ALLEY CAT RESCUE
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Obesity in Cats

Picture
Every day, statistics about the obesity crisis in America are plastered all over the news. The effects of being overweight and obese are well known, but how often do you hear about the obesity crisis with companion animals?

According to a 2018 survey done by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 59.5% of cats are now estimated to be clinically overweight. Of course, just like with people, every cat has a different ideal weight. To determine if your pet is overweight or obese, it is best to discuss the issue with your veterinarian. It if is determined that your pet is overweight, the veterinarian can then give you an ideal weight range as well as diet advice.

Problem
Obesity can cause a wide range of health issues in cats including:
  • Joint problems such as arthritis
  • Heart disease
  • Labored breathing
  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • Hepatic lipidosis (severe form of liver failure)
​
Treatment
Veterinarians will often suggest a change in diet to help your cat lose weight. A diet change could include going from a “free-feeding” set-up (where food is always left out) to a scheduled feeding time. This allows the cat guardian to portion out the food and prevents overeating. Guardians can also switch to wet food which has more protein and a higher water content. As with humans, you should always discuss a diet plan for your cat with a professional before changing their food.

Another treatment is to get your cat active and exercising. It is very important to make sure that your cat is getting plenty of play time. Just putting toys out is often not enough. Interactive play is crucial. One of the first things that you can do is to figure out what kinds of toys get your cat ready and meowing to play! If your cat is excited about the toy, it is easier to get them to play. Read our tips on entertaining an indoor cat here to learn how you can get your cat active and playful.

It is important to remember that although fat cats may look cute and cuddly, they are at a greater risk of severe aliments. Managing your cat’s weight should be taken seriously and should be done with the advice of a veterinary throughout the process.

References
Obesity in Cats and How to Put a Cat on a Diet. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.petmd.com/cat/nutrition/evr_ct_obesity_in_cats_and_what_to_do_about_an_overweight_cat
Obesity. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www2.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/obesity
Obesity in Cats. Retrieved from http://www.vetstreet.com/care/obesity-in-cats

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  • Home
    • About >
      • Mission
      • Our Team
      • Board of Directors
      • Financial Information
      • Email Sign-up
    • ACR in the Press
    • ACR Publications >
      • Newsletters
      • Blog
      • Press Releases
      • National Surveys
    • Adoptions >
      • Cats available for adoption
      • New Cat Checklist
      • Introducing A New Cat
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Contact Us
    • Partners
  • Action Alerts
    • Spay Neuter Pledge
    • No Declaw Pledge
    • Campaigns >
      • The Feral Fix
      • Working Cats Program >
        • Shelters with Working Cat Programs
      • End Deadly Eradication Methods
      • "Fix the Family"
  • Spay/Neuter
    • Early Age Spay/Neuter
    • Misconceptions About Spay/Neuter
    • State Low Cost Spay/Neuter
  • How to Help Community Cats
    • Find a Stray Cat?
    • What is a Feral Cat? >
      • Feral vs. Stray Cats
      • Benefits of Feral Cats
    • TNR-- What does this mean? >
      • TNR Statistics
      • TNR Step-by-Step
      • Targeted Trapping
      • TNR Tips
      • Hard to Catch Cats
      • TNR Equipment Loan Resources
      • TNR/Community Cat Care Financial Resources
      • Where to Buy TNR Equipment
      • Helping Shelters Implement TNR Programs
      • Common Complaints
    • Providing Shelter
    • CAT Action Teams: TNR Groups by State
    • Health Care
    • Cat Overpopulation
    • Relocation
    • Feral Kittens >
      • What to do if you find kittens
      • Stages of Kitten Development
      • Orphaned Kittens
      • Socializing Feral Kittens
      • Fostering Kittens
    • How Rescuers Can Effectively Adopt Out Cats >
      • Adopting Adult Feral Cats
    • Winter Tips for Protecting Cats
    • Summer Tips for Cats
    • Feral Cats and the Law
    • Cats and Wildlife >
      • Cats and Predation
      • Where have all the birds gone?
      • Debunking the Myths and Misinformation: Cat Predation
      • Why Eradication Methods Fail
    • Handbook Download
  • Cat Health
    • Health Care for Your Cat >
      • Vaccines
      • Wellness Vet Checkups
      • Microchiping
      • Nail Trimmings
      • Effects of aging
      • Hospice Care and Euthanasia Decisions
      • Financial Assistance
      • Cat Supplies
      • How to Prepare for an Emergency
      • Pet Food Banks
    • FIP, FeLV, FIV >
      • Testing for FeLV/FIV
    • Common Cat Health Issues >
      • Feline Panleukopenia
      • Fleas
      • Zoonotic Diseases
      • Rabies
      • Toxoplasmosis
      • Ringworm - Symptoms and Treatment
      • Ringworm Myths Debunked
      • Obesity in Cats
      • Diabetes
      • Indoor/Outdoor Cats
    • Cats & Claws
    • Animal Cruelty Against Cats
    • Hazardous Poisons
    • Poisonous Plants
    • Pet Disaster Preparedness
    • COVID-19 Pet Food Banks
    • Cats and COVID-19
  • Cat Behavior
    • Solutions to Prevent Surrendering your cat
    • Common Cat Behavior Issues >
      • Scratching and Destructive Behavior
      • Aggressive Cats >
        • Cat on Cat Aggression
      • Litter Box Problems
      • Meowing and Yowling
      • Urine Marking
      • Behavior Issues in Elderly Cats
    • Introducing Cats
    • Cat Enrichment
    • Tips for Entertaining an Indoor Cat
    • Cat Supply Resources
    • Lost Cat
  • African Wildcats
    • AWC Conservation Projects
    • Press Release on African Wildcat Campaign
    • Differences between AWCs and domestic cats
  • Donate
  • Store