Did you know that 400g of extra weight on a cat is the same as an extra 10-15kg on an average woman that’s 1,70m tall? But what is a healthy weight for cats, and when is it time to worry?

In most households, cats rule the roost and get what they want when they want it. But the problem with succumbing to the charm of those pleading eyes when it comes to food can put your furry friend’s health at risk. Overweight cats are four times for likely to contract diabetes and two times more likely to develop urinary stones that call for surgical intervention. So when does your cat’s weight become a problem?

How to determine a healthy weight for cats

Although your veterinarian may have your cat step on the scale at her next appointment, they’ll use more than this number to assess her health.

Veterinarians use a Body Condition System (BCS) to visually and physically assess whether your cat is too heavy or too thin. You can see the criteria your veterinarian uses when evaluating your cat’s weight here.

If you’re not sure if your kitty is a little overweight, you can make use of online tools to calculate it. We especially like Hill’s Pet Nutrition Calculator, which can be used before you consult with your vet about your cat’s diet. That being said, here are some tips you can implement to bring your cat back from the brink of becoming the next Garfield!

Tips for your cat’s weight

1. Offer smarter food choices

Cutting back on the amount of food you feed your overweight cat isn’t the solution to the problem. That’s why it’s better to chat to your vet about foods that’ll rev up your cat’s metabolism before you start restricting kilojoules.

2. Introduce new food gradually

It’s not wise to suddenly change your cat’s food since it can lead to an upset tummy or point-blank refusal to eat it from your cat’s side. You need to introduce your cat to the new food gradually, over a week. Try mixing the new food with your cat’s old food at a ratio of 3 to 1 with the majority being the old food and slowly shift the ratio until you’re at 100% new food.

3. Plan carefully when you’ve got two cats and only one cat’s weight is a problem

The last thing you want to do is give your dieting cat access to your healthy cat’s food bowl. Make sure they have separate feeding areas and that your overweight cat doesn’t have access to food throughout the day. If need be, use a cardboard box and cut a hole in it that’s only big enough for the slimmer cat to fit through.

4. Pump up his physical activity

Exercise is an essential part of staying healthy, for all cats, not just the ones that have issues with their weight. But of course, you’ll need to be the one that encourages active play if your overweight cat is on the lazy side. Perhaps it might be a good idea to invest in some interactive toys that encourage play. Something as simple as a cat tickler can help promote hunting, running, and jumping, but so will a tall scratch post.

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Cats have a way of looking healthy and fit, while in reality, they’re just damn good at hiding their illnesses. Even when your cat is unwell, he or she will still tap into his evolutionary habit of trying to look healthy. And to the unsuspecting cat owner, this can trick you into thinking that your feline friend got sick “out of the blue”.

Here at Petz, we care about you and your furry friends, and that’s why we’re here to lend a hand. Here’s what to be on the lookout for before things head way too far south.

How to spot illness in cats

He drinks more water than usual

Cats are just as susceptible to kidney disease and diabetes as humans are, and this can lead to an increase in water intake. You might not notice that your cat is drinking more water, but if you’re scooping up more pee dumps in the little box than usual, something might be cooking. It’s always a good idea to head over to the vet for some blood and urine tests.

She’s losing weight

We recently discussed the issues with cats and their weight, because honestly, the world is full of obese cats. If your cat is currently on a diet, this one does not count since you’re aiming for weight loss after all. Weight loss in cats can be caused by a range of conditions. These include thyroid problems, liver disease, diabetes, and cancer. Sometimes the weight loss is so subtle that you don’t notice it day after day.

He isn’t grooming

If your cat usually had the best grooming habits but looks a lot more bed heady lately, something might be wrong. And he could be hiding illness. Even older cats still groom themselves as long as they’re healthy. So don’t be fooled into thinking it has something to do with old age.

There might not be a thousand ways to spot illness in cats. But it’s definitely worthwhile considering these tips we just mentioned. The sooner you spot illness, the sooner you can intervene and possibly save your cat’s life.

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Cats that live the longest

Siamese

Unique and beautiful, the Siamese cat has been fascinating mankind for centuries on end. These cats originally come from Thailand but fast became a worldwide favourite once they started being exported in the 1800s. as one of the cats that live the longest, the average Siamese cat has a lifespan of between 15 and 20 years.

Burmese

The Burmese is a cross between a Siamese and a small brown cat from Burma, which is why it has the same distinctive chocolate colour as the Siamese has on its ears and tail. These social and playful cats to well indoors. Despite some concerns about developing glaucoma, the Burmese cat can live for 16-18 years.

Savannah Cat

Part African serval, part domestic cat, the wild-yet-tame Savannah cat isn’t suitable for an inexperienced owner. With its bold behaviour, high levels of confidence, and it’s love for all things social, this cat loves people but might also have some behavioural concerns and unpredictable temperament. Estimated lifespan: 17-20 years.

Ragdoll

If you’re looking for a lap-cat that’ll grow old with you, the Ragdoll can be your ideal furry friend. The cat’s medium-length coat doesn’t require a lot of grooming, and because they’re bigger in stature, they’re never looked over. Although Ragdolls might have urinary concerns, your cat should live for 15-19 years if you ensure it stays hydrated and follows a diet optimized to balance urine pH.

Sphynx

The alien-like hairless Sphynx is a super needy cat, but it gives love by the bucket load. These cats are especially popular with people that are allergic to cat fur. But the Sphynx actually produces excess oils and dander to keep its skin protected. This is really a high maintenance cat because it needs to wear something in order to keep warm during the winter. Also, they need regular baths to help get rid of all those excess oils. If you’re okay with doing your duties, the Sphynx cat can live up to the age of 20. Perhaps you might want to consider health insurance for this long-living feline!

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Here’s why your cat might be at risk of lily poisoning

When it comes to lilies, the saying “curiosity killed the cat” might not be that far from the truth. Even just a sniff of the pollen from certain types of lilies can be fatal to your cat. While cats don’t generally munch on houseplants, the risk is still very real. Even if your cat doesn’t ingest a leaf from the lily plant, he or she can still come into contact with the toxins of the plant. Even just inhaling the pollen of lilies can potentially be lethal.

Which types of lilies cause lily poisoning in cats?

Although all lilies should be treated with caution, the most dangerous types are:

• Daylilies
• Easter lilies
• Stargazer lilies
• Tiger lilies
• Red lilies
• Asiatic lilies
• Japanese lilies
• Rubrum lilies

What are the symptoms of poisoning?

You should be wary of the sudden onset of symptoms including:

• Refusal to eat
• Vomiting
• Drooling
• Lethargy

If any of these symptoms are present, it’s essential to get your pet to the vet as soon as possible. Lily poisoning causes quick onset of kidney failure in cats, so this really is a matter of life and death.

Your vet will most likely perform a range of blood tests if he suspects that your cat might have been poisoned by lilies. He’ll also take urine samples, admit your kitty to the hospital and put him or her on a drip. It’s quite possible that your cat will also be treated for kidney failure.

Are any types of lilies safe for my cat?

Some species of the flower, like calla lilies, arum lilies and peace lilies can be quite poisonous to cats, but won’t necessarily cause kidney failure. These types of lilies can, however, cause lesions in the mouth and gastric upset if they’re ingested in which case symptoms like drooling, diarrhoea and vomiting might be present.

As a cat owner, you need to be very wary of which plants you keep in your home, no matter how aesthetically appealing they seem. Sometimes, even the most surprising things can be poisonous to your pet.

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