Cat Health Care - Obesity

Many a pet owner has laughed to themselves about their little chubby kitty and how cute he or she is. Few people realise, though, that cat obesity is a major threat to cat health care and that it is on the rise. If your cat is a bit pudgy then, it might be time to think about a trip to the vet and a weight loss programme.

Chubby cats often endear themselves to owners and others alike, and it is not uncommon for several well meaning neighbours on the same street to all be feeding the same pet. Unfortunately, despite these people's good intentions, feline obesity can significantly reduces a cat's life expectancy and make him or her much more likely to suffer from heart disease, cancer, diabetes and a variety of other serious ailments. That is to say that obesity in cats is as dangerous as it is in humans.

A healthy cat should have between 15 and 20% body fat and weigh between 3.5 and 4.5kg. A trip to the vet will confirm the figure for your pet. Any more than that and obesity is likely. Obviously, there are many factors that can affect a cat's weight, so if you suspect your cat is overweight do see a vet first to rule out any underlying conditions and for advice on cat health care.

Ultimately, though, as with humans, the most likely cause for overweight cats is eating too much and exercising too little. Once your vet has confirmed your pet has a weight problem, speak to kindly neighbours who may be feeding your cat and explain how their well intended behaviour is jeopardizing the cat health care. You should then work to reduce the amount your pet eats. Do not simply take things into your own hands; seek the advice of a vet who will ensure the diet you give your cat is healthy. A diet of lean protein from chicken and turkey, for example, will encourage weight loss by speeding up metabolism. To ensure the diet is not too difficult for the cat, feeding more frequent smaller meals will avoid hunger.

Lastly, increasing physical activity is harder for the cats than dogs, since they don't go on regular walks with their owners. It is possible, however, to encourage your cat to spend a little more time than usual outdoors or to increase the time you spend playing with them in the house.

Dietary change in humans and cats alike can seem daunting, but the process need not be too difficult if small steps are taken one at a time. These simple tips coupled with the advice of a good vet could promote cat health care and allow your pet to go on living a healthy life for many more years, so now is the time to check your cat's weight.

Jess Moss is a writer from England. She enjoys writing about current affairs, animals and pets, including cat health care. Visit http://www.pethealthinfo.org.uk/cats/ for more information.