Cat Weight Loss Tips

Cat weight loss is suggested for all overweight felines to prevent a number of medical conditions that are associated with excess body fat. The weight loss can be achieved through a special diet accompanied by exercise. There are also a few tips that can promote a healthy weight loss.

Diet Considerations

A cat that is overweight may not have a suitable diet, so this should be adjusted to help the pet lose weight.

The first thing that can be done is to reduce the amount of food the cat eats. Typically, an overweight cat eats more than he needs and he may have a low level of activity, which leads to extra deposits of fat. Reduce the amount of food by 15 to 30%, but no more than that. A vet will establish the right amount of food the cat needs, depending on his weight and his weight loss targets.

The cat should get a diet that has sufficient nutrients (proteins, fats and fibers) but the carbohydrates can be completely excluded, because felines don't require carbs in their diet and carbs are among the leading factors of obesity.

Wet Food

Switching to wet food can lead to automatic weight loss due to several factors:

  • Wet food contains fewer calories and more water
  • The food will promote digestion
  • The wet food contains fewer fillers than kibble food (typically these fillers contain carbohydrates and fattening ingredients)

Light wet food can be an option for overweight cats. However, the light formulas may not always include all the necessary nutrients, so you should read the labels making sure the cat gets all he needs. 

Exercise Guidelines

A minimum amount of exercise is recommended to all cats, especially if they are overweight. Even if the cat is senior and has a medical problem, the daily exercise shouldn't be excluded. The cat should do activities he is fond of. In a weight loss program it is important to opt for activities that will boost the pet's heart rate, so that he will consume some calories and burn fat. Daily exercise is recommended to speed up the cat's metabolism and help the cat lose weight more rapidly.

Feeding Guidelines

A lot of cat owners leave food outside for the cat to nibble on whenever he feels like it. This is not recommended and may be among the reasons the cat gets fat. If your cat is on a diet, make sure not to leave the food outside and feed him only as indicated by the vet. In this manner you will control the amount of calories the cat eats.

Reduce the Treats

If your pet is spoiled and gets treats too often, you should reduce the number of treats, as these may lead to obesity and won't help during a weight loss program. Reward your pet only two to three times per day. Alternatively, you may choose treats that are low in calories or switch to natural treats (such as green vegetables).

 

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