Am I Getting Chonky? + New Cartoon This Week!

Author

Luke The Rescue Cat
May 11, 2024

Meow, welcome to the fifth edition of my newsletter. This week, I'm going to discuss the proper weight for cats (which I am not), and my mom created a brand new Luke The Rescue Cat cartoon just for your glorious eyes to see!

Before anything, I want to wish all the cat moms (including my own) a Happy Mother’s Day weekend!

Tip of the week: What’s a healthy cat weight?

Yes, I've gained weight over the last year and a half since I was adopted. Yes, my vet said (quote): "He is getting a little chunky.” Yes, I beg for treats every chance I get. But my mom has recently adjusted my portion size because it's important that I stay a healthy weight.

According to the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, the ideal cat weight is around 7-12 lbs depending on the breed (your vet can help you determine what's right for you).

Well, last time I weighed in a few months ago, I came in at a whopping 12.5 lbs.

This graphic from Cornell University shows a visual for the ideal cat weight:

Where is your cat on this “Body Condition Score”?

And here I am—probably about a BCS 6-7.

cat

Thick fur, big purrs

While I am not extremely overweight, there are many cats who are obese, and it can be very unhealthy. Below are some potential health problems that can be caused by excessive weight.

Among the conditions potentially aggravated by overweight are osteoarthritis, which is characterized by the erosion of cartilage, the smooth tissue in joints that protects the ends of bones from painfully rubbing directly against one another; hip dysplasia, a genetically inherited and incurable malformation in which the femoral head of a cat’s thigh bone does not fit properly into a socket at the lower end of the animal’s hip bone; and diabetes mellitus, a disease caused by insufficient production of or response to the hormone insulin, which is essential to the regulation of blood sugar. Cardiovascular health can also be impaired by obesity, since excessive weight places an extra burden on a cat’s heart and vascular system.

How to maintain a perfect cat physique

There are steps you can take to maintain a healthy weight:

  1. Maintain a quality diet: In addition to portion control, make sure you are getting the best quality food possible. I recommend avoiding food with carrageenan in it. (I explained why in a previous post here.)

  2. Use slow feeder bowls: Try using slow feeder bowls to slow down eating, which can help prevent overeating. You can also find weight loss cat food; however, I recommend speaking with your vet first.

  3. Monitor your treat intake: I know, good boys and girls deserve treats all day (trust me), but too many treats, even for humans, can be a bad thing.

  4. Increase physical activity: Try to get more active playtime in every day, and consider investing in furniture like cat trees or cat wheels that will encourage more exercise.

  5. Be consistent: Weight loss can take time. Make sure you do weekly or monthly weigh-ins at the vet or at home to keep track of your weight progress.

The Adventures of Luke The Rescue Cat: Missing Mama

In honor of Mother’s Day, please enjoy this very accurate depiction of what I do when my mom is gone:

See my previous comics here:

Episode 2: Super Good Boi

Your weekly inspurration

❝

“A lion does not become king of the jungle hunting mice.”

Matshona Dhliwayo

Instagram fur-end of the week: @fourrescuefloofs

This week, I would like to wag my tail at my new furend, @fourrescuefloofs! Give them a follow on Instagram and check out all their adorable pics!

Share me with your friends!

Thanks again for reading this week. I really appreciate your time and interest in my mewsletter! Please let your friends know on social media and help spread the word. It would mean more to me than a lickable treat!

Glad you’re here

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