Cat Clinic at Cherry Hill

A Fit Cat is a Happy Cat!

Fit and Healthy Cat

For some, the appearance of a fat cat is irresistibly cute—but let’s consider the health of your pet first and foremost! When that extra pudge begins to threaten his or her overall well-being, it’s time to investigate the source of the problem. It’s a simple equation, really: overfeeding + lack of exercise = obesity for many cats. Happily, there are proactive steps you can take as a cat owner to restore your pet’s fitness. Take a look at four ways you can help curb your kitty’s weight:

  1. Correct Your Cat’s Diet

This one is definitely a no-brainer, but the answers as to “how” may not be so easily ascertained. Your best bet is to take your cat to a local veterinarian (like Cat Clinic at Cherry Hill!) and allow the professionals to determine your feline’s caloric requirements, which type of food best suits his or her needs, and what a suitable serving might look like for your cat’s diet. Ask about foods with normal amounts of fermentable fiber and fat to help keep your cat’s skin and coat in tip-top shape during the weight loss process.

  1. Get Your Cat in Shape

We don’t know of any cat gyms in the area, but that shouldn’t stop you from helping your companion become more active! Exercise has the power to burn calories, reduce appetite, transform body composition, and increase metabolic rate. It might seem unorthodox, but walking your cat is actually a great way to help increase both physical activity and mental stimulation. For indoor play, we suggest using interactive toys like plastic fishing poles and laser pointers.

  1. Adjust Your Own Behavior

If your cat is overweight because of overfeeding or a sedentary lifestyle, then it may be time to adjust your habits as a pet-owner. Giving your kitty too many treats or not providing enough opportunities for exercise could be the reasons behind your cat’s less-than-ideal physique.

  1. Limit or Monitor Your Cat’s Hunting

During their daily explorations, outdoor cats may be hunting and ingesting meals that you aren’t even aware of. In order to get serious about your cat’s weight, it may be necessary to keep your cat in the house for a while to avoid those unplanned dietary additions!

To formulate a comprehensive weight-loss plan for your cat, there’s no better resource than your local Cherry Hill cat veterinarian. We look forward to making your cat’s health our number-one priority! Come pay us a visit or get in touch today!

On The Rise: Cat Cafés

healthy cats

Photo Credit: Sarah Poe

Are you a cat lover, but not a cat owner? Perhaps your landlord won’t let you keep a cat, despite your pleadings. Or maybe your spouse or roommate has a cat allergy. What a miserable life that must be!

So, how can you get your cuddle fix?

Consider visiting a “cat café.” What is a “cat café”, you ask? Exactly what the name implies! To put it simply, it’s a café with a bunch of friendly cats milling about. You can watch and play with these cats as you sip hot, soothing beverages, for maximum relaxation.

Why is this such a marvelous idea? Aside from the obvious reasons– cats are cute, cuddly, and fun to play with– spending time with animals can be wonderfully therapeutic. Studies have shown that animals can help reduce stress levels and boost your mood. The physical act of petting can be healing, and playing with cats can be a great distraction from the stressors of life.

Placing these kinds of cafés in major cities is a wise idea as well. Many apartment tenants are unable to have pets of their own, and the only other option would be to volunteer at an animal shelter. This is a fantastic middle ground for cat lovers who don’t have the privilege of owning their own fluffy friends.

Who came up with this brilliant business endeavor? The first cat café, “Cat Flower Garden”, opened its doors in Taipei, Taiwan, in 1998. The idea has traveled to Japan, Austria, Germany, Russia, Hungary, France, Italy, Spain, Canada and finally the United States!

The first American cat café, “Cat Town Café” opened last fall in Oakland, California, and they have made it their mission to use this café as an adoption agency, so if you make a connection with one of the cats, you may be able to take it home! There are a few other cat cafés in operation, such as:

  • “Planet Tails Cat Café” in Naples, FL
  • “Denver Cat Company” in Denver, CO
  • “The Cat Café” in San Diego, CA
  • “Purrington’s Cat Lounge” in Portland, OR

There are over 15 cat cafés projected to open over the next year or two. The USA is finally catching up! A woman in Washington, DC is trying to open up a cat café this summer, “Crumbs and Whiskers,” so we may have to make a trip out there just for that. Can we get one in Philadelphia, please? We would definitely endorse that project.

So, whether you’re a cat café entrepreneur, or simply a cat owner, your feline friend is going to need some medical assistance to keep it happily purring. That’s where we come in!

Contact us today, and find out more about our medical services!