1&cat=1398&articleid=695
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