The Secrets to Feline Weight Loss Clinical Nutrition Web-Exclusive Deborah Linder, DVM, DACVN, Tufts University Although obesity management can be challenging in any pet, feline weight loss presents unique challenges for the veterinary team. Following are some tips from a board-certified veterinary nutritionist that can help increase success in a feline weight management program: Start Early Obesity is easier prevented than treated, so help clients achieve and maintain a healthy weight in their cats from the first kitten visit. Discussing the body condition score and measured feeding amounts (not ad libitum feeding) at their initial visit and emphasizing healthy weight at each wellness examination reminds clients of the importance of a healthy weight. At the time of neuter, reassess kitten or cat calorie requirements to maintain an ideal weight. Energy requirements of cats can decrease up to 30% after neutering, so limiting the amount of food fed is key to early obesity prevention.1 Related Article: Top 5 Clinical Consequences of Obesity Increase Awareness with Clients Prevalence of feline obesity has reached up to 63% of the cat population,2 and many clients have a misperception of body condition in their pets. In one study, almost half of owners surveyed thought their pets were an ideal weight, even though their veterinarian determined them to be overweight.3 Explaining body condition scoring to owners and the consequences of obesity is another initial step in developing a weight-loss plan and increasing owner compliance. Related Article: Obesity Management Calculation Sheet Watch for Comorbidities Feline obesity is a risk for many diseases (eg, osteoarthritis, lower urinary tract disease, dermatitis, diabetes mellitus).4 For many of these diseases, weight loss is a mainstay of treatment for overweight cats and, in particular for diabetes, can increase likelihood for remission.5 Endocrine changes can begin long before clinical disease becomes apparent in obese pets, so laboratory screening is recommended in any overweight cat. Impaired insulin sensitivity has been associated with obesity even in cats younger than 1 year of age,6 highlighting the need for preventive and aggressive weight management well before pets are obese with clinical disease. There are a variety of therapeutic weight-loss diets that may also be appropriate for comorbid conditions, but careful diet selection ensures that multiple diseases can be managed effectively. Count Calories, Not Carbs One nutrition myth is that diets higher in carbohydrates lead to obesity in cats and that low-carbohydrate diets are more effective for weight loss; however, high-fat diets have been shown to be more of a concern for obesity development than are high-carbohydrate diets when fed freely, bringing attention to total calories instead of source of calories.7 In general, low-carbohydrate dry foods are not recommended for weight loss because the carbohydrates are typically replaced with fat, leading to high-caloric density (some ≤500 kcal/cup). Feeding amounts would likely need to be measured in tablespoons, kibbles, or grams, leading to decreased compliance. Regardless of carbohydrate levels in a diet, the most important thing to look for in a weight-reduction food is a high nutrient:calorie ratio. These foods can be higher in fiber or moisture to reduce calorie density and also higher in nutrients like protein to provide for cats’ essential nutrient needs even when reducing total calories. For those wanting a low-carbohydrate approach, there are a number of canned foods that are high in nutrients, protein, and moisture, while minimizing calories and carbohydrates. Be Creative with Activity Encouraging exercise in cats allows for clients to positively interact with their animal without focusing on food. Interactive toys, laser pointers, and electronic mice interest many cats. In addition, for food-motivated cats, food-dispensing toys and meals or kibbles spread throughout different parts of the house can be an effective motivator for increased activity. Dispensers or auto-feeders also help remove the client from the feeding process and may decrease cat begging behaviors. Final Thought Although not all clinical signs are overt, being overweight has been associated with many clinical and subclinical conditions that put a patient’s health at risk. Excess weight is easier to prevent than treat, so conveying the urgency of a healthy weight before consequences are apparent will help keep patients healthier and happier.
Posted on: Fri, 06 Jun 2014 21:00:00 +0000
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