Q:We have lots of fat cats in our extended family. We’d really like to keep our new kitten from becoming jumbo-sized as she gets older. Any tips?
A: Pets gain weight for the same reasons we do — too much (and the wrong kinds) of food and too little exercise.
But we humans decide what and how much our pets eat, and how much exercise they get. Sadly, behind every chunky kitty and pudgy pooch is a human enabler. We often equate food with love, but well-meaning animal lovers may be killing their pets with kindness.
We estimate more than 50 percent of pet cats are overweight, running an increased risk of serious illnesses, including osteoarthritis, diabetes, liver disease, respiratory problems and nonallergic skin conditions. The first step for overweight cats is a thorough exam to check for any physical or metabolic dysfunctions. If we don’t find any, then we can prescribe a gradual weight-loss program. Always consult your veterinarian first before any attempt to slim down an overweight pet.
So, what can you do help a chunky cat lose weight — and keep a kitten from super-sizing in the first place?
Obviously, diet plays a huge part. We humans need to pay attention to food amounts and content. While commercial foods can be fine, they’re not all created equal. Human and canine omnivores naturally eat a variety of foods. But cats, as true carnivores, require a meat-based diet, ideally with a high protein level (35 to 45 percent), moderate fat content and low carbohydrate percentage.
Excessive carbohydrates (mainly from grains in commercial foods) are converted into stored fat, leading to weight gain. So check the nutrition label before you buy cat food; skip foods listing grain among the first three ingredients, and look for foods with a meat protein source at the top of the ingredient list.
Instead of “free feeding” — keeping the bowl filled and letting your cat decide when and how much to eat — feed two to four small meals a day. Food manufacturers almost always recommend feeding more than our pets need. For an average seven-pound cat, the website PetMD.com suggests portions about the size of a mouse — no more than one ounce per meal. Since individual needs vary, your vet can help you choose the right food and portion for your cat.
Cut back on treats. And when you do give treats to reward good behaviors, stick to small pieces of cooked chicken or fish (given sparingly!). Commercial treats are often the feline equivalent of human junk food.
Don’t forget about exercise. Less lolling around between meals (for cats and us) makes it easier to maintain a healthy weight. Should you take your cat for a walk? Most cat owners don’t, although many cats (especially if they start as kittens) can get accustomed to a harness and leash. Even if they do more sniffing and exploring than brisk walking, a leashed walk provides cats with a little exercise, a change of routine and mental stimulation.
The website Everydayhealth.com offers several suggestions worth trying. Multitiered “cat towers” give cats a place to play and climb. Susan Nelson, assistant professor of clinical sciences at Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, suggests placing small treats in different parts of the tower to encourage exploration of all levels.
Provide interactive toys cats can play with alone or with you — a ball of yarn, pingpong balls, “spinner” toys that encourage cats to bat a ball around a track, and wand-type toys with feathers or other enticing objects hanging from the end. There are a wide variety of toys that dispense treats when they’re batted around, as well as maze and puzzle toys that force a cat to work to find hidden treats.
Even chasing a laser-pointer beam will keep most cats busy for quite awhile, but to avoid frustration over the ever-elusive light beam, Jean Hofve, a veterinarian and former editor in chief of the Journal of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, suggests following a round of laser-chasing with a real toy the cat can actually catch.
Put a pingpong ball inside a bathtub or large cardboard box “rink” and let your cat play “hockey” by chasing the ball around. Think about adopting a playmate — some experts think older sedentary cats are more likely to play with a younger companion.
With some care and creativity on the part of us humans, there are plenty of ways to keep our feline companions trim and healthy.