August is the month for back to school activities for the kids and vet visits for your kitty.
This month celebrates special days for cat appreciation. I’ll add another special event to the list: Fat Cat Awareness Month.
Fat Cat Epidemic
Pet parents love their kitties. But sometimes we overlook our pet’s body condition.
One source noted that the 2022 Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey showed that 61% of cats were overweight or obese, higher than the 59.5% of cats from the 2021 survey.
Other survey results showed that 28% of cat parents thought their kitty’s body condition was “normal” when they were visibly overweight or obese.
And only 49% of pet parents discussed their cat’s weight at their annual vet visit.
When Oscar has a vet visit, one of the first things a vet tech does is to weigh him. As an older kitty, I have to monitor his diet and water intake because of his risk of urinary tract infections.
At your kitty’s next annual vet visit, ask about her weight and what’s considered a normal weight for her size and age.
Remember your pet parent duty of care and ask questions.
Weight Chart for Kitties
The Body Condition Score for Cats chart tells it all. Look at your kitty and see where he lands on the chart.
If obesity or overweight is a problem, talk to your vet for advice. Learn about a healthy eating plan for your cat.
source: https://www.barkandwhiskers.com/2023-07-29-cat-obesity
Health Risks From Feline Obesity
Please don’t ignore your kitty’s body weight. Fat or overweight cats can suffer from:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Chronic inflammation and osteoarthritis
- Respiratory disease
- High blood pressure
- Many forms of cancer including intra-abdominal cancer
- Blindness from high blood pressure
You love your kitty. And you can prevent her from struggling with any of the health conditions listed above.
Slimmer, Happier Kitties
Cats love routines. Start with a set time for meals with carefully measured portions. Do not free feed your kitty.
Remember that treats (meat morsels) should make up less than 10% of your cat’s daily food intake.
Next, remove kibble from your kitty’s diet. Studies show that dry food consumption increased weight gain, both alone and combined with fresh or canned food.
An ideal diet includes biologically appropriate foods that are less processed and more nutritious.
For example, homemade raw or gently cooked, human grade canned food, or commercially balanced raw, freeze dried/dehydrated food can control your kitty’s weight loss.
As I said, cats love routine. Slow and steady is the way to make any changes to your cat’s diet. Cats can be picky eaters and will starve themselves – gradual change is the smart move.
If you’ve ever tried to lose weight, you know it’s a process. Remember to be patient with your cat. A change in diet will help them naturally lose excess weight.
Daily Celebrations
August 1: National Black Cat Appreciation Day
Animal lover and Rikki’s Refuge Animal Sanctuary volunteer Wayne H. Morris wanted to honor his sister June and her cat, Sinbad.
Initially their father refused to allow Sinbad in the house because he was black. June passed away and two months later, her beloved 20-year-old cat Sinbad also died.
June died on August 17. To honor her and Sinbad, Morris declared the day as Black Cat Appreciation Day “to fight back against prejudice and ignorance about black cats.”
August 22: National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day
This special day is a reminder of our pet parent responsibilities. We are their pet care givers. Care includes their well-being throughout our pet’s lives.
So make an appointment for a vet visit. You kitty will appreciate it…one day.
Thanks for stopping by!
Dr. Pet Mom
“I have lived with several Zen masters – all of them cats.”
–Eckhart Toll