Do you have a tubby tabby in your house? You are not alone. According to a survey done in 2018 by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, an estimated 60% of cats in the United States are obese or overweight.
Although a fluffy and chubby cat may look cute, excess weight is never good for its health. Such a cat needs to be placed in an appropriate weight loss plan, essential for improving its quality and quantity of life.
Here is how to help your cat lose weight without any adverse effects on its health.
How Can You Tell If Your Cat Is Fat?
Sometimes it can be hard to tell whether you have a fat cat. The best option is to use a body condition score(BCS).
This system helps vets know whether your cat has an ideal weight by evaluating the amount of fat in its body. A cat with a score of 9/9 is fat. An underweight cat has a score of 1. Lastly, a cat of an ideal weight has a score of 5.
A cat at an ideal weight has ribs covered with a thin layer of fat. These ribs should not be visible. An overweight cat has all ribs covered with a massive layer of fat.
A healthy cat has an hourglass shape, and you can easily define the waistline. An obese cat resembles a rugby ball, and it’s hard to point out the position of the waist.
Here is a Body Condition Score for cats.
The Dangers Of Being Overweight
Carrying excess weight is never a good thing for humans and cats. And there are many health risks associated with being obese or overweight.
These health issues include;
· Osteoarthritis
· High blood pressure
· Suppressed immune function
· Liver and kidney disease
· Heart disease
· Skin infections
Besides all these health risks, an overweight cat has a poor quality of life. You will find such a cat will spend most of the time lazing on the couch. This is mainly because the weight makes it hard for the cat to enjoy activities that it did before.
Also, an obese cat has a reduced quantity of life.
There is no advantage of having a chubby cat in your house. Now is the time to start looking for ways to help your cat cut its weight
How To Help Cat Lose Weight
Weight loss in cats needs a plan. Just like how sudden weight gain has disadvantages, extreme weight loss has drawbacks. For example, if your furry friend suddenly loses weight, he may develop hepatic lipidosis.
Hepatic lipidosis occurs when the liver finds it hard to process the available fat in the body. In turn, this fat is stored in and around the liver.
As a responsible cat owner, first–
1. Consult A Vet
A veterinarian will be an important piece of the puzzle in this cat weight loss plan.
The vet will advise if your cat needs any diagnosis to unearth whether specific medical issues have been triggering excess weight gain.
Moreover, the vet is better positioned to advise you on the exact pounds your cat should lose.
2. The Right Diet
The diet your cat is eating can have detrimental effects on its weight. That’s why vets and feline nutritionists will prioritize placing your cat on a therapeutic diet that will help with weight loss.
And remember, not every diet labeled as the best weight loss meal for cats will be suitable for your furry friend. Most commercial processed foods have plenty of fillers and carbohydrates that will make your cat gain more weight.
Some of the best options to help weight loss in cats are:
· A high-fiber / low-fat diet is suitable for cats who love eating a lot. This diet ensures your cat reaches satiety quickly.
· High protein / low carbs- prioritize giving your cat a high protein low carb food – this diet resembles what wild cats eat. The high protein content maintains lean muscle mass on your cat, which is beneficial in burning all excess calories.
If your cat is on a different type of diet, a sudden change won’t help; instead, it might result in tummy issues. Instead, give your cat ¾ of the original food and ¼ of the new food. Then transition to providing the cat ½ of the old and ½ old food.
This whole process of transitioning to a new diet should take two weeks.
3. Eliminate Or Reduce The Treats
Treats are yummy. However, they have a dark side. They might make your cat add weight.
When it comes to cat weight loss, you need to reduce or remove the treats. If your cat keeps on begging for some, redirect it by giving it a puzzle toy or taking it for a walk.
Still, remember to notify your other family members that you have reduced the number of treats your cat is feeding. And remember to inform them not to feed the cat with treats without your authority. Although that sounds strict, you will manage to monitor the number of calories your cat consumes daily.
4. Exercise
Exercising your cat can help with weight loss. First, be considerate of your cat’s current condition. Don’t subject your furry friend to high-intensity exercise all at once. You ought to start with moderate exercise sessions as you increase the intensity.
For example, you can start with short walking sessions averaging 15 minutes daily.
Afterward, increase the duration when you note some progress in terms of weight loss.
Another thing you need to know on how to help cats lose weight is being creative is a must if you want to keep your cat active.
If you have an inactive cat, you can place the food bowl upstairs or downstairs. Your cat has to flex its muscles and expend energy to access the food bowl.
You can also make your cat work for food by putting dry food inside a feeding ball. That will ensure your cat works for his food, ultimately leading to weight loss.
5. Avoid Free Feeding
Free feeding is one way that will contribute to excess weight gain in cats. This method is disadvantageous as you will be unable to monitor the cat’s calorie intake.
Also, food lying all over the house may collect molds, triggering tummy issues if your cat consumes the rotten food.
Instead of free feeding, utilize an automatic feeder that is preset to feed your cat at a specific time.
What Should I Feed My Overweight Cat?
Diet will play a massive role in your cat weight loss program. The key is looking for a diet with meat protein as the first ingredient and low in carbohydrates. This diet should contain fewer fillers or artificial ingredients that offer nutritional value. Again prioritize giving your cat the right food providing the necessary calories that it should be taking when at an ideal weight.
For example, if your cat should be weighing 9 pounds and is currently at 12 pounds, look for a diet that will supply calories needed by a 9 pounds cat.
How Long Will It Take My Cat To Lose Weight?
Weight loss in cats can take 8-9 months. However, all this is determined by how much weight your cat needs to lose. Other factors determining cat weight loss duration are the type of diet and exercise your cat gets.
Remember to be patient and consistent if you want your cat to lose weight in the shortest time possible.
Final Thoughts On How To Help Cats Lose Weight
As you all know, there is no positive thing about having a chubby cat. This cat will have a poor quality of life and a shortened quantity of life.
However, all that is reversible if the cat is placed on the right weight loss plan. As a responsible pet owner, ensure you actively engage your vet in this cat weight loss program.