Dear Dr. Evans,
I just got my first apartment and a new kitten—yay! One thing I’m worried about, though; the cats I grew up with all got fat as they get older. I know being overweight isn’t good for anyone, but it seems like it’s inevitable. Is there anything I can do to prevent my new kitty from packing on the pounds?
—Fitness Freak
Dear Freak,
Please go straight to your mirror, look yourself in the eye, and repeat after me: weight gain is not inevitable. Repeat it until you believe it.
I grant you, sometimes it seems that way. My guess is your family cats got heavy because someone in the household—an indulgent grandpa, maybe?—killed them with kindness. When someone you love is purring and rubbing your ankles, it’s easy to slip them a little tuna or a some extra Fancy Feast, right? Obesity awareness today is, fortunately, at a higher level than ever before, yet better than 50 percent of cats and dogs are overweight. It’s terrific that you’re thinking ahead, so here’s some advice.
First, be aware of what a healthy weight looks like. You should be able to feel your cat’s ribs readily, without a layer of fat intervening. If you look at kitty from above, her waist should nip in, and from beneath, she should have a nice little tummy tuck. If in doubt, your vet can offer you a frank assessment of your cat’s body condition.
Another thing to keep in mind—once you spay or neuter a cat or dog, their energy requirements drop dramatically. It’s like the difference between being a teenager with a revved-up metabolism and an adult with a spreading waist and a midlife crisis that you’re treating with Ben and Jerry’s. So be careful to reduce the amount you feed after your cat is fixed.
You can get as many opinions on diet as there are veterinarians, so I’ll just say this: feed a high-quality food, and use the feeding guidelines as just that—guidelines. If your cat’s ribs are plainly visible, increase her ration by about an eighth. If you’re starting to feel fat between her ribs and your fingertips, decrease by an eighth. Always go slow with dieting a cat, and ask your vet for advice.
Finally….and don’t laugh!….your cat needs plenty of exercise. It’s easier than it sounds. Hide low-cal treats around the house in paper bags so your cat will have to hunt for them. Provide lots of levels for your kitty to climb, such as cat trees and condos. Scatter catnip around the house. Throw balled-up aluminum foil or a lightweight ball down the stairs. Get a laser pointer and watch your cat lose her mind trying to catch the little red dot.
So please don’t feel your cat is doomed to be plus-sized in the future. Your vigilance will pay off with a svelte-for-life cat. And after all, cats like to look sharp.
Dr. Lynn Anne Evans of the Barrington Veterinary Clinic has been practicing veterinary medicine for 26 years. Do you have a pet question for Dr. Evans? Please email life@eastbaynewspapers.com, with “Dr. Evans” in the subject line. The Barrington Veterinary Clinic is located at 260 Waseca Ave., Barrington.