Indoor cats often want little to do with exercise, and that contributes to their weight problems. Now, let’s dive into strategies to help your cat lose weight safely and gradually. Your vet should also give you a rough timeline. A cat can safely lose about 0.5 to 2% of their body weight each week, so use that as a guide for your expectations. Just as weight gain happens slowly, weight loss takes time too. This potentially fatal condition is preventable if you schedule a thorough health exam with your vet and create a good weight loss plan together. Left untreated, this condition turns into liver failure. For example, cats that go two consecutive days without eating can develop fatty liver disease ( hepatic lipidosis ). If you cut food or increase exercise drastically, you could actually make your cat sick. Don't Rush the Weight Loss Processįinally, be patient. Check out more exercise tips in our blog. We’ll give you some ideas in our list of tips below.įor instance, extra playtime with your cat (break out the toys or laser pointers ) will get your cat moving and help your cat's diet show results faster. So, come up with ways to add more exercise into your cat’s daily life. While diet is a major piece of the puzzle, physical activity helps burn calories and fat and improves your cat’s energy levels. Pair Exercise With Your Cat’s Weight Loss Diet This helps your cat get used to the change, and you’ll also be able to monitor whether they have any bad reactions to the new food. You can mix the foods together, gradually changing the ratio from mostly the current food to mostly the new one. If you’re switching to new food, for example, you’ll want to take at least two weeks to transition. Move slowly from your current feeding routine (food type, amount, frequency, etc) to your new one. Many pet owners are guilty of overfeeding their cats and not providing enough exercise, and your cat is going to fight any sudden changes. Take Time Transitioning to Your Cat's New Diet (2 to 3 Weeks)īefore trying out tactics to improve your cat's weight, make a plan for how you’ll change their diet, and then slowly transition from their existing diet and exercise regime to the new one. Here’s how it works:Ī body condition score of 5 out of 9 is considered an ideal weight for a cat. You or your vet can also examine your cat and give them a body condition score. Weighing your cat isn’t the only way to assess their size and health. That said, you should discuss your cat's ideal body weight with your vet, because factors like breed and age also play a role. APOP estimates the average house cat should weigh between 8 and 10 pounds. Determine the Amount of Weight Your Cat Needs to Loseīefore starting a weight loss plan, you need to determine how much weight your cat needs to lose. Your vet is the best source of guidance to craft a safe, personalized weight loss plan for your unique pet. Every cat has a different physiology and different needs, and even making small changes to your cat’s diet, food amount, or feeding frequency can make a big impact, positive or negative. Follow these best practices: Start By Consulting Your Veterinarianīefore tackling your cat's excess weight, you should make an appointment with your veterinarian. But before you jump into a new feeding schedule and diet, make sure you and your cat are ready. The best way to help a cat lose weight is to help them consume fewer calories than they burn through exercise, and this will require some changes to their daily routine. So what can you do if your cat is already overweight? Make your cat's weight loss a top priority. Best Practices for Putting Your Cat on a Weight Loss Diet Learn more about feline obesity and why your cat may be gaining weight so you can “tip the scales” toward a healthy weight for your cat. Tufts University Veterinary Medical Center warns that overweight cats are at higher risk for :Īs you can see, weight is a big determining factor in your cat's health. Reasons To Help Your Overweight Cat Lose the Extra PoundsĬats that are overweight or obese face an increased risk of a wide range of health problems. In this blog, we’ll explain why it’s so important for cats to be at their ideal weight and give you 10 vet-approved tips to get there. The good news is that you can help your cat lose weight with some simple diet and exercise changes. Although a chubby cat may seem cute and cuddly, those extra pounds can actually lead to serious health issues over time. That means nearly three in five cats are overweight - and veterinarians are sounding the alarm. The Association of Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) found that 25.7% of cats were overweight and a further 33.8% of cats were obese in 2018.
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