On Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:34:44 -0400, Char
wrote:

dgk wrote:
On 17 Sep 2009 11:02:20 -0000, (Barb) wrote:

http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/p...yFat17.article

Roly-poly pets: Overweight animals at risk for diseases, death

September 17, 2009

BY CELESTE BUSK Staff Reporter
If your pooch is packing on the pounds or the cat waddles when she struts,
it may be time for a diet.

Pet obesity has emerged as a leading cause of preventable disease and death
in dogs and cats, animal experts warn.

» Click to enlarge image An animal care technician at the Oregon Humane
Society holds temporarily-named feline Goliath, a 20-pound stray whose
girth got him stuck in a pet door while trying to plunder some dog food.
(AP file)

RELATED STORIESTips to help your pet lose weight
...

Marlo's a small cat but is 12 lbs. Way too much but I give her less
food than the two boys and she still gains weight. I play with her to
get her moving some but she simply is going to be a fat cat.

As long as you feed her kibble she will be a fat cat. Kibble is
primarily grains that you are feeding to a carnivore. Kibble causes
obesity, diabetes, and worse.

Cut out the carbs and feed protein and all will be well. Look into
feeding a raw diet which is species appropriate for cats and dogs as well.

The advice to see a vet usually ends up with the pet being put on a diet
of high fiber kibble so the real culprit isn't addressed. I've seen
countless cats with kidney problems, diabetes, obesity, etc turn their
health around merely by switching to a raw diet.

Stop starving your cat!

Char


None of the cats gets much in the way of dry food. Mostly wet;
Wellness Turkey or the new favorite of the group, ProPlan Chicken
(urinary health formula). Espy had some urinary blockage issues
recently so I tried the low pH, low magnesium food and much to my
surprise, all three cats like it. The vet said it's ok for all of them
to eat it so we seem to be happy.

But I give Marlo less than the other two and try to keep her from
eating their food. Believe me, she isn't starving. I do let her eat
any bugs that the catches but mostly she gives them to me.