Hill’s Pet Nutrition Hill’s is on a mission to turn lazy Cattonians into Olympic athletes and are encouraging cats to shed excess weight this Pet Obesity Month!
Who knew that the key to a cat’s fitness was merely moving with them, right?! Well, not quite.
According to Dr. Karien Brink, the pet wellness guru at Hill’s Pet Nutrition, pet obesity is the number one health scare for the cats of Cape Town. Turns out that 90% of cat parents are blissfully ignorant of their feline’s weight, while over 50% of felines are packing on the pounds like they’re preparing to beat the best at the Olympics.
So, if your cat is starting to resemble a overstuffed throne cushion that insists on dining from the most expensive cat bowl money can buy, it’s time to trade those gourmet treats for a rousing game of cat and ball beach tennis!
How can you tell if your cat is overweight?
- Does your pet struggle to catch their breath when going for a walk or climbing the stairs?
- Have they become noticeably less active and eager to play?
- Are they looking a little bit rounder – their ribs are difficult to feel, they have a broader back, a severe abdominal bulge, and/or fat deposits around their neck and tail?
It’s true that cats who are overweight are less happy. They live shorter lives and are at a higher risk of developing arthritis, urinary conditions, skin problems, heart disease, and cancer. Carrying just an extra kilogram or two can affect your cat’s health and longevity.
Tips for cats to shed weigh
- Keep a check on treats – extra treats and human food can quickly produce additional calories and kilos. If you want to treat your pet, think of alternatives rather than food, such as a new toy, extra playtime, snuggles, and games.
- Get active – play a game of catch with your dog in the park or garden, to keep your dog moving. They will also love quality time.
- Take a walk – a stroll around the neighbourhood or park is a great way to keep your dog moving and, if you can, include some obstacles and different terrains, to challenge your dog a little more.
- Engage with your cat – boxes, pet tunnels, and a crumpled piece of paper are activities that will provide fun and exercise for your cat.
- Discuss diet with your vet – Whether your pet needs to lose weight or maintain a healthy one, ask your vet for the best-suited food options. Studies have shown that 88% of pets lost weight in just two months, with a reduction in body fat of up to 28% when being fed Hill’s Prescription Diet Metabolic or Hill’s Prescription Diet Metabolic + Mobility.
- Follow the feeding guidelines on the pack – to prevent overfeeding, weigh your pet’s food, place it in the Hill’s feeding cup, and cut the cup to the correct level. Alternatively, use a weight measuring cup. This helps to ensure that whoever is feeding your pet is giving the right amount of food each time.
Calorie counting and reducing portion sizes is not sustainable and inevitably your pet will put on weight they have lost. Instead, pet parents should feed a food that encourages fat burning instead of fat storing, helping pets lose weight effectively and keep it off.
Pet Obesity Month is like a fluffy little wake-up call that reminds humans to keep our fur babies fit and fabulous! Let’s swap those extra treats for more playtime—because nothing says “loving cat parent” like a fur-covered couch and a laser pointer that doubles as your new best friend.
