Cats - Did you Know......?

cats are obligate carnivores [mouse anyone?], getting their nutritional needs met by the

consumption of animals rather than plant-based food sources

one ounce of cheese fed to a 10 pound cat is the equivalent of three and a half hamburgers

for a human and one cup of milk for a 10 pound cat is the equivalent of four and a half hamburgers

for a human! 

managing your your cat's weight  is imperative in order to avoid a diabetes and

other unnecessary medical diagnosis.

if overweight when diagnosed,  weight loss MUST be gradual and tracked

closely as a cat MUST NOT lose more than 2% of their body weight a week.

cats have a low thirst drive and need water 'in' their food, thus a wet diet is

thought to be healthier for your cat than dry kibble.

diabetes often occurs amongst overweight or obese animals, when excess fat leads to insulin resistance.

the typical signs or symptoms of feline diabetes are:

• urinating too much (polyuria) - a cat with diabetes mellitus may begin urinating inappropriately e.g in the house because it is
  

  drinking a lot (polydipsia)

• increased appetite (polyphagia) BUT STILL LOSING WEIGHT
  

• general signs - lethargy (which is sometimes hard to notice with cats as they are such nappers as it is)
  

• poor coat condition may also be present.
  

chronic conditions caused by uncontrolled diabetes in your cat:

• Persistently high concentrations of glucose in the blood may damage to nerves resulting in weakness and muscle wasting,
  

  usually of the hind legs.

• Cataracts are seen far more commonly in diabetic dogs than in diabetic cats
  

.

Listen to Weight Loss Tips for Cats from the American Veterinary Medical Association

So Easy to Prevent - So Hard to Turn Around:  Protect Your Pets BEFORE Problems and Conditions Develop