weight loss

Weight Loss Tips for Cats

Feline Health| 25 Comments

tortoiseshell-cat-on-scale

A survey conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity in 2012 found that a staggering 58% of America’s cats are overweight or obese. These statistics mirror the equally disturbing increase in human obesity. According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than one third of adults in the United States are obese. Our weight loss tips will help your cats reach and maintain a healthy weight.

The serious health problems in cats which result from obesity are the same as in humans:Continue Reading

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A Quick and Easy Way to Determine Your Cat’s Body Condition Score

Feline Health| 6 Comments

cat-on-scale

A staggering 53% of America’s cats are overweight. Obesity leads to any number of health issues, including diabetes and arthritis. On the flip side, gradual weight loss can also be an indicator of a developing health problem, including hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, and intestinal disease . Your cat’s weight is one of the most important indicators of her health. Continue Reading

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Cats on a Diet: Will They Still Love You?

Feline Health, Feline Nutrition| 5 Comments

fat-cat

Last week we wrote about the obesity epidemic among America’s cats (58% of cats in this country are either overweight or obese) and the serious health risks of obesity. What makes this trend so disturbing is that it is created entirely by the guardians who love their cats. There are no obese cats in the wild. Our cats rely on us to make appropriate nutritional choices for them, and one of the biggest mistake cat guardians can make is to equate food with love.

Getting a cat to lose weight can be challenging. It may require making changes to a cat’s feeding schedule, changing the food itself, increasing the amount of time spent playing with the cat, and more. Read Weight Loss Tips for Cats for guidance on how to get your kitty to a healthy weight.Continue Reading

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Majority of Cats in the US are Overweight or Obese

Feline Health, Feline Nutrition| 11 Comments

obese-cat

The statistics are staggering: 58% of America’s cats are either overweight or obese. This trend has mirrored an equally disturbing increase in obesity among people. Overweight cats are facing the same health risks as humans, and what is almost as disturbing as the statistics themselves is that this problem is created entirely by humans. There are no obese cats in the wild. Obesity is the direct result of poor dietary choices for cats, free choice feeding, an overabundance of treats, and a lack of exercise.Continue Reading

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Why You Should Weigh Your Cat Regularly

Feline Health| 16 Comments

weigh-your-cat

Your cat’s weight can be a good indicator of her health – but only if you keep track of it. Gradual weight loss or gain can be difficult to recognize in cats. Consider that the average cat weighs 10 pounds. Weight loss of only 6% of a cat’s body weight is considered a clinical sign – that’s less than ten ounces. Depending on the size of your cat, visible changes to her weight may be too subtle to notice without actually weighing her.

Dr. Andrea Tasi, a homeopathic vet and owner of Just Cats Naturally, considers weight the 4th vital sign.Continue Reading

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Feline Obesity: Don’t Let Your Cat Become a Statistic

Feline Health, Feline Nutrition| 10 Comments

feline-obesity

percentage of overweight or obese cats in recent decades

Did you know that a staggering 53% of America’s cats are considered overweight or obese? This trend has been on a disturbing increase, and mirrors the equally disturbing increase in human obesity. According to the Centers for Disease Control, one third of adults in the United States are obese.

The serious health problems in cats which result from obesity are the same as in humans:

  • Diabetes
  • Arthritis, joint problems and and torn or strained ligaments
  • Heart and respiratory problems
  • Gastro-interstinal and digestive problems
  • Compromised immune system
  • Increased risk during anesthesia and surgery

There are several factors that contribute to weight gain in cats:Continue Reading

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