Our January newsletter focused on issues of canine weight and fitness. This
month, we’ll concentrate on our
cats.
As with dogs, if you think your cat is overweight, it’s best to have a vet
‘weigh in’ and rule out a thyroid or other metabolic disorders.
And, since there are so many different diets, and beyond the scope of this
newsletter, we recommend that you seek professional advice and research to
customize a diet for your individual pet.
The largest domestic cat recorded was a Tabby from
Remember, our pets are completely dependant on us for monitoring and
regulating what they eat. We, not our pets, must choose the best diet.
Because they are not out getting their natural exercise by hunting, indoor
cats are most at risk of becoming overweight. But, since it’s important to keep
them (along with birds and other prey) safe by keeping them inside, it is
doubly important to offer a fitness program.
Following are some of the reasons it’s crucial to encourage our feline
friends to do more than stretch!
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Feline obesity has become very common and puts a cat at risk for
Diabetes, Kidney Disease and Arthritis.
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Since weight loss in cats should be done gradually
(to avoid Hepatic Lipidosis), never put yours ‘on a
diet’ before a check-up and advice from your Vet.
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Though popular, ‘Free Choice’ feeding (keeping
a food bowl available at all times) is not good for your cat and is a
great contributor to feline obesity. Better to offer two to four small servings
each day. (Be sure to always have plenty of fresh water available.)
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However, unlike with dogs, depriving cats of food, or ‘fasting’ for an
extended length of time is potentially dangerous to your cat.
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Cats are ‘obligate’ carnivores and need to eat a meat-based diet. Most
dry foods contain flour and sugar to keep the pellets from falling apart.
Unlike other mammals, cats do not have an enzyme, called Amylase, present in
their saliva to help digest carbohydrates.
It’s much easier to exercise a dog than a cat, and
planning and implementing a feline fitness program for an indoor cat is indeed
challenging. But, it’s not impossible, especially if you’re willing to be a bit
‘eccentric’ (your cat, probably, already is!). It is possible to get a harness
and leash for your cat to accompany you on walks, and, though not something
normally seen in parks or on sidewalks, that could
change if some bold owners will introduce the practice to the general public!
v One
of the best ways to encourage exercise is to provide a playmate for your kitten
so that they can romp and grow up together.
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Some cats love to play fetch. If your kitten
shows a propensity for fetching toys, be sure to encourage the behavior into
adulthood by being an active playmate. You can buy toys (‘mice’ with cat-nip as
an ingredient, for example) or throw rolled up pieces of paper on top of a
cabinet; cats love to jump to pursue their ‘prey’ and this will help them tone
those muscles.
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Be sure to have a scratching post available
(de-clawing a cat is not recommended). Scratching is natural,
instinctive, and helps your cat exercise her paws.
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Don’t keep your cats too confined. Give them
plenty of room to roam.
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Provide plenty of safe climbing in the form of ‘trees’, Kitty Gyms and
furniture.
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Ever notice that your cat is especially active
in the early morning and evening? This is because they are ‘Crepuscular ‘ creatures and respond to the lower lights of dusk and
dawn, when, if they were in the wild, they would be hunting at the times their
prey is most active. Since your cat is following his natural and instinctive
behavior, provide him with some ‘game’ to ‘stalk’ and catch; perhaps a toy
attached to a string.
Your Cat: Simple New Secrets to a Longer, Stronger Life, is a highly
recommended book by Elizabeth M. Hodgkins, DVM that
addresses nutrition.
Written by Rebecca Nilson-Owens