Like humans, cats can gain a few extra pounds, particularly as they age, become less active, or have limited outdoor access. However, it is crucial to take steps to prevent excessive weight gain in cats, as overweight cats are prone to various health issues that can hinder their overall well-being and quality of life.
How to tell if your feline friend needs to go on a diet
Determining whether your cat is overweight can be challenging, especially if they have long hair or if their breed naturally has a stockier build. However, our body condition tool can provide a quick assessment in just a few minutes and give you a good idea of your pet's overall shape.
If you're still uncertain or suspect that your cat may be overweight, it's important to consult with your vet. Before making any changes to your cat's diet, it's crucial to discuss the situation with your vet as weight gain could be a symptom of an underlying illness rather than simply overeating. For more information and guidance before your veterinary appointment, you can refer to our "assessing your cat's body condition" article.
Cat obesity risks
Excessive weight gain in cats can have detrimental effects on their internal systems and joints, potentially leading to serious health risks. Obesity not only diminishes a cat's quality of life but also increases the likelihood of various health conditions, including diabetes, urinary disease, arthritis, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Overweight cats may also experience skin problems as grooming becomes more challenging with increased weight. It is important to address and manage weight issues in cats to ensure their overall well-being and reduce the risk of associated health complications.
How to weigh your cat
Monitoring your cat's weight at home is a straightforward method to keep track of their weight. Just hold your cat while standing on a set of weighing scales, and then subtract your weight from the total to determine your cat's weight. However, it is important not to solely rely on this method as a proper body condition assessment provides a more comprehensive understanding of your cat's overall health.
How to encourage weight loss in cats
IIf you are already following a diet recommended by your vet for your cat, it is important to consult with them again before switching to a different food. This ensures that the change will not hinder your cat's weight loss progress or have any negative effects on their health.
To address cat obesity, it is best to eliminate all treats and titbits, including cat milk, for a period of two weeks. Although it may feel unfair, this approach is the kindest in the long run for an overweight cat.
It is crucial to communicate and enforce the rules with everyone in the family to prevent any well-intentioned cheating. If you have multiple cats, it is advisable to feed the overweight cat separately to avoid them stealing leftovers.
Dividing the overweight cat's food into smaller, more frequent meals can help manage their hunger. It is important to carefully monitor the type and quantity of food you are providing. Your vet may recommend reducing the amount of food or suggest a special, lower calorie diet as part of the weight management plan. Some veterinary practices even offer weight-loss programs where you can receive guidance, support, and monitoring for your cat's weight loss journey.
After the two-week period, assess your cat's body condition again and continue the prescribed diet until they reach their ideal weight and condition. It is crucial to approach weight loss at a slow and steady pace to avoid potential dangers and underlying health issues.
Once your cat has achieved their desired condition and size, you can consider making slight adjustments to their feeding quantities to maintain a stable weight in the future.
Light formulas
If your cat is struggling to maintain a healthy weight, you may want to consider the advantages of transitioning them to a specially formulated "light" cat food for a more long-term solution.
Light diets are designed to be less calorie-dense, allowing you to feed your cat the same portion size as before. Despite being lower in calories, these diets are still enriched with all the essential nutrients necessary for your cat's well-being. This means that even if you need to reduce their food quantities, you can be confident that your cat is receiving the necessary nutrition.
If you are already following a diet recommended by your vet for your cat, it is important to consult with them again before switching to another food. They can provide valuable insights and guidance based on your cat's specific needs and health conditions.
No 'crash' diets
Starving an overweight cat is not a safe or effective approach to addressing cat obesity. Drastically reducing their food intake by more than 10-15% can have serious consequences on their health. It is important to provide your cat with the right balance of essential minerals and vitamins to support their overall well-being.
Restricting food too severely can put your cat at risk of developing hepatic lipidosis, a dangerous and potentially fatal liver condition. This condition can be triggered by a sudden lack of food and can have severe consequences for your cat's health.
Instead of resorting to starvation, it is best to work with your veterinarian to develop a safe and gradual weight management plan for your overweight cat. They can provide guidance on proper portion control, nutritional requirements, and the most appropriate diet for your cat's specific needs.
Manage cat obesity with exercise
Remember, food is only part of the journey to long term health and fitness — your overweight cat’s lifestyle will also affect their weight. In particular, a lack of exercise can cause them to pile on the pounds, so encourage your cat to stay active to help them burn off any excess energy, especially if you are the owner of a house cat, or have a specific breed that needs to stay indoors.