January 2012

January 2012: Helping Your Cat to Management His Weight

Dear Doctor:
My 8 year old cat keeps gaining weight each year according to the vet. I think he looks fine, but my vet said that he needs to lose at least 5 pounds. Any suggestions?

Signed,
Frank in Waupaca

We are always concerned when we see a pattern of increasing weight in an adult pet. I am not sure what the ideal weight is for your boy, but for most cats a five pound weight loss would be a significant percentage of their weight. I would take your vet’s advice seriously, as excessive weight can cause significant health issues. Overweight and obese pets are more prone to additional problems, such as arthritis, lameness, heart disease, lung and airway problems, skin disease, urinary issues, and diabetes. As such, the quality of life, energy level, and longevity are all affected in a negative way. I am glad that you have taken the time to ask for advice on how to help your boy. I had to work through this with my own cat, Milton. If he had his way, he would eat constantly. He will meow constantly when he wants food, which would cause many pet owners to offer more food. There was a study that showed the majority of owners with vocal and demanding pets were more likely to have obese cats. This makes sense, since the easy solution is to stifle the cries with food. If your boy is vocal, it is important to ignore the “cries” for food.

We started using a special food bowl for Milton, known as the Skid Stop Slow Feed Bowl. This bowl has four dividers which do not allow Milton to fit his face into the feeding area easily. As such, he has to work to reach each piece of food, often using his paw to scoop out the food. I was a skeptic when I bought the bowl at the Companion Shop, but is certainly works well for him. By eating more slowly, he actually has time to get the sensation of being full. The majority of the time, he will actually leave food in the bowl until his next feeding twelve hours later. Amazing! We also just started using a special prescription diet made by Royal Canin. The food is called Satiety Support, and is specially formulated with high protein, high fiber and L-Carnitine. It has been shown that a high protein diet is important for healthy weight loss, along with fiber to give a sensation of fullness. The compound, L-Carnitine, has been promoted as a natural weight loss supplement. He likes the flavor of the food, and he seems more contented after his meals. In theory, any food could be offered as long as the calories are appropriate for the desired weight. It is best to consult with your veterinarian regarding the ideal food for your guy.

This discussion would not be complete without an emphasis on exercise. Restriction of calories and slower eating will help, but increasing energy output and maintaining or building muscle mass will improve efficiency of weight loss. Laser lights or feather chasers will stimulate most cats to get up and move. I used to have a cat that would play fetch, so it is always worth trying this game with your cat. It is important to replace treats with extra play sessions. Hopefully, these modifications will help your boy to lose weight. Ideally, weight loss should be gradual but steady. We will have photos of Milton with his special food bowl at Facebook.com/wah.vet. Perhaps your New Year’s resolution could be to help your guy lose the five. Best wishes for helping to improve the quality of life for your boy!