Leti Diaz’ 15-pound calico cat has a sweet tooth. Clara, a pudgy black cat who lives with Julie and Dewitt Strong in Eagle River, Wis., spends too much time on the couch. Are you lonely or bored? If you head to the kitchen for a snack to lift your spirits, your cat might follow in your footsteps.

In increasing numbers, we are sharing both our bad habits and our excuses with our cats. Unfortunately, we might also be sharing a heavy — and unhealthy — load with them.

While figures vary, recent studies indicate that 25 to 40 percent of cats in the United States are overweight or obese,” says Debra L. Zoran, a veterinarian and associate professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.

**For the full article, pick up the November issue of CAT FANCY.**

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