Dr. Spector Answers Readers’ Letters: Fat Cats No More

Q: The Manual of Veterinary Dietetics states that a safe weight-loss for a cat is less than 2% of starting body weight per week. I’d hate for pet owners to think that “speed dieting” is healthy for cats, given the risk of hepatic lipidosis. It would be nice if you’d at least address this issue, and remind cat owners that a weight-loss race isn’t safe for a cat unless it’s closely supervised by a veterinarian, and it’s not something they should try at home without consulting a vet. I like Halo’s food, but I think this contest is irresponsible without a few warnings about the risks.

A: Thank you for your question. Please take a look at our February 19 blog post titled “Have a Fat Cat? How to get rid of extra pounds.” In this post, we did recommend only 1-2% of body weight loss each week. We can assure you that this weight loss challenge with Bideawee is being monitored carefully to avoid any chances of hepatic lipidosis.

The results are in and they are impressive (particularly for those of us with fat cats who never lose an ounce). After two weeks of dieting, Jack is once again the biggest loser, with 1.56 pounds — or 9.4 percent — of his original body weight gone; in second is Minky, who has lost 7.6 percent of her body weight (1.13 pounds). All the eight cats have either continued to lose weight or remain the same.

What is the secret for those of us with fat cats?

Most cats should weigh between 9 and 12 pounds, says Dr. Donna Spector, Halo’s veterinary advisor who is conducting the fat cat weight loss challenge at Bideawee. Even if they are starting at 20 to 25 pounds, their ideal weight is likely monumentally lower. There are a few naturally larger and smaller breeds so ask your veterinarian if you need advice on determining your cats ideal weight.

To achieve weight loss to this range, cats need to be given two meals daily and the total calories need to be about 25% less than what a normal, non-obese 9 to 12 pound cat would need to eat to maintain a healthy weight in this range, says Dr. Spector.

Here is a quick guide:

If your cat should weigh 9 or 10 pounds, give her:
Morning: 3.5 ounces of canned chicken Spot’s Stew and 1 tablespoon Spot’s Stew dry Evening: 3.5 ounces of canned chicken Spot’s Stew

If your cat should weigh 12 pounds, give her:
Morning: 3.5 ounces of canned chicken Spot’s Stew and 1 tablespoon Spot’s Stew dry
Evening: 3.5 ounces of canned chicken Spot’s Stew and 1 tablespoon Spot’s Stew dry

If your cat should weigh 15 pounds, give her:
Morning: 3.5 ounces of canned chicken Spot’s Stew and 2 tablespoons Spot’s Stew dry
Evening: 3.5 ounces of canned chicken Spot’s Stew and 1 tablespoon Spot’s Stew dry

The dry foods can be used interchangeably as the calories are similar. Dr. Spector recommends the canned chicken Spot’s Stew because it has the lowest calories of our canned foods and is best for weight loss.

Monitor your cat’s progress with weekly weights. They should lose 1-2% of their original body weight every week. If they are losing slower than this, you will have to restrict calories further. If they are losing quicker than this, you will have to add a few calories back in.

Fat cats face some of the same problems as fat humans: greater risk for diabetes, joint problems, and early death from complications related to obesity.

Halo has teamed up with Bideawee, a New York-based rescue organization, for its biggest loser competition between eight fat cats awaiting adoption.

After an initial weigh-in, the cats began their diet on February 2nd eating small portions of the $32,000 worth of canned Spots Stew that Halo donated for the weight loss challenge as well as for Bideawee’s other residents.

Dr. Donna Spector, Halo’s veterinarian, is supervising the challenge and reports that after the first week, Jack is the biggest loser with a .87 pound loss — or 5.3 percent of his original body weight. Minky also had an impressive loss of .69 pounds, or 4.6 percent body weight.

The contestants include Domino and Missy in Westhampton; Jack, Dixie, Violet, and Suki in Wantagh; and Emily and Minky in Manhattan.

Click here to read more about Halo’s donation.

And more to come on these fat cats’ progress.

Q: I found your website years ago, but I’ve finally decided to take the leap into the real holistic dog food world. The main reason I am switching is because I found out my other dog food I was serving my girl has been adding by-products (guess it’s cheaper for them).

But anyhow, I believe Halo will help my dog’s system to be healthier. My question is, have you ever had any clients’ dogs that were diagnosed with Cushings Disease and noticed feeding Halo helped the dog?

I’m asking because my vet told me my dog may have Cushings, and they want to run a few tests, which I can’t afford right now. So, I was hoping that by changing my dog’s food to a better food, it may change the overages in her blood and urine levels over the next few months, and I will get her blood/urine rechecked at her next annual appointment. I’d appreciate your take on this if you have any info to share.

A: We are thrilled to hear you are getting your girl on a natural holistic dog food — hopefully you will notice many positive changes in her! Sounds like your dog has some blood and urine abnormalities that is making your vet think about Cushings Disease. There are many things (other than Cushings) that can cause elevations of liver values and other abnormalities. Getting her on an excellent natural dog food is a great start to improving her general health.

If she is overweight, make sure to get her on a program to starting losing that weight. It is possible you may see improvements in her blood and urine values at her next check-up. If she is ultimately diagnosed with Cushings Disease, click here to read more about proper nutrition for a dog with Cushings.

Pets can suffer from high cholesterol just like people. Cholesterol and triglycerides are the fats (lipids) in the blood stream and elevations of these levels is called hyperlipidemia. Hyperlipidemia can cause severe heart-related and other problems in people and 500,000 Americans die from this condition each year.

Hyperlipidemia is most common in dogs and has been overlooked as a cause of dog health problems until fairly recently. Hyperlipidemia is a risk factor for pet obesity, gastrointestinal upset, vision problems and even more life threatening problems like canine pancreatitis and seizures.

Hyperlipidemia is easily diagnosed by basic blood work and can usually be effectively treated with a low fat diet and fatty acid pet supplements.

Click here to read more about identifying and managing hyperlipidemia in dogs.

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