Cats, like humans, often need to eat a special diet. Often, your veterinarian will recommend a special diet for your cat if your cat is pregnant or nursing, under the age of one, older, has a medical condition or needs to lose weight. Many cat food brands offer special food for cats needing a specialized feeding program. There are also many kinds of prescription foods available through a vet's office.

If you have multiple cats and one needs a special diet, it will be necessary to find a feeding system that works. Often, you will need to separate your cats during feeding time when one is eating a special kind of food. Here are some reasons why your veterinarian might have your kitty on a special diet.

Pregnant And Nursing Cats: Cats that are pregnant or nursing will require a special diet. Pregnant females need more protein and vitamins than a cat that is not expecting. Also, cats that are pregnant or nursing will eat a much larger amount of food, especially in the final stages of pregnancy. When your pregnant cat gets larger in the last stages of pregnancy, she may not be able to eat as much at one meal. It will be necessary to provide your pregnant cat with several small meals throughout the day. When a mother cat is producing milk for her kittens, her nutritional requirements will increase. Remember that mother cats will nurse for at least six weeks and it is usually recommended that they nurse their babies for eight weeks. Veterinarians often recommend feeding a pregnant or nursing cat premium brand kitten food during this time.

Kittens: Kittens grow and develop very quickly. Just like human babies, kittens need a special diet for the first year of their lives. There are many premium brand foods available for kittens. Kittens do eat more and tend to eat several smaller meals. A kitten who has not given up nursing may rely more on the food, as he or she gets older. When helping a kitten wean from the mother it is a good idea to offer solid foods as young as four weeks. Sometimes soaking the food in a little water helps the kitten chew the food easier.

Perhaps the most common malnutrition problem with cats is obesity. To be considered obese, a cat has to be at least 20% heavier than what is considered to be its optimal weight, and the excess weight is due to fat accumulation. A cat that is 1-19% over its ideal body weight is considered to be overweight. To maintain health and to ensure a long and happy life, cats should be neither obese nor overweight.

Determining If A Cat Is Overweight Or Obese

There is no magical body weight that is appropriate for all cats. The breed, general size, and age of the cat all have a factor in how much it should weigh. To determine the optimal weight of a specific cat, it is best to consult a veterinarian. In general, however, a cat whose ribs are hard to feel because they are covered with a layer of fat is overweight or obese, depending on how thick the layer of fat is.

A cat is also considered to be obese if it has a moderate or thick layer of fat that covers all of its bony areas. Some obese cats even develop a bulge under the abdomen, which is sometimes referred to as a �skirt.� If the cat doesn't have a visible waist and if the back appears broad when viewed from above, the cat is obese.

Risks Of Obesity

A cat that is overweight or obese runs the risk of developing a variety of health disorders. Some disorders that are common for obese cats to develop include: diabetes mellitus, lower urinary tract disease, joint stress, aggravation of osteoarthritis, non-allergic skin diseases, decreased stamina, and Hepatic lipidosis, which is fat deposited in the liver.

In addition, a cat that is overweight or obese has develops a decrease in immune function, can have difficulty giving birth, and can develop breathing problems.