How to Help Your Cat Lose Weight

Like many of their owners, cats these days are tipping the scales on the side of obesity. According to some estimates up to 45% of cats are overweight. What’s going on?

Are we feeding our cats too much? Do they just need more exercise? Are we feeding them

the wrong kind of food?

Barring uncommon illnesses, cats get fat just like people do. They take in more calories than they need, usually by eating too much or by eating foods that don’t metabolize easily. Combined with a sedentary indoor lifestyle, it doesn’t take long for a cat to put on extra pounds.

If you missed the signs because of all that fur, your veterinarian will advise you when your cat is overweight. The most important thing to do is take it seriously and commit to helping your cat lose weight. Overweight cats have a considerably shortened life expectancy. They are also at risk for developing kidney disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis and a host of other diseases and medical conditions.

Feeding for Weight Loss

How will you help your cat lose weight? The first step will involve carefully managing your cat’s diet. Follow your veterinarian’s guidelines to the letter. If your vet recommends a premium brand weight loss formula, buy it. Your cat will be eating less so despite the higher cost of the food, it will prove to be economical.

One of the hardest things for cat owners to do is stop free-feeding their cat. While kittens or cats at appropriate weights may be do fine with food at the ready 24/7, free-feeding can promote and maintain excess weight. Imagine if you had free access to a buffet all day and all night. How much more might you eat? How much more might you weight?

Since you are investing in a premium brand of food, it is critical that you measure and feed it according to your veterinarian’s directions. You might be surprised at how little your cat should be eating. A ½ a cup or less of food twice a day will probably be all your cat should be fed in order to promote weight loss. Recommendations are not set in stone: you will need to weigh your cat monthly during the diet and adjust the amount you feed based on how much weight is lost.

Help Your Cat Deal with Dieting

Your cat may put up a real fight with this new feeding regimen. Some cats howl, some misbehave and others become downright nasty while they adjust to eating less.

Once your cat gets used to eating appropriately sized servings of food, the behavioral changes will subside with diminished hunger. You can help your cat adjust by feeding small portions of food several times a day instead of feeding the full amount only once or twice.

It’s important to avoid feeding your cat any other foods during a weight loss diet. Even small quantities of treats, table food or other snacks can hinder weight loss.

It is hard enough for cats to get used to a new diet and to lose weight. Don’t undermine their hard work by helping them “cheat” with other foods. Treat and spoil your cat with petting, grooming, playing or praising instead of food treats. Your cat will appreciate these activities more than a food treat that is gone in seconds, anyways.

Exercise for Weight Loss

Your cat will lose weight if you follow your veterinarian’s recommended feeding regimen, but you can help your cat lose weight more easily and quickly by promoting exercise. Just like us, cats that exercise develop healthy muscle tissue instead of fat.

They also burn calories. Try teaching your cat to play fetch, play hide and seek or just take a walk with your cat. Even an indoors cat can get exercise running and playing around the home.

You’ll be spending more quality time with your cat, too which will help make dieting easier.

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