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On International Cat Day, new data from Banfield Pet Hospital reveals a steady rise in cats diagnosed as overweight or obese over the past 10 years.
Dr. Tabitha Hookey, Scientific Specialist at Royal Canin® and Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionist, analyses the scenario and shares best practices
The serious health consequences of overweight and obesity are felt by cats and their owners all over the world. In fact, new data from Banfield Pet Hospital found a steady increase in overweight cats over the past decade. Analysing data from more than 500,000 cats seen at its U.S.-based practices annually, Banfield saw a 65% jump in the rate of cats diagnosed as overweight or obese in 2023 compared to 2013.
On International Cat Day, Royal Canin® honours its commitment to feline health through nutrition by spreading knowledge to pet owners on healthy weight and how to help achieve it in cats.
A few tips to keep your cat healthy
“In cats, the physical burden of carrying extra weight frequently leads to compromised mobility and a reduced ability to demonstrate normal behaviours like jumping, playing, and even grooming themselves - changes which negatively impact a cat's quality of life.
The serious health consequences of overweight and obesity are felt by cats and their owners all over the world. In fact, new data from Banfield Pet Hospital found a steady increase in overweight cats over the past decade. Analysing data from more than 500,000 cats seen at its U.S.-based practices annually, Banfield saw a 65% jump in the rate of cats diagnosed as overweight or obese in 2023 compared to 2013.
On International Cat Day, Royal Canin® honours its commitment to feline health through nutrition by spreading knowledge to pet owners on healthy weight and how to help achieve it in cats.
A few tips to keep your cat healthy
“In cats, the physical burden of carrying extra weight frequently leads to compromised mobility and a reduced ability to demonstrate normal behaviours like jumping, playing, and even grooming themselves - changes which negatively impact a cat's quality of life.
In addition to being associated with common health issues such as joint or lower urinary tract disorders, obesity is also a major risk factor for diabetes mellitus in cats. Maintaining a cat at a healthy body weight from kittenhood and throughout their life is a valuable way for cat lovers to help their feline companions stay healthy and happy in the long run,” said Dr. Tabitha Hookey, Scientific Specialist and Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionist at Royal Canin®.
In honour of International Cat Day, she shared a few of her top tips to help keep cats in good shape:
In honour of International Cat Day, she shared a few of her top tips to help keep cats in good shape:
#1. Ensure the right start of life:
Prevention is key when it comes to weight conditions. We encourage pet owners to consider the amount of food their cat receives just as carefully as they select what type of food they eat. Instilling simple healthy feeding practices, such as measuring your cat’s daily meal portions from an early age during kittenhood, can help establish important habits that maximize healthy weight outcomes in the long term.
Additionally, using the WALTHAM™ Kitten Growth Charts, with your veterinary care provider, you can now track your kitten’s growth pattern to know if they’re on a healthy weight trajectory.
#2. Weigh them often:
#2. Weigh them often:
With such small bodies, even seemingly small amounts of excess weight – like 500 grams or 1 pound - can have a health impact on cats, and often go unnoticed in daily life. As a little bit of weight can stack up surprisingly quickly, weighing your cat as often as every 3-6 months will help you to identify weight changes early, before the problem is serious, and help to prompt consultation with your veterinarian for a proactive nutrition plan to get your cat back on track.
#3. Treat them right:
Sharing treats and snacks is often a special bonding moment between an owner and their beloved cat, and this can absolutely be part of a healthy and balanced feeding routine.
A quick rule of thumb is that calories coming from treats and snacks should not exceed 10% of a cat’s total daily calorie intake. This is easy to achieve when feeding treats of cat-safe low-calorie vegetables – cooked zucchini, for example, is a surprisingly popular choice among cats. Moreover, cat owners should always remember that cats who seem to beg for food may actually be seeking attention or affection, and that bonding does not necessarily have to be centred around food.
Outside of mealtimes, try meeting your cat’s request for attention with a moment of play with a favourite toy, grooming, or petting – your cat may just love it!
#4. Work with your veterinary team:
#4. Work with your veterinary team:
It’s important to regularly check in with your veterinarian who can partner with you on your pet’s nutritional needs, as well as your pet’s ideal weight and the appropriate steps to take together to get there. Just as with people, pet weight management is unique to each pet.
This International Cat Day is the perfect occasion for pet owners to continue learning and implementing healthy habits, and for Royal Canin® to share knowledge and advice in commitment to its purpose: 'a better world for pets'.
This International Cat Day is the perfect occasion for pet owners to continue learning and implementing healthy habits, and for Royal Canin® to share knowledge and advice in commitment to its purpose: 'a better world for pets'.
MEDIA RELEASE, August 7th, Aimargues, France
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