If you’re one of the many million U.S citizens who own a cat, doing what you can to keep your furry friend happy, healthy, and safe should be your top priority. While showing love and affection to your cat is important, some people overstep the mark and begin feeding their felines too much food and too many treats.
Of the 96 million cats in the United States, it’s estimated that over 56 million of them are considered overweight or obese. To keep your cat at a healthy weight, here are some simple tactics that can help.
Know Your Cat’s Current State of Health
Your first step in getting your overweight feline back to a normal weight is establishing what their weight should be. If you aren’t sure how to do this, your veterinarian can assist you and assess your kitty’s BCS (body condition score). Once you’re aware of how much weight your cat needs to lose, you need to set realistic goals and monitor your cat’s progress. Being obese is a common cause for snoring in cats, so this is something you should monitor too. The following article should help with this: Why Does My Cat Snore and Should I Worry About It? | Diamond Pet Food.
As you begin to make changes, make sure you regularly weigh your feline which can provide both of you with the motivation to continue.
Feed Them Fewer Calories
Just like if you wanted to lose weight, cats need to consume fewer calories to shift the pounds. This means that you will need to reduce their food consumption. One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding cats is that they do not need to be fed regular meals like a dog does. However, most cats can’t regulate themselves if left with constant access to food. So, you will need to monitor how much they eat and stick to a nutritious diet.
Read Also: How to Take Care of Your Pets
Choose a Canned Diet
When it comes to picking the right foods to give to your cat, many owners aren’t sure where to start. If your cat is obese and you’re the type of person who gives them leftovers of your own meal, it’s time to make changes. Even if you are giving your feline dry food, the same amount of canned cat food tends to be lower in calories.
Encourage Activity
To keep your cat on their weight loss journey, there are lots of toys you can purchase which will encourage activity. Of course, your cat isn’t going to go to the gym and run on a treadmill. So, it’s your job to purchase the right toys to keep them moving. For example, if you run up and down the stairs with a laser pointer, not only will you be reaping the benefits of regular exercise, but your cat will also benefit.
Don’t Give In
If your cat is constantly begging for food and treats, you need to learn how to say no. Don’t think that you’re being a bad owner by not giving them food as and when they ask for it. If you’re serious about helping your cat lose weight, you need to stick to a feeding schedule and not give in to temptation, no matter how much they meow for it!
Although your cat won’t be able to thank you in words for helping them lose weight, you will notice an improvement in their energy levels, stamina, and behavior as they shift the pounds. Just like with human beings, cats need to be at a healthy weight to lead a good quality of life.
