Feline obesity is a problem which is becoming increasingly common. A cat that lives indoors is an animal that can no longer go outside to exercise its paws, and therefore needs its human family to take care of keeping it in shape, something that rarely happens. What we do tend to do a lot, myself included, is give it the occasional treat, which for us would be snacking between meals.
If we do this frequently enough, it can cause our friend to gain a lot of weight and put his health at risk. overweight cat It is more prone to diabetes, joint problems, heart disease, hepatic lipidosis, and a reduced life expectancy. Therefore, in addition to controlling treats, it is essential to review what he eats and how much he eats.
What to do when that happens? What is the best diet for obese cats? We'll look at it step by step, combining the nutritional aspect with exercise and veterinary control.
Feed him grain-free feed and carefully control the portions.
Although there are light pet foods available, the reality is that many of them are high in grains (corn, wheat, oats, rice, and similar). This ingredient It is not efficiently digestible for the cat; and in fact, it can cause food allergies or even kidney problems. Furthermore, lacking sufficient animal protein, the feline has to eat more to feel full.
Therefore, one of the things I recommend doing is giving it a I feed grain-freethat has a minimum percentage of 70% quality meat or animal protein. Thus, the furry will need a lower dose of food to fill their stomach and will maintain muscle mass while losing fat.
Just as important as the type of feed is the exact amount you are offeringThe main reason cats gain weight is an excessive amount of food combined with high-energy foods. Instead of using measuring cups, which are often inaccurate, it is preferable to Weigh the daily portion using a kitchen scale always following the veterinarian's instructions, based on the cat's ideal weight and not its current weight.
The healthy goal is for weight loss to be slow and steady, around a 0,5-1% of body weight per weekToo rapid a reduction can lead to hepatic lipidosis, a very serious liver disease, so you should never go on a radical diet on your own.
Wet food can also be a great ally. It has a lower caloric density Dry food, due to its high water content, helps the cat feel full with fewer calories and also improves its hydration and kidney health.
Before starting the diet: check if you are really obese
Before changing your cat's diet, it's important to confirm that they are overweight and rule out any underlying health problems. The most common cause is... overeating and lack of exerciseBut castration also plays a role, and, more rarely, some endocrine diseases.
You can use these signs to guide you:
- Ribs difficult to feel as you run your hands along the sides.
- Visible lack of waistline when observing the cat from above.
- Hanging belly or abdominal line almost parallel to the floor.
- Less desire to play, rapid fatigue or difficulty in maintaining good hygiene.
Even so, the veterinarian is best qualified to assess your body condition. They will determine if you truly need to lose weight. will set a target weight and will calculate the appropriate daily ration. In subsequent check-ups, this ration will be adjusted according to the dog's progress.
Don't give it snacks and avoid human food
It's hard not to, especially when he makes those faces only he knows how to make. But it's important to control yourself, for his own good. Every time we want to give him a treat, It will always be better to give it affection Not a treat or a piece of our food. That way, little by little, we'll see her lose weight.
If you still want to offer her something special, look for specific low-calorie snacks Or use a small portion of its own daily kibble ration to reward it in games of fetch. What you should never do is give it human food that is high in fat or salt, as 30 grams of certain sausages They can cover almost 100% of their daily calorie needs, in addition to containing ingredients that are potentially toxic to cats.
Remember that any prize you receive must to be counted within the daily rationNot as an extra. Otherwise, even if the main food is adequate, the cat will not lose weight.
Remove the feeding bowl and organize the schedule properly.
So that you can lose weight, it will be convenient to remove the feeder and give it to him only when it's time to eatThat is, every 5-6 hours approximately, depending on the portion size recommended by your veterinarian. This way, we can better control their weight and avoid "free-choice" feeding, which encourages constant snacking.
Many cats benefit from a fixed feeding routineOffering food at the same times every day helps regulate their appetite and stops them from constantly begging. If you have several cats at home and not all of them are on a diet, you can use microchip-enabled automatic feeders so that only the designated cat has access to its food.
The raised food mats or pads and the so-called intelligence boards They can also help. They force the cat to eat more slowly, increase its feeling of fullness, and keep it entertained for longer, which reduces food anxiety.
Get him to exercise and make it a daily game
It will be of little use to give it a quality diet and avoid giving it snacks if the cat does not exercise. So, we will have to play a lot with him, for example, with a rope or a ball. But we can also do other things so that it has to move, such as putting the feeder on a table so it has to jump.
Exercise complements diet, it helps to burn more caloriesIt improves physical condition and strengthens muscles. You can use feather wands, toy mice, lasers (always carefully and ending the game with real "prey"), tunnels, or ball tracks. Alternating toys and short sessions several times a day usually motivates sedentary cats more.
Another option is to introduce interactive or intelligence toys which are filled with part of its daily food ration. The cat has to move or manipulate them to obtain the food, which increases its physical and mental activity while consuming the calories already provided in its diet.
Ideally, create a routine: a few minutes of play before each meal mimic the cat's natural hunting-eating-resting pattern and help it to be more relaxed and content.
If in doubt, we must consult a veterinarian, since regaining a healthy weight at a healthy pace is just as important as maintaining a healthy weight. With a combination of Proper nutrition, portion control, reduced treats, and daily exerciseYou can help your obese cat improve its health, feel more agile, and enjoy a full life by your side for longer.