Weight Loss For Overweight Cats
I have written before about the link between weight and diabetes. Weight loss for overweight cats is an important preventative measure as yet another report, this time a study by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, confirms that about half of all cats in American homes are overweight or obese, this is up slightly from 2010.
That means that there are approximately 40 million cats are carrying too much weight. And many cat owners are finding that the extra pounds on a fat cat can lead to severe and costly health problems. A recent blog post states:-
“Just as diabetes and heart disease are more common in people who are obese, these diseases also are more common in overweight animals. The average cost of veterinary care for a diabetic dog or cat in 2011 was more than $900, according to Petplan USA, a pet insurance company. Treatment for arthritis and cruciate ligament tears, which can be caused by the strain of an overweight frame that weakens joints, especially in dogs, cost pet owners an average of $2,000.
In 2011 alone, pet insurance claims for diabetes increased by 253 percent, according to Petplan. Claims for heart disease rose by 32 percent, while claims for arthritis soared by 348 percent.”
Dr. Jules Benson, vice president of veterinary services at Petplan says:-
““The most heartbreaking thing is having to put a pet to sleep just because it can’t mechanically get around anymore,” he said. “They’re otherwise alert and healthy, but their quality of life becomes so low that you have no choice but to put them to sleep.”
Dr. Gasper on overweight cats:-
Weight loss for overweight cats:-
Dr. Murray of the A.S.P.C.A. see problems that can cause suffering and a shortened life span.
“People may have a sense that their pet is overweight but won’t always realize the consequences,” she said. “An owner might say about their cat, ‘I don’t understand why Fluffy’s coat looks so terrible, why she has these mats over her back and has this smell,’ and I have to point out to them that she’s too overweight to groom herself.”
Dr. Carol McConnell, chief veterinary medical officer for VPI Pet Insurance states:-
“If you suddenly change something too drastically, they can get into trouble. You want to make sure the pet is healthy either for calorie restriction or for an exercise plan. Whatever you do, you need to do it gradually.”
I have just come across this article from The Western Australian. Have you ever seen a domestic cat this big?!:-
Meow – 18Kg cat!
“Meow, a 2-year-old orange and white tabby, tops the scale at 18kg.
Meow, arrived at the Santa Fe Animal Shelter after his elderly owner could no longer care for the feline.
Surprisingly, despite his flabby girth, Meow does not have diabetes or other serious health issues.
He does however have problems walking and loses his breath easily.
The shelter plans to put the cat on a special diet so he can lose weight gradually.
Adult cats typically weigh between 3 and 5.5kg.”
So you must consider weight loss for overweight cats as doing nothing will eventually lead to a host of other problems. Be careful and make sure the weightloss regimen you choose is suitable and will not lead to other issues. As trying to get your cat to lose weight can carry its own risk, dependent upon how overweight the cat is, so it is important to consult with your veterinarian before putting your cat on a diet as cats metabolism cannot handle a calorie restriction diet as easily as a dogs for example.
