| It is said you are what you eat, and as humans we | | | | · Urinary tract problems and kidney disorders |
| know how true that is. Unfortunately many of our | | | | · A fatty liver disease called Hepatic lipidosis |
| waistlines also show it. It is the same with our cats, | | | | (when excess fat clogs the liver and can result in liver |
| they are what they eat or for that matter what | | | | failure and possible death). Should your cat become ill |
| they do not eat. | | | | or you try to reduce its weight and the cat is not |
| Cats by nature are carnivores, which means they are | | | | eating. The stored fat in the body starts to mobilize |
| meat eaters and get most of their nutrition from | | | | and starts processing into lipoproteins and the livers |
| protein and fat. Cats need very few carbohydrates in | | | | get over powered with fat and reacts. A yellowing |
| their diets to keep healthy and trim. | | | | of your cat's eyes is one sure sign. This is a very |
| Carbohydrates as a main source of food such as | | | | serious disease. |
| feeding dry food as a constant diet to a cat will | | | | To prevent your cat from becoming overweight you |
| cause the cat to overeat. Overeating carbs causes | | | | need with the help of your veterinarian or other pet |
| cats to gain weight, just like it does for us. | | | | care nutritionist to decide the proper amount of food |
| Why do cats over eat the dry food? The answer is | | | | you should feed your cat. Your cat's activity level or |
| simple they are trying to find the protein in it; in | | | | non-activity level should be the leading factor in that |
| order to satisfy their natural need for protein. | | | | determination. As cats get older their metabolic rates |
| A protein filled diet will make the cat feel fuller and | | | | slow down and need less food. |
| eat less. There are many schools of thought on what | | | | If your cat needs to lose weight, it needs to lose it |
| makes a proper protein diet for cats. Some sources | | | | slowly, no starvation diets here and no withholding |
| say feed them a diet of raw meat and other sources | | | | food (see Hepatic lipidosis). Cats need to lose weight |
| proclaim canned cat food. Personally I feed my cats | | | | in ounces and not in pounds. |
| dry food as treats, raw meat (beef) as part of their | | | | Feeding your cat low calorie foods is important. High |
| daily diet and quality canned food which gives them | | | | quality canned cat food with few carbohydrates is |
| all the necessary vitamins and minerals a cat needs. | | | | the way to go. Dry food is high carbs and should be |
| A total raw diet will not provide the cat with all the | | | | a no no! If you feel a treat is necessary a bit of raw |
| proper nutrition a cat needs. I know from experience | | | | meat or a small bit of cheese will do nicely. A |
| as I have a cat that will not eat cat food if his life | | | | wonderful treat would be a little bit of good catnip |
| depended on it and it does. As a result he almost | | | | that would help your cat's digestive system and |
| died from the lack of proper nutrition until I figured | | | | provide a bit of enjoyment for the cat too. Almost |
| out a way to feed him vitamins and some of the cat | | | | like having a cocktail before dinner is for us. |
| food he needed to stay alive. Most cats however | | | | To help your cat lose weight it needs to exercise! |
| are happy eating a combination of all three-food | | | | Yes, that ugly word and how do you get your cat to |
| groups as my other two cats are. | | | | exercise, when walking to the litter box is the most |
| Many of us are guilty of overfeeding our cats. Cats | | | | exercise it gets. |
| do not need to eat every time they come near us. | | | | You play with your cat. Get one of those |
| Regular routine feeding schedules fit a cat's lifestyle | | | | inexpensive fishing wand toys and make kitty run |
| and provides a way for us to feed them just the | | | | around a little chasing it. Ten minutes a day several |
| right amounts to keep their weight at a constant | | | | times a day will do wonders for kitty and you will get |
| level. | | | | a chance to bond with your cat and enjoy the fun, |
| Did you know that about 25 percent of our cats are | | | | too. The pet store has many interesting and catnip |
| obese and that almost 60 percent are overweight? | | | | filled toys that your cat maybe interested in playing |
| Extra weight on a cat is detrimental to its health, just | | | | with. Toys do not need to be expensive, just |
| like it is for our health. | | | | something kitty likes. |
| What are some of the health problems that | | | | Do not leave food out all day so kitty can nibble. |
| overweight can cause? | | | | Establish a routine and feed kitty several times a day, |
| · A shorter life expectancy | | | | small amounts at a time. Your cat will enjoy a routine |
| · High blood pressure and heart disease | | | | and you can monitor what it is eating. |
| · Breathing problems | | | | A great New Year's resolution would be to feed your |
| · Diabetes (extremely possible in overweight | | | | cat high quality canned food, that would provide |
| cats) | | | | proper nutrition and minimal weight gain and spend |
| · Grooming problems and skin disorders (if | | | | time playing with your cat each day to assure is gets |
| they are too fat to properly groom themselves) | | | | at least some exercise. |