Cat obesity is the most common health issue. A cat is deemed obese if it weighs 20% more than its ideal weight and the excess weight is due to fat accumulation. If a cat is 1 to 19% heavier than its optimal body weight, it is called overweight rather than obese. A cat’s weight must be kept within a healthy range to live a long and happy life. Check out https://takecareaboutlittleone.com/ to know more
Identifying Overweight or Obese Cats
There is no universal body weight that applies to all cats. A cat’s weight is determined by its breed, general size, and age. Therefore, seeing a veterinarian select the ideal weight for a given cat is preferable. However, a cat whose ribs are difficult to feel due to a coating of fat covering them is usually overweight or obese, depending on how thick the layer of fat is.
A cat is termed obese if it has a coating of fat that is moderate to thick and covers all of its bony regions. Some obese cats even develop a protrusion under the tummy, known as a “skirt.” The cat is fat if there is no discernible waist, and the back seems broad when viewed from above.
Obesity and Its Effects
When a cat is obese or overweight, it is at risk of developing various health problems, including osteoarthritis aggravation, decreased stamina, diabetes mellitus, Hepatic lipidosis (fat deposited in the liver), joint stress, lower urinary tract disease, and non-allergic skin diseases.
An obese or overweight cat may also experience respiratory difficulties, a decline in immunological function, and trouble giving birth.
Obesity Predeterminants
Some cats are more inclined than others to become overweight or obese. Cats, on the other hand, are typically just like humans. A cat will acquire weight if it consumes more calories than it expends. The extra energy obtained from the calories is stored as fat. Choose the best food for cat weight loss.
However, purebred cats are less likely to grow obese than mixed breeds. Furthermore, neutered cats acquire weight more quickly than unneutered cats, which is expected because unneutered cats have the propensity to roam in quest of a partner. Furthermore, a neutered cat’s metabolic rate drops by roughly 20%. As a result, a neutered cat requires less food to maintain its appropriate body weight.
Cats under the age of two years are less likely to be overweight or obese than cats aged two to 10. This is because cats between these ages use less energy. On the other hand, senior cats, those above the age of ten, tend to be underweight. Furthermore, certain drugs can make a cat more prone to acquire weight, as some produce an increase in appetite while others cause a decrease in metabolic rate. For example, corticosteroids, cyproheptadine, and amitriptyline are some drugs that cause weight increase in cats.
Obesity Treatment for Cats
A cat that is overweight or obese should not lose weight too soon. Rapid weight loss raises a cat’s risk of developing hepatic lipidosis, a deadly liver illness in which fat deposits in the liver. An overweight or obese cat, on the other hand, should reduce weight gradually and slowly. A severely overweight cat can take up to a year to reach its ideal body weight healthily.
To help your cat lose weight, you should speak with a veterinarian who can help you develop a healthy diet plan. The doctor will ensure that your cat continues to receive adequate protein. Because cats are carnivores, removing meat from their diet could be fatal. They require a lot of protein and not a lot of carbohydrates. If you provide a comparable diet to your cat, they can reduce weight without losing lean muscle mass. Select the best dry cat food for weight loss.
An overweight or obese cat should be encouraged to receive plenty of activity to reduce weight. This is especially true for elderly cats with slower metabolisms, neutered cats, indoor cats with little training, and cats on weight-controlling medication. Pet owners can encourage exercise by frequently playing with their cats. In addition, a cat harness can be purchased to move the cat about the home or up and down the stairs for more direct exercise. Feeding bowls can also be transferred to areas that demand more walking, reducing the food an overweight cat receives.
Weight Maintenance
You may wish to purchase special “light” or reduced-calorie food to keep your cat healthy and at an appropriate weight. This food will still taste excellent and keep your cat happy, but it will also help your cat maintain a healthy weight because it is specially designed for cats with slower metabolisms or less active.
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