Page 52 - Raw Diet References Book 2019

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UNDERWEIGHT OR OVERWEIGHT?

UNDERWEIGHT Your cat is not getting enough to eat if it feels “bony”
to the touch, has little or no fat on the ribs, and
appears to “cave in” just behind the ribs. If chroni-
cally underfed, adult cats may experience damage to
internal organs, impaired ability to nurse young, and
increased susceptibility to bacterial infections and
parasites; kittens may be stunted in their growth;
adult cats may develop osteoporosis.

Your cat is at an ideal weight if it appears well-
IDEAL
proportioned, shows a moderate waistline behind
the ribs, and has a thin covering of fat over the ribs
and abdomen.

Your cat is overweight if it has heavy fat deposits
OVERWEIGHT
over the lumbar area, face, and limbs and if there is
an obvious rounding or distension of the abdomen.
Obesity occurs in one out of four cats in western-
ized societies and is more common in older and
neutered animals. Health risks include diabetes and
osteoarthritis.

VITAMINS

Vitamins are organic compounds that take part in a wide range of metabolic
activities. Vitamin deficiencies can cause a variety of health problems. Cats can-
not synthesize some vitamins from precursors (pre-vitamin structures) in the diet.
For example, they must get all of the vitamin A and niacin they need directly from
the food they eat. Deficiencies in vitamin A can adversely affect the health of the
eyes. Adult cats deprived of niacin in the diet will lose weight and may die as a
result. The diets fed to many cats, especially canned food containing fat-laden
fish products, make them more susceptible to deficiencies of certain vitamins,
such as vitamin E. Vitamin E, an antioxidant, provides protection against oxidative
damage. Some vitamins are not only essential in small doses, but are also toxic
in excess amounts. Too much vitamin A, a natural consequence of feeding large
amounts of liver to growing kittens, can cause hypervitaminosis A, a condition
characterized by a variety of skeletal lesions.

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