Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Obesity
Holly Frisby, DVM, MS
Veterinary Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.
Will spaying or neutering make my cat fat?
Spaying or neutering your cat will not make your pet fat unless you feed your cat too many calories or do not give your cat enough exercise. It is true that neutered and spayed animals burn fewer calories than intact pets, so we generally need to feed them less.
How fast should my cat lose weight when placed on a weight reduction program?
In general, a good goal would be to have your cat lose 0.5-2.0% of its body weight per week. A weight loss of 2% or more per week can cause more harm than good. It is especially important that obese cats do not lose weight too rapidly.
Do I have to use a 'reducing diet,' or can I just feed less of my cat's usual food?
Some cats, especially those who do not have to lose a large amount of weight would do fine on a lesser amount of their normal food. Cats who are on a special diet because of another condition (e.g., bladder stones) should remain on that diet and simply be fed less of it.
There are several advantages to feeding a balanced commercial weight reduction diet. First, weight reduction diets are generally high-fiber, low-fat diets which have a low energy density and allow a greater loss of body fat than simply feeding smaller amounts of a high-fat diet. This is because fat contains over twice as many calories as protein and carbohydrates and low-calorie dense foods tend to produce satiety (a feeling of being full) at a lower level of calorie intake. In addition, more energy is used in digesting and absorbing low-fat, high-fiber diets. Finally, by reducing the amount of the food currently being fed, you are also decreasing the level of protein, vitamins, minerals, etc., the cat is receiving. These differences could be eliminated by using supplements, but it is something you should be aware of.
How can I tell if my cat is overweight?
As in people, some cats are big-boned and some are fine-boned, so just checking the weight of an animal can generally not give us enough information to make a determination. Some cats are at their optimal weight at 7 pounds, while others are in fine shape at 14 pounds. By checking several areas on your pet: the ribs, base of the tail, spine and shoulders, the 'waist,' and abdomen we can get a good idea of the body condition of an animal.
Why did my cat gain weight when I fed what the manufacturer's label recommended?
The label recommendations are a guideline and are based on caloric needs of what the manufacturer considers an 'average' cat with 'average' activity. In my opinion, many cats will gain excess weight if fed what the manufacturers of cat foods suggest. I would always start at the low end of the suggested amount to feed and monitor my cat's weight for several weeks and adjust the amount fed accordingly.
Also in answer to the question, I would have to ask another question: 'What else does your cat get to eat?' If your cat gets table scraps, treats, and a 'little something to make the food taste good,' that is most likely the reason your cat is gaining excess weight. The calories in the 'little extras' add up very fast.
