Dear Otis,

 I think I have a weight problem.  You see my owner thinks I am just big boned, but I think he is over-feeding me and not feeding me the correct food.  Is there anything you can tell me so I don’t have health issues down the road?

Sincerely,
Pleasantly Plump  

Dear Concerned, 

 Your owner may think nothing of this but just like people, cats can get health problems due to being overweight.  This is becoming a very serious issue these days and pet owners seem to think it’s cute to see a fat cat or pudgy dog.  

Your owner sees you basking in the sunlight, snoozing with a belly full of steak scraps left over from last night’s dinner.  I’m sure you’re happy but are you healthy?    Ensuring your pets health goes beyond resisting the sad eyes and whimpers for left overs.  Ignoring the content of your pets food and the need for exercise can lead to dangerous health habits that may haunt you and your owner in the future.   

Improper diet can lead to health problems serious enough to endanger your pets life.  Obese cats and dogs are more prone to diabetes.  A poor diet for your cat can also lead to urinary tract infections, which can block the ability to urinate.  As a result your cat can become critically ill within as little as 24 hours.  And just one treatment to clear a cat’s urinary tract can cost several hundred dollars.  

Controlling Fluffy’s diet and being aware of what to look for in the food you buy is very  important.    According to Cornell University, high-quality commercially prepared foods have been developed to give your pet the correct amount of nutrients and calories.  When you’re shopping for pet foods, read the label.  Items listed in the product are listed in order of decreasing proportional weight.  Meat, or seafood should be one of the first ingredients.  There are companies who do go the extra mile in minimizing the use of “fillers” in their foods.  These companies also avoid the questionable preservatives known as BHA, BHT and
ethoxyquin.  Many of these preservatives and additives do not agree with a cat’s digestive system.  This is why many cats vomit when eating a lower quality cat food.  I’m sure you’re owner wouldn’t eat at MacDonald’s three times a day, seven days a week.  Depending on the brand of cat food he is feeding you, this is exactly what he could be doing to your body.   

The best way to tell if you are overweight is to have an exam at the vet’s office.  He or she will tell you the truth. 

Sincerely,
Otis