     Sometimes it is necessary to put your cat on a special diet
because of sickness, allergy, weight control and other reasons.
This, however, is best left to your veterinarian because a
professional should handle the complexities of nutrition. If
your vet decides to prescribe a specific alteration to your
cat's normal feeding, make sure he walks you step by step
through your pet's new diet.  Here is a sampling of diets that a
vet might prescribe for your cat's specific condition. This is
followed by a list of diets that should never be used. Your
understanding of the importance of "abnormal" diets is crucial
in your effort to keep your cat healthy at all times.  The
Weight Control Diet    • Increase protein while reducing total
intake.   • Protein offers more energy and fewer calories than
fat; switch to a premium cat food with better protein-to-fat
ratio.   • Reduce or remove snacks.   • Try to break up daily
feeding throughout the day - cats will be less likely to beg for
food.   • If you give your cat sn