Managing Your Cat's Weight
In this Section:
Causes of obesity
Factors contributing to obesity
Important Nutrients
Gradual Weight Loss
Gradual Weight Loss
The goal of a good weight management program should be gradual weight loss. This is especially important in cats, because severe nutrient restriction can result in hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver).
Per week, cats should lose 1 to 1.5% of their initial weight. A good way to begin a weight-loss program in cats is to reduce caloric intake by 30% of their individual maintenance intake, then decrease intake by 10% increments every 2-3 weeks until a 1% weight loss per week is achieved. Cats who do not respond quickly should see their veterinarian for a special weight-loss program.
A good weight management program can lead to successful weight reduction in the obese cat. Complete evaluation by your cat's veterinarian is always recommended. Remember-your help is essential to your cat's success.
Definition of obesity
Obesity is defined as an increase in body weight beyond the limitation of skeletal and physical requirements, resulting from an accumulation of excess body fat.
Causes of obesity
Obesity is caused when caloric intake exceeds caloric expenditure. This simply means that a cat eats more energy (calories) than she uses and stores the excess energy.
Factors contributing to obesity
- Overfeeding
- Inactivity
- Breed
- Age and Sex
- Spay/neuter status
- Diabetes mellitus
- Hyperadrenocorticism
- Hypothyroidism
Important Nutrients
Fat and carbohydrates
Cats use fat as their primary energy source. An overweight cat stores fat more easily if the calories are consumed in the form of fat than if they are from carbohydrates. An overweight or obese cat should be fed a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet to restrict calories available from fat.
Fibre and fatty acids
A normal fibre level, provided in a moderately fermentable fibre source, helps maintain a healthy gut. This is especially important in a weight-reduction regimen. Some weight-loss products for cats dilute calories with high levels of fibre. High-fibre foods may reduce the digestibility and absorption of many nutrients, including fat. These foods reduce weight by providing what would be considered poor-quality nutrition. These high-fibre diets also result in large frequent stools and decreased skin and coat condition. Diets that provide certain essential fatty acids, like those found in vitamin-rich fish oils, help maintain your cat's healthy skin and coat despite lowered fat levels.
