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