Obesity In Cats - Is Your Cat Overweight?

Sometimes you will hear people say, "He’s just a little chubby," or "He really doesn’t eat that much … and besides, he’s cute!" Yes, he is a cutie, but is he overweight?

We sit down to eat ... and there they are those big cute begging eyes! I am sure you may think a little bit of this and a little bit of that won’t hurt him. But do you really know what table food does to your cat? Combining table food, treats and lack of exercise are all factors in making your cat fat, which can cause health problems.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says 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.  You can read their views on Overweight Cats.

Cats and Carbohydrates
Did you know that cats, unlike most mammals, do not have a carbohydrate-digesting enzyme called amylase in their saliva? Humans and dogs do, and begin the digestion of carbohydrates in the mouth. In our intestines, amylase secreted from the pancreas breaks down large carbohydrate molecules into absorbable smaller units of glucose.

Cats generally have less amylase activity than humans or dogs. For this reason it is very important that you do not give your cat certain human foods! Cats need the nutrients specifically provided for them in good, premium cat foods, and any "extras" that they consume will take away their appetites for their regular meals.

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An Overweight Cat Was Rescued from a Foreclosed Home in Sea Isle City, New Jersey

An overweight" cat was rescued last week from a home in Sea Isle City, New Jersey.  Shelter officials told the Press of Atlantic City that when animal control officers found Sprinkles, she was so obese that she couldn't roll over or properly groom herself. At four-years-old, she's weighs approximately 33 pounds…three times her average weight.

"Whatever position she’s in, she can barely move,” Stacy Olandt, a volunteer at the S.O.S. Sea Isle City Cats Shelter, who took Sprinkles.

Local sheriff's deputies found the pretty kitty in shabby condition. She was covered in fleas and mites, suffered from an infection and had "the paws of a 9-pound cat and the body of a 33-pound cat," S.O.S. employee Mary Devery told the New York Daily News.

Her weight is reportedly equivalent to a 700 pound human who should weigh 180 pounds.

Now, that she is getting a full makeover, she'll reportedly undergo a strict diet of four cans of cat food per day, and shelter workers hope she'll lose a pound each month until she reaches her target weight of about 10 pounds, Press of Atlantic City reports. She'll also need a tummy tuck so her excess skin doesn't drag on the floor.

The Daily News reports:

Sprinkles was a little standoffish at first and barely moved but now she seems to be adapting well to her new home. Devery said she is walking round and is friendly to everyone, but because of her girth is unable to climb stairs. Her size also prohibited her from properly grooming herself and Sprinkles entered with infections and a flea infestation.

"She's doing great. She's moving around and she's as friendly as can be," Devery said. "She's purring a lot. She's a very happy girl."

It wasn't immediately clear why she was left in the house, or how she got as big as she is, but you can apply to adopt Sprinkles or other cats from the S.O.S. shelter's adoption page.

If you are interested in adopting Sprinkles, or other cats from the S.O.S. Shelter, visit their adoption page at: S.O.S. Sea Isle City Cats, Inc.

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Healthy Weight Calculator For Cats And Dogs - Use To Find Out If Your Pet Is At Their Ideal Weight

Do you know your pet's weight? Use this healthy weight calculator to find out if your pet is at their ideal weight.

Obesity in pets is common in many countries. Rates of overweight and obesity in dogs in the United States ranges from 23% to 41% with about 5.1% obese. Rates of obesity in cats was slightly higher at 6.4%.[1] In Australia, the rate of obesity among dogs in a veterinary setting has been found to be 7.6%. The risk of obesity in dogs but not cats is related to whether or not their owners are obese.


To check your pet's weight, click here: Calculator FOLLOW US!