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How Do I Know That My Cat Is Fat?

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Cats may be compared to human beings in many ways. When we eat our daily food, we know that we should take care to ensure that what we are eating is of good quality and certainly is safe to eat. The same care should apply to your pet cat, we should be aware of what is eating and when it is eating to avoid problems of obesity.
You are with your pet cat constantly and may not notice a very slight, a very gradual increase in weight; at least not until the extra weight virtually "screams" at you.
There are some classic symptoms which will go a long way in finding out whether your cat is becoming overweight. Some of the classic symptoms are:
• If you find a cat with a double chin, you can safely assume that it is becoming overweight. The best way to identify it is to look for a mass of fat, not just loose skin, underneath its chin. If it is present, you can be pretty sure that your cat is overweight.
• Another symptom which is very crucial is the size of the belly. A large belly is a good sign that she is becoming fat and it can be confirmed further if the stomach is dangling, which is a possible sign of obesity.
• A cat of normal or expected weight can easily be identified by trying to feel its rib cage. Feel the ribs. Easy identification of individual ribs is a sign that you cat is normal in weight. If there is a noticeable amount of fat you are seeing a definite indication your cat is overweight. If the ribs are difficult to identify individually your cat is very likely obese.
Many cat owners do not easily understand the problems associated with their cats being overweight or obese. For many of them a chubby and well-rounded cat is something which they adore and love. While it may be very good for cuddling, as far as its health is concerned it is indeed very damaging. Remember, like human beings, being overweight means accumulation of unnecessary fats around the body. This additional weight needs to be carried by the cat, which of course does put a lot of strain on its cardio respiratory system, kidneys, liver and other important internal organs. (Think more visits to the veterinarian, particularly as the cat gets older.) Keeping watch on the weight of your cat is very important.
Apart from regular exercise, which is so important, food habits also form an important part in regulating and maintaining your pet's normal weight. Many cat owners have a habit of offering their cat some newly discovered food, which the owner bought because it was "on sale" or has an attractive package. These food items may be loaded with calories from non-nutritious ingredients and could contribute to an increase in weight. Here are some rules for choosing cat food:
• Read the label.
• Read the label for ingredients.
• Read the label for % nutrients and moisture content.
Choosing a correct and balanced diet is very important for your cat's weight management. Checking your cat, just as humans weigh themselves, is very important for maintaining your cat's ideal weight.
Being raised with 6 cats gave me an intense education on "what can go wrong" when living with such a mix of felines!
With a current pet cat that is a true "fluff ball" I was on a first name basis with our vet.
I needed to find out more about WHY and HOW my overweight cat had gotten this way. Intense research led me to problems, concerns, questions and solutions!

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