Feeding Older Cats and Obesity

Start your cat on a senior diet at about seven years of age. The main objectives in the feeding an older cat should be to maintain health and optimum body weight, slow or prevent the development of chronic disease, and minimize or improve clinical signs of diseases that may already be present. As a cat ages, health issues may arise, including: - deterioration of skin and coat - loss of muscle mass - more frequent intestinal problems - arthritis - obesity - dental problems - decreased ability to fight off infection Routine care for geriatric pets should involve a consistent daily routine and periodic veterinary examinations to assess the presence or progress of chronic disease. Stressful situations and abrupt changes in daily routines should be avoided. If a drastic change must be made to an older pet's routine, try to minimize stress and to realize the change in a gradual manner. Obesity is an extremely common problem in pets and, as with humans, can be detrimental to the health of a cat. The overweight pet has many added stresses upon his body and is at an increased risk of diabetes, liver problems and joint pain. Obesity develops when energy intake exceeds energy requirements. The excess energy is then stored as fat. Once a pet is obese, he may remain obese even after excessive caloric intake stops. The majority of cases of obesity are related to simple overfeeding coupled with lack of exercise. Obesity is less common in cats than in dogs. It has been suggested that cats have a much better ability to regulate their own energy intake. Is your cat too fat? As a subjective assessment of body condition, you should be able to feel the backbone and palpate the ribs in an animal of healthy weight. If you cannot feel your pet’s ribs without pressing, there is too much fat. Also, you should see a noticeable "waist" between the back of the rib cage and the hips when looking at your pet from above. Viewed from the side, there should be a "tuck" in the tummy—the abdomen should go up from the bottom of the rib cage to inside the thighs. Cats who fail these simple tests may be overweight. An additional factor to be considered when managing obesity in cats is hunting. It may be necessary to confine your cat to the house to prevent "additions" to the diet. 6, 7, & 8. We recommend that you consult your pet’s vet before starting on a weight loss program, which should include these major areas: Correct Diet Overweight animals consume more calories than they require. Work with your veterinarian to determine your pet’s caloric requirements, select a suitable food and calculate how much to feed. The diet should contain a normal level of a moderately fermentable fiber and the type of fat that prevents the skin and coat from deteriorating during weight loss. Diets that dilute calories with high fiber lead to increased stool volumes, frequent urges to defecate and variable decreases in nutrient digestibility. Exercise Increasing physical activity can be a valuable contributor to both weight loss and maintenance. Regular exercise burns more calories, reduces appetite, changes body composition and will increase your pet’s resting metabolic rate. Owner Behavior Modification A successful weight management program requires permanent changes in the behaviors that have allowed the pet to become overweight. Perhaps you are giving your pet too many treats, for example, or not giving him enough opportunities to exercise. Are you committed to your pet’s weight loss? Here are some important things you can do: - Remove the pet from the room when the family eats. - Feed your pet several small meals throughout the day. - Feed all meals and treats in the pet's bowl only. - Reduce snacks or treats. - Provide non-food related attention.