Fat Cats

Lately, when peoople come for a visit, friends and family are both commenting on how "big" Gigi looks, some people even ask me "has she gained weight?" And the answer is yes! Once upon a time Gigi was a scrawny cat running through the woods in rural upstate New York, wildly climbing tree trunks and scavenging for any scrap of food she could find. She was lean and strong. There are no open stretches of land here for her to sprint, and she hasn't climbed any trees recently. She eats both dry and wet cat food, and plenty of it. No wonder her hips have spread. . .However, according to IAMS website, it’s a troubling trend; just like in humans, the average weight of cats is increasing. Lorraine Jarboe, DVM, of Sandy Spring, Maryland, says cats today are becoming heavier. "Twenty years ago, the average cat weighed 8 pounds," she says. "Now most cats weigh 10 pounds." Extra weight can contribute to or aggravate problems such as: diabetes, arthritis, increased risk of complications in surgery, and grooming difficulties. She recommends playing with your cat at least 20 minutes a day to give them some exercise, and to actually measure the amount of food they get. Personally, I'm not willing to put her on a diet (listening to the meowing), but I will try portion control, and more playtime.