Houston Pet Sitter on Fat Cats

What if I told you that you could do one easy thing and it would add two or more years to your cat’s life?  Would you do it?  Of course you would!  So here it is:  don’t let your cat get fat.

If your cat is obese, he is at a higher risk for diabetes, heart disease, and other health problems.  How can you tell if your cat is overweight?  If he looks overweight, he is.  If your cat has fat on his back, face, and limbs, or his abdomen is round (or worse yet, practically dragging the floor), he’s probably obese.  A cat who is at his ideal weight looks athletic, has a little waistline behind his ribs, and has a thin covering of fat over his ribs.

For some cats free feeding is fine, but many will overeat if they are allowed free access to food at all times.  The solution?   Don’t let an overweight cat eat as much as he wants.  Put less food in his bowl each day.  A low calorie food or a food that is less appealing may help.   Talk to your vet, and follow her instructions.  Do whatever it takes to help your fat cat slim down.  It’s up to you.

Here’s to nine lives.  May all of them be long!