Cat obesity is a very serious problem.
Most cat owners do not even realize their cats are obese.
We will look into some of the common reasons cats become obese and what to do if your cat is obese.
Since there are many different breeds of cats you need to know the so called ideal weight for your particular breed.
A full grown Siamese cats ideal body weight is much less than a larger breed cat like a Main Coon.
There can be a very large variation from very small breed cat to a very large breed cat.
If you are unsure just ask your vet.
So weighing your cat is the first thing you should do to determine obesity.
The next thing you can do is to feel the cats ribs, a small amount of fat covering the ribs is normal, but you should be able to count the ribs by just running your hand down the side of the cat.
You will need to apply gentle pressure to accomplish this.
If you cannot count the ribs it is probably a good sign your cat is at least overweight.
The third thing is to look at the cats waist, the area behind the ribs.
This should tuck in slightly if your cat is of normal weight.
This will be harder to see on a cat with long hair, so you may need to wet the cat down to be able to see their waist.
The fur can also give the illusion that a cat is much heavier.
A little bit of loose hanging skin is normal, some people believe if they have any skin hanging down the cat must be obese.
If you pay attention to all cats you will see some variation of this hanging skin.
However if it is a large amount, almost dragging on the floor, this is a definite sign your cat is obese.
If you do determine that your cat is obese, this is a very serious, dangerous situation.
Obese cats can suffer from Diabetes, FLS which is a type of Liver Disease, Arthritis,, bone problems, urinary problems, Lung or breathing issues, Renal Disease and if your cat were ever need surgery the would be at an increased risk for anesthesia problems.
As you can see this is a disorder that has to be addressed if you want your cat to live a long problem free life.
Most likely the biggest culprit is leaving food out for them at all times and letting them eat at will.
You need to stop this immediately.
Feed your cat 3-4 small meals a day.
This is especially important if your cat is spade or neutered as they use less calories and just lay around.
But be sure they have access to water at all times.
If they have access to food at all times not only do they eat too much but they do not drink enough water.
The other thing you need to do is play with the cat, get him off the furniture so he can use up some of the calories.
Cats need to exercise just as much as dogs.
You should also discontinue cat treats except for the treats that you use to clean your cats teeth.
Even these treats can be cut down to once a week.
If you follow these tips you should be able to get your cats weight down within a few months.
Always check with your vet before you start any diet regimen and make sure there is no underlying disorder which is causing your cat to overeat or be obese.
Most cat owners do not even realize their cats are obese.
We will look into some of the common reasons cats become obese and what to do if your cat is obese.
Since there are many different breeds of cats you need to know the so called ideal weight for your particular breed.
A full grown Siamese cats ideal body weight is much less than a larger breed cat like a Main Coon.
There can be a very large variation from very small breed cat to a very large breed cat.
If you are unsure just ask your vet.
So weighing your cat is the first thing you should do to determine obesity.
The next thing you can do is to feel the cats ribs, a small amount of fat covering the ribs is normal, but you should be able to count the ribs by just running your hand down the side of the cat.
You will need to apply gentle pressure to accomplish this.
If you cannot count the ribs it is probably a good sign your cat is at least overweight.
The third thing is to look at the cats waist, the area behind the ribs.
This should tuck in slightly if your cat is of normal weight.
This will be harder to see on a cat with long hair, so you may need to wet the cat down to be able to see their waist.
The fur can also give the illusion that a cat is much heavier.
A little bit of loose hanging skin is normal, some people believe if they have any skin hanging down the cat must be obese.
If you pay attention to all cats you will see some variation of this hanging skin.
However if it is a large amount, almost dragging on the floor, this is a definite sign your cat is obese.
If you do determine that your cat is obese, this is a very serious, dangerous situation.
Obese cats can suffer from Diabetes, FLS which is a type of Liver Disease, Arthritis,, bone problems, urinary problems, Lung or breathing issues, Renal Disease and if your cat were ever need surgery the would be at an increased risk for anesthesia problems.
As you can see this is a disorder that has to be addressed if you want your cat to live a long problem free life.
Most likely the biggest culprit is leaving food out for them at all times and letting them eat at will.
You need to stop this immediately.
Feed your cat 3-4 small meals a day.
This is especially important if your cat is spade or neutered as they use less calories and just lay around.
But be sure they have access to water at all times.
If they have access to food at all times not only do they eat too much but they do not drink enough water.
The other thing you need to do is play with the cat, get him off the furniture so he can use up some of the calories.
Cats need to exercise just as much as dogs.
You should also discontinue cat treats except for the treats that you use to clean your cats teeth.
Even these treats can be cut down to once a week.
If you follow these tips you should be able to get your cats weight down within a few months.
Always check with your vet before you start any diet regimen and make sure there is no underlying disorder which is causing your cat to overeat or be obese.
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