Summary:
CC 38TM/MC
(dry), CALORIE CONTROL CCTM/MC IN GRAVY
(pouch), and CALORIE CONTROL CCTM/MC
IN GEL (canned) are highly palatable, complete diets for adult cats. The
diets are formulated to promote weight loss in overweight or obese cats
and should be used as part of a weight reduction program in combination
with behavioral management and, when possible, an exercise program.
| INDICATIONS:
|
CONTRAINDICATIONS: |
| -- |
For weight loss in overweight
or obese adult cats |
-- |
Growing kittens |
| |
|
-- |
Pregnant or
lactating queens |
RATIONALE:
Obesity is considered to be the most common form of malnutrition encountered
in small animal practice. Indeed, studies have suggested that as many
as 40% of cats seen in practice are either overweight or obese. Obesity
is the result of energy intake in excess of requirements.
Quantification
of Obesity:
Until recently, the easiest means of assessing obesity in cats was with
visual observation and physical palpation (body condition scoring). Waltham
has developed a new method of estimating the percent body fat by taking
two physical measurements. Both measurements should be obtained with the
cat in a standing position, the legs perpendicular to the ground, and
the head in an upright position.
| 1. |
The ribcage i.e., the circumference measured (in cm)
at the point of the 9th cranial rib |
| 2. |
The leg index measurement (LIM) is the distance (in cm) between
the patella (knee) and the calcaneal tuber (hock) of one posterior
limb |
The percent body fat can then be calculated from the following
equation:
% Body Fat = (((ribcage/0.7067) - LIM)/0.9156)
- LIM)
Which can be simplified to % body fat = 1.5(Ribcage –
LIM) – 9.
Cats with more than 30% body fat are considered overweight or obese
and are candidates for a veterinary-supervised weight loss program. The
dietary management of obesity involves restricting energy intake while
still delivering all essential nutrients to the cat.
Dietary
Therapy:
Since excessive energy intake is the major cause of obesity, dietary therapy
focuses on restricting energy consumption. Although starvation (total
energy restriction) to reduce weight is a technique that may be employed
in some species, it should not be considered an option in the cat because
of the link between anorexia and the development of idiopathic hepatic
lipidosis. For this and other reasons, the recommended dietary approach
is one of controlled moderate energy restriction.
There are two ways of restricting energy delivery to an overweight cat:
by feeding less of the cat’s regular diet or by feeding a specially
designed weight loss diet. Maintenance diets are balanced for normal energy
intake. When the intake of a maintenance diet is restricted, the intake
of all essential nutrients is also restricted. This approach can lead
to deficiencies in protein, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids
which could have serious health consequences for the cat.
The appropriate way to restrict energy delivery to an overweight cat
is to feed a diet specifically formulated for weight loss. Such diets
provide higher levels of all essential nutrients relative to energy so
that when calories are restricted, nutrient delivery is not. CALORIE CONTROL
CC 38TM/MC (dry), CALORIE CONTROL CCTM/MC
IN GRAVY (pouch), and CALORIE CONTROL CCTM/MC
IN GEL (canned) have levels of protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins
and minerals which are increased relative to calories to avoid nutritional
deficiencies during calorie restriction. Clinical studies with these diets
show that when fed as directed, weight loss is achieved safely. Weight
loss comes predominantly from fat, with lean tissue being preserved.
Normal
Fiber Content:
Many weight loss diets contain elevated levels of dietary fiber. Some
claims have been made that dietary fiber is a bulking agent which helps
to control hunger. Cats are carnivores, and they have very short digestive
tracts. The high levels of fiber in some weight loss diets make these
diets inappropriate and unappealing to cats. Overweight cats that refuse
to eat are at risk of developing feline hepatic lipidosis. Cats that do
eat the high fiber diet are at greater risk of developing feline lower
urinary tract disease. High fiber intake means increased stool volume
with increased fecal water losses. Due to increased fecal water loss,
urine volume is decreased. A reduced urine volume results in a more concentrated
urine, increasing the risk of urolithiasis. High fiber weight loss diets
are not a good choice for cats at risk of hepatic lipidosis or FLUTD.
CALORIE CONTROL CC 38TM/MC (dry), CALORIE
CONTROL CCTM/MC IN GRAVY (pouch), and
CALORIE CONTROL CCTM/MC IN GEL (canned)
have normal fiber levels and are clinically proven to achieve healthy
weight loss when fed as directed.
Feline
Hepatic Lipidosis:
Obesity and inappetance are risk factors for feline hepatic lipidosis.
Clinical studies were performed to assess liver function and lipoprotein
metabolism in cats fed CALORIE CONTROL CC 38TM/MC
(dry), and CALORIE CONTROL CCTM/MC IN
GEL (canned). At energy restrictions far more stringent than usually recommended
for weight loss, no adverse effects were noted in obese cats fed these
diets during the 18 weeks of the study. Plasma cholesterol, triglyceride
and lipoprotein-cholesterol, lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase concentrations
were measured. There were no biochemical or clinical parameters indicative
of hepatic damage. The excellent palatability of these diets was seen
as an important factor ensuring adequate energy and nutrient intake during
weight loss.
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Steps
for a Successful Weight Loss Program:
| 1. |
Use appropriate diagnostic screening to eliminate other
possible causes of obesity such as endocrine disorders. |
| 2. |
Counsel the owner on the need to reduce weight in order to promote
health, longevity and reduce the risk of secondary disorders that
may be exacerbated by excessive weight (e.g., diabetes, hepatic lipidosis,
FLUTD, joint disease). |
| 3. |
Weigh the cat and set an initial, realistic target weight representing
at least 85% of the initial body weight (i.e., a 15% reduction in
body weight) to be achieved in approximately 18 weeks. In general,
the target weight should be no more than 15% less than the pet's current
weight. If necessary, repeat the program to achieve a normal body
weight for the cat's breed and size. |
| 4. |
Determine the energy required for weight loss by
consulting the feeding guides or by using the equation:
energy for weight loss (kcal/day) = 30 x (initial
body weight in kg). |
| 5. |
Determine the amount to feed by consulting the feeding guides or
by using the kcal required and kcal/cup, kcal/can or kcal/pouch provided
in this guide. |
| 6. |
Define a time frame for this weight loss to occur. Most cats will
achieve a 15% weight loss after 130 days (18 weeks) on CALORIE CONTROL
CC 38TM/MC (dry), CALORIE CONTROL
CCTM/MC IN GRAVY (pouch), and CALORIE
CONTROL CCTM/MC IN GEL (canned).
|
| 7. |
Set weekly or bi-weekly appointments for the cat to come into the
clinic for weigh-ins (the same time of the day, using the same scale)
so that progress can be tracked and positive results reinforced. |
| 8. |
If there is no loss of body weight after a 2-4 week period evaluate
the patient carefully. Consider reducing the food allowance (on a
kcal basis) by another 10% to a minimum allowance of energy for weight
loss (kcal/day) = 24 x (initial body weight in kg). |
| 9. |
Owners are more likely to be motivated to continue the program if
the cat's weight is recorded after each weigh-in, and a simple graph
of progress is kept up to date. |
| 10. |
The calorie content of any treats or snacks should be taken into
consideration when calculating the food requirements for the cat.
Ideally treats, cat snacks, and table scraps should be avoided. If
this is not possible, treats should be limited to less than 10% of
the daily calorie intake. |
| 11. |
The owner should minimize the potential for the cat to get to additional
sources of food (e.g., neighbors, garbage, other pet’s food).
|
| 12. |
Encourage the owner to exercise the cat. Exercise increases energy
expenditure and promotes the preservation of lean tissue mass during
weight loss. Physical activity may be encouraged by playing with the
cat and using motivational toys to promote activity. |
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Special
Tips:
| 1. |
Synthesizing digestive enzymes requires energy and
metabolizing food can represent as much as 10% of a cat’s daily
energy requirements. Eating several small meals a day uses more energy
than eating a single large one helping to expend energy during weight
loss. |
| 2. |
For cats that are particularly resistant to weight loss, consider
feeding CALORIE CONTROL CCTM/MC
IN GRAVY (pouch), or CALORIE CONTROL CCTM/MC
IN GEL (canned). Moist diets, with their increased moisture content,
are often found to be highly palatable and satisfying for the cat.
|
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