People go on a diet when they see that their weight is not good for their health, right? Well, the same animals. Did you know that more than half of all cats in the United States are overweight? In fact, a survey conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention assures that in 2014 there were 55 million obese cats and the number has been increasing since then.
Most people with overweight cats do not know that their pet is in this situation since they do not recognize the symptoms or know how to detect it visually. The domestic cat has to weigh between three and a half and five and a half kilos on average, although this will depend on its breed and sex. Some small cat breeds barely weigh up to three kilos and large cat breeds can exceed eight kilos.
When observing the cat from above it is important that its waist is in the shape of an hourglass that thins at the ribs. But if your cat flares above the ribs and you only notice fat when you touch him, he may be overweight. It is time for a diet. If you are not sure about your pet’s situation, go to a veterinarian to weigh him and do a check-up.
There is a problem and it is that on many occasions, even discovering that the cat is overweight, the owners do not take the situation seriously. It is a big mistake since an excess of fat can cause other pathologies in the animal, such as diabetes, intestinal problems, skin problems or liver diseases. Fat cats can also suffer from arthritis.
Remember that cats are more likely to be overweight than dogs and you should get them checked out. It will always be easier to prevent these problems than to reverse them. The keys are a good diet and exercise . In the event that your kitten already suffers from it, go to your trusted veterinarian and start working on it.
Here are some more developed tips for you and your cat to work as a team against their overweight.
