Pet Obesity Awareness Day is coming up October 9th. Many of our feline patients are obese or overweight. Of course, Fluffy doesn’t know about the health risks those extra pounds cause, and telling her probably won’t do much good. It’s up to you to monitor your pet’s weight, and prevent her from becoming obese. A Marietta, GA vet discusses kitty obesity in this article.
Proper Portion Sizes
It’s very easy to overfeed Fluffy, especially if she’s sitting in front of her bowl meowing at you as though she’s starving. If your furball is becoming a butterball, that plaintive mew could be a lie! Even giving your cat a few calories too many each day can make her gain weight. Ask your vet for advice on serving sizes, and let those recommendations, not your pet’s theatrics, guide you.
Good Food
Offer your furry pal a high-quality food. Many lower-quality brands contain a lot of fillers, like wheat and corn, which are high in carbs and/or sugars and really aren’t great for cats. Get into the habit of reading labels, and choose products that contain mostly meat, fish, or poultry.
Kitty Playtime
Keeping Fluffy active will also help keep her from gaining weight. Spend a few minutes a day holding a laser pointer or wand toy for your furball to chase.
Provide Purrniture
Make your home fun, exciting, and comfortable for your feline friend by offering her pieces of furniture that encourages her to jump and climb. Cat towers and kitty activity centers are great for this!
Healthy Treats
There’s nothing wrong with giving your kitty a special snack. However, be careful not to overindulge her. Treats should only make up about 5 percent of Fluffy’s daily caloric intake. Also, be sure to choose healthy treats. Plain, cooked chicken or fish with the bones, skin, and fat removed is fine.
Helping Fluffy Lose Weight
Has your feline pal been getting round? If you aren’t sure why Fluffy is gaining weight, have your vet examine her to rule out potential medical issues. If your kitty does need to lose weight, she’ll need to do so slowly. Crash diets are very bad for Fluffy’s metabolism, and can make her quite sick! Ask your vet for specific advice.
Please contact us, your Marietta, GA vet clinic, for all your pet’s veterinary care needs. We’re here to help!
