Feeding Cats Kibble Can Make Them Obese | Central Florida Online

By Dr. Mitsie Vargas

For many cat owners feeding their cats with a high quality dry kibble has been the standard. Some experts are now saying that these commercial diets are at the center of an epidemic of obesity and diabetes among our feline friends. So, how do you know what?s the purrrfect food for your kitty?

To try and find an answer, veterinarians and nutritionists are looking at the evolutionary history of our cats. All of our felines, purebred and mixed, are descended from a Middle Eastern wild cat that goes by the simple name of Desert Cat. As with most desert creatures, our cats? ancestors evolved to obtain most of their water from the food they ate. In the cat?s case, the majority of their moisture came from hunting lizards, small rodents, birds and insects.

And, unlike their canine cousins, these cats didn?t routinely eat plant material as a significant portion of their diet. Cats evolved to be obligate carnivores, meaning that all their nutritional needs can be met through eating animal tissue. Some experts are concerned that most of our pet cats are eating dry cat food made with significant amounts of cereal grains. In a recent paper published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA), author Dr. Deb Zoran speculates that the use of grains in our cats? diets as well as the routine use of a dry food has potentially predisposed a large percentage of cats to diabetes, obesity and several other issues, including blockages in the urinary tract.

One solution proposed by experts is to use grain-free, canned cat foods. Unfortunately, not all cat owners like this option as they feel it is wasteful (the canned food dries out quickly) and more expensive. Using a dry food offers the owner convenience and less of a mess to clean up. There are even cats who refuse to eat canned diets. Moreover, some veterinarians feel that cats will overeat canned diets just as easily as dry and the sticky wet foods promote more dental issues than the dry kibble. Finally, because canned diets of the meat and gravy variety are only complete and balanced if the pet eats the whole portion, cats who lick up the gravy and leave the meat are at risk for nutritional deficiencies. I advise to look for holistic, grain-free dry formulas like Wellness diets.

Although nutrition does play a part in diseases like diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease and urinary obstruction, other factors, such as genetics and environmental issues, also influence the progression of these illnesses. So, a switch to canned diets may not prevent the development of these diseases.

Choose foods wisely. There are many commercial diets, canned and dry, prepared by companies who have invested years in developing nutritionally-sound diets for pets. Don?t be fooled by fancy label claims or celebrity endorsements. Your veterinarian is a great resource to help you find a quality food for your pet.

Remember to start any new diets by mixing the old food with the new over a period of days. Sudden changes in diet can be hard on a cat?s digestive system or could cause them to stop eating entirely.

Finally, remember to ?count calories? with your cats. Leaving bowls full of dry kibble AND feeding canned diets can lead to overweight kitties and the problems mentioned above. Feed small meals frequently throughout the day to mimic a cat?s natural ?grazing? activity. Some owners even hide small amounts of kibble around the house for cats to ?hunt.?

Nutrition is probably the most important aspect of the health of any pet. Veterinarians and nutritionists are actively researching and refining diets to best match the needs of our cats. You can find more helpful pet care information at our pet library at www.osahvets.com.

Dr. Mitsie Vargas, DVM, CVA, is a veterinarian at Orchid Springs Animal Hospital in Winter Haven. For more information, visit www.osahvets.com.

Source: http://centralfloridaonline.com/2012/03/feeding-cats-kibble-can-make-them-obese/

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