Obesity and Overfeeding in Cats

As an adoption centre we are seeing increasing numbers of overweight and obese cats being brought in for rehoming. Many owners are unaware of the harm that overfeeding, or feeding an inappropriate diet, can do to their pets. It can be a long process to get them back to a healthy weight, and this is particularly difficult in the centre environment where they have less freedom of movement and get less exercise than they would in the home. We can keep them on a restricted diet, but they often become frustrated in the pen environment, and need lots to do to distract them from thinking about food! So how can owners prevent their cats from becoming overweight in the first place?

Cats are carnivores, and need a balanced diet with the correct amount of nutrients, as well as regular exercise and opportunity to display their natural behaviours in order to maintain a healthy weight. They have a much higher protein requirement than other mammals so meat is an essential part of their diet (cats should not be kept on a ‘vegetarian’ diet). However, this does not mean they should only be fed wet food. The easiest way to ensure they get the right balance of protein, vitamins and minerals; and to keep their teeth in good condition, is to feed them on a ‘complete’ dry food diet, with good quality wet food a few times a week.

Do’s and Don’ts

Do choose a good quality complete pet food

Do provide fresh water and change it daily

Do follow the feeding guidelines on the packaging, and weigh your cat regularly to ensure they are getting the right amount of food for their size

Do ensure your cat gets regular exercise. This can be playing in the garden, playing with toys or other cats, hunting etc. and can be encouraged using puzzle feeder balls so they have to work for their food!

Do Not overfeed – too much food is just as harmful as too many treats and can lead to obesity which can cause many other health problems

Do Not give supplements unless recommended by the vet – these can cause a dietary imbalance and may be harmful

Do Not give cats dog food – the balance of nutrients is not suitable for a cats dietary needs.

Do Not give cats milk – many cats are lactose intolerant and can get a bad belly from it, and it is very high in calories

Do Not give cats ‘people food’ – even a small treat can be a huge amount of calories to a cat!

This chart demonstrates how much a ‘small treat’ can mean in terms of a cat’s daily calories.

 

Obesity

Obesity in cats is very serious. It stops them being able to carry out natural behaviours such as playing, hunting, and grooming as well as being a risk factor for many other health problems! This can include liver disease, diabetes, skin conditions, joint pain and urinary problems.

Indoor cats are particularly prone to obesity because they tend to get less exercise than those which go exploring and hunting in the great outdoors! It is important to provide indoor cats with lots of stimulation in the form of toys, scratching posts, puzzle feeders, etc. and to be very strict and avoid overfeeding so that they maintain a good weight.

Cats are defined as overweight when they are 15% over the ideal body weight, and obese at 30% over the ideal body weight. Ideally you should be able to feel your cat’s ribs easily when you stroke the body lightly, and should be able to see a clear waistline when you look at them from above.

This chart shows how a cat’s body condition can be measured.

If you think your cat is overweight, it is always best to consult a vet so they can advise you on the best way to control their calorie intake, and increase their exercise. This will usually involve a special low calorie diet, weighing or measuring food before it is given, and things like puzzle feeders or interactive toys to encourage more exercise. Overweight cats should never be put on a ‘crash diet’ or starved, as this can be very harmful. Instead the best way is a gradual reduction – it can take up to a year for a severely overweight cat to reach its ideal body weight. But the health benefits to your cat will make it all worth it, and they will thank you for it J

image via

 

For more information please read the Essential Guide on Feeding and Obesity which can be found here: http://www.cats.org.uk/uploads/documents/cat-care-leaflets-2013/EG04_Feeding_and_obesity.pdf

 

 

And the Understanding Feline Origins Interactive Tool which can be found here: http://learnonline.cats.org.uk/content/ufo

Older Cats Need Love Too!

A lot of our cats are over the age 7 and are often overlooked due to this. They are often our longest stayers due to kittens and younger cats being favoured despite them being in tip-top condition and often not having any health problems! Cats can live into their 20's these days with better quality food, lifestyle and vet treatments available.


Cheeky Chops - currently available for adoption!

Often cats that are a little older we find tend to have great personalities, are generally very settled in life and make for awesome lap cats!

We treat cats on admission for things that older cats often suffer from such as needing dental work so once they have had it they have a Hollywood smile again! As with us humans, the older we get the less active we become so we find the golden oldies enjoy having nice long grooming sessions but don't let that fool you - they also love to play catch with catnip mice and feathers on sticks!

Josie - currently available for adoption

Once a cat is over 12 they are classed as 'geriatric', here are some top tips for keeping your cat comfortable and happy during their Twilight years:

* Nice comfy bed - well padded and warm.

* Somewhere high to perch up - but they may need a box or furniture strategically placed to help them climb if they become a little wobbly on their feet.

* Litter Tray - when the weather gets colder you may find your cat doesn't want to go out much or the ground may be a little too cold and hard to dig! It's always a good idea to keep a litter tray down so your kitty doesn't have to go far to do it's business :)

* Scratching Post - as your cat gets older it may find it difficult to stretch higher up so horizontal scratchers are perfect to get their claws into.

Tommy - aged 15 went to live in his forever home earlier this year :)

 Caring for an older cat brings a wonderful amount of joy, knowing that their wandering days are long gone and they appreciate home comforts and affection. Older cats are often excellent and tolerant of children and are great to sit and fuss with.

If you would like more information on older cats or want to see some of the older cats we currently have up for adoption then please visit our website: http://www.bridgend.cats.org.uk/bridgend/adopt-a-cat

Cats and Fleas!

Every year we have hundreds of cats and kittens admitted into our care with severe flea infestations. A number of these cats will need urgent vet treatment due to flea bit anaemia, most cats will survive once they receive vet treatment, sadly kittens are more vulnerable and don’t always survive.  In this blog we discuss the flea life cycle and what steps are needed to make sure you cat stays flea free

Fleas can be found on most animal species but are more commonly found on cats and dogs. A flea is a small wingless insect which feeds on the blood of animals. There are more than 2,000 types of fleas that can be found on animals around the world.  An adult flea can grow around 3mm in size and can jump up to 50 times the length of its body!  In the summer months we see a big boom in fleas. This is because the flea’s life cycle happens at an accelerated rate when the weather is warmer. Another contributing factor is that our pets spend more time outdoors in the summer.

 

Flossy - 1 year old heavily pregnant female admitted into our care with a severe flea infestation

 

The life cycle of fleas

An adult flea will live on its animal host permanently. The entire cycle from egg to flea will take between twelve to twenty two days, depending on temperature and humidity. Warm homes with fitted carpets are ideal conditions for fleas to reproduce all year round.

Female fleas will produce 50 eggs daily. These eggs will fall off the cat where they will hatch out into larvae within two to sixteen days. After this stage they then change into immobile pupae within a cocoon. While in the cocoon the pupae will grow into an adult, it will stay in the cocoon until it senses the presence of a cat, such as heat or vibrations. When it senses these it will emerge and attach itself to the cat within seconds. If no host can be found the flea can stay within its cocoon for up to two years!

 

 

The signs of fleas

·        Itching

·        Bites on humans

·        Flea dirt

·        White eggs in the cats sleeping areas

 

Fleas move around fast so sometimes they can be difficult to spot. An effective way to check your cat for fleas is to comb your cat with a fine toothed flea comb while placed on a white sheet of paper. Fleas may be trapped within the comb or black specks (flea dirt) may be visible on the paper. Flea dirt is the droppings of fleas which consist of undigested cat blood.

Treating fleas

For an effective flea treatment we recommend a licenced product. This will come from your veterinary surgery in a spot on, injection or table form. Flea collars and unlicensed products should be avoided. Do not use a product intended for dogs on your cat as it can be toxic.

To control a flea infestation adult fleas must be killed and the environment treated so prevent re-infestation. The most common product used to treat households is in a spray form. This spray should be applied to carpets and furnishings. This spray should never be used on the cat itself. Regular vacuuming will also help reduce the number of fleas within the home.

To prevent re-infestation regular, monthly treatment of your cat is recommended. It is also recommended that any other pets within the home are also treated regularly. It can be hard to get an infestation under control, sometimes taking weeks or months. This is why it is important to take the necessary steps to prevent fleas before an infestation can occur.

It is important to treat your cat as fleas can cause many other health problems to your cat:

·        Fleas feed on blood, this can cause anaemia which can be life threatening.

·        Fleas can transmit other infectious agents.

·        Many cats develop allergies from flea bites which can cause hair loss, scabby skin and sores.

·        Cat fleas can bite humans which will result in an itchy raised bump.

·        Fleas can carry the larval stage of a tapeworm which a cat may ingest while grooming.

Licenced products from vets is the most effective way to control fleas

Hope our blog helps you keep your cats flea free!

Purrs for now!