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Fat Cats Are Cuddly But At Risk For Heart Disease

If you love cats, sharing makes us purrrr :-)

fat cats Obese shelter cat-cat love month

Cats are cuddly but fat cats are at risk for heart disease. We’re sharing updated data. In 2011, about 50% of cats were obese. The latest study from Pet Obsesity Prevention reveal cats are getting fatter, a whopping 58% regardless of age.

October is National Pet Obesity Awareness Month.

Our reluctant model is Merlin from his obese period during midlife.

cat wisdom 101- merlin- fat cats

It’s rare for Siamese cats to be gargantuan and Merlin is large for his breed, usually a muscular 15 lbs. A few years ago, he porked out from a cat food with a high content of fat and too many treats. We’ve all seen photos online of obese cats looking cute but obesity is no laughing matter.

  • Older cats often gain weight more easily and the combination of age plus obesity is a major health risk.
  • What considered too fat? A cat who weighs 20% more than their breed standard. If you look down on a cat, usually there should be an hourglass shape like this. Merlin will always have the droopy poochie but he’s slim again. (Please note, be suspicious of rapid weight loss. It could indicate a illness or disease, the common being kidney disease. In fact, in this pic, Merlin was about to be diagnosed with kidney disease.

hourglass shape-slim cats- cat wisdom 101

Let your vet decide if your cat is fat.

  • Added weight puts a strain on joints and bones increasing risk for arthritis.
  • The lack of mobility from being obese makes grooming more difficult and a cat less inclined to play.
  • Fat cats are at risk for diseases like feline lower urinary tract disease and
  • hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease) and the same health risks as humans: including diabetes it’s National Diabetes Awareness Month ,
  • cancer, heart and respiratory diseases. Consult with a vet before you make any dietary changes.

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Light or senior cat food usually isn’t as tasty because of the lower fat content but keeping a fat cat trim is in their best interest. Stay away from high carb food. Cats or humans don’t need carbs. Think how you’d look if you only ate pasta, donuts and fries. The feline equivalent is dry kibble.

Older cats are more sedentary, napping more and exercising less. Merlin can’t see well and is no longer able to play games, watch birds or hunt. It’s important to keep him mentally stimulated and physically moving, so we go for walks. The fresh air and earthy smells always perks him up. Encouraging walking up and down stairs is also good exercise. It’s good place to plays games like follow the ribbon snake or catch the Neko fly.

For cats who aren’t seeing impaired, it’s all the more reason for engaged active play twice a day. It’s good for both of you. It’s no surprise that the obesity stats mirror the ones for American humans. A country of couch potatoes breeds fat adults, children and pets. Fat isn’t funny. Fat isn’t cool. Let’s get off our butts and get healthy like Odin.

Fat Cats Get Fit with odin-funny cat

 

cat stretch-exercise fun-catwisdom101

11 Comments

  • Abby

    WE all know you are so right. Mom just has a hard time telling me “NO” when I ask for my treats. (plus the fact I will nip her if she doesn’t give them to me)

    :::hehehehe::::
    purrs
    >^,,^<
    ♥Abby♥Boo♥Ping♥Jinx♥Grace♥

    • boomermuse

      Abby, you are a naughty kitty!
      @Brian, that’s a good point about steroids.
      @Esme, that’s an interesting question for our vet to cover in the Q & A.
      @Fuzzy Tales, indeed!
      @Caren, good point about bone structure.

  • Esme

    Poor Merlin, my female is asthmatic and went she initially was placed on steroids starting gaining weight-she is now on an inhaler-and the weight came off-I am very diligent about measuring their food as I do not want to strain her lungs. We recently moved into a larger home with long hallways so all their running helps.

  • Fuzzy Tales

    Personally, I think all this grain-filled kibble is the cause of a lot of things, not just obesity.

    Derry is about 2 pounds overweight, though he might have lost a bit, since I’ve cut their kibble back to only 1/8 cup a day. He’s got a short, compact body that tends to plumpness–like me. Nicki is the long, willowy type–lucky cat. LOL.

  • caren gittleman

    an important post and loved the mix of humor the “seafood diet” quote is one of my faves.

    My Bobo was a big boned cat when he was alive but never fat. Cody is much smaller boned and smaller in stature (he carries his “droopy poochy” as well lol) but he outweighs Bobo. I am constantly watching his portions and he eats rabbit (due to allergies).

    He is lazier by nature as well and he is only 4 years old!

  • Pam Kimmell

    Odin is the perfect fitness trainer! Sam gets his exercise on our stairs and I love getting his toys out to play with him to keep him on the move. Napping IS his favorite activity now that he’s almost 12 but at least he’s not overweight (so says his vet).

    Pam (with Sam)

  • Carolyn

    That’s interesting, the hour glass test! lol Poor Merlin.

    Now winter’s coming on the cats get their lovely thick winter coat, so they look fatter anyway. Austin was never very big, he’s about 10-12 lbs at the most, but I’ve noticed his little belly is not so little these days. Middle age starting to creep up?

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