Fat to fit plan for your feline

Felines are no different from human beings in terms of weight gain – if calorie intake is greater than calorie burned, they will put on weight. And if you have a housecat who has the choicest of foods and treats handfed to her, chances are, your kitty is…well…going to end up on the tubby side. Here’s how to handle the extra flab.

Sometime back, authorities in New Jersey found a cat weighing 20 kg wandering in streets. She was nicknamed Captain Chunk (and later renamed Princess Chunk after obvious discoveries were made) and put up for adoption. This incident brought to light the serious problem of obesity in cats the world over.

Some studies suggest that almost 25 percent of housecats may be overweight; meaning that they are 15–20 percent over their ideal body weights. This figure is not hard to believe since we tend to indulge our cats with free feeding, calorie laden food and endless treats. Additionally, lack of exercise, neutering and ageing contribute further to this problem. A small percentage may become obese due to hypothyroidism, but this is rare.

First things first

So, how do you find out if your cat is overweight? Cats are unlikely to jump happily onto the weighing scales, so the best method is to weigh yourself with your pet in your arms and then again without, and make the deduction. On an average, housecats weigh between 4.5 and 5.5 kg. Of course, certain breeds will weigh more, so your vet is the best person to decide. Ideally, your cat will have a thin layer of fat under its skin, but that should not prevent you from feeling her ribs.

The health problems with obesity

Obesity is a serious condition in cats; one that often goes unnoticed. It is often diagnosed only when pet owners take cats in for a related condition. Some of the problems that stem from obesity include diabetes mellitus, lameness (caused by arthritis or muscle injuries), an increase in the incidence of skin conditions (probably because the cat cannot reach all its parts to groom properly), and serious problems of the heart and lung. One study found that overweight cats are twice as likely to die during middle age (anywhere between 6 and 12 years) than other normal cats.

A good news!

But here’s the good news: unlike in the case of humans, where we are constantly battling temptation and weakening will power, cats are fed by us. We control their diets to a large extent and we should exercise this power judiciously.

The kitty weight-loss plan

If your vet suspects a medical condition, he may prescribe a blood or urine test but otherwise the treatment for obesity is broadly along the following lines.

Reduce calorie intake

• Switch gradually from free feeding (topping the cat’s bowl anytime of the day) to 2-3 fixed meals a day.


• If the cat is fed wet food from a can or home prepared food, make the change gradually to an age appropriate, vet prescribed dry food, which is not only more nutritious and lower in calories, but also safeguards your cat’s teeth.


• If your cat is used to eating large quantities of food (think of Garfield chugging lasagna) - rather than abruptly reducing the quantity, switch to a lower calorie food of a similar volume initially, so your pet doesn’t protest too much.


• Snack hazards: show your love for your cat in ways other than food treats and avoid feeding your pet scraps from the table. This will also prevent begging and stealing of food.


• Account for metabolic slowdown due to age, neutering or change of environment (moving from bungalow to an apartment).


• Always consult your veterinary doctor before starting a weight loss programme for your cat.

Exercise your cat

• Play ‘catch’ or ‘predator’ with your cat.


• Take her for a walk on a leash (gives them a taste of the outdoors too).


• Get two kittens rather than one, so that your cat will have a playmate (this may not work if you bring a companion for an older cat).


• Go slow, be patient and realistic – with the help of your doctor, set targets.

Another interesting finding is that overweight pets often belong to overweight households, so this may be a good time to evaluate your whole family’s eating habits and switch to a healthier lifestyle for all!

Diet for your senior kitty

As our cats get older, it is very important to provide them with a good and healthy diet. Here are a few tips to choose the best diet for your ageing kitty.

• Good feeding plan. Setting a good feeding plan throughout their lives is the best way to maintain a happy and healthy cat who lives a happy and fit old age.


• Choose high quality food designed for senior cats. As cats get older they are far less active and their energy decreases so they do not require the same amount of food that they needed when they were younger. Some fat is needed in the diet but this should be reduced although not totally cut out. Senior cat food takes this into consideration and provides them with the vitamins, nutrients and fat that they require.


• Always choose food that your cat eats and enjoys. As they get older cats often lose some of their teeth and their gums may not be quite as strong and healthy as when they were younger. So, choose a diet which they can eat properly.


• Give protein to maintain their muscle tone and immune system. Beef, poultry, fish or lamb is preferable and better than protein from sources such as wheat or corn. A cat's system can use meat-based protein far better than plant-based protein. Approximately one-thirds of the diet should be made up of meat-based food and therefore also provide about one-thirds of their required calories.


• Provide two or three small meals a day for a senior cat than one large meal. If you are using canned food, always remove the uneaten portion after 30 minutes to prevent the food from spoiling. Some cats, who are not inclined to be obese, can be given a little food to nibble on during the day. If you have younger cats in the house it might be wise to feed your senior animals away so that the younger animals cannot reach it.


• No to treats and table scraps. It is not a good idea to give your cat, of any age, table scraps or regular treats.


• Provide your cat with fresh water at all times – especially cats who may have kidney problems.


• Watch the litter tray. It is important to watch their litter tray to make sure that their waste is not too loose as there may be insufficient fibre in the diet. If this continues for any length of time, always consult your veterinarian who will give your cat a full examination and make suggestions regarding a suitable diet to maintain good health.

(Joan Henderson is based in Australia and she has judged furry felines in many other countries including USA, Bermuda, Malaysia, South Africa, Hong Kong, Philippines and New Zealand)

Keep your kitty happy and healthy in her golden years

As pet parents, it can be really difficult for us to face the fact that the rambunctious, young kitten we got home few years back, has now grown into a somber senior cat. It’s now that your kitty needs more attention, love and care. Here’s how to keep her healthy and happy in these years.

In cats, the biological age depends on various factors like the quality of living conditions, her diet, general state of health and her genetic background. Cats over eight years are generally considered senior. Ageing can have the following effects on cats.

• With ageing, cats become susceptible to arthritis. This restricts their movement and makes it difficult for them to perform activities like climbing and jumping, which they would earlier perform with ease. 
  
  


• The diet needs of cats change as they age. Their body’s ability to digest fats and proteins decreases which may lead to weight loss, if sufficient amount of fats and proteins are not supplied through diet. Your cat might also eat less due to the loss of her sense of taste, smell or interest in food. On the other hand, some senior cats are prone to weight gain due to the lack of mobility and decline in the body’s metabolic rate. 
  
  


• Like humans, ageing also affects the mental agility of cats, thereby causing the loss of memory, cognition and degeneration of brain cells. Look out for signs of age-related deterioration of brain cells like excessive meowing, pacing around in circles, aimlessly wandering around the house and avoidance of social interaction. 
  
  


• The skin loses its elasticity and is prone to skin infections and inflammation in senior cats. The claws become thick, overgrown and brittle. 
  
  


• Ageing weakens the immune system and that makes older cats sensitive to common illnesses and infections. 
  
  


• Dental diseases are quite common in senior cats and often cause pain and discomfort while eating. 
  
  


• Eyesight and hearing power diminishes with ageing. Older cats also show discolouration and cloudiness of eyes.

Though there is nothing we can do to suppress the aforementioned signs of ageing, we can surely do our bit to slow down the process of ageing, by taking proper care of our kitty. Here are some of the steps we can take to ensure that our senior cat leads a comfortable life in her golden years.

• Provide your cat with nutritious food. The diet requirements of cats change as they age. Consult your vet to know more about the diet needs of your cat. Also older cats have increased water requirements and can easily get dehydrated. So, make sure you provide your kitty with sufficient drinking water. 
  
  


• Keep the food, water bowl and litter boxes in places that are easily accessible and your cat does not have to struggle to jump and climb up to reach for them. You can also help your cat climb up to her favourite spot by placing stools and cushions as steps. 
  
  


• Cats can groom themselves well but an older cat would need some external support in keeping herself clean and tidy. Give your cat regular brushing to remove loose hairs and detangle matted hair. Brushing also stimulates blood circulation and sebaceous gland secretion ensuring healthy skin and coat. Regular cleaning of teeth is essential to ward off dental problems. Occasionally, you can also give your cat a refreshing bath. She would surely come out feeling more youthful and energetic after a warm bath. 
  
  


• A daily dose of moderate exercise cannot only control weight gain but also improve the physical and mental fitness of cats. You can take short walks with your kitty or play fun games with your cats. 
  
  


• Senior cats love being in a familiar environment and are less adaptable to changes in their environment. New places and constant changes in the surroundings put them under stress. Maintain familiarity in your kitty’s environment and avoid changing places of things like your cat’s food bowl or the bed where she rests. 
  
  


• Observe for changes in your cat’s eating habits, sleeping patterns and behaviour and seek the help of vet if you notice something unusual. Have regular health checkups with the vet. This would help detect health problems at an early stage and prevent them from growing into something serious. 
  
  


• Provide your cat with all the love and emotional support she needs to be happy in her senior years.

Ageing is inevitable and we cannot do anything to prevent our pets from ageing but it is possible for us, the pet owners to help our pets age gracefully and keep them healthy and happy in their golden years.

Ask the expert..Nov-Dec 10

Q: My cat Oliver is a two-month-old Persian. Please advice about cat training and flea prevention.
- Asma Nadeem Ahmed, Bangalore

 

A: Dr KG Umesh: Early socialisation is the process by which a cat learns to relate appropriately to people, other cats and to her environment. The 'sensitive period' for socialisation lies between two and seven weeks of age in kittens. Getting the socialisation of your kitten right in the first few months of life ensures your kitten will develop a secure, well-adjusted personality. It also improves the quality of the cat-owner relationship and is very important for preventing behaviour problems. As with all training, it should be kind and based on positive reinforcement, rewarding correct action and ignoring all unwanted behaviours. Effective training should contain a combination of information (what you want the cat to do), motivation (a reason for the cat to do it) and timing (when to give the reward for a good action).

Flea control must be done in her environment before treating infested cat. Your veterinarian will recommend a suitable de-fleaing agent and will advise you on an effective flea-eradication programme that is safe for cats. Always follow the directions carefully, and remember to treat other pets in the household as well. Remove all of your cat's bedding and wash it well (hot wash cycle), along with the box or basket. Don't forget to vacuum thoroughly around the carpets and furniture.

Groom him beautiful!

Even though cats spend a lot of time licking and cleaning themselves, they still need regular grooming to remove loose hair, prevent matting and keep the skin free from diseases. Here's how to do that.

Step by step instructions for grooming cats

• Clean the cat's ears – Put a few drops of solution in your kitty's ears and wipe out with a cotton ball. If you notice excess waxy buildup, check for ear mites.


• Comb kitty if he has long hair.


• Wet cat thoroughly – If you don't get the cat wet down to the skin, he will not get clean.


• Apply shampoo – Apply to cat's neck first, then lather all over. Rinse thoroughly!


• Conditioner – If you opt for conditioner, use only a rinse-out type. Leave-in conditioners can cause diarrhea because your kitty licks himself to groom.


• Towel dry – If you have a longhaired cat, you may need a couple of towels for this step.


• Comb or brush – Combs work best for longhaired cats, brushes for shorthaired cats.


• Blowdrier – If you are blowdrying a longhaired cat, stop about halfway through and comb the cat again. This will speed up the drying process.


• Final comb through – If you have a shorthaired cat, you can skip the blowdrying, but towel dry your kitty well and then give them a good brushing.

Tips to follow

• Brushing too hard can roughen the hair cuticle, exposing its cortex and leaving the hair porous and frayed. If you can hear the brush, you are brushing too hard!


• Take your pets to a professional groomer or a vet for nail clipping as you can cut the quick- a vein present in their nails which can then bleed and cause pain.


• While cleaning ears, do not go deep into the ears.

Toygers: Mini tigers to love and cuddle

Those who are enchanted by tigers can bring home a Toyger with looks of a tiger but size like a toy and a heart of gold

Dressed to kill

Toygers were created to look like Toy Tigers. They are short haired, completely domestic cat derived fromcarefully selected domestic shorthairs and pedigreed cats like the Bengal. Medium-sized, Toygers are strong with long and muscular tail. Their coat is short and thick and soft to touch. Their colour is orange/tan background with dark stripes that reminds us of beautiful and athletic tiger.

The recognition

Toygers were recognised in TICA (The International Cat Association) for registration only in 1993 and worked up from Preliminary New Breed, Advanced New Breed and finally Championship status in May of 2008.

Extremely lovable

They are very lovable and get along well with children and dogs. They are very intelligent and make wonderful companion animals. They love to play, love lap time with their humans and enjoy social activities such as fetch and tug-of-war. They are athletic and love to run, climb and play with their human companion as well as other animals and children.

Kitty care

They are easily trained to walk on a leash if started at an early age. They must be kept indoors as they might find someone else to go home with or may be a bit hard on wildlife with their excellent hunting skills.

Grooming needs

Toygers are very sturdy, healthy breed of cat who require minimal grooming. Most Toygers enjoy bath time since they love to play in water. Their shiny (glittered) coats feel silky and plush to the touch.

Breeder tip

I would highly recommend a Toyger to anyone looking for a loving, playful companion. They may not be for everyone since they are very active and playful. They also love to talk and will carry on a complete conversation with you. They are an absolute joy to live with and the most amazing cat I have ever owned!

(Kim Chenault is TICA – LH/SHJudge in training and she owns a cattery – www.KCsJungleBabes.com)