Sure, fat cats have their own curb appeal, but it isn’t healthy for them. Have you noticed your cat getting a little bit bigger each year? Your kitty could be suffering from poor diet choices and this must be rectified.
According to statistics, 6 out of 10 cats in the US are obese or overweight so cat care is important. An overweight cat has a high chance of getting many health problems such as a lower urinary tract disease, diabetes, and arthritis.
An overweight cat will also struggle with grooming and they can easily have greasy or matted hair. Getting your cat to lose weight may seem a little daunting, but with our cat diet tips next, it can be quite easy.
Diet Tips
Start By Setting a Weight Loss Goal
Just like humans, to start your cat on a weight loss regimen, they too will need you to set some goals. These goals will help them to achieve their ideal weight.
Your vet can help in assessing your cat’s current condition and Body Condition Score (BCS) in order to find out their most ideal weight.
Once you have the weight, now keep track of the cat’s progress towards achieving this goal. You should try and weigh the cat regularly – at least once a month or a week to keep track of the progress keenly.
Feed Your Cat Fewer Calories
Cats will need to cut down on the calories they are taking in daily, in order to lose weight. A common misconception that comes with cats is that they do not need to be fed regular meals like dogs and this is wrong.
Most cats, however, do not have any restraints when it comes to feeding, and they may end up feeding too much and ending up obese. You shouldn’t just leave out a bunch of cat food for them all day.
Try and measure the amount you are feeding them, and just ensure that you are in close contact with the vet, so you can understand how many calories is enough for them.
Feed Him Canned Diets
Canned food is almost always lower in calories compared to other dry foods. This is due to the increased water content in the food which helps the cat to feel satisfied and full after meals without the added extra calories.
Make the Switch to Low-Calorie
Pets who tend to be a bit overweight will sometimes lose weight by just eating less of their current diets. They may not need to eat specifically designed foods for weight loss, just different foods.
Various over-the-counter foods are calorie-reduced and are labeled as being “light,” or “healthy weight,” or “low calorie.” This can be a good starting point for you if you need to work on the weight of your precious kitty.
Get the Cat Up and Moving
Managing the caloric intake of your cat is the most important thing during weight loss, but you should also ensure that you increase their physical activity, which shall help in building their muscles and also raise their resting metabolic rate.
Consider providing them with toys so it can increase their activity, and also come up with things such as feather toys, and laser pointers for their metabolic rate.
You should attempt to have at least one play session for your cats on a daily basis. Ensure that you have a home with a vertical space so the cat can explore and you could even have a cat shelve or a cat tree for them to run around.
In case the cat enjoys walking, then take short walks with them on a harness or a leash so they can increase their physical activities and provide them with the mental enrichment they need.
Conclusion
Always ensure that your cat is at an appropriate weight because one of the most important things as a cat owner is to ensure that your cat is healthy.
Have frequent checks and conversations with the vet, so they can point out where you need to put more emphasis on. All the best as you care for your precious kitty cat.
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