#4: Obesity

This is the fourth and final installation in my four-part series on the health problems caused by feeding cats a typical dry food diet. You may want to read the introduction (Name That Food!) first.

Many, many cats fed a diet of commercial dry food are terribly overweight. Even one extra pound on an animal as small as a cat can lead to major health problems, from additional strain on joints to heart conditions and diabetes. With the high carbohydrate content in many dry foods, it's no wonder that cats are putting on weight. Cats DO NOT need carbohydrates. They don't process them well and regular consumption often leads to weight gain.

I've had many customers who were afraid to switch to canned food because they thought it would be more fattening than dry food. The truth is that dry foods contain much more fat than moist foods (feel free to compare the government-regulated "Guaranteed Analysis" panels that are printed on all pet foods). Besides, it's the carbohydrates in the rice and corn they're being fed (rather than dietary fat) that leads to weight gain. Put your kitty on an Adkin's diet! For goodness' sake, it's what she should be eating anyway!

I would recommend feeding an overweight cat a grain-free canned or raw food (which gets its bulk from essential moisture rather than unnecessary carbs) and watch the excess weight melt off. Keep in mind that your cat will need a smaller quantity of a high quality food to get the nutrients she needs. That means that you must be sure to follow the feeding guidelines on the package, adjusting them to match your cat's lifestyle (an active kitty may need more than the can suggests... a lazy one may need less). Also, if your cat expects treats throughout the day, remember to switch over to grain-free, protein-based snacks as well.

The "diet" I am suggesting is great for underweight cats as well. It's not a fad or a strict weight-loss regime like so many (ineffective) human diets. My goal is to get your cat eating the way felines are meant to eat... and since they don't make canned mice, grain-free canned or raw foods are the next-best thing. On a moist, grain-free diet, thin cats that won't eat much are sure to get more nutrients out of what they do acquiesce to eat (besides the fact that they are likely to eat more because this type of food is much more appetizing to a cat), and fat cats will lose weight because carbohydrates are so limited.

I would recommend the same (or a similar) diet for cats of all ages and weights, with quantity being the only variable factor.

Next up: Myth Busters!