Cat NUTRITION

Twenty-five percent of cats seen by veterinarians in North America are overweight or obese. Obesity is the most common nutritional disorder of companion animals in the western world. The prevalence of obesity increases after a cat is two years of age and is an even larger problem in middle-aged cats. It can predispose cats to diabetes mellitis, skin problems, arthritis and hepatic lipidosis. In addition, obesity is a known cause of
cardio-respiratory problems, increased anesthetic risk and subtle immune deficiencies. The prevention of obesity in felines is extremely important, as they adapt more quickly to a lower caloric intake making weight loss
more difficult. This being said, the question now arises; how does the caring owner prevent their cat from becoming obese?

CALORIES IN, CALORIES OUT
To prevent obesity, a cat’s caloric intake must equal their body’s caloric requirement. This can be achieved by limiting calories the and providing a
stimulating, active environment full of activity.

Cats can be stimulated and have their activity increased by routine playtimes. Three minutes of playtime several times daily is more beneficial than one long playtime as cats have bursts of energy between sleep times. By feeding cats small amounts of food in a variety of places, in a
variety of rooms, you can simulate the hunting for food that the cat would experience if it were in the wild, which in turn incorporates more active behaviour.

Cats generally require 40 to 50 kcal/kg/day to maintain an ideal weight. The amount of food fed to meet the cats caloric needs should be measured accurately. Ten pieces of an average formulation kibble a day above a cat’s energy needs can result in weight gain of one pound of body fat per year. Caloric content of treats used in training and play must be included in the total measurement of daily ration. Remember, cats have the ability to convince us they have not been fed, so it is best if one person in the household is in charge of feeding to prevent overfeeding.

MOUSE UNDER GLASS?
It is important to understand the feline metabolism in order to prevent obesity. Cats are carnivores; their diet needs to be high in protein and fat as they do not use carbohydrates efficiently. They have small stomachs and short intestines, making numerous small meals a day ideal. A normal diet for a cat in the wild would be small prey. Mice are rich in protein and fat. Nine to ten mice would be an adequate diet for a 6kg cat. Commercial dry cat food was produced to make it easy for the consumer
rather than being ideal for the cat and is high in carbohydrate. By no means are we suggesting that you feed your cat mice in order to prevent obesity; however, it does put into perspective how inappropriate it is to fill a bowl of manufactured dry food and consider the cat “fed”.

CANNED GOODIES
A common misconception with regard to cat nutrition is that canned cat food is fattening and will result in dental disease. In fact, canned cat food is low in carbohydrate and higher in protein and fat, thus making it an ideal food for the cat’s metabolism. In addition, it is has a high water content, making it lower in calories. The increased amount of water also beneficial as it creates a more dilute urine, benefiting the cat’s kidneys and bladder.

Although some cats will undoubtedly chew dry cat food, many cats swallow it whole, making it no better for dental disease prevention than canned cat food.

CHANGE OF LIFE
Although neutering or spaying increases the lifespan of an animal, the daily energy requirement decrease 25 to 30 percent within a couple months of surgery, even if the animal is still growing. In most cases the amount of food fed to the cat will need to be adjusted after surgery. Ask your
veterinarian about your cat's dietary needs.

A stimulated cat with a normal body weight is a happy, healthy feline companion.

A weight-management diet might be needed once a kitten no longer requires kitten food for growth (approximately eight months of age). As all nutrients are decreased when the cat is fed less of a balanced diet, it would be better to feed a weight-control diet than less food of a maintenance diet if the cat is showing early signs of weight gain. Cats should be seen by a veterinarian annually for a wellness check up, body fat score and weight measurement, in order to monitor their weight and body condition.

A stimulated cat with a normal body weight is a happy, healthy feline companion.