It is quickly becoming the most common health problem among domestic cats. In fact, almost 50% of house cats are OBESE, not just overweight. It may be simple to ignore your cats’ weight problem, but remember that it will shorten their lifespan and make their days more laborious and less enjoyable.
Additionally, obesity can lead to other health problems such as diabetes, diminished immune function, arthritis, cardiac disease, and digestive issues. You can tell if your cat is obese if they have a pouch of fat over their lower abdomen and you are no longer able to feel their ribs.
The best way to treat obesity is to avoid it, to begin with. Make sure you are feeding your cat appropriately and that they receive adequate daily exercise. Should your cat become obese, consider feeding your cat a lower-calorie cat food or a veterinary weight loss diet (#hills #w/d shown here) and start an exercise program. Cut out table scraps completely, and make sure treats are less than 10% of their daily caloric intake.
For the best chance of successful weight loss, work with your #veterinarian on making a comprehensive customized plan for your #cat. It won’t be easy, but together we can make sure your cat lives their best life!
