by Leigh-Anne Gill

Created on: April 18, 2009

Having worked for both a veterinary clinic and a major pet food manufacturer, I have become quite familiar with the plight of the obese cat. How does it happen? The ever kind and loving pet-owner dotes on their cat, ultimately feeding them too much food and treats. What most people don't know is that they can help their cat get back into shape and that this is the most loving and generous thing they can do for their furry companion.

First of all, it is critical that an obese cat be thoroughly examined by a veterinarian to rule out any health problems. It is possible that a medical problem is the root cause of the obesity and that prescribed medication is all that is needed. Arthritis is also a concern. There are great pain management medications out there that can help get "Fluffy" moving comfortably again. If, however, the cat gets a clean bill of health (with the exception of the extra pounds), then the veterinarian will probably recommend a low calorie prescription weight loss diet. Sure, these diets seem to cost more. The key to these diets is that they are specifically formulated to be lower in calories while providing all the necessary nutrition and they allow us pet owners to feed an ample quantity of food. So, "Fluffy" still feels full while losing weight safely. You could just feed less of the current diet, but what's good about that? How much less is safe? Who knows? Would "Fluffy" still be getting the nutrients she needs to stay healthy? Probably not.

Now that we have addressed health and diet, it is time to look at exercise. The best way to get an obese cat moving, since "Fluffy" loves food so much, is to have her work for it! Take a piece of her favourite kibble and throw it down a long hallway. She'll see it and go for it, moving to the best of her ability! Another great investment is the laser pointer. Most cats love to chase the little red dot around the floor and walls. A less expensive option is to use the rays of the sun on your watch face and move the dot of light around the room. Finally, a trip down the toy aisle at the pet store should offer more ideas. Fortunately for us, our cat loves to play with the simplest of things...a rolled up piece of paper or tin foil gets him running from one end of the room to the other. Our family gets a good belly laugh too!

Clearly there are plenty of easy and inexpensive ideas available to get "Fluffy" in his or her best shape. Above all, our priority should be the health and well-being of our beloved felines since they give us so much unconditional love and affection. As the folks at Nike say, "Just do it!"

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