Not all Fat Cats are Happy Cats | Holly, Michigan | 261492 | Cats and Kittens

Not all Fat Cats are Happy Cats
Most domestic cats are overweight. This is due to a combination of factors, but mainly the fact that many cats are indoor cats and many are overfed. Male cats that are neutered are also at higher risk even if they are outdoor cats, as their tendency to cruise the town to pick up babes has been diminished. Plumping up a little bit, especially during those slow winter months, seems harmless enough, but when you consider that over 40 percent of cats that are overweight are clinically obese, you know that we've got a collective overindulgence happening.

I know it might seem like the best way to your cat's heart, but feeding your cat too much can contribute to conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, and in the worst case, something nasty called Hepatic Lipidosis, which results in the cat processing its own fat in its liver instead of energy and nutrients from its food.
Most cats can't order pizza on their own. Because you are in complete control of your cat's food intake, you also have a responsibility to keep him or her healthy. Different breeds also have different dietary requirements, so asking your catowning friends what and how much they feed their cat is not a reliable way to go. Try running your hands down the sides of your cat. If you need to use a good bit of pressure in order to feel the ribs, then your cat is likely overweight. Any visibly distended or pouchlike belly is also a good indication of a weight problem.
As with most things, it's much easier to keep good habits from the start than to try to initiate a crash diet for your cat, as most adult cats will not appreciate a change in their elaborate cuisine. Some will let you know it in dramatic fashion. Gradual change is necessary.
The biggest hurdle might be switching from a freefeeding model to one where you feed at intervals two or four times a day. This way you can cap the total amount of daily food intake, even if you are leaving food in the bowl in between sessions. In general, cat owners think in terms of cups of food. These portions should be downsized in most cases and thought of in terms of ounces. A 7 pound cat, for instance, should expect a meal of one ounce in size. Really. It's not animal cruelty. They used to have hunt for that ounce.
There are also foods to avoid, at least on a regular basis. For example, even though cats will drink milk, most are in fact lactose intolerant, which means that milk will upset their stomach and may cause diarrhea. Tuna is another food which might be great for your cat's birthday or thanksgiving dinner, but not year round, and never as their main diet. The tuna that we eat is high in polyunsaturated fats, which is fine for humans, but not so good for cats. Cats need vitamin E in their diet, and while tunaflavored cat foods have vitamin E supplemented, ordinary tuna does not.
Of course, maintaining a healthy size and shape for your cat goes beyond regulating diet. If you have an indoor cat, do your part to keep them stimulated. Always have enough cat toys on hand, ones that you know your cat shows interest in. Have some cat posts or other fun stuff for them to scratch or jump up on. When they invite you to a play session, oblige them. A play session right before bedtime might even avoid some of those rude awakenings that you get with a habitually nocturnal pet. Even better, a play session followed by a food session right before you go to bed, and you can bet they will be yearning for a cat nap.
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