Feline Obesity
Obesity can be very detrimental to your cat's health; and is responsible for many chronic medical problems.
Problems associated with obesity include:
- Arthritis, "Slipped Disc," and torn or strained ligaments.
- Respiratory problems associated with endurance and exercise.
- Heart problems from overwork.
- Liver Disease.
- Dystocia - difficulty in giving birth.
- Diabetes.
- Heat Stroke - due to a decreased ability to control heat.
- Skin problems.
- Excessive gas and/or constipation.
- Lowered resistance to disease.
- Anal gland impaction and infection.
- Increased risk for anesthesia and surgery.
Obesity reduces your cat's lifespan!!! (And also its enjoyment of life!)
Causes of obesity:
- OVEREATING!! (90% of all cases.)
- Lack of exercise.
- Lowered metabolism .
- Hormonal imbalances.
Obesity treatment:
Before developing a weight-reduction program, a complete medical evaluation should be conducted by your cat's veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical conditions. There are many conditions that may affect the desired rate of weight loss or diet selected for your cat’s weight-reduction program.
Restriction of caloric intake is essentially the only way to make a cat lose weight. Cats are unlikely to receive sufficient exercise to make much difference.
Cats must continue to eat! Starvation diets or simply overly restricting food volume in the cat may result in a fatal liver disease know as “hepatitic lipidosis”. This condition is a result of excessive accumulation of fat in the liver. Overweight cats are “primed” for the condition because of the excess fat accumulation in the body. Whenever your cat takes in fewer calories than are needed to maintain normal body functions, fat tissues of the body are mobilized. Once this fat enters the bloodstream, much of it becomes stored in the liver resulting in a very serious medical condition.
Feline weight reduction programs do work, but must be monitored very closely to ensure the serious complication of hepatitic lipidosis does not occur.
Your cat's veterinarian can make the best recommendations for your cat once he/she has completed a comprehensive medical evaluation to determine the best course of action.
