14 April 2021
Obesity in cats is a serious problem that is becoming more of a concern than ever before. Up to 60% of the dog and cat population are considered overweight or obese. Overfeeding is one of the leading factors contributing cat obesity. Overfeeding occurs when a cat is taking in more energy than it is burning. Cats that are 10-20% above their ideal body weight are classified as overweight, and those who are higher than 20% are considered obese. Here are a few tips and tricks you should know if your cat is overweight or obese.
Overweight or obese cats are at a greater risk for a variety of health conditions including the diminished overall quality of life of our feline friends. Here are the most common ones:
Though most cases of obesity are a result of overfeeding and a sedentary lifestyle, there are some endogenous factors that can predispose an animal to weight gain or obesity. It is important to recognize if your animal has predispositions and adjust their lifestyle accordingly.
Regular vet visits and consulting a body condition score chart is a great way to ensure your pet is at their ideal weight.
To help your cat lose weight, it is recommended to feed according to your cat’s target ideal weight rather than their current weight. It is also highly recommended to use a small kitchen scale to measure the food in grams, as this allows for a better accuracy of calorie control as opposed to rough volumetric measurements like cups.
Exercise is extremely important in ensuring your cat maintains a healthy weight. Some examples of ways to get your cat to exercise is to encourage play through chasing with a string or laser pointers, or even hide and seek games. Encouraging your cat to chase after a cat teaser is a great way to get them moving. If your cat does not seem especially interested, try catnip spray to stimulate them. You may also want to hide your cat’s food around the house to make them work for their food as they would outdoors, to catch their prey. While our domestic cats seem to be living the dream with a full bowl of food always available, their ancestors and cousins spent up to 80% of their time foraging for food. An interactive feeder such as a cat tree or puzzle will stimulate your cat’s natural hunting instincts and make them work for their food. Cats who are fed through interactive feeders are less likely to eat out of boredom and tend to eat only when they are hungry. Cat trees are also a great option to promote your cat to climb. All these options are recommended for mental stimulation as well!
If your cat is currently overweight or obese, you may want to consider switching them to a weight management formula so that they can lose weight and maintain it. Weight management formulas, such as our Care Weight Management formula, are specifically formulated to help limit weight gain and curb their appetite.
To summarize, portion control is key in helping an animal lose weight. Increasing your cat’s activity level and feeding a diet specifically formulated for weight loss is a good place to start.
Our Nutrience Care Weight Management formula is specifically formulated with low fat to limit weight gain, high fiber to curb their appetite, and L-carnitine, an important molecule needed to burn fat for energy. While cats can make this molecule themselves for regular maintenance, supplementing it in the diet ensures an adequate supply is available to burn excess fat during times of weight loss. L-carnitine works by transporting fatty acids into the mitochondria of the cell to make them more available to burn during energy expenditure.
To reduce the fat contents of a formula while keeping the volume of food the same, fat must be replaced by another macronutrient. Replacing fat with fiber is a great choice! Why? Because fiber not only has zero calories but has digestive benefits and keeps cats satiated for longer. Our Weight Management formula is also made using a triple blend of sustainable sources of fiber, such as sun-cured alfalfa, pea fiber and miscanthus grass. Insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water and provides bulk to the diet, keeping your cat full for longer.
Compared to a high protein diet, averaging 473 kcal/cup, our Nutrience Care Weight Management diet contains 50% less fat and 18.4% less calories to help your cat lose and maintain a healthy weight, improving their overall quality of life.
Moreover, along with the Digestiboost cubes, this food contains botanicals such as ginger, licorice root, and peppermint for their gut-soothing properties. Turmeric is added as well, a spice well known for its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. Like all Nutrience formulas, Omega-3s are added to this food in the form of salmon oil and coconut oil, to maintain a healthy skin and coat.