Currently, obesity is becoming increasingly common in the pet world. Its main causes are excessive feeding and a sedentary lifestyle.
What diseases can obesity cause in pets?
- Diabetes: Caused by a deficiency in insulin production by the pancreas. Diabetes can lead to various problems such as blindness, slow healing, and issues with the kidneys and heart. Treatment involves insulin administration, physical exercise, and dietary foods designed for diabetic animals.
- Osteoarthritis: This involves the degeneration of cartilage in the bones, limiting movement and causing sharp pain. Symptoms include difficulty moving, lack of energy, and apathy. Although this is a common condition in older pets, obesity can contribute to its early onset.
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: This relates to increased stiffness in the heart muscle, decreasing its ability to pump blood throughout the body. Obesity is a significant contributor to heart disease, as extra weight puts more strain on the heart.
First and foremost, how can I tell if my pet is overweight?
To determine if your pet is at an ideal weight, it’s essential to assess their Body Condition Score. Please refer to the image below:
Remember to always consult your trusted veterinarian.
How can I combat obesity in dogs and cats?
Proper feeding and regular exercise are the best remedies in this situation. Activities like playing fetch, running, or going for walks will be your greatest allies.
Physical activities are important, but exercise caution!
Some breeds are more energetic than others. However, every pet needs to expend energy. For high-intensity activities like running, 30 minutes per day is sufficient. For slower walks, the ideal time is about 1 hour per day.
When your pet engages in physical activity, a release of dopamine occurs in their brain. Dopamine is the hormone responsible for creating feelings of pleasure and reducing cortisol levels (the stress hormone). Therefore, in addition to improving health and preventing diseases, physical exercise also contributes to your pet’s well-being.
Text produced by Buddy Vet in partnership with Livelong Brasil.
What Happens When You Give Wet Food to Your Cat?
It’s no secret that cats need to stay hydrated. The main reason? To prevent kidney diseases. It is estimated that 1 in every 3 cats will suffer from kidney issues in their lifetime. Besides low hydration, there are several other causes for kidney diseases, including genetics and breed (such as Maine Coon, Siamese, Persian, Burmese, and Ragdoll). To understand more about felines and their hydration needs, we must go back in time.
It is estimated that 1 in every 3 cats will suffer from kidney problems in their lifetime.
Dr. Victoria Pereira, Veterinarian specialized in felines, The Cat Doctor Clinic – São Paulo, SP
Understanding Cat Habits
In their ancestry, before being domesticated, cats used to hunt for their own food. Moreover, they did not have the habit of drinking water, as the moisture present in their prey was sufficient to maintain their health. In other words, since they had no need to drink water, this habit was not developed, which explains the current difficulty that cat owners face in encouraging their felines to stay hydrated.
How Can I Tell if My Cat is Hydrated?
There’s a technique to check your cat’s hydration, which can be done by anyone: the skin test! First, pinch the skin at the back of your cat’s neck. Then observe how quickly it returns to its place. If the skin snaps back in a second or less, your cat is hydrated. If it takes longer, that indicates your cat is dehydrated. Keep in mind that while this is a reliable technique, it’s essential to take your cat to the veterinarian for a professional evaluation.
How Can I Encourage My Cat to Drink Water?
- Offer wet food instead of dry kibble. “A cat that only eats dry kibble, even if it drinks water, will always be dehydrated,” says Dr. Victoria. Wet foods have higher water content compared to dry kibble, more closely resembling the moisture levels found in the prey hunted by felines before domestication. However, it’s important to note that not all wet food is complete nutrition, so check the label. Additionally, the amount of water provided varies with food quality. The entire Livelong line meets 60% of a feline’s daily water needs.
- Place several water bowls around the house. To make them more appealing to your cat, don’t forget to change the water regularly and keep it cool (you can use ice cubes for this). A great tip is to use clay or ceramic bowls to maintain the water temperature longer.
- Use water fountains! Water fountains are a great option for older cats who move less frequently. They provide continuously flowing cold water in a convenient way.
- Make a wet food soup! Simply mix a portion of wet food with a portion of water in equal parts. If your cat doesn’t eat it all at once, don’t be alarmed; it’s normal for them to take a little, pause, and then come back. Another tip is to avoid using wet food with large chunks, as many felines prefer a more homogeneous consistency.
- How about a wet food ice cream? Blend wet food with a portion of water. After blending, pour the mixture into your preferred mold and place it in the freezer. Wait a few hours until the ice cream is frozen, and it’s ready!
“A cat that only eats dry kibble, even if it drinks water, will always be dehydrated.”
Dr. Victoria Pereira, Veterinarian specialized in felines, The Cat Doctor Clinic – São Paulo, SP
Tips for Owners with Kittens:
If you have a young feline, now is the time to start introducing these habits into their routine! Cats are known to have neophobia (fear of new things); therefore, the sooner you get them used to drinking water, the easier it will be, and vice versa.
The Power of Wet Foods in Combating Obesity
In addition to helping prevent kidney diseases, wet foods have another major advantage: they aid in preventing and treating obesity in cats. “Nowadays, obesity in cats is an epidemic; almost all cats are obese, and most owners don’t recognize it,” says Dr. Victoria Pereira, feline specialist and veterinarian at The Cat Doctor clinic in São Paulo. According to Dr. Victoria, one of the main causes is free feeding.
“Moreover, there’s a scientific study showing that cats eat out of boredom,” she reports.
“Nowadays, obesity in cats is an epidemic; almost all cats are obese, and most owners do not recognize it.”
Dr. Victoria Pereira, Veterinarian specialized in felines, The Cat Doctor Clinic – São Paulo, SP
How Can I Tell if My Cat is Overweight?
It is possible to determine if your cat is obese through a visual assessment and touch. When viewing your pet from above, their waist should be visible. Additionally, when performing the touch examination, you should be able to feel their ribs and a light layer of fat around them. If you cannot see your cat’s waist or feel their ribs, it means your cat is overweight. Keep in mind that while it’s possible to perform this examination at home, it’s important to take your cat to a veterinarian for a specialized diagnosis.
3 Tips to Prevent and Treat Obesity in Cats
- Incorporate wet food into your cat’s routine. With a lower carbohydrate level, wet foods help with weight loss and maintenance. In addition to a diet consisting solely of complete wet foods, it’s also possible to create a weight-loss diet by mixing wet food with dry kibble (Mixed Feeding). Remember that not all wet food is complete nutrition, so be sure to check the label! To formulate a weight-loss diet for your cat, consult a veterinary nutritionist.
- Encourage energy expenditure through physical exercise! Playing fetch with treats is a great way to get your feline moving. Don’t forget that the daily amount of treats should never exceed 10% of your pet’s weight. In addition to stimulating energy expenditure, physical exercise is great for cognition, helping to prevent Alzheimer’s in cats (Feline Cognitive Dysfunction).
- Use enrichment toys! Maze feeders are a fantastic play option to stimulate cognition and alleviate boredom. Since this type of toy requires significant effort, your feline will only work hard to access the food if they are very hungry.
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Acknowledgments
We would like to thank The Cat Doctor clinic, especially Dr. Victoria Pereira.
Text written by Natália Frantz Truchinski.