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​By Dr. Becker

In a study published recently in the Journal of Animal Science, researchers investigated the effects of three different types of fiber on overweight cats.

(Right off the bat, one has to wonder about the real purpose behind testing biologically inappropriate food on animals who already have a weight problem.)

Twenty-four overweight cats were fed one of four dry food diets:
A control diet with 11.5 percent fiber
Diet containing beet pulp with 26 percent fiber
Diet with wheat bran and 24 percent fiber
Diet with sugarcane and 28 percent fiber

The purpose of the study was to measure the effects of fiber on energy and macronutrient digestibility, fermentation product formation, postprandial metabolite responses, and colon histology.


​​In other words, the researchers wanted to know how well the cats’ bodies were able to digest and assimilate the nutrition provided by the various fiber diets, and what changes occurred in the colon as a result of eating significant amounts of dietary fiber.
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Predictable Study Result

This particular study result will come as no surprise to those of you familiar with the unique nutritional requirements of obligate carnivores.

It showed the addition of fiber to the cats’ diets negatively impacted nutrient digestibility and energy drawn from the food.

The diet containing sugarcane fiber was the least digestible of the group.

The researchers concluded different fiber sources in dry food induce different physiological responses in cats, reduce energy digestibility, favor glucose metabolism in the case of the sugarcane fiber, and improve gut health in the case of the beet pulp fiber.

I confess to being annoyed by studies undertaken to see how well a particular species of animal can digest food they were never intended to eat in the first place. To test high fiber kibble diets on overweight cats seems especially reprehensible, since it was very likely fiber and other carbohydrates that made these kitties fat to begin with.

I’m assuming at some point a pet food manufacturer will take these study results and spin them into a marketing campaign for a new ‘weight management’ kibble for cats.

‘Low fat’ and ‘weight management’ pet diets often contain huge amounts of fiber, so it’s in the interest of pet food companies to find types of fiber they can build advertising promotions around. If a study shows, for example, that sugarcane fiber “favors glucose metabolism” or that beet pulp fiber “improves gut health,” pet food marketers can use those results to position their products as beneficial.

The fallacy of the thing is that if a cat is fed a diet of species-inappropriate dry kibble for any length of time, it’s entirely possible a little tweak here or there in the ingredients can result in small improvements in certain measures. However, the overriding fact remains that not only are cats not built to digest fiber, the presence of fiber also hinders their ability to digest and absorb other nutrients and energy provided by the food.
Further, the lack of moisture in dry food is extremely detrimental for felines. Cats don’t have an efficient thirst drive like dogs and other animals. Their bodies are designed to get most of the water they require from their diets, and kibble can’t handle the job.

If your cat isn’t getting sufficient moisture from her food, she’s going without. You won’t find her at her water bowl lapping up huge quantities of the wet stuff to compensate for lack of moisture in her diet.

This puts her in a state of constant, chronic low-grade dehydration, which over time can contribute to major organ failure. With the huge popularity of dry pet food, I don’t think there’s any question why so many kitties today suffer from feline lower urinary tract disease and kidney failure.
The Myth of High Fiber Diets for Weight Loss

The theory behind fiber-filled pet food is it makes cats and dogs feel full.

Fiber may make your pet feel temporarily full, but he’s not being ‘filled up’ at the cellular level where it truly counts. As the study above points out, fiber blocks absorption of crucial nutrients into the small intestine. It acts as a barrier, preventing trace minerals, vitamins and antioxidants from being absorbed into your pet’s body.

Chronic deprivation of nutrients to the cells can result in feelings of constant hunger. This is because your carnivorous kitty isn’t getting enough protein to adequately sustain his biology. The constant hunger prompts many pet parents to feed more food. The end result is a pet that is still fat (and often fatter), but at the same time undernourished.

Next to water, protein is the most important nutrient for your kitty. Every cell of his body requires protein and when he doesn’t get enough of this essential nutrient, a host of negative side effects can occur.

The simple fact is the bodies of felines aren’t built to digest carbohydrates (which include fiber) efficiently. Cats lack the necessary enzymes to break down and digest carbs, or turn them into energy. The majority of carbs in a cat’s diet are therefore stored as fat.

Given the ingredients in dry cat food, it’s easy to see from a physiological standpoint how cats become overweight. To attempt to diet a kitty down by feeding a dry food loaded with fiber defies logic.
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If Your Cat Needs to Lose Weight …

Implement portion control. Remember that regardless of her weight, your pet still needs a diet high in protein. Feed your cat a high protein, low carb diet and moderate the portions to control the amount of calories she consumes each day. Free feeding is not the way to have a slim, trim pet.

Exercise your pet. An overweight body slims down by moving more and eating less. So along with calorie restriction through portion control, you’ll want to create a good exercise program for your kitty. Daily aerobic activity is one of the best ways to build muscle tone, and muscle tone decreases the amount of fat your pet carries around. Muscle mass also increases metabolism, which helps burn calories.
​Minimize treats. Occasional treats are fine, but make them protein-based and feed very small amounts. Make sure to include the calories in treats as part of your portion control plan.

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**Holistic and Organix Pet Shoppe is intended for informational, educational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Do not attempt to self-diagnose or treat any health condition. You should always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect your pet might have a health problem. The opinions expressed by Holistic and Organix Pet Shoppe are not to be replaced for medical care. This website and the information contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information and opinions on Holistic and Organix Pet Shoppe are not intended and cannot be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This applies to people and pets!

​Views expressed here in some articles do not necessarily reflect those of Holistic And Organix Pet Shoppe. 

All images/articles are either part of the public domain or owned and © by the respective holders. They are presented here for educational purposes within the “fair use” terms of US Code: Title 17, Sec. 107. However, if you are the artist/writer responsible for an image/article that I have posted and object to its presence on this site, please contact me and I will remove it immediately.

If you see an article that is copyright by Holistic and Organix Pet Shoppe and you would like to share it or post on your own site, feel FREE to as long as it has my link to my website and that it is copyrighted material by me. I DO NOT MIND SHARING HELPFUL INFORMATION TO HELP OUR PETS ANY WAY POSSIBLE. I am not stingy with my content like others I have seen. I am here to help the animals!
​
This site has some affiliate links that will redirect you to their site. I receive small commissions from these affiliates for sales that may occur. This is to help keep our website going. Thank you!
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 I am only an everyday person sharing my experiences and knowledge with others. My dogs are all rescues and came with some medical issues. As our dogs age, no matter what we do right, there is always a medical issue that will arise, so being proactive instead of reactive is your best line of defense. You will also have the knowledge to make better decisions and can handle tackling a problem. Learning is our best line of defense. ​
website security
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Facebook is removing thousands, maybe millions of accounts if they don't like anything about them now. I had a page for HOPS on Facebook but I lost it when they deleted my account as well. Over 10,000 followers..gone just like that. We are looking for a permanent social media site. We are on Facebook again but it isn't monitored daily. 
Also watch out for a lot of scams going on especially on Facebook, especially so called Drs from Nigeria claiming to help you
or your pets. A Dr named Dr Gbojie natural cure on FB is a scammer. Things are bad right now so just be aware! 

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