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.

[BooBoo1000]

That is one beautiful cat. Any chance it would like to move to Las Vegas?

[4mycountry]

Uh oh...

[T Minus Four]

I'm sorry about your kitty. My beloved Miss Kitty died last year. Although no cat could take her place, my weird, affectionate, spazzed-out Cassie, AKA my shadow, has firmly established her own place in my heart. Adorable little calico, full grown and on death row at the shelter. Overdue for death row, actually, but the workers kept holding out 'cause they loved her.

[stumpy]

That cat is just a little bit bigger than my cat which is named "fat cat" at 37lbs. Too big to scratch it's own ears, she is very affectionet to get somebody to scratch for her.

[Lady Jag]

She wants to see a menu.

[T Minus Four]

Yikes! You mean he was lost for two months and you got him back? Lucky you! That almost never happens.

[MEG33]

I got on FR after Purty died and put "kitty" in search.I didn't tell why I suddenly was on every pet thread but it helped to hang out with pet lovers.I found a lot of fun posters and have enjoyed countless pictures.

I enjoy my daughters two cats. Her old dog is on borrowed time so we'll get hit again.I adore pets..such joy when we have them and such a loss when they go.

[T Minus Four]

such a loss when they go.

So much more true than I ever knew!

[w_over_w]

37lbs!! Damn! My daughter's cat "Cupcake" is 27lbs. That's big! I cannot imagine what Cupcake would look like with another 10lbs.

BTW, fat cats are always affectionate . . . they want to be fed.

[Hildy]

Here we go: The one on the left is an eating machine. I've never seen anything like it. Of course, we give it to her but, I mean, look at her, how can you say no to that face!

[MEG33]

That's the infernal problem!Adorable dogs!

[w_over_w]

Of course, we give it to her but, I mean, look at her, how can you say no to that face!

Yeah right . . . quite obviously these dogs rule the household. Those facial expressions say it all!

[greyfoxx39]

I have two overweight terriers, have just put them on diet food, and the flatulence is horrendous...I don't mind it so much until it gathers on the ceiling, liquifies and drips down on my head! And with two, I can never tell who the guilty party is.

[GrandMoM]

....yea, sure, right, BLAME IT ON THE DOGS!!!!!!!!!!

[greyfoxx39]

Aw shucks, you got me!

[GrandMoM]

You know how I knew that?????....because my son blames his dogs all the time. We knew he was lying, cause the dogs all left the room.

[greyfoxx39]

I hear that!

[E Rocc]

You mean chomping on Clinton-crotch may not be good for my diet??

That's pretty high fat content food. Might end up looking like this:

-Eric

[moondancer]

Is that your cat...the fluffy white one with the beer? looks just like my theodore, does he have 2 different colored eyes? here i thought all along i had the most original cat;)

[Not A Snowbird]

LOL! My 25-pound Tomas has the Starving Cat act down to an art form, complete with head butts and pitiful meows if his bowl isn't FULL. And heaven forbid if it gets low enough that he can see the bottom!