Earlier this year I was at the CP24 Animal House Calls studios with Pet Obesity Specialist Dr. Alex German and Royal Canin Canada where the discussion was pet obesity, the adverse side effects and what the long term benefits of a pet losing weight are.
While waiting back stage I had the opportunity to meet Candyce the cat. Candyce had been at the Toronto Humane Society and was already somewhat overweight when she was adopted out. Unfortunately for Candyce, she not only was returned to the Humane Society, but she returned even heavier, now weighing in at 11.96kg.
The first thing that struck me was Candyce’s coat. Candyce had been partially shaved. When we think of the side effects of a pet being overweight what usually comes to mind are the health aspects; poorer quality of life, arthritis, diabetes, just to name a few, but what about the simpler things such as being able to groom ones self? This became an issue for Candyce due to her size and therefore she was unable to reach around to her sides and back so that she could bath herself.
I felt for Candyce, I understood what she was and is going through, she may be a cat and I may be a pug dog, but being an overweight pet is no fun. My pug weight started to increase around the young age of one, it was a difficult time for me as I was always hungry and begging for food, but it was just as difficult for my humom not knowing what to do and how to control my hunger issues and stop my weight gain. It was with the ongoing help and support of my vet teaching my humom how to control my hunger issues and how with the right formulated diet, would address my constant hunger and bring my weight down and under control.
My changes to becoming a slimmer, healthier, more active pug did not happen over night, it has been a journey, but each day, each week, each month and yes, each year that has gone by has been one more day, week, month and year that I am around to make my humans smile.
Although my weight was caught and controlled at a young age that does not mean because your pet is older it is too late for them.
Candyce may be 10 years old, but each day she is on this journey with the help and support of her veterinarian and caregiver, and of course with the proper formulation of food, is another day towards being a happier, healthier cat, a cat that can bath herself!
Candyce is an inspiration for other cats clawing their way to a healthier lifestyle, and I for one can’t wait to see her transition to becoming a healthier, happier, playful kitty. I hope you will join me in supporting and encouraging Candyce #CatCanDo, along her road to healthiness!
Disclaimer: I have been compensated as part of the #CatCanDo campaign for this post.
October 26, 2015
Obesity is a tough problem — look at the number of people who have this problem and I think it’s over 60% in cats if I recall that stat correctly. This is terrible! And having type 2 diabetes show up in cats just recently, well — that’s completely unacceptable. Slow weight loss is the way to go so you’re never depriving your pet of the nutrition they need. It’s never too late to get healthier — thanks for your post!
October 26, 2015
Slow weight loss is definitely the way to go! Weight loss in pets does not, and should not happen “over night”. It’s a process that should be monitored with a vet to make sure a pet is getting the proper nutrition and is doing well along the way.
October 26, 2015
We hope Candyce can get back in great kitty shape soon!
October 26, 2015
We wish Candyce all the best. It’s great to see the improvements in her health and activity level since she has started her journey.
October 26, 2015
Obesity can really destroy your body and we have to pay attention to it, and also for our pets
October 26, 2015
Obesity is so much more than a number on the scale. The effects it has on us and our pets are numerous.
October 25, 2015
My Puggle Theo was very overweight when we adopted him, but with the right food and a more active lifestyle (and no more tablescraps like his previous family gave him), he has gotten much slimmer and healthier. Good luck to Candyce in her weight loss and in finding the purrfect forever home!
October 26, 2015
This is great news for Theo! I’m happy to hear he is doing better!
I know Candyce is feeling better and becoming more active everyday.
October 25, 2015
Poor Candyce, she is so heavy! I hope they get her weight under control soon, she’ll feel so much better. I’m sorry she was adopted but then returned, that’s such a shame. Very moving post.
Live & biscuits,
Digs Luv Us and We Luv Them
October 26, 2015
Candyce is doing better each and every day! Her foster mom and vet are doing a great job helping her along the way to becoming a healthier, happier cat.
October 25, 2015
Great post!!! 🙂
October 26, 2015
Thank you! I find this topic of nutrition and weight control very fascinating.
October 25, 2015
Fantastic post! Weight control is a huge issue (pardon the pun). I love CP24 Animal Housecalls
October 26, 2015
Thank you! Yes, obesity and weight control in pets is becoming a very big problem. But what pet parents need to know is there is help and our pets will feel better for the reduction.
October 25, 2015
Great post, both humans and pets suffer from obesity. It is a very hot topic right now. I have looked at the statics of obese humans and obese pets and the percentages are so close I find it to close to be a coincidence.
October 25, 2015
I enjoyed your post. Losing weight is a struggle for all of us…human and animals!
October 25, 2015
Thank you!
Yes, losing weight is a real struggle for humans and pets, but having support along the way makes it easier and more understandable.
October 24, 2015
A really great, considerate and loving post – it’s great when we can all share from our own journeys. I’ll keep Candyce in my thoughts and prayers, and hope she gets adopted to a loving family very soon!
October 25, 2015
Thank you! When going through a journey, no matter the issue, it helps to have support along the way. From our personal experience we can appreciate the ups and downs that Candyce and her foster mom is going through. We all need support, and in Candyce’s case this includes her dedicated foster and her vet guiding her in the right direction.
October 24, 2015
Such a great, great post!
October 25, 2015
Thank you! Pet obesity is a real issue that pet parents need to address for the future health and happiness of their pets.
October 24, 2015
I’m glad that you have been able to lose the weight you needed to lose, Edie. That takes a lot of hard work! I’m also glad to hear that Candice is getting the help that she needs. It is so sad to see kitties that have gotten into that condition. Hopefully, the #CatCanDo campaign will let us all know when she reaches a healthy weight! She’s so beautful.
October 25, 2015
Thank you! I feel so much better since loosing my weight 🙂 Because my humom and I have gone through this journey, we know that Candyce can do it as well! Candyce will be posting her progress along the way so that everyone can see her healthy transformation.
October 23, 2015
Oh, that poor kitty! I never thought of a pet cat being too large to groom itself. 🙁 I hope she gets down to a healthy weight soon (under the Dr’s care). It’s so hard to resist indulging a begging pet, isn’t it, though? With 6 cats and 2 starving corgis, I am always on guard about overfeeding.
October 25, 2015
A begging pet is indeed a hard thing to resist!
Candyce has been doing great and is reducing. She has had the help of her foster mom, proper nutrition and the support of her vet. Grooming ones self is not usually the first thing that comes to mind with an obese pet, but it is definitely an important part of their life.
October 23, 2015
It’s hard for animals to lose weight…just like humans. But it’s so important for us to maintain a healthy weight. Thanks for sharing Candyce’s story.
October 25, 2015
Candyce’s story is an important one that needed to be told. Loosing weight doesn’t have to be difficult, but there can be challenges along the way. Support from a vet makes it easier and more understandable.
October 23, 2015
Weight loss is hard but I know Candyce can do it!!!
October 25, 2015
Weight loss is a journey of ups and downs for the pet and the pet parent involved, but it is possible!
October 23, 2015
Poor Candyce. I hope she gets back to a healthier weight soon and can groom herself!
October 25, 2015
Candyce is doing great and is finally able to groom herself now!
September 22, 2015
Great post Edie, on a very important issue! I like how you remind everyone that, just as with humans, weight loss in pets is NOT an overnight thing. It’s a journey.
September 27, 2015
Thanks for commenting! Yes, loosing weight does take time and pet owners should not get discouraged. Every little bit that your pet looses is a step in the right direction. If your pet is loosing a lot of weight in a short period of time, I personally would have them checked out by your veterinarian to make sure there is not an underlying condition.