Obese cats & hepatic lipidosis

Estimates are that 35-40% of cats are obese.

Compared with normal-weight cats, obese cats are 4 times more likely to develop diabetes, 5 times more likely to develop lameness, and 3 times more likely to have skin conditions.

In addition to having problems with diabetes, lameness, and their skin, obese cats have problems with their livers called hepatic lipidosis. Although it seems counterintuitive, obese cats with hepatic lipidosis should not be allowed to go hungry or to lose weight rapidly.

Avoiding rapid weight loss is difficult when obese cats become ill because they become anorexic. This condition can be fatal. One of the treatments veterinarians use to help anorexic cats survive is to feed them fresh ground flax seed products, such as Missing Link, with water. Veterinarians report that after a day or two of feeding a serving of Missing Link mixed in enough water to create a slurry, cats recover their appetites. Then, the cat’s diet can be adjusted so they lose weight in a healthy manner.

Healthy, normal-weight cats also benefit from fresh ground flax seed.