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Jul 19, 2024 · By following your vet’s guidelines, you can ensure that your cat loses weight in a healthy way that decreases the risk of hepatic lipidosis. Diet for healthy weight loss in cats. To help your cat lose weight, you need to decrease your cat’s calorie consumption by putting them on a “diet.”
- Measure it Out. Use an actual level measuring cup (or even better and more accurate, a kitchen weight scale!) to find out exactly how much you are feeding your cat.
- Label Information. Obtain all the nutrition/label information from your sources of food, treats, food used to give medicine, homemade diets, table scraps, etc.
- Quality Food. Feed a good, quality food. A diet change may or may not be needed. There are even prescription diet cat foods that may be an option for your cat.
- Overfeeding. Do not allow free feeding (always having food available in the bowl). One of the biggest human-related factors to a cat being overweight is overfeeding5.
Aug 21, 2024 · To determine if your cat needs to lose weight, use a body condition score (BCS) chart. This chart helps assess whether your cat is underweight, ideal, overweight, or obese. You should be able to feel your cat’s ribs without pressing too hard, and they should have a visible waist when viewed from above. Adjusting your cat’s diet. Diet plays ...
- Talk with Your Veterinarian About Your Cat’S Weight
- Pay Attention to How Much You're Feeding Your Cat
- Consider What You’Re Feeding Your Cat
- Weigh Your Cat Regularly
- Monitor Your Cat’S Treat Intake
- Increase Physical Exercise For Your Cat
- Use Slow-Feeders, Interactive Food Puzzles, Or Hide and Seek
- Monitor For Medical Problems That Contribute to Cat Weight Gain
- Don’T Free Feed Your Cat
- How to Manage Your Cat's Calorie Reduction
Veterinary supervision is especially important for cats because if they lose too much weight too quickly, they can develop a life-threatening liver disease called hepatic lipidosis(also known as fatty liver disease). This occurs when the body breaks down too much fat too rapidly, and the liver cannot process it quickly enough. This causes the fat t...
You can achieve this by getting a set of dry measuring cups specifically for your pet’s food. They’re inexpensive and easy to find. Or you can make feeding even more precise, without spending much more money, by getting a small kitchen scaleto weigh the amount of food you’re feeding your cat.
What you feed your cat is just as important as how much! Watch out for commercial “diet” kibble. They’re often puffed up with air. You may feel like you’re feeding your cat plenty, but they’ll still be hungry because that air isn’t providing any real fullness. And a cat who’s hungry all the time can become aggressive and less tolerant with other pe...
Your pet’s weight can be a good indicator of health when it is tracked. Regularly tracking a pet’s weight, rather than just at yearly check-ups, helps pet owners notice the slight changes in weight, which might be hard to see. This is especially important for cats because of their small size, making gradual weight loss or gain more difficult to rec...
Just like dogs, treats can be a source of joy for cats too! And there are a lot of out there to choose from, making the best choice for your cat’s health difficult. For some excellent guidance, refer to our article "Choosing the Best Cat Treats." Unlike commercially prepared cat foods, most cat treats are not complete and balanced. This is because ...
Increase your cat’s level of daily exercise. For cats, this usually is in the form of interactive play with their person. Not only does this burn the calories, but it also enriches your cat's life by helping them express their hunting instincts, providing mental and physical stimulation, and it increases the bond between the two of you! The session...
Slow down the rate of your pet's eating to help them stop when they are full, rather than gobbling up their meal regardless of their hunger status. This can be done by skipping the regular bowl and feeding them with a puzzle or interactive toy. Another way you can slow down their eating is to add some water to their food. Learn more in the article,...
Talk to your veterinarian to see if there might be a medical problem that could be contributing to your cat’s excessive weight (such as a low-functioning thyroid, overactive adrenal gland, a buildup of fluid, or one of any other number of possible underlying conditions). If your cat gets the all-clear, talk to them about a safe and effective weight...
If your cat is a "grazer" (they don't eat all their food at once and eat slowly throughout the day), you still need to properly measure out their food to ensure proper nutrition and the correct amount of calories each day. Don't just keep arbitrarily filling their bowl. Free feeding isn't just a big contributor to the pet overweight and obesity epi...
Dealing With a “Hangry” Cat
There are prescription diets your veterinarian may recommend to help your pet feel more full on less food, so they don’t feel as hungry and beg. Remember, never suddenly change your cat’s diet. Rather, do it gradually over a 1–2-week period, sometimes up to 3 weeks, switching from the old diet to the new diet. Read more about how to switch your cat's food here.
How Quickly Should I Cut Back My Cat's Food?
Most people are not able to survive a diet when they have to suddenly and drastically cut back. Your cat can’t either! Gradually cut back small amounts of food per feeding until the ideal portion size is reached. For example, reduce the amount of food by ¼ tsp per meal. Slow and steady!
What Rate of Weight Loss is Ideal for Cats?
Your cat can safely lose 0.5–2% of their body weight per week. If you have a 20-pound cat, they can lose 0.2–0.4 pounds (or about 4 ounces) per week. It’s okay to lose less than that per week, but your weight loss plan will just take longer. Depending on how much weight loss is needed, you can expect your cat to reach their ideal body weight in 6–8 months. If they are not progressing as they should, changes are needed. Your veterinarian can help you determine the amount of weight per month th...
- Hide Their Meals and Litter Box. Indoor cats often want little to do with exercise, and that contributes to their weight problems. Encourage more movement by moving your cat's food bowl and litter box around the space.
- Use a Treat Toy or Feeding Ball. Cats aren’t afraid to work for treats. Buy or make treat toys and feeding balls that’ll make your cat trade some physical effort for a yummy snack.
- Spread Out Meals. If you're feeding your cat once per day, this schedule can contribute to overeating. Instead, consider spreading their normal amount of food over several feeding times.
- Try Using an Automatic Feeder That Opens Based on a Timer. Another tool that pet owners can use to fight cat obesity is an automatic feeder. An automatic feeder releases food at a preset time each day, carefully measuring and controlling the amount of calories your cat receives, even if you aren't home.
Nov 30, 2023 · Physical activity can help cats burn calories, build muscle and stimulate metabolism, all of which contribute to weight loss, he says. However, exercise for cats is not just about physical benefits. It also plays a significant role in mental health, says Rita Reimers, a cat behavior trainer and co-founder of Cat Behavior Alliance .
People also ask
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You should never put an obese cat on a diet without veterinary supervision, as too rapid weight loss, or weight loss with inappropriate food, can be quite dangerous. Your veterinarian will perform a physical examination of your cat and will likely recommend some diagnostic testing to ensure that there are no underlying diseases or obstacles that would impact weight loss for your cat.
