Obesity

Overweight animals are becoming more and more common. One speaks of overweight when the ribs of the animal are difficult to feel because there is a layer of fat above them. The base of the tail and the other bony prominences are also covered with a layer of fat. From above it is easy to see if the cat is overweight. If the cat's back is wider than usual, it can be assumed that it is overweight.

It is important for the cat to lose weight as being overweight can pose various health risks.

What are the causes of obesity?
The cause of obesity is often a combination of diet and exercise. Cats often get more food than they need in relation to their daily exercise. One cat is much more active than the other, this can be due to certain factors. A cat that is kept indoors is often less active than a cat that also goes outside. In addition, one cat is naturally much more playful than the other, and exposure to other cats can affect a cat's playtime. In addition, the cat's age can also play a role in nutritional needs and amount of exercise.

Another important factor is whether or not the cat is going to be spayed or neutered. After sterilization, cats require less energy because the hormone balance and metabolism change. If they are still fed the same amount of food, they are more likely to gain weight. In addition, other hormonal diseases can also affect the cat's weight.

What are the symptoms and risks of being overweight?
Obesity in cats can lead to various health risks. The consequences can be that the cat is less active and the movement requires more strength. It can cause breathing difficulties and the cat's immune system is weakened. In addition, being overweight increases the risk of developing various disorders or diseases, including the persistence of these disorders or diseases as a result of being overweight. These diseases that can occur include:

• Diabetes

• Nonallergic skin diseases

• Fatty liver

• Cystitis

Being overweight poses a number of risks. The cat's weight overloads the joints and causes problems with the musculoskeletal system. This can lead to osteoarthritis, among other things.

Also, surgery that requires anesthesia carries a higher risk and is more likely to have complications.

When should you go to the vet?
If you suspect the cat is overweight, it is important that you see the vet. The veterinarian can help create a weight loss plan and set a goal weight. Because the cat needs to lose weight responsibly, it's important that you create an action plan to do this. Best in cooperation with a veterinarian.

In addition, the veterinarian can give nutritional advice, draw up a training plan and arrange interim health checks. It is often very difficult to tell if your own cat is losing weight, since you see the animal every day. That's why it's important to have your cat weighed regularly by the vet.

What is the treatment for obesity?
First of all, it is important that you adjust the amount of feed that the animal receives per day. If the animal becomes overweight, it can be concluded that the animal is consuming too much energy. However, these dietary changes should be implemented gradually. It is also important that you no longer give the animal snacks.

It is important that the cat loses weight responsibly. If the cat does not get any food or if it loses weight too quickly, this can lead to fatty liver disease. Due to the sudden changes in energy metabolism, the fat is deposited in the liver. It is important to prevent this as this disease is often fatal.

To treat obesity, the cat's feeding schedule is first adjusted. The daily energy expenditure must be greater than the amount of energy the cat receives. There is special diet food for cats that helps the cat lose weight. These feeds are low in calories, low in fat, high in fiber and adequate in protein. This food is a complete meal for the cat. If you start giving less of the current food, the cat may become nutrient deficient.

In addition, the cat has to move more. There are different types of cat toys. For example, there are fishing rods with attached toys. The cat will want to grab this toy and run after it to keep the cat moving. However, the owner must also do something for this, since the rod has to be moved. Toys are also available that cats can play with individually. You can also decide to take the cat for a walk, there are special cat harnesses for that.

You can also put the croquettes in a food ball. The cat has to roll and move with the ball to get its food out. This keeps the cat moving and therefore consumes energy.

How can obesity be prevented?
It is important that the cat gets enough food, but it should not be too much. If you have any doubts about the amount, you can ask the veterinarian or another expert for advice. It is also advisable to divide the food into three to four meals a day so that the cat does not get hungry during the day.

In addition, it is important that you stop giving the cat snacks. However, if you decide to give the cat a snack, it should only consist of the diet food that the cat is already eating.

This text was translated by a translation machine