Putting your fat cat on a diet will make it MORE affectionate

• Vets put 58 obese cats on one of three calorie-controlled diets
• Found high-fibre diet was most effective for weight loss over eight weeks
• Also found while cats begged more before meals, they were satisfied after
• The study showed pets became more affectionate, as well as slimmer 

By Sarah Griffiths for MailOnline

Published:  26 January 2016

Our pets are facing an obesity crisis, with many fat cats devouring too many treats that can lead to arthritis, diabetes and heart disease. Now a new study shows that not only does dieting reduce a feline's waistline, but it also makes them more affectionate towards owners. However, like humans, the cats didn't enjoy the process in the short-term.

A new study shows that not only does dieting reduce a feline's waistline, but it also makes them more affectionate towards owners. A stock image of a fat cat being weighed is shown above

Vets from Cornell University, Ithaca New York and Hills Pet Nutrition in Topeka, Kansas studied 58 obese indoor cats over eight weeks. All the cats had 25 per cent more bodyweight than they should, but had no other health conditions. Portly pets were fed one of three diets - a high fibre (HiFi) diet, a control diet formulated to maintain weight in adult cats, or a low-carbohydrate and high-protein diet.

The cats' change in weight and behaviours were recorded by their owners at four and eight weeks into the regime change and the results compared between diet groups.

The study, published in The Journal of Veterinary Behaviour: Clinical Applications and Research said 81 per cent of the fat cats lost weight during the first four weeks irrespective of the diet they were placed on. 

Vets from Cornell University, Ithaca New York and Hills Pet Nutrition in Topeka, Kansas studied 58 obese indoor cats over eight weeks when they were put on one of three diets. All the fat cats lost weight but the high fibre (HiFi) diet was most effective, shown by the chart above. Negative values show weight loss

The cats' change in weight and behaviours were recorded by their owners at four and eight weeks into the regime change and the results compared between diet groups. Two stock images of obese cats are shown. Vets have warned of a pet obesity epidemic and animals stay sedentary inside our homes

However, those placed on the HiFi diet shed more weight over eight weeks that those on the low carbohydrate and high protein diet.

WHY OBESITY IS DANGEROUS 

An obese cat has 25 per cent more body weight than it should.   

A recent study said a third of cats are obsese.

They are more likely to have problems walking as well as diabetes and non allergic skin conditions. more likely to develop health problems, the study says. 

Overall welfare is decreased if the cat is obese

Cats that live in a small home, alone and are male and neutered are most at risk.   

Overall, three quarters of the cats were slimmer at the end of the eight week trial.

But more interestingly, the cats seemed to behave a little like dieting humans.

Before starting the trial, owners were asked to complete a questionnaire about their cat's behaviour when hungry and after eating, with similar questionaires filled in after four and eight weeks.

The questionnaires showed a change in behaviour.

'Irrespective of the diet, many cats reacted to caloric restriction by intensifying their appetitive behaviours,' the authors write.

At four weeks, owners noticed their cats intensified their begging, meowing and pacing before a meal, as well as following their owners in the hope of a tasty titbit.

Begging behaviour was typically seen between 16 and 45 minutes before feeding.

The questionnaires showed a change in behaviour. 'Irrespective of the diet, many cats reacted to caloric restriction by intensifying their appetitive behaviours,' the authors wrote. Changes are shown above

At the end of the trial, most owners reported more affectionate behaviour in their cats. 'The cats exhibited increased affection at both four and eight weeks,' the study says. A stock image is shown above

But the cats didn't begin to beg earlier during food restriction and also showed signs of being satisified after their dinner. These signs included jumping into their owners' laps and increased use of their litter box. 'When compared with their behaviour before food restriction, the cats were significantly more likely to have increased purring, sitting in the owner's lap, resting, and using the litter after their meal at either 4, 8 weeks, or both,' the study explained. 

At the end of the trial, most owners reported more affectionate behaviour in their cats. 'The cats exhibited increased affection at both four and eight weeks,' the study said. 'The cats became more affectionate, which owners should view as a positive side effect of restricting their cats' intake,' it continued. 'Owners tend to anthropomorphise their cats and, therefore, are afraid to reduce the cat's food intake because they think the animal will become vindictive. It should be easier to convince owners to put their cats on a reducing diet, if the owners know that the cats will not snub them for it or exhibit undesirable behaviours.'

The study noted that just two cats displayed aggressive behaviour in retaliation for their smaller meals and no cats began to urine mark. 

MILLIONS OF PETS FACE EARLY DEATH FROM EATING JUNK FOOD 

More than 18 million pets are at risk of early death because of poor diets consisting of takeaways. An obese cat is shown head by a PDSA nurse

More than 18 million pets are at risk of early death because of poor diets consisting of takeaways, crisps and cakes, a report in 2013 claimed.

Unprecedented numbers of dogs, cats and rabbits are being fed 'potentially life-threatening' fatty foods which can lead to arthritis, diabetes and heart disease, veterinary charity PDSA has found.

The 'deadly diets' have left animals unable to walk, play or even clean themselves, it said.

While an estimated 18.5 million pets are fed inappropriate diets, some 13.5 million animals are 'treated' to fatty or sugary treats and junk food, the PDSA Animal Wellbeing (Paw) report revealed.

Elaine Pendlebury, PDSA senior veterinary surgeon, said: 'Pet obesity poses not only major health risks such as diabetes, arthritis and heart disease, but sadly also means daily misery for millions of pets who are feeling the strain from carrying too much weight.

'Vet practices across the UK see the consequences of pet obesity every single day such as obese dogs unable to enjoy regular walks due to exhaustion, fat cats that can't jump or play, and rabbits so hopelessly overweight they can't clean themselves properly.

'And then there are other obesity-related health conditions which can mean pets don't lead the long and happy lives they should.'

Dr Alex German, an animal obesity specialist at the University of Liverpool's veterinary school, said pet obesity was 'entirely preventable'.

Other findings from the PAW report, which surveyed 4,000 pet owners, 466 vets and 553 children, showed that nearly half of owners 'treat' their pets because they believe it makes the animal feel happy.

While a further 29 per cent of owners do so because it makes them happy.

Some 61 per cent of owners think severely overweight pets should be removed from someone who persistently ignores veterinary advice while 51 per cent of owners believe overweight people are more likely to have fat pets. 

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