Kitty’s Corner
by Deborah Hansen
Grooming very obese cats has a different set of concerns than grooming healthy-weight or underweight felines. These are the kitties that look like they have a head and feet stuck on a ball.
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nd they tend to be over 28 pounds on a body that should carry 10 to 12 pounds. Owners of the extremely overweight kitties tend to either be sensitive about their cat’s weight or handle the disproportional size as a joke. I usually find that these felines are overfed low-quality food. They are more likely to be fed the cat food that was on sale. Inconsistency with the brand and choosing a lower-quality food both lead to stomach issues. It is not uncommon for these cats to have chronic loose stools which contribute to coat problems. Cats on a lower-quality diet
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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 4 • April 2022
also tend to be greasier than cats on a higher-quality diet. Pelting is common for these overweight cats due to the lack of activity and condition of the skin. When discussing diet and household changes with the owner of an obese cat, it is important you refer these clients to their veterinarian. The last thing we want for these kitties is a sudden and drastic reduction in available food or being over exercised through playtime. If the owners are serious about addressing the weight of their cat, they need a written plan by their veterinarian that assures the cat is getting the calories and nutrients they need to lose weight at a safe rate.
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They will also need support. Any cat that has their routine disrupted has the potential for behavioral changes. Changing the type or amount of food a feline is given tends to quickly trigger complaints and stubbornness. While some cats will stand at their food bowl and scream until the owners give in, others will cause destruction. Helping the cat lose weight will not be a quick or easy task. As the cat’s groomer, you can be the owner’s support during the process. While many owners want their cat groomed before they go to the veterinarian to prevent further embarrassment, it is very important the cat sees the vet-