Explore our other services
article-information-icon

Pet Insurance

10 May 2024

Fat cats and keeping your cat healthy

 

Dr Harry: Keeping your cat at the right weight

I want to talk about fat cats, because this is a major problem today. I would think that half the cats that go to veterinary clinics in America are overweight, and we tend to slavishly follow what goes on in the United States. So, we’re seeing so many overweight cats in Australia too. The average cat probably weighs 4 or 5 kilos, that’s about it, if it’s in good condition. But we see cats that are 13, 14, 15 kilos and above. I’ve had one that was nearly 20 kilos! That’s one enormous cat. How do these cats excercise? Guess what - they don't. They can't!

A lot of people leave food out continuously for cats, and they tend to graze all the time so there’s no restriction. People love their animals and it comes down to this: “I love you. Have something to eat." But you know what? A bit of a pat on the head or a quick groom or something like that is a lot more valuable to your pet than a little treat. 

Cat Image

The average cat probably weighs 4 or 5 kilos, that’s about it, if it’s in good condition. I've seen one that was nearly 20 kilos!
Dr Harry Cooper,

 

I like to restrict cats and only feed them twice a day, I don’t like them grazing all day. I’d rather they just have something in the morning, and then something again in the evening and that way you can control their weight. 

Most veterinary clinics have a set of scales.  You’ll be able to find out what your dog should weigh or what your cat should weigh, and stick to it.

We have so many obese animals today and diabetes is the next thing down the track. Not only that, their skeleton was built to hold so much weight. You overload that skeleton, and what happens if you overload it? It bows in the middle, arthritis, joint injury, all that sort of stuff. Keep animals down to a working weight, that’s what's important.

Related articles

Get to know Dr Harry                                        

Find out more
Dog Image

Can you trust Dr Google?                                  

Find out more
Dr. Harry

What to consider when getting a cat 

Find out more
Cat Image

Why is my pet scratching?
 

Find out more
Cat Image
text

† Offer available to new Everyday Pet Insurance policyholders, and is limited to 1 membership per eligible policy. The free membership offer (valued at $199p.a) is from the date of your policy commencement, provided your Everyday Pet Insurance policy remains active. You are not eligible to redeem the free membership subscription for cash or credit. VetAssist is a separate subscription based service to the Everyday Pet Insurance product, and is provided independently by Everyday Insurance third party service provider, VetChat Services Pty Ltd (VetChat). Click here for full VetAssist Service terms and conditions. Everyday Insurance reserves the right to withdraw or extend this offer at anytime, without notice.

text

Any general advice provided by Dr Harry Cooper in relation to Everyday Pet Insurance is provided as an Authorised Representative of Hollard and PetSure through an arrangement with Woolworths AR No. 1000933.

text

Everyday Pet Insurance policies entered into for the first time prior to 17 July 2023 and subsequent renewals of those policies are issued by The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd ABN 78 090 584 473, AFSL 241436 (Hollard), arranged and administered by PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 95 075 949 923, AFSL 420183 (PetSure) and promoted and distributed by Hollard’s Authorised Representative (AR) Woolworths Group Limited ABN 88 000 014 675, AR 245476 (Woolworths). Everyday Pet Insurance policies entered into for the first time on or after 17 July 2023 and subsequent renewals of those policies are issued by PetSure and promoted and distributed by PetSure’s AR, Woolworths. Any advice provided is general only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Please consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to ensure this product meets your needs before purchasing, or choosing to continue with the product. PDS and Target Market Determination available at insurance.everyday.com.au/pet-insurance.

footer-acknowledgement

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to all First Nations peoples and acknowledge Elders past and present.

Read more about our commitment to reconciliation

Life Insurance is issued by Swiss Re Life & Health Australia Limited ABN 74 000 218 306 AFSL No. 324908 (Swiss Re) and administered by Greenstone Financial Services Pty Ltd, ABN 53 128 692 884; AFSL No. 343079 (Greenstone). Roadside assistance is provided by Digicall Assist Pty Ltd ABN 92 152 605 340. Car, Home, and Landlords Insurance are issued by The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd ABN 78 090 584 473 AFSL No. 241436 (Hollard).

Pet Insurance policies are issued by PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 95 075 949 923, AFSL 420183, except for those entered into before 17 July 2023 & subsequent renewals, which are issued by Hollard.

Travel Insurance policies are issued by Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd, ABN 83 169 311 193 and administered by nib Travel Services (Australia) Pty Ltd (nib), ABN 81 115 932 173, AFSL 308461. 

Woolworths Group Limited, AR 245476 acts as Hollard, PetSure, nib’s and Greenstone's Authorised Representative.

Any general advice provided does not consider your objectives, financial situation or needs. Please consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), Financial Services Guide (FSG) Target Market Determination (TMD) available on this website, to decide if the product is right for you.

© Woolworths Group Limited 2020. All rights reserved. ABN 88 000 014 675