Kitty Obesity

Cats are known for being easy keepers. Fluffy will spend most of her time eating and sleeping, and she won’t need walks or training. However, while your furry little diva may love her laid-back life, all that lounging around does make it easy for her to gain weight. A Lowell, MI vet discusses kitty obesity in this article.

Dangers

Chubby cats may be cute, but those extra pounds come with some pretty serious health risks. These include heart disease, liver problems, bone/joint issues, kidney trouble, respiratory problems, and even certain cancers. Overweight pets are also more likely to have complications after surgery and/or trouble reproducing, and tend to have shorter lifespans than those who remain at healthy weights.

Fluffy’s Workout Routine

You’ve probably noticed that our feline pals are, in general, rather sleepy. This is cute, but it isn’t great for helping Fluffy stay in shape. You may need to encourage your furry friend to work out. Get her some ‘purrniture’ that encourages her to jump, run, and climb, like a cat tower or kitty exercise wheel. Playing is also great exercise. Take time to play with your pet daily. 

Diet

As you probably guessed, diet is crucially important to Fluffy’s health. Offer your feline overlord a nourishing, high-quality food. You can opt for wet food, kibble, or a mix of both. Just pay attention to the ingredients. You want something that lists meat, fish, or poultry first and most frequently on the label. Avoid things with long lists of unpronounceable chemicals. Serving size is also important. Even giving cats just a few extra calories a day can cause weight gain.

Helping Your Cat Slim Down

Is Fluffy, well, not just fluffy? Talk to your vet before making any adjustments to your feline pal’s diet. Just like people, pets have to lose weight slowly to do so safely. Any sudden drop in caloric intake can wreak havoc on your kitty’s metabolism, making her very sick. 

Checking Fluffy’s Weight

Are you not sure if your furry friend is overweight, underweight, or just right? In many cases, you can tell at a glance, but there’s definitely a grey zone … particularly with super fluffy cats and large breeds, like Maine Coons. Your vet should be the ultimate judge here. 

Do you have questions about your cat’s health or care? Contact us, your local Lowell, MI pet clinic, today!