Date: 03-04-2023
With many owners’ cats being indoors and not as active, it’s become increasingly common for cats to be overweight. Statistics show that 32% of cats in Australia are overweight or obese. Obese cats are at risk of experiencing a decreased quality of life since they are far less likely to be active and can develop joint problems, find it more difficult to self-groom, be more at risk of diabetes and might experience a shorter life expectancy.
To reduce the likelihood of your cat reaching an unhealthy weight, you must recognise your cat’s nutritional needs, be mindful of their portion sizes and ensure they engage in playtime daily to stay active.
This blog will discuss how to get a cat to lose weight. But first, let’s recognise why cat weight loss is essential for obese cats to live healthier lives.
Obese cats are more at risk of developing a wide range of health problems, including:
If you’re concerned your cat might be at an unhealthy weight, you can rest assured there’s plenty to do to tip the scales. Before taking any action, it’s best to book a consultation with your veterinarian. Each cat has different physiological needs, so it’s best to create a safe, personalised cat weight loss plan that suits your pet’s needs with the support of your vet. This plan will determine how much weight your pet needs to lose, concerning their breed and their age.
Now that you have done the right thing and consulted your veterinarian to discuss your cat’s weight loss, you can take the following steps:
Changes to their cat food for weight loss should be made over two to three weeks. You can mix their old food with their new food, gradually changing the ratio from mostly the current food to mostly the new one. This slow transition will help your cat ease into their new diet without causing stomach upset.
To ensure your cat has balanced nutrition, weight management cat foods are available with a reduced fat content to help your cat lose that extra weight and live a healthier life.
If you’re wondering how to help your cat lose weight, an important factor to consider is portion control. Many cat owners are blissfully unaware they’re overfeeding their pets and not providing enough exercise, causing them to gain weight. With most cats enjoying nibbling on dry food throughout the day, you should be mindful that they’re not exceeding their recommended dietary intake. Check the feeding guide on your cat food for the recommended portion size, and make the necessary adjustments with their age, size, activity level, breed and environment.
There’s no greater feeling than watching your kitty scurry in excitement as you open their food cabinet and fetch their favourite treats. Whether you’re rewarding them for good behaviour or just want to offer them a special treat, be mindful not to overfeed your cat with treats, which can do more harm than good. Treats should not exceed 10% of their total diet. You should also feed them healthy treats that support their growth and development.
Since cats spend most of their lifetime sleeping, it’s essential to encourage their activity levels. Since indoor/outdoor cats roam around outside and jump up and down fences to keep active, indoor cats require extra attention to keep them fit and healthy.
Set aside around 30 minutes for playtime each day, whether it’s throwing a ball for your cat to chase or flicking about their favourite wand to encourage them to jump around and get tired.
If you’re busy with work and don’t always have the time to play every day, opt for electronic cat toys to perk your cat’s interest and keep them entertained when you’re busy. Laser toys allow your cat to chase the laser light around the house so you can continue your work undistracted. Alternatively, you could even enjoy time outside with your cat by investing in a cat harness to take them for an outdoor stroll.
If you have more than one cat, it’s common for them to overeat into the other cats’ share of food since they may view other cats as competition. Move your cats into separate rooms during feeding time, give them 10 to 15 minutes to eat their food, and then remove the bowls. It won’t take them long to realise they need to eat their food immediately, or they’ll miss out. Alternatively, feed them in the same room at different times with closed doors.
MfM’s 40+ years of extensive research and refinement ensure their range of cat food and kitten food is formulated with balanced essential nutritional benefits for all cat breeds. Not only will your cat thrive, but MfM’s cat food will assist with allergies, digestion, shedding, hot spots, joint inflammation, anxiety, scratching/biting, immunity and weight management. If your cat requires a grain-free or gluten-free diet, rest assured MfM has varieties to meet all cat’s dietary requirements.
If you have any queries, reach out to our team, who would be happy to help.
MfM Australia: PO Box 111 Reservoir, Victoria 3073
