Like most cat owners, you have probably wondered if that swinging tummy fat on your cat was a sign of obesity. A little body fat is not a bad thing, and is no cause for concern. It can be a life saver if your cat becomes ill and doesn't eat for a few days. But obesity is a cause for concern. With obese cats it is easy to see that they are larger than usual, have a large abdomen, and experience difficulty walking and grooming themselves Excess fat can have a bad effect on the cat's overall health. Overweight cats are prone to heart disease, arthritis, and a series of other health problems, and are often in poor shape. Obese cats find it difficult to move around and are often short of breath. Obesity can sometimes be a side-effect of a more serious disease and requires veterinary attention. This Purina website has a special chart to help you determine if your cat is overweight:
http://www.purinaveterinarydiets.com/resources/products/cat/cat_chart.pdf
Weight Loss Plan
Yes, you can kill your cat by putting him on an unsafe diet. Research has shown that a caloric reduction of only 20% has been shown to produce a potentially life-threatening disease called hepatic lipidosis in obese cats. It is only safe to lower a cat's caloric intake by 5% to 7% Therefore, before embarking on a feline weight loss program, it is important to have Dr. Bebko assess your cat's body condition, current health condition and medical history. Weight reduction in cats is a tough problem. If your cat is overweight, you should take care and help him lose weight. Make an appointment for your cat and work out a plan for your cat's gradual weight loss with the Cat Clinic staff. Together, we can set your cat's weight loss goals and timetables. The plan would include feeding the cat with specially formulated low-cal cat food and setting an exercise/play regime specifically for your cat.
Chiropractic and Exercise
Speaking of exercise, many middle-age, obese cats are inactive from musculoskeletal problems. If these problems are corrected, your cat may feel better and their level of activity will most likely increase. Veterinary chiropractic care for these musculoskeletal problems is provided at the Cat Clinic by Dr. Michael Savko, a Chiropractor & Certified Veterinary Chiropractitioner. Upon examination, Dr. Bebko can discuss the option of chiropractic care for your cat.
Please note that kittens should never be put on a weight loss diet, unless under strict veterinarian instructions. Kittens need all the nutrients they can get, including fat, to achieve adequate growth rate.
