Feline Obesity
Did you know that obesity is one of the most common health problems in cats? By some estimates, well over half of our feline friends are overweight or obese. Obesity can cause some very serious health problems in cats, including heart disease, liver problems, and diabetes. We know, chubby cats are cute, but Fluffy will be much healthier if she stays close to her ideal weight! Read on as a Lakeville, MN vet discusses obesity in kitties.
Feeding The Furball
Your cat’s diet plays a huge role in her weight. Offer your furry pal good, high-quality food, but don’t overfeed her. Just giving Fluffy a few too many calories each day can cause her to gain weight. It’s worth noting that eating dry food can also contribute to weight gain, as many kibble formulas, particularly the low quality ones, are very high in carbohydrates. You may have also noticed that cats are masters at manipulating us into feeding them. If Fluffy just had dinner, and is begging for more food, that plaintive meow could be a lie! Ask your vet for specific nutritional recommendations, including serving sizes, feeding times, and suitable treats.
Keeping Fluffy Fit
Look at your cat, and observe what she’s doing right now. There’s a pretty good chance that she’s asleep. Fluffy’s fondness for naps certainly isn’t doing her waistline any favors! While you probably won’t be able to get your furball to run laps around the kitchen, you can keep her active by providing lots of fun toys and taking time to play with her every day. Even a few minutes of chasing that elusive red dot from a laser pointer or batting at a feather toy will be beneficial. We also recommend offering your kitty a comfy spot where she can look out a window. This can help prevent boredom snacking.
Helping Your Cat Slim Down
If Fluffy is, well, not just fluffy, consult your vet before making any changes to her diet. Never put a cat on a crash diet: this is very bad for feline metabolism, and could make your furry friend sick! Kitties need to lose weight at a slow, steady rate in order to slim down without risking their health.
Do you know or suspect that your cat is overweight? Call us, your Lakeville, MN animal hospital, today! We are here to serve all your kitty’s veterinary care needs.
