![]() ![]() Our domestic cats are very similar to these wild felines. If they missed several consecutive prey opportunities, they could be in serious danger of lacking the energy necessary to successfully hunt. Once this activity was complete, they required hours to physiologically recover before their next hunt. Most wild cats would pursue their prey at top speed for less than a minute. ![]() ![]() When they came across prey, they burst into an intensely anaerobic and short-duration hunt. Instead, cats evolved as predators and stalkers who expended very little energy seeking their prey and seldom strayed far from their territory. Cats weren’t designed to function as scavengers and persistence hunters the way humans and dogs evolved. We certainly don’t live in that world! Getting cats to engage in slow, long-duration aerobic activity isn’t just difficult – it goes against their biology. In an ideal world, we’d take a jog with our cats or enjoy a mile swim in the morning to stay fit. Start by substituting one-quarter of the diet for two to three days, then increase to one-half total volume of food for another two to four days, then three-quarter new food for a final three to five days before completely switching to the new diet. In general, we recommend gradually adding the new diet over a one to two week period. When you are introducing a new diet to your cat, allow several days for the transition. Feeding too much will result in no weight loss and feeding too little can result in serious consequences such as hepatic lipidosis. ![]() It is vital that you closely monitor and record calories when starting a weight reduction program. + 70įor weight loss in cats multiply RER of target or ideal weight times 0.8įor many cats, the best way to feed will be by offering a canned diet food fed several times per day. (ideal or target weight in kg)^0.75 x 70 or (ideal or target weight in kg to the ¾ power) x 70 Ideal weight in pounds divided by 2.2 gives you weight in kilograms (kg)Ĭalculate the Resting Energy Requirements (RER) based on this ideal weight A basic formula for weight loss in cats is: If your cat is 18 pounds, you can calculate its ideal weight to be 10 to 12 pounds. The average domestic cat should weigh approximately eight to ten pounds. You’ll first need to have your cat examined by your veterinarian and an ideal or target weight calculated. Let’s start by calculating the calories a typical cat needs. It is for this reason that you should never put your cat on a diet without the assistance of your veterinary healthcare team. Humans with obesity starting a diet program are also vulnerable to this serious condition. Their physiology is different than humans or dogs and if they do not eat for as little as two consecutive days, they can develop a life-threatening form of liver disease known as hepatic lipidosis. For starters, cats that are overweight or diagnosed with obesity must eat. Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as that formula. We are just beginning to understand how serious and threatening extra adipose tissue can be for both humans and pets.įor weight loss, the formulas seem simple enough: fewer calories in plus more calories out equals weight loss. Cats with obesity tend to physically interact less with their families and are often less energetic and playful. Many forms of cancer – especially intra-abdominal cancersįurther, overweight felines and cats with obesity are expected to live shorter lives than their normal weight counterparts. Type 2 diabetes – a cat with obesity is at least three times more likely to develop than serious disease as a cat of healthy weight Some of the common feline weight-related disorders include: Unfortunately, when a cat is overweight or has obesity it no longer it is at great risk for developing a secondary condition. Why a Healthy Weight is Important for your CatĪs little as two pounds above your cat’s ideal weight can put it at risk for developing some serious medical conditions. It simply requires understanding the need for weight loss and fitness, attention to details and guidance and assistance from your veterinary healthcare team. Helping your cat attain a healthy weight may be easier than you think. Weight loss can be challenging for anyone – two- or four-legged! However, losing weight and getting in shape can add not only years to you or your pet’s life it can also make those extra years more enjoyable. ![]()
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