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Fat Cats Miss Out On Having 9 Lives

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By KRISTEN LEVINE, Tribune correspondent

Published: December 8, 2007

Here's the skinny on fat cats. Sure, those round bellies and wiggly walk are cute. But limited activity and a boring indoor environment can lead to a fat, not-so-sassy feline companion.
Feline obesity causes many of the same problems it does in people. Overweight cats are prone to muscular skeletal problems such as joint, ligament and tendon ailments and arthritis. Obesity also affects organs and can result in cardiovascular and breathing problems.

Chubby felines are predisposed to diabetes, which can be fatal or lead to an expensive, insulin routine for the owner. Even skin problems can result if a fat cat can't groom itself properly.

Sadly, a fat cat has a shorter life span and is probably living uncomfortably.

The good news is that it's not that difficult to trim down cats. After all, they can't help themselves to the refrigerator, nor can they operate a can opener. What pets eat is entirely dependent on what we give them. And while some people may shudder at the idea of exercise, our cats can be easily persuaded to get moving.

DIET

First, talk to your veterinarian about your cat's overall health and a plan for slowly trimming him or her down. Quick-loss programs can make your cat sick.

It's important to have your veterinarian determine the appropriate caloric needs of your cat based on age, activity level and health status. Be sure to follow your veterinarian's recommendations (not the pet food manufacturer's) for how much to feed and how often.

When introducing a new diet, be sure to mix it little by little with the current diet, until a complete transition has been made. You'll have to stop leaving a heaping bowl of cat food allowing kitty to free-feed. This practice almost always leads to overeating.

Make mealtime a challenge and appeal to your kitty's instinct to hunt. You can do this by making the food hard to get. Break the daily measured portion into smaller meals, and put these small plates in places that require jumping or climbing to find.

ENVIRONMENT
Keeping cats indoors protects them from the hazards of cars, predators and infectious disease. But indoor life has challenges as well. One of the biggest is obesity.

Find things to stimulate your cat and increase activity. He'll enjoy sunshine, breezes and the ability to watch birds, bugs or other creatures from the safety of an enclosed porch. Outdoor mesh enclosures are another alternative, but cats should be supervised in these and not left in them for too long.

Indoors, offer a variety of window perches in different areas of the home. Different vantage points for kitty will be far more interesting than sitting on the back of your Barcalounger.

Another way to bring the outdoors inside: video catnip! Some cats really enjoy tapes and DVDs that feature video footage of all the things cats love: birds, bugs, fish, etc.

EXERCISE

Be patient; it may take time for your cat to warm up to the idea of playing, but this is a great bonding opportunity. Don't expect the kitty to play alone!

Cats can be finicky about everything, including toys. But here are a few common ones that most cats will play with, given a bit of encouragement:

•Catnip-stuffed toys

•Feather wands

•Cat fishing poles ending in attractive strings or feathers

•Toys that can be dragged along the floor

•Laser pen light for chasing

•Climbing posts or kitty condos (most de-clawed cats climb, too)

You don't need to spend a lot of money to keep your cat busy. Popular household items most cats will play with include:

•Brown paper bags or cardboard box

•Wadded crinkly paper

•Wine cork or plastic milk bottle tops

Playthings that can turn dangerous are string, floss, ribbon, twine, rubber bands or anything that your cat can swallow. Play with stringy things carefully, and put them securely away after the game is over.

With a new year right around the corner, why not consider a resolution for your fat cat? Instead of bonding over food, try grooming and playing.

For more information about curbing feline obesity, go to www.veterinarypartner.com.

Write to pet-lifestyle expert Kristen Levine at Fetching Communications, P.O. Box 222, Tarpon Springs FL 34688; e-mail kristen

@ fetchingcommunications.com; or fax to (727) 934-6451.

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