We all know obesity is an epidemic among humans, but most don’t realize it is just as prevalent among cats. According to the Association of Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), 55% of U.S. cats are overweight or obese! This is a common problem among domesticated felines and can lead to health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and arthritis.
Visiting your vet regularly and discussing your cat’s weight is the first step to help get your cat to a healthy weight. Your vet will be best able to help you create a weight loss plan for your feline friend as well as check his health to ensure his weight hasn’t affected his overall health.
Most cat owners “free feed” their feline friends. They fill their bowl with dry food whenever it gets low. This allows the cat to eat as much or as little as they desire whenever they want. Sure, this is convenient, but is a leading contributing factor to cat obesity. Owners need to measure the food they provide their kitty and not allow them to graze.
Keeping count of the number of calories you allow your cat to eat will help them achieve their ideal weight. Dry food, while convenient, is typically higher in calorie and lower in protein than canned, wet food. A grain free diet is best for cats and should be followed.
Rewarding your cat with treats is a nice gesture, but can totally derail any plans to achieve or maintain a healthy weight. No more than 10% of their daily caloric intake should come from treats. Introduce non-food rewards to your cat, too!
Just like their human counterparts, cats need exercise! Spending 20-30 minutes playing chase or tag with your feline friend will help them stay fit. Dangle toys are a great way to engage with your pet and keep them active, too.
Take your cat from fat to fit and you will have your feline friend around to enjoy time with longer!