Nowadays even our pets are subject to diseases of civilization. Obesity is no good for them as well as for people. Do you know how to tell if your cat is obese and what are its causes and consequences?
Nowadays even our pets are subject to diseases of civilization. Obesity is no good for them as well as for people. Do you know how to tell if your cat is obese and what are its causes and consequences?
While in the past cats spend a great deal of energy to hunting, today they (especially those in flats) live in a very limited area and the majority of them have an unrestricted and all-day-long access to food. And this limited exercising together with excessive intake of calories (caused not only by overeating but by inappropriate type feeding) is the most frequent cause of obesity.
The castration also “helps” to get obese. This is because it changes animal’s metabolism. With growing age, there is also bigger need of quality proteins. So when the choice of the cat’s food is wrong, it can get obese even though it has not enough of such proteins.
Obesity presents health risks
Obese animals generally have a shorter life and and being a relatively bit overweight may increase the risk of serious diseases such as diabetes, diseases of joints and bones, diseases of the heart, liver or lung diseases and urinary tract diseases. Obesity also increases risks associated with anaesthesia and can complicate surgical procedures. Cats which are overweight are also lazier and thus do not support the activity of the intestines and this is bad for their digestion.
How to prevent obesity in cats
Do not choose poor-quality food. When choosing it you should also take the condition of the cat into account – whether it is castrated, how old and active it is and the like. Many producers already categorize cat food according to those criteria so it is no longer a problem.
Each cat should also have enough opportunities to burn its energy. A scratching tree can be good for this purpose or other form of activities, perhaps another cat buddy with which they can chase each other or encourage for playing. Some cats, like my own, are good alone but others need to be initiated to play.
How to fight obesity – lifestyle changes
If you think that your cat is suffering from obesity, consult it with a vet. He may decide that the condition of your cat is so serious that it needs a special health diet. Otherwise he/she can advise what food (it is usually marked as light) you should give your cat and how much. He/she may recommend the purchase of interactive feeders or functional toys.
Obese cat should also not have a permanent access to food. It should get the access to a bowl with food three times a day for fifteen minutes for example. The natural thing to do should be to avoid any treats and leftovers of human food. Try to initiate her physical activity as well.
Have your pet cat already had a problem with being overweight? Have you to solved it? Fortunately, my cat is so active that she could even handle the transition from the outside to the inside. Although she does not have access to the outside as she had in the past, she always runs as crazy at home, chases the dog and often even us so she did not suffer from any change in her weight. :)
Choosing the right dog food is a beginning and the end of caring for your pet dog. We, as dog lovers, also know that quality dog food is not only positive for the health but also for the overall well-being of the animal. When choosing the dog food,...
Do you have any favourite books you would recommend your friends to read? Are any books about pets among those? Today, I will share with you the names of six books about dogs any animal lover shouldn’t miss in my opinion.
Who didn’t want an animal companion as a child? Keeping pets can be valuable experience for children. An animal companion also brings a lot of joy to the household. But taking care of a pet also brings many duties and responsibility. How to choose...
“You look so sad, you’re definitely hungry, here you are.” This is the sentence I often hear when my dog shows one of its dog faces. And he deserves “little something to eat” doing it before I even manage to do anything against that. To feed a dog...
Do you like travelling? And do you like travelling by plane? You don’t have to leave your dog or cat at home during your holidays. Some airlines allow small pets on the board if they are in a crate. What other conditions you have to meet?
We, as cat lovers, can’t get enough of cats and that’s why we also like to read books about them. Look at some of them you shouldn’t really miss.
Miniature dog breeds have specific requirements for nutrition and care in general. Their physical development is much faster. Besides from their subtle composition of body and jaws, it is therefore also necessary to take into account their fast...
It would probably entirely unnecessary to describe the appearance of the German Shepherd. Probably everyone, even non-dog-lovers, have seen the German series Inspector Rex.
Getting a cat doesn’t mean only buying a cat toilet, bowls, a bed and a couple of toys. You also have to realise that the animal will also need certain care and count with this already before getting it. Each breed has its own specifics. While some are...
The Persian longhairs have most likely descended from the Turkish Angoras, were bred in England at the end of the 19th century. Since then, they have undergone great changes, and today they have a much more compact body in comparison to the original...
The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog is a dog, with which you will definitely won’t get bored. The owners say that it’s often a great adventure with them. They are mesmerising animals and they definitely can’t deny their wolf ancestors. What is typical for all...
Do you take your dog or cat regularly on trips and holidays across the Czech Republic? Is travelling with your dog or cat fun for you and not a horror? Have you got a destination in mind, where you’d like to stay for longer or you’re even planning a...
