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Yes, Kitty, You Are The Biggest Loser!

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Fat cats may be cute, but they share the same health concerns as their overweight owners. But you can help them

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By KRISTEN LEVINE Tribune correspondent

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 7, 2008

Updated: 11/07/2008 01:11 pm

Here's the skinny on fat cats: The round belly and wiggly-walk may be cute, but your Garfield is likely a not-so-sassy companion.

Obesity causes lots of the same problems for cats as it does in people, including joint, ligament and tendon problems; arthritis; heart and breathing problems; and stress to other organs.

Chubby kitties are predisposed to diabetes, which can be at worst a killer, and at best an expensive treatment regimen for you. Skin problems can result if a cat's just too big to groom itself properly.

Sadly, a fat cat tends to live a shorter life, and a less comfortable one.

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. Although some people might shudder at the idea of exercise, our cats can be convinced to get moving if we implement some clever tactics.

First, talk to your veterinarian about your cat's overall health and a slow trim-down plan. (Quick-loss programs can be bad for your cat's health.) Volume of food and frequency of feeding is key, so it's very important to have your veterinarian determine your cat's caloric needs, based on age, activity level and health status.

These days, prescription and over-the-counter foods offer good options for weight management. Just be sure to follow your veterinarian's recommendations (not the 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. And you'll have to stop leaving a heaping bowl of cat food allowing kitty to free-feed. That practice almost always leads to overeating.

Make mealtime a challenge and appeal to your kitty's instinct to hunt. You can do that 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.

INDOORS VERSUS OUTDOORS

Keeping cats indoors protects them from the hazards of cars, predators and infectious disease. Plus a cat is likely to live longer when not allowed to roam free. But indoor life is not without challenges. One of them is boredom and inactivity, which leads to ... you guessed it.

Look for ways to create a stimulating environment. Perhaps your cat can enjoy the great outdoors in the safety of an enclosed porch, patio or lanai. They'll get the sunshine, breezes and maybe even an exciting lizard hunt.

If you don't have a safe space, look into outdoor systems designed specially for cats to get out - within the safety of a mesh enclosure. (Never leave your cat unsupervised in any type of enclosure, and don't leave him outdoors for too long.)

Indoors, enhance your cat's environment by offering a few window perches in various areas of the home. Different vantage points for kitty will be far more interesting than sitting on the back of your Barcolounger.

Another way to bring the outdoors inside - video catnip! Some cats really enjoy these videos of the things they love: birds, bugs, fish, etc.

Be patient, it might take a few minutes for your cat to warm up to the idea of playing, but it is a great bonding opportunity. Don't expect them to play alone, as they'd prefer to interact with you!

As the holiday season approaches, don't limit your kitty interaction to offering another bowl of food. Rather, bond over grooming or playtime. Your cat will love you just as much. And the exercise will help take the weight off.

For information about curbing feline obesity, visit www.veterinarypartner .com.

STUFF A TOY BOX

Cats can be finicky about everything, including toys. Here are a few common cat toys that most cats will play with, given encouragement:

* Catnip-stuffed critters
* Feather wands
* Cat fishing poles ending in attractive strings or feathers
* Climbing posts or kitty condos

Popular household items most cats will play with:

* "Brown paper bags or cardboard boxes
* Wadded crinkly paper
* Wine cork or milk bottle tops
* Playthings that could be dangerous include string, floss, ribbon, twine and rubber

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

@fetchingcommunications.com.

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