It has been estimated that 25-40% of the feline population is overweight. Is a fat cat a happy cat? Maybe. Is a fat cat a healthy cat? Probably not. Obesity is associated with a wide range of serious diseases that can reduce health, happiness and longevity. Diabetes mellitus, respiratory and cardiovascular disease, FLUTD(feline lower urinary tract disease), arthritis, hepatic lipidosis, impaired immune response, poor hygiene, anesthesia, and surgery are just some of the disease conditions or medical challenges that are associated with, or complicated by, obesity. A recent report found a 2.8 fold increase in mortality in obese middle-aged (8-12 yr.) cats compared to optimum weight cats.
Diabetes mellitus is a common disease in middle-age to older overweight cats. It is very similar to non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus seen in overweight humans.
Hepatic lipidosis is a potentially fatal disease which often affects the obese or formerly obese cat following a brief period of anorexia (lack of food intake) or inadequate food consumption.
On a daily basis, cosmetics and hygiene may be the most noticeable obesity related problems. An obese cat is unable to properly groom. Often the rear portion of the body is inaccessible. This leads to urine and fecal staining, skin irritation, dull scaly haircoat and matting.
Obesity is the most common disease in cats. Unlike most diseases, we know the cause. It is simple. Caloric intake is greater than caloric expenditure and the balance of excess energy is stored as FAT! If 2% more calories are consumed than the number burned, the cat will become 25% overweight in just three years! If the cause of obesity is so simple, why do humans and their pets find it so difficult to lose weight and keep it off?
Why we fail------
1. Animals and people seem to have an innate set point for body weight and body fat. All fat cells that the body will have will be acquired prior to maturity Therefore, the number of fat cells remain the same; they just get smaller or larger. During caloric restriction the body defends its fat stores by decreasing the energy used (i.e., the metabolic rate) and increasing hunger. If weight loss is too rapid, the metabolic rate will decrease too much. This allows for a rapid regain of weight once caloric intake is increased. This is called the rebound effect.
2. Noncompliance is another common cause for failure. The cat is striving to maintain its set point. Owner compliance is often due to social/psychological factors important to a particular human-pet bond and the obnoxious behavior of a hungry cat.
3. Inaccurate estimation of ideal body weight also leads to failure. If this is overestimated, calorie intake will not be reduced enough to allow weight loss.
4. Inaccurate estimation of energy requirement. Each cat will have a different calorie need. Feeding too much will negatively influence enthusiasm and compliance of the owner.
How to succeed----
1. Since the body will defend its set point, caloric reductions must be maintained for extended periods. Excessive restriction must be avoided to prevent severe depression of the metabolic rate and the future regaining of weight. The cat should not lose more than 1% of its body weight per week. This would be equivalent to a weight loss of 1-2 ounces per week in most cats. It is easy to become discouraged because it is difficult to immediately see results. Exercise is important to keep the metabolic rate elevated. We all know that most cats will naturally conserve energy! Encourage the cat to play with toys, follow you up and down steps (or carry him one direction so he will have to return to his preferred level of the house), feed him on a different level, etc. A little exercise is better than none! Recent studies have shown that the metabolic rate is elevated by eating. Digestion of proteins and carbohydrates increase the metabolic rate and consume energy. Fat digestion does not. Therefore, it may be of value to feed small multiple meals to continually increase energy usage.
2. Compliance can be enhanced by feeding a food high in fiber. This will allow a larger volume to be eaten. More over, feeding small frequent meals will hopefully make the cat think he is eating more. The cat should be fed when the owner is present. If a cat eats his daily allotment while the owner is at work, almost everyone will give in and give him more food if he is insistent enough! If treats or human food are a must, this has to be calculated into the total daily intake. This helps to preserve the human-pet bond. Begging at mealtime can be eliminated by confining the cat in another room.
3. Every effort should be made to estimate an accurate ideal weight and body condition to allow for caloric restriction. This should be reevaluated monthly.
4. Accurate estimation of energy requirement is a must. The caloric intake will have to be modified monthly to insure adequate weight loss.
5. Successful weight management requires a lifelong commitment.
Kingstowne Cat Clinic's Kitty Calorie Counters Plan
1. A physical exam and history are needed to identify any medical problems or special dietary needs.
2. Evaluation of factors that contributed to obesity -, i.e., current feeding habits, age, activity level, etc. You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire.
3. Starting weight and determination of body condition score will be determined.
4. A goal weight will be established. This weight may change as weight loss continues.
5. A diet plan will be formulated. This will be based on the current maintenance energy requirement. We may ask you to calculate the number of calories consumed each 24 hours for 5-7 days. This will help determine the current maintenance energy requirement.
6. If a diet change is needed, the new diet should be gradually introduced over 1-2 weeks.
7. Monthly weigh-ins, adjustment of calorie intake, and additional recommendations will be made.
8. Half-weigh there ribbons will be awarded.
9. A certificate of completion will be awarded when the goal weight is attained.
10. Guidance to avoid rebound weight gain will be given. An evaluation should take place every 3-6 months
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HELPFUL HINTS
1. A weight loss program is not for everyone. Only you and your family know if you are committed. If all household members are not committed, failure is likely.
2. Multiple cat households can be a nightmare! Some possibilities include:
A. Feed each cat separately and pick up uneaten food.
B. Pick up uneaten food after 5-10 minutes.
C. Feed thinner cats up on a counter or other furniture that the overweight cat cannot reach.
D. Offer the thinner cat additional food such as a favorite canned food that he will eat immediately.
Share your suggestions with us.
3. Including canned pumpkin or vegetables are often an effective way to satisfy the hungry cat.
4. Be creative in increasing the cat’s activity level. Share effective techniques with us and others. Experiment with different toys such as the ‘fishing pole" toys, fake mice, wind up toys, laser pointers, etc.
5. Try not to get discouraged. It may take several months to see results. Realistically, in an obese cat it may take a year to reach the ideal weight.
6. Prevention of obesity is easier than weight loss. Use these same principles to prevent other household cats from becoming overweight.
7. Unfortunately, we may have to consider the program a success in certain individuals and situations if we stop any future weight gain.
8. Remember - Hepatic lipidosis (accumulation of fat in the liver) is a serious and often fatal disease of overweight cats that are not eating or not consuming enough calories. Therefore, it is vital that the cat eat the new diet. If not, the old food must be supplied, then a new diet food can be tried.
Kingstowne Cat Clinic.
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