Fat Cats and Dogs Need Better Diet-US Reports (Laughter Alert)

Reuters ^ | September 8, 2003 | Maggie Fox

[w_over_w]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Overweight Americans and Europeans are overfeeding their pets, too -- and putting their health at risk, according to a report issued on Monday.

The report, from the National Research Council (news - web sites), finds that one-quarter of the dogs and cats in the western world are obese. As with humans, this puts them at risk of diabetes, heart disease and other health problems.

The 400-page report is aimed at scientists, pet food makers and veterinarians, but provides advice for pet owners.

It updates recommendations last made in the mid-1980s by the National Research Council, one of the independent National Academies of Science.

For instance, cats and dogs make their own vitamin C, it says, and do not need it added to food. But cats and dogs in the wild need high levels of fat, it added.

The report confirms that cats are carnivores, and need meat products in their diet, whereas dogs can get along fine on balanced vegetarian diets. The best balance of protein and carbohydrates is also different for cats than for dogs.

Cat owners who worry about their pets' finicky eating habits are reassured that felines do tend to be pickier than dogs about what they eat. The report notes that in the wild, cats will catch and eat eight to 12 small animals or birds every day.

Feeding of cats should reflect this -- with 12 to 20 very small meals being offered through the day, the report says.

"Any dog owner, on the other hand, knows that his or her dog can eat its 24-hour energy need in just a few minutes at a single meal," the report reads.

"It is reported that a male Labrador once ate 10 percent of its body weight of a canned dog food."

Both species needs to be offered plenty of fresh water and cat owners need to take special care to encourage their pets to drink, the report says.

"About 30 percent to 40 percent of dogs and cats will overeat and be overweight or even obese if allowed to eat as much as they want at all times during the day," the report adds.

It advises feeding overweight pets a little less at each meal, or offering low-calorie or less-tasty food.

The report advises on how to tell if a dog is too fat -- if the ribs cannot be felt, it is probably overweight. Cats should have a slight waist but no roundness of the belly.

The report, partly available on the Internet at http:/national-academies.org/petdoor, also details daily calorie recommendations and essential vitamin and mineral requirements for dogs and cats, as well as how to tell if a pet is deficient.

[MEG33]

I understand!!I believe our kitty is a bit neurotic and thinks food is love!

[Old Professer]

Feeding of cats should reflect this -- with 12 to 20 very small meals being offered through the day, the report says.

Sounds like Garfield found a ghost-writer.

[exile]

I don't know about cats being carnivorus. My cat enjoys Cheetos, Fries and ice cream

[Liberal Classic]

One of mine likes yogurt and pinto and green beans. Of course he still likes that fake crab meat, but he is also the bean-eating cat.

[T Minus Four]

...our kitty is a bit neurotic...

Actually, they've cleverly driven us into neorosis :-)

[Sunshine Sister]

Is this for real? I have never seen such a huge cat!

[MEG33]

LOL!My daughter really can't ignore the wailing!She will do it with food in the bowl.The kitty just loves to see us filling the bowl!

I have seen one cat that approached the fat cats pictured,Her owner fed her then she went across the street and was fed by an older lady that baby sat her when the owner left town.!

[w_over_w]

Trust me, cats are carnivorus and deadly if not properly fed. Give yours all the goodies they want.

[Ff--150]

Noooooooo! Not the Atkins Diet! Save Us!

Yep! Back to the steaks, hamburgers, and flounder for those two butterballs =->

[MEG33]

Reading my posts ,I must concur.When has it ever been different with cat owners!

[Maigrey]

One of mine enjoys Tuna Casserole. Another loves ice tea. Still another loves cheese popcorn. And another loves tortilla chips.

[EuroFrog]

I got one, only people food she will eat is orange sherbert.

My moms cat likes brussel sprouts.

[T Minus Four]

No since the Pharaohs, I'm sure

[Lady Jag]

Of the four female strays here, Molly is partly feral and she likes our theory that food is a way to soften her up. She's a plump bashful sweeheart.

[T Minus Four]

Both of mine like popcorn. I had one that loved grapes, and one that would wither up and die before he'd eat canned Tuna, although he'd munch a few Cheerios, and enjoyed American Cheese in small doses.

[Liberal Classic]

I'll have to try brussel sprouts, he might like them. :)

[dfwgator]

"Fat cat? I resemble that remark."

[w_over_w]

Is this for real? I have never seen such a huge cat!

This story is just the "straw that brakes the camels back".

and . . .

But clearly the most shocking was this . . .

Pictures don't lie! ;^)

[ellery]

My "middle cat" once ate a quarter-pound of dried apricots while we were out, and left little fang marks in all the ones he didn't eat. His belly was QUITE "rounded" for a couple of days!