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Feline Obesity
Obesity is a big problem with many domestic cats. More than 40% of all domestic cats in America suffer from obesity or an over-weight condition. The diseases relating to obesity in cats are various and can sometimes be fatal. An obese cat is sending out an SOS that it is not fine, and you ought to take notice.
Most types of cats normally weigh between 7 and 10 pounds. A cat can be called obese if it weighs more than 20-25% of its weight, and grossly obese if that figure reaches 40%. In other words, if your cat is 12 pounds or more, it is time you acted.
The making of the fat cat
There are various reasons behind a cat’s obesity. There can be genetic problems or physical problems of a particular type which can be cured by consultations with a vet, but most cats suffer from obesity because of over-feeding and lack of exercise. Cheap cat food products mainly consisting of carbohydrates and little or no protein are an important reason of this problem.
Nature designed carnivores to look for their own food and burn off calories in the process. But today in our households these pets get to eat with minimum or no effort. Domestic cats are usually found lying curled on a sofa or a bed. They often over-eat out of boredom. It is advisable to have more than one cat in a household, so they can socialize among themselves and get at least some exercise.
Your cat is what you feed it
A cat needs flesh as a regular component of its diet. Meats and fishes contain lots of protein and fat, and little carbohydrate. Studies show that cats don’t have an adequate production of the enzymes that help to digest carbohydrates in humans and dogs. An ideal diet of a carnivore should consist of 40-45% Protein, 30% Fat and very little carbohydrate.
A cat should not be fed too much at a time, rather a cat owner should feed it 3 to 4 times a day with small amounts of food. A study shows that a normal-sized full-grown cat should be fed 1.80 pounds of appropriate food at a time.
Popular cat treats should be avoided, as they consist mostly of sugar and other carbohydrates. So-called ‘free choice food’ should also be avoided. Strict observance of time should be maintained in feeding a cat.
Fat cats = unhealthy cats
Obesity can cause a host of unwanted conditions in your prized little pet. These include heart problems, liver diseases, arthritis, diabetes, respiratory problems and so forth, and these in turn make a cat prone to many infectious diseases.
The most convenient way to know whether a cat is obese is to feel the ribs of the cat with bare fingers. If you can't count the ribs easily, then it is probably obese, and you need to take it for a check up.
As a caring cat owner, consider buying some small, bouncy, colorful toys to interest your pet in indoor activities. It needs to burn off the calories it takes in. Once you have got them moving, the process will continue itself – the more excess weight your cat sheds, the more playful it will become.