Cat diet hazards revealed in survey
Cats Protection has revealed that fat cats in Britain are fed too many treats by their owners, according to a survey.
The charity asked 1,120 owners about their cat's weight, how often they were fed treats, what treats they were being fed, as well as various other diet-related questions.
The survey revealed that around a quarter of Britain's cats (23 per cent) are regarded as overweight by their owners, however, around 70 per cent of those cats were still given an edible treat at least once a week.
Furthermore, almost three in 10 cats that were deemed to be either slightly or very overweight were given an edible treat by their owner at least once a day.
Christmas proved to be a particularly unhealthy time for cats, as all owners surveyed said their cats were fed unsuitable treats during the festive season, including Christmas pudding, chocolate, stuffing and a Christmas dinner of human food.
Cats Protection’s Director of Veterinary Services, Maggie Roberts, said: “The survey showed that Britain’s overweight cats continue to be fed too many treats, which owners principally did out of love, habit or a desire to make their cat feel like a member of the family. However, overweight cats are at significant risk of diabetes and arthritis so there is the danger that owners are making a bad situation even worse.
“The survey also shows that it wasn’t uncommon for cats to be given treats such as milk, chocolate or cheese. All of these could make cats quite ill; many cats cannot digest cow’s milk products and chocolate contains a compound that can be toxic to cats. Cats are obligate carnivores and have to eat certain nutrients that can only be found in meat or commercial cat food.
“It’s not wrong to give treats to cats but it is advisable for owners to give ones that are specially formulated for cats, and consider their cat’s total calorific intake so that they can reduce their other food accordingly.”
Cats Protection has given top tips for helping cats to eat well. These include sticking to a reputable pet food which includes everything cats need to stay healthy, sticking to the manufacturer’s recommended feeding amount, and avoiding giving your cat 'human’ food. It says if you want to offer your cat a special treat, give it a little boiled fish or boneless chicken.
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
