Cat Weight Loss Tips
- Before beginning any cat weight loss plan, take him to a veterinarian for a checkup. Your veterinarian may prescribe a special diet to help your cat slim down. She will also screen your cat for any underlying health issues that may be causing your cat's weight problem.
- Restrict your cat's diet to help her lose weight. There are two methods for this.
Give your overweight cat low-carbohydrate, protein-rich food and feed her less often or less per serving. The protein-rich food will satisfy her so she doesn't want to eat as much or as often.
The other method is to feed him the same amount you've always fed him but give him a food that is low in fat and high in fiber.
Don't feed her table scraps or treats. Instead, stick to feeding her small portions of a healthy, protein-rich cat food.
Feed your cat two or three times a day rather than leaving food out so she can graze whenever she wants.
Don't let your cat lose more than 1 percent of his body weight per week. This puts him at risk for a condition called hepatic lipidosis, which is caused by too much fat being released from his cells and tissues at once. When the fat is released too quickly, it overwhelms the liver and disrupts the liver's ability to function. - Aside from changing his diet, the best way to combat feline obesity is to make sure your overweight cat gets plenty of exercise. For cats, exercise is just another word for play. If your overweight cat is sedentary, keep play sessions short so she doesn't overexert herself. You can gradually increase the length and frequency of play until your cat can handle one to two extended romps a day. Exercise doesn't just burn calories for your overweight cat, it also helps him work off the excess energy that can cause anxious eating.
