Amongst the most serious cat health careproblems in the UK is obesity. There are more obese pet cats than ever before and the result is that serious cat health care problems are becoming more prevalent. Sadly, obesity amongst cats can be regarded as a vicious circle: an obese cat is significantly less likely to be physically active, meaning that they are more likely to remain obese.
Diagnosing this particular cat health care problem is not difficult at all: it is clear to see just from looking at the cat. A cat which is a healthy weight will have an obvious waist just in front of its hind legs when viewed from above and, if it is a short hair cat with a thin coat, you should be able to feel but not see the cat’s ribs.
The vet will confirm the cat is obese by weighing him or her and will then offer advice on how to get the cat to lose weight. If left to remain overweight, cats can go on to suffer various cat health care problems including, arthritis, difficulty breathing, heart problems and diabetes. Ultimately, obesity may kill the cat.
Lower calorie pet foods are available from vet surgeries and pet shops. It’s important that we remember that any cat treats we give still count towards to overall daily intake of calories for the cat, so meals should be reduced accordingly. Similarly, it is important to remember that titbits and human food leftovers could seriously upset the delicate balance of your pet’s diet. One thing that a lot of cat owners don’t realise is that their pet is often being fed by well meaning neighbours who see the cat in their garden. It is a good idea to mention the cat health care problem and politely request others do not feed your cat.
It is an important part of an owner’s responsibility for cat health care to ensure that their cat exercises and is physically active, but this is more difficult with cats than it is with dogs. Try and ensure your cat spends some time strolling outside everyday. Indoors you could also try playing with your cat. Getting the cat to chase toys such as balls will keep the weight off.
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