Dieting
Q. What do you prescribe for an overweight but apparently healthy tabby of 6 years. a) A low fat foodstuff which satisfy's appetite. b) Medication to help reduce current wight Yours sincerely, Chris Howes
You really need to make this decision together with your vet who can discuss the pros and cons of medication versus diet. There are a number of factors to take into account as regards diet. Low fat diets are more restricted in calories and higher fibre levels promote satiety. Another option is using a high protein weight loss food which will also help preserve lean body tissue (muscle). This is a newer strategy which is very successful in many cats. L-carnitine is another ingredient to look out for in the recipe as this can increase energy metabolism, leading to faster weight loss and maintenance of lean muscle tissue. Feeding little and often can help as each meal results in some energy being lost because of the energy required to digest the food.
The amount of food fed each day should be gauged so as to result in gradual loss of body weight and it is important that very overweight cats are not allowed to fast for more than 2 days, as this can result in liver problems. Once your cat has reached a target weight you should also discuss the options for controlling weight long term. This will probably involve feeding a light diet of some description, such as Hill’s Science Plan Feline Light Adult or perhaps even a prescription type diet if your vet thinks that is the best option for your cat.
By Libby Sheridan (Hills Pet Nutrition) (Professional Advisor)
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