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| Fat cats facing soaring diabetes | Fat cats facing soaring diabetes |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Cat owners have been urged to watch the waistlines of their pets as a rising number of felines are diagnosed with obesity-related diabetes. | Cat owners have been urged to watch the waistlines of their pets as a rising number of felines are diagnosed with obesity-related diabetes. |
| A study by Edinburgh University has shown that one in 230 pet cats in the UK is now diabetic. | A study by Edinburgh University has shown that one in 230 pet cats in the UK is now diabetic. |
| Overweight cats are said to be more than three times as likely to suffer from diabetes, which develops when the body has problems making insulin. | Overweight cats are said to be more than three times as likely to suffer from diabetes, which develops when the body has problems making insulin. |
| Neutered males that do not get adequate exercise are particularly at risk. | Neutered males that do not get adequate exercise are particularly at risk. |
| To reduce your cat's risk of developing this often fatal disease you need to keep them active, and not allow them to gain too much weight Professor Danielle Gunn-MooreEdinburgh University | To reduce your cat's risk of developing this often fatal disease you need to keep them active, and not allow them to gain too much weight Professor Danielle Gunn-MooreEdinburgh University |
| Cat lovers have been warned to crack down on treats for their pets if they are to avoid the risk of them developing the potentially fatal condition. | Cat lovers have been warned to crack down on treats for their pets if they are to avoid the risk of them developing the potentially fatal condition. |
| Professor Danielle Gunn-Moore, from Edinburgh University's Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, said: "This is the first study of its kind to try to quantify diabetes among cats in the UK and the results show extremely worrying levels. | Professor Danielle Gunn-Moore, from Edinburgh University's Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, said: "This is the first study of its kind to try to quantify diabetes among cats in the UK and the results show extremely worrying levels. |
| "To reduce your cat's risk of developing this often fatal disease you need to keep them active, and not allow them to gain too much weight." | "To reduce your cat's risk of developing this often fatal disease you need to keep them active, and not allow them to gain too much weight." |
| Insulin is a hormone that helps cells use glucose from starchy and sweet foods for energy. | Insulin is a hormone that helps cells use glucose from starchy and sweet foods for energy. |
| The condition has topped overactive thyroid disease as the most common hormone problem in cats. | The condition has topped overactive thyroid disease as the most common hormone problem in cats. |
| The number of diabetic cats is almost five times higher than a previous study carried out in the US in the 1970s. | The number of diabetic cats is almost five times higher than a previous study carried out in the US in the 1970s. |
| READ THE REPORT Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery [28KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here | |
| Between 85% and 95% of diabetic cats suffer from type II diabetes, which is commonly associated with obesity. | Between 85% and 95% of diabetic cats suffer from type II diabetes, which is commonly associated with obesity. |
| More than two million people in the UK have the condition. | More than two million people in the UK have the condition. |
| Prof Gunn-Moore said: "The lifestyle of cats, just like their owners, is changing. | Prof Gunn-Moore said: "The lifestyle of cats, just like their owners, is changing. |
| "They are tending to eat too much, gain weight, and take less exercise. | "They are tending to eat too much, gain weight, and take less exercise. |
| "Unfortunately, just like people, cats will overeat if they are offered too much tasty food, particularly if they are bored and have little else to do. | "Unfortunately, just like people, cats will overeat if they are offered too much tasty food, particularly if they are bored and have little else to do. |
| "While cats would naturally exercise outside, many cats are now housebound - perhaps because they live in a flat or because their owners feel that it is too dangerous to let them out - so they have little to do all day but eat, sleep, and gain weight." | "While cats would naturally exercise outside, many cats are now housebound - perhaps because they live in a flat or because their owners feel that it is too dangerous to let them out - so they have little to do all day but eat, sleep, and gain weight." |
| The research, published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, was based on an analysis of more than 14,000 cats whose owners had taken out private pet insurance. | The research, published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, was based on an analysis of more than 14,000 cats whose owners had taken out private pet insurance. |
| Burmese cats were found to be three times more likely to develop diabetes than any other pedigree breed. | Burmese cats were found to be three times more likely to develop diabetes than any other pedigree breed. |
| Do you know of a cat that has diabetes? Are you worried about your cat's weight? Have you put your cat on a diet? | Do you know of a cat that has diabetes? Are you worried about your cat's weight? Have you put your cat on a diet? |
| You can send us pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. Click here to see terms and conditions | You can send us pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. Click here to see terms and conditions |