The truth about obesity diets for cats
Cats nearly always become overweight from eating more food than they need. This is often coupled with a lack of exercise. The calories in the food that are not used for daily activities are stored as fat. Occasionally, metabolic disorders can result in a pet becoming overweight, but overfeeding and under-exercising are much more common causes of excess weight.
Your veterinary surgeon will set a target weight for your cat and will recommend a diet and quantity to be fed to aid in weight reduction.
Overweight cats can be uncomfortable and less able to play and exercise. Being overweight may also predispose your cat to, or aggravate, the following problems:
Mobility disorders (arthritis, hip dysplasia, spinal disc problems)
Decreased exercise tolerance
Liver disease
Diabetes mellitus
Surgical and anaesthetic risk
Heat intolerance
Poor coat and skin condition
Lowered resistance to infectious diseases
Key benefits of obesity foods:
Ensures safe, healthy, controlled weight loss
Maintains a balanced intake of protein, vitamin and minerals during weight loss
Chondroitin and glucosamine help support joints
Maintain good skin and coat condition
Contain L-carnitine to aid in fatty acid oxidation and use, so reducing conversion to body fat
Weight loss programme ensures maintenance of lean body tissue
High palatability
Enriched with an optimum antioxidant complex
Reduced fat content helps to avoid weight gain by reducing the calorific intake. The body then has to use stored body fat to meet energy needs, resulting in weight loss.
High protein content helps reduce loss of muscle mass
A low carbohydrate intake lowers blood glucose levels
The high soluble fibre content increases the volume of stomach contents and promotes satiety (reducing the feeling of hunger) by delaying stomach emptying. Soluble fibre slows the release of insulin into the bloodstream and improves glycaemia control in diabetic cats.
The synergistic antioxidant complex helps maintain healthy DNA, promotes health of the immune system and neutralises free radicals.
High mineral and vitamin concentration compensates for the effect of energy restriction ensuring an appropriate nutritional supply.
Chondroitin sulphate and glucosamine help to maintain normal mobility in the highly stressed joints of obese cats.
Essential fatty acids (Omega 3 and omega 6) and trace elements promote a healthy skin and shiny coat.
L-carnitine increases conversion of fat to energy which helps to maintain a lean body mass.
Hills Prescription Diet Feline R/D
Hills Prescription Diet Feline R/D is for the Nutritional Management of Overweight Cats. A weight problem can cause your cat discomfort, reduce energy levels and even decrease his or her life expectancy. This problem is typically caused by too many calories, too much fat and not enough exercise. Hills Prescription Diet Feline R/D was created especially for the management of cats that are overweight or obese which can lead to heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes. Hills Prescription Diet Feline R/D is a low calorie, high fibre nutritional therapy with the highest levels of L- carnitine to effectively reduce weight and increase lean muscle mass while helping cats feel full. Indications:
Hills Prescription Diet Feline M/D
New Prescription Diet Feline m/d - is an alternative diet for weight loss in cats, and is low in carbohydrate but high in protein. With also the highest levels of L-Carnitine Hills Prescription Diet Feline m/d works with the cat`s unique metabolism to reduce body fat and increase muscle mass without excess stool. Added fibre helps to increase satiety.
Hills Prescription Diet Feline W/D
Hills Prescription Diet Feline W/D for the Nutritional Management of Obese Prone and Slightly Overweight Cats Even minor weight problems can have an impact on your cat’s health and energy levels. It’s a problem that frequently begins with excessive calorie and fat intake as well as a lack of adequate exercise. Hills Prescription Diet Feline W/D was formulated specifically to help manage cats that are slightly overweight as well as those prone to gaining weight. Weight problems can lead to more serious conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, and several others.
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Feline Obesity DP 42
Complete and dietetic food for cats formulated to reduce excessive bodyweight. This dietetic food contains a low energy level.
Eukanuba Special Care Restricted Calorie Cat
Restricted-Calorie formulas are high-quality foods that have been specially developed to help your pet lose excess pounds safely. You can feed a reasonable amount of the Formula and still control fat and calorie intake.
Purina Veterinary Diet Feline OM (Obesity Management)
Purina Veterinary Diets OM Obesity Management brand feline formula provides balanced nutrition for safe and effective weight loss. Dietetic food for the nutritional treatment of excessive body weight by means of a low energy diet
This article is intended as a guide only. Always seek veterinary advice regarding the diet of your cat as they will be able to recommend the best option for your cat’s nutritional needs.