| Ask the Vet |
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| Question: "Is overfeeding my cat really a medical problem?" |
Answer: For many people, "Food = Love." One way pet owners give love, is by giving more and
better tasting food. This is an example of "killing with kindness." Many cat food companies compete on
taste instead of quality. Why? Because pet owners tend to ignore obesity and buy what their cat "likes
the most." This is like feeding a child only what he "likes the most." Focusing on taste appeal instead of
nutrition almost always spells trouble.
All animals have an "appetite control center" in the brain. It is located in the lower part of the brain next
to the areas that control body temperature, heart rate and other basic body functions. Because of poor
breeding, an animal may have a substandard appetite control center that does a poor job of regulating
food intake. This is partially because animals evolved in a constant state of near starvation with an
evolutionary dictum to stock up on food anytime it became available.
Those animals that do have well functioning appetite control centers routinely refuse to eat all the food
provided. This animal's instinct is smarter than the owner who describes this cat as "finicky" and sets
out trying different foods. If the pet owners can't find a cat food their pets will overeat, they often begin
offering "people food." I remember one owner of an incredibly fat Persian cat. She was quite distraught
when I suggested a dietary reduction, and exclaimed, "But Doctor, he is already so finicky he will only
eat ice cream and steak!" In reality, the cat's internal systems were attempting to reduce weight by
refusing additional food. The taste bud stimulus simply caused an override of the appetite control
center.
Any cat that is obese will likely respond to a simple formula: No free choice food, increase exercise (like
playing with cat toys), and find a healthier but less tasty food and let the cat eat as little as it wants at
each mealtime, 2-3 times a day. If this doesn't work, veterinarians can prescribe diets that are
extremely high in quality and low in calories to do the trick.
better tasting food. This is an example of "killing with kindness." Many cat food companies compete on
taste instead of quality. Why? Because pet owners tend to ignore obesity and buy what their cat "likes
the most." This is like feeding a child only what he "likes the most." Focusing on taste appeal instead of
nutrition almost always spells trouble.
All animals have an "appetite control center" in the brain. It is located in the lower part of the brain next
to the areas that control body temperature, heart rate and other basic body functions. Because of poor
breeding, an animal may have a substandard appetite control center that does a poor job of regulating
food intake. This is partially because animals evolved in a constant state of near starvation with an
evolutionary dictum to stock up on food anytime it became available.
Those animals that do have well functioning appetite control centers routinely refuse to eat all the food
provided. This animal's instinct is smarter than the owner who describes this cat as "finicky" and sets
out trying different foods. If the pet owners can't find a cat food their pets will overeat, they often begin
offering "people food." I remember one owner of an incredibly fat Persian cat. She was quite distraught
when I suggested a dietary reduction, and exclaimed, "But Doctor, he is already so finicky he will only
eat ice cream and steak!" In reality, the cat's internal systems were attempting to reduce weight by
refusing additional food. The taste bud stimulus simply caused an override of the appetite control
center.
Any cat that is obese will likely respond to a simple formula: No free choice food, increase exercise (like
playing with cat toys), and find a healthier but less tasty food and let the cat eat as little as it wants at
each mealtime, 2-3 times a day. If this doesn't work, veterinarians can prescribe diets that are
extremely high in quality and low in calories to do the trick.
About Rolan Tripp, DVM
Since obtaining his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine
from UC Davis, Dr. Tripp has served the profession as
the California Veterinary Medical Association Chairman
of Membership, the California Representative for the
American Heartwork Society and President of the Santa
Clara Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Tripp is a
nationally syndicated columnnist for Universal Press
Syndicate.
Original Source: http://petmate.com/vet2.aspx
Since obtaining his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine
from UC Davis, Dr. Tripp has served the profession as
the California Veterinary Medical Association Chairman
of Membership, the California Representative for the
American Heartwork Society and President of the Santa
Clara Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Tripp is a
nationally syndicated columnnist for Universal Press
Syndicate.
Original Source: http://petmate.com/vet2.aspx
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