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  Your Cat    Small Pets    Your Overweight Cat    Like modern
man, cats today eat better food and take less exercise than
their predecessors.  Just as in people there is a risk that your
cat may become overweight.     Is my cat obese?  It is often
difficult for us to see that our own pet is overweight.  Look at
your cat from above -  ­can you see a narrowing of the body
behind the ribcage (a `waist')?  Does your pet have a bit of a
paunch?  There should be a visible `tucking-in' of the tummy
just in front of the hindquarters.  Run your hand gently over
your cat's backbone and ribs.  You should be able to feel the
bones without pressing hard.  If you can not then your cat is
overweight, ­ and is at risk of illness as a result.    My cat
hardly eats anything ­ how can it be fat?  Many overweight
animals do not eat very much, and just a little food can keep an
animal fat.  If your ca