How to lose weight for a cat

You’re not alone if your cat has put on a little too much weight. These days, a lot of cats have weight problems, which can result in diabetes, joint pain, and a shortened life span. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be tough to assist your cat in losing weight.

Similar to people, cats who want to lose weight must combine regular exercise with a healthy diet. But it’s crucial to handle your cat’s weight loss cautiously, making sure they get all the nutrients they require and gradually aiming for a healthier weight.

In this post, we’ll look at a few easy and secure methods to assist your cat in losing weight, such as playing more, controlling portion sizes, and feeding them the right food. Your cat can quickly return to a healthy weight with a little work.

Weight norms and obesity

• The ribs are not palpable if you stroke the cat along the sides;
• When the animal lies on its side, the belly sticks out to the side and up;
• When the cat stands on all fours, the belly sags;
• Shortness of breath appears, breathing slows down;
• The cat becomes lazy and rests most of the time;
• The gait changes – the pet begins to walk in a waddling manner.

All of these symptoms suggest that the animal should be seen by a veterinarian and that an appropriate diet and exercise regimen should be chosen.

Generally speaking, cats are smaller and lighter than cats.

Reasons for the need to lose weight

• Deterioration of the functions of internal organs, primarily the liver, heart, blood vessels;
• occurrence of type 2 diabetes;
• problems with movement, muscle atrophy;
• joint deformation under the influence of excessive load, development of arthritis and arthrosis;
• lack of oxygen due to heart failure.

Cancer can arise as a result of obesity. A pet’s lifespan and quality of life are significantly shortened by all of these causes. Additionally, the cat’s only means of interaction with its owner is petting; it loses interest in playing, grows drowsy, and loses its natural hunting instincts. This may result in the appearance and procreation of rodents in a private residence.

Overweight makes it difficult for the animal to move normally.

Risk factors for excess weight

The most common causes of excess weight are feeding guidelines non-compliance and an imbalanced diet. But occasionally, a cat’s illness or hormonal imbalance causes them to put on extra weight. To ascertain the precise cause of obesity, a veterinarian must see an overweight pet. Based on the test results, the doctor will create a treatment plan or a suitable diet.

The most prone to fullness are the British

• Regular overeating. The cat"s appetite is always a little more than the portion necessary for health. If there is no control, and food is always in the public domain, the animal will constantly overeat and get fat.
• Low motor activity. May be associated with joint diseases or is the result of a phlegmatic temperament.
• Genetics. If the ancestors of the animal were thick, it is likely that the tendency to complete will be inherited. It can also be a feature of the breed, for example, the British.
• Castration or sterilization. Such operations contribute to a decrease in metabolism and a change in hormonal background.
• Age -related changes. Elderly cats prefer to doze most of the time in a cozy place, and their metabolism is slow. All this leads to an increase in body weight due to fat.

Preventing overweight in pets who have been spayed or neutered

Genetic issues cause cats to put on weight frequently. They may be linked to issues with the thyroid, pancreas, and ovaries.

Issues can arise at any time during the pregnancy and delivery process. Typically, dysfunctions show up not just as a buildup of fat on the sides but also as dullness, elasticity loss, and hair loss.

Rarely are young cats obese.

You must force your pet to lose weight in order to restore its natural form, taking care to prevent any negative health effects from the weight loss. It’s crucial to keep in mind that obesity does not happen overnight. This is a slow process that typically begins with sterile or mature animals. Young, active cats are rarely obese. The rules regarding feeding your pet during the winter, when activity levels are lower, should receive extra attention.

A cat can lose weight by eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, and watching how much food they eat. It’s critical to select premium cat food that is appropriate for managing weight and to see a veterinarian to make sure the cat is adhering to a healthy and safe plan. Rapid weight loss can be harmful to a cat’s health, so patience and consistency are essential.

Weight loss program for fat cats

If the cat does not require treatment for a systemic disease, a veterinarian develops it. The main goals of the weight loss plan in this instance will be to gradually alter the diet and up the amount of physical activity. Doctors typically determine a cat’s ideal weight as well as an intermediate weight at which weight loss is necessary initially. Rapid weight loss, after all, can only be detrimental to the purr’s health.

Veterinary examination

Dietary recommendations for cats

Veterinarians typically advise owners of overweight cats to switch to a smaller serving size or alter their pet’s diet. It’s important to move cautiously to avoid stressing the animal. In the initial days, doctors recommend combining a quarter of the new food with the main one, and then progressively increasing the proportion in the bowl.

A cat’s acclimatization period to a diet is contingent upon its rate of acclimation to nutritious food; however, it typically takes a few weeks.

Every week after the cat has entirely transitioned to a new diet, it should be weighed to see if there have been any positive changes. It is normal if the weight was initially dropping and the process then stopped. As long as you feed your pet in accordance with the new plan, the weight will decrease once the "plateau" is reached. However, you and the veterinarian must modify the feeding plan if after a month there are no improvements.

To help the animal get used to the new food, gradually combine it with the old.

Feeding frequency

Sometimes changing the feeding schedule—removing the food bowls from constant free access—is all that is needed to help the cat regain its former form. Four times a day, domestic cats require small portions of food—about the size of an average mouse—to be fed.

You’ll need to adjust to the new feeding schedule.

Reducing the calorie content of the diet

Reducing portions gradually will help to prevent stress in the animal. A fat cat cannot be forced to eat to the point of illness if you are trying to figure out how to make it lose weight. An animal can only lose up to 2% of its body weight. Either a 15% diet reduction on average is made overall, or low-calorie foods are chosen. In the latter scenario, you can concentrate on average indicators to determine how much of a calorie reduction is necessary if the cat is not active.

Cat food with less calories for adults

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner portions are gradually cut back.

Table 1 shows the average daily caloric intake needed for a cat to reach their goal weight.

Required body weight, kg	Calorie content of food per day, Kcal
3.5	180
4.5	210
5.5	230

For larger cats, the following formula can be used to determine the average calorie content of the diet that will cause weight loss: 80% x (70 x (required weight) x ¾). The indicators used in this computation may differ based on the breed; it is an average.

Correct menu

Mice and birds make natural food for small cats. In other words, nearly all protein. Additionally, dry feeds typically contain a lot of carbohydrates from grains. This plays a role in the development of diabetes and weight gain. A cat must be fed either an expensive, pre-made, high-protein mixture or an alternative to natural food in order for it to lose weight.

Proteins, fats, and carbohydrates should be roughly distributed in the following ratios in the ideal cat menu: 5:3:2.

• low-fat boiled fish;
• cereals without steaming;
• low-fat dairy products.

Make sure to add vitamins to the diet as directed by the veterinarian. Cat food shouldn’t have salt added to it. Fresh water should always be available to the pet.

Dietary protein is the cornerstone.

Healthy "goodies"

Store-bought treats or sausage are not the best ways to show your pet appreciation and reward good behavior. These products increase appetite because they contain unhealthful flavorings and additives. Furthermore, some "goodies" from stores can become addictive. Giving your pet a piece of cooked chicken or fish without any spices is preferable.

Particularly if they are trying to lose weight, cats shouldn’t eat human food.

Increase physical activity

Although they hunt in ambush rather than traveling great distances to pursue or locate prey, cats are predatory animals. Additionally, they become utterly slothful at home when there is no need to hunt. They put on extra weight while living in bliss for the majority of the day.

Crucial! Engaging in physical activity is crucial for successful weight loss because it increases metabolism and calorie burning.

Cat "fitness"

• laser pointers;
• interactive mice;
• various balls;
• squeaky toys.

A cat may be interested in anything as simple as a ball of yarn or a piece of paper on a string. However, cats do not like monotony, so you will have to think of new ideas all the time because a single ball will get old fast.

Kids make the ideal "trainers" for overweight cats.

Preschoolers make the best "fitness trainers" for cats. The infant will enjoy shaking the sloth and inventing numerous entertaining games.

Additional loads

• Placing the food bowl away from the usual place, so that the cat still has to take a walk "on the hunt". At the same time, the bowl should be removed after eating, and at the next meal, moved to the neighboring place a little further. Otherwise, the fat cat will settle down to rest next to the feeding place.
• Buying an unusual feeder, so that the sloth has to sweat before getting the food. But it should not be an automatic feeder in which food is always available.
• Purchasing toys inside which you can put dry food. It is also quite difficult to get it.

Keep the sloth from unwinding next to the bowl.

You can think of any ruse to get a fat cat to move and shed some pounds. Cats can even lose weight in dedicated animal gyms with the help of trained instructors. If there’s one close by and you can afford it, consider getting your pet a membership.

Features of cat weight loss

• How often and for how long should you play with a fat cat? Doctors recommend at least 30 minutes daily.

You should play with your cat for at least 30 minutes every day.

• How long should a cat"s diet be? This depends on how much excess weight, the age and temperament of the animal. On average, fat cats reach their ideal shape in six months of dieting and increased physical activity. But in order to maintain a normal weight, you will have to adhere to dietary restrictions your whole life.
• How much can a cat lose per month? Healthy weight loss does not involve losing more than half a kilo in 30 days. But smaller results are also good, the main thing is that there is progress. If there is none, the weight loss plan needs to be adjusted.
• How to feed if there are several cats, and only one is overweight? Ideally, it is better to set up bowls for them in different rooms. And clean them so that the fat girl does not penetrate into someone else"s territory and does not eat after "colleagues". The second option is to put the bowls higher for skinny cats. It is difficult for plump cats to climb to a higher place. But you need to monitor the process of eating carefully: gourmets are capable of a lot for the sake of a treat.
• What to do if the animal is constantly begging for food? You need to have nerves of steel to resist the cute looks or endless screams. But you will have to do this for the health of your pet. To calm the animal, you need to caress it, stroke it, distract it. Another way is to feed the pet in small portions, but often. This way it will not have time to get hungry. As a last resort, you can give an extra couple of pieces of food, but no more.

You will have to overlook beggars’ adorable appearance.

A crucial aspect to consider is the unique ways that castrated and sterilized cats lose weight. Without a doubt, they will need to switch to a specialty meal. And fresh drinking water should always be in their bowls. Because this food is so dehydrated, it needs to be watched very closely. Filtered water is preferable. Stones in the urinary ducts are caused by salts found in unpeeled water.

Video – how to make a cat lose weight

Steps	Details
Consult a vet	Get professional advice before starting any diet.
Portion control	Measure and reduce daily food intake gradually.
Choose quality food	Opt for a high-protein, low-carb diet suitable for cats.
Increase activity	Engage your cat in regular play to burn calories.
Avoid treats	Cut back on snacks or switch to low-calorie alternatives.
Monitor progress	Weigh your cat regularly to track weight loss.

Maintaining your cat’s weight loss requires consistency and patience. You may assist them in reaching a healthier weight by making dietary changes, watching portion sizes, and promoting regular exercise.

A veterinarian should always be consulted before beginning any weight loss program. They can provide tailored guidance and track your cat’s development to make sure they’re doing well all along the way.

Recall that gradual improvements will have a significant impact. Your cat will live a longer, healthier, and more active life if you remain devoted to them.

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