A Heavy Topic

Has your veterinarian ever told you that your cat needs to lose weight? Here are some visual aids to help you see what overweight looks like. Here's an example of an x-ray (radiograph) of a relatively normal cat.


Notice the small amounts of fat just below the liver, surrounding and just behind the kidneys, and in the skin between the body wall and the skin surface. Some fat is normal and healthy. Now look at this patient...
Look at the huge amounts of fat surrounding all of his internal organs, and in between the body wall and the skin surface. This pet's heart is working extra hard to pump blood, the joints have to carry around more weight than they are designed for, the pet is more prone to diabetes and other endocrine diseases, etc.

If your veterinarian says your pet needs to lose weight, pay attention! But make sure the weight loss regimen is supervised by the vet, especially in cats. Weight loss in cats can be dangerous, so don't design a plan by yourself. Follow your vet's advice, but get that weight off those pets!