This put up first appeared on iCatCare on the fifth of September 2018 right here

The commonest type of malnutrition in pets within the UK is the overconsumption of energy resulting in weight problems.

It’s estimated that between 39 and 52 per cent of cats within the UK are chubby or overweight.

‘Overweight’ cats are these which are at the least 20 per cent heavier than the optimum weight as a result of extreme fats accumulation.

A cat is ‘chubby’ whether it is 10 to 19 per cent heavier than the optimum weight. Ideally, cats needs to be fed to keep up their optimum body weight. Lengthy-term research have proven that each weight problems and extreme thinness shorten life expectancy.

Evaluation of physique situation

Body weight can be utilized to evaluate whether or not or not a cat has gained or misplaced weight. Nevertheless, dictating a weight which is good is determined by the age and breed of the cat. Subsequently, a scale assessing the physique situation (physique situation rating, BCS) is commonly used.

This scale grades the physique situation of the cat from 1-5, the place a BCS of 1 may be very skinny, 3 is good and 5 is overweight. An overweight cat is one by which the ribs are exhausting to really feel as they’re lined by a thick layer of fats, there’s a average to thick layer of fats overlaying all of the bony prominences, and the cat has a pendulous ‘skirt’ (bulge below the stomach), with no waist.

The chart under is a helpful approach to assess your cat’s physique situation, along with its general muscle situation.

Well being dangers in weight problems

Weight problems will increase the dangers of the event, or the development, of many ailments (see under).

Dangers for growth of weight problems

Weight acquire happens when cats have a ‘optimistic vitality steadiness’ for an prolonged time period, that means they’re taking in additional energy than they’re utilizing. The surplus vitality is saved as fats. In most cases the physique is ready to regulate vitality consumption so it matches vitality use, sustaining the physique situation round its ‘set level’. Nevertheless, sure elements can have an effect on this set level and predispose the cat to weight acquire.

Purebred cats are much less more likely to develop weight problems than moggies. Neutered cats have a tendency to realize weight extra simply than complete animals. When a cat is neutered, the metabolic charge decreases by about 20 per cent so neutered cats require much less meals than intact cats to keep up physique situation. Exercise can contribute markedly to the vitality necessities of a person. Cats with decreased exercise or restricted alternatives for train are at a larger threat of gaining weight than energetic cats. Intact cats generally tend to roam. Neutering reduces the need to roam and the quantity of bodily exercise undertaken by the cat declines.

The age of the cat has additionally been associated to the prevalence of weight problems. Cats below 2 years of age are much less more likely to be chubby, whereas cats between 2 and 10 years require much less vitality and are, due to this fact, extra more likely to be chubby. Senior and geriatric cats (cats of over 10 years of age) are usually underweight.

Feeding a food plan that may be very palatable and vitality dense predisposes cats to overeating and encourages weight problems, particularly if such meals can be found freely or used excessively as ‘treats’. As well as, there are specific drugs that may predispose to weight acquire, both by growing the urge for food or lowering the metabolic charge. Medication generally related to weight acquire embody corticosteroids (corresponding to prednisolone), amytripyline and cyproheptidine.

Remedy of weight problems

It’s harmful for cats to shed extra pounds too shortly as a result of this predisposes them to the event of hepatic lipidosis, a doubtlessly deadly liver illness whereby fats is deposited inside the liver on account of a change in metabolism throughout fasting. A gradual, regular lower in body weight is good; it might take as much as a yr for a severely chubby cat to succeed in its perfect physique situation. A veterinary surgeon can draw up a weight reduction programme that mixes an acceptable feeding and train plan with cautious monitoring. It is rather exhausting to see weight reduction in a cat that you’re in shut contact with each day. Common visits to a veterinary surgeon for weigh-ins can even make sure that weight reduction is just not too fast.

Cats are carnivores and, not like people and canine, they will need to have meat of their food plan to outlive. A cat’s pure food plan consisting of small prey mammals can be excessive in protein and low in carbohydrate. To ensure that cats to shed extra pounds, veterinary diets have been designed that are excessive in protein, low in fats and low in carbohydrate. This helps cats to lose fats while sustaining lean physique mass (ie, muscle).

For recommendation on introducing a brand new food plan click on right here.

Along with an acceptable food plan, cats might be inspired to train both by means of growing play, or by encouraging motion round the home (strolling up and down stairs both through the use of a pet harness or by shifting feeding bowls and so forth).

Puzzle feeders have additionally been discovered to boost bodily and emotional wellbeing. Extra data on puzzle feeders might be discovered right here.

Sustaining optimum situation

As soon as a cat has reached its goal weight, it might be preferable to feed a ‘mild’ or low calorie meals. These diets are designed for the much less energetic feline and don’t include as many energy as the traditional upkeep meals. Whereas it’s exhausting to see weight reduction in a cat that you’re watching daily, it’s equally tough to see the early levels of weight acquire. Common weight checks needs to be continued to make sure that the fats doesn’t begin to creep again on.