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. :)
Heroparkour is a great sport for problem dogs. Since a great part of problem behaviour has roots directly in timidity. Such dog is unable to handle more complex situations of ordinary life due to fear. It doesn’t believe non-standard conditions.
The use of dogs in search and rescue (the so-called SAR) is an integral part of natural disasters, mass accidents or, for example, when search for missing people. Do you know, when the first dog rescuers appeared?
Every dog has its individuality and is unique in its own way, so even the period of growing up can differ significantly in every individual. I know dog owners, who didn’t know what to do with puberty excesses of their otherwise loved four-legged...
A handy assistant not only for dog owners, who need to work on training with their dog, but also for sport cynologists who, on the other hand, are refining the discipline called the “track” with their dogs. The original purpose of the long cord with a...
One dog isn’t enough for you and you’re looking for an excuse that will help you vindicate having a whole pack at home? One option is to become a musher - a dog sled racer. For adrenaline lovers, who’d love to ride through the landscape on a sled using...
Of course there are more apps, we chose only the ones for you that intrigued us the most. Have you tried an app or have you got a favourite one that you could recommend to others?
It’s like a rollercoaster ride with outside temperatures this winter, once you’re up and then back down. All the more attention should we pay to the care for our dogs. Since it’s not only us, people, who don’t take well to the changing temperatures.
Unfortunately, in the life of dog owners, even unpleasant situations occur, which aren’t only an intervention in the life of your dog partner, but also affect your wallet. For example, if the dog gets hit by a car or it is otherwise injured and the...
With changes of the temperatures accompanying the autumn, higher demands are put on the organism and thus its immune system. That’s why it’s not unreasonable to start and boost the immunity already now. Remember, that prevention is always better and...
Before we get to winter sports that you can do with your four-legged buddies it’s good to remember the care that you shouldn’t forget about in this period.
If you’re planning to go abroad, even just for a few days, then definitely don’t forget about the animal’s passport. When you’re packing this dog passport, make sure that you check off-hand, that your four-legged friend has all its vaccinations valid....
Kittens, as well as a number of other animal offspring, are born blind. Their eyes open around the tenth day of their life and only after another week, they are fully functional. Even though the sight in a cat belongs among the best-developed senses,...
