Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for dogs and cats as it can help prevent a range of health problems. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, excess weight can reduce a pet’s life expectancy by more than two years.
Overweight Dogs and Cats
Overweight pets are at a higher risk of developing conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, respiratory disease, arthritis, and some forms of cancer. Additionally, obesity can worsen existing medical conditions and make it harder for pets to recover from illnesses or surgeries.
It’s important to note that maintaining a healthy weight is not just about the quantity of food, but also the quality. Feeding pets a balanced and nutritious diet that meets their individual needs is vital for their overall health and well-being [2].
Diabetes and Cats
Overweight cats are at a higher risk of developing diabetes mellitus. Obesity in cats leads to insulin resistance via multiple mechanisms, with each excess kilogram of body weight resulting in a 30% decline in insulin sensitivity. Obese, insulin-resistant cats with concurrent beta-cell dysfunction are at risk of progression to overt diabetes mellitus. In fact, overweight in cats is a major risk factor for diabetes mellitus and has also been associated with other disorders.
It’s important to note that feeding cats a balanced and nutritious diet that meets their individual needs is vital for their overall health and well-being. Since diabetic cats need to maintain an ideal weight to better regulate their blood glucose and proper hydration is critical for diabetics, especially those with other underlying medical issues, feeding canned food only or a mix of canned and kibble is most beneficial to your cat’s well-being.
If you have questions about your pet’s weight, or would like to speak with our team further, please give us a call at (970) 484-5667 to schedule an appointment!
