Did you know that over half of our feline friends are overweight or obese? We know, Fluffy will still be cute with a few extra pounds. However, your pet will be much healthier staying at or near her ideal weight. A Lexington, KY vet discusses kitty obesity in this article.
Health Risks
Obesity carries many of the same health risks for pets as it does for people. If your cat is overweight, she’ll be at increased risk of developing several serious health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, liver and kidney issues, bone/joint problems, and even certain cancers.
Is Fluffy … Not Just Fluffy?
With some cats, it’s obvious if they are overweight. In other cases—particularly longhaired kitties—it isn’t quite that simple. The best way to find out whether or not Fluffy is at a healthy weight or not is to take her to the vet. You can also try feeling her ribs. You should be able to feel them beneath a layer of fat and muscle. If you can’t feel them at all, your furball is probably chubby.
Food
As one may expect, diet plays a huge role in your cat’s weight. Portion control is very important here. Even giving Fluffy just a few calories too much each day can cause her to gain a pound a year. That’s a lot for a kitty! Begging is another issue. Fluffy may not be quite as theatrical as Fido, but she knows how to meowpulate her humans into offering her treats. Last but not least, it’s also important to offer your pet a high-quality food. Many lower-quality foods, especially kibble, are high in carbs.
Keeping Kitty Fit
Activity and entertainment will help keep your feline pal active, and prevent boredom snacking. Keep Fluffy moving by offering her lots of toys, and taking time to play with her daily. Your cat should also have plenty of toys, as well as some furniture she can climb, like a cat tower.
Diet
If Fluffy is overweight, ask your vet for specific advice on helping her lose weight. Never put a cat on a crash diet. These are just as bad for kitties as they are for people! Your furball needs to lose weight slowly in order to slim down safely.
Please contact us, your Lexington, KY vet clinic, for all of your pet’s veterinary care needs. We’re here to help!
