Effective Strategies to Help Your Overweight Cat Lose Weight


How to Recognize an Overweight Cat?

First, confirm that your cat is indeed overweight, as different breeds have different Ideal Weight Charts. Check the chart below:

Ideal Weight Chart for Cats of Different Breeds

You must also discuss this with your vet, but a few general tell-tale visible signs are:

  • Difficulty feeling the ribs or spine under the fat
  • Lack of a visible waistline when viewed from above
  • A sagging belly
  • Limited mobility and reluctance to play or exercise
  • Heavy breathing and lethargy


Why is my cat Overweight?

Different cats gain weight due to different reasons and each must be treated differently. It is important to understand that underlying conditions like diabetes and hyperthyroidism are serious diseases which may also be causing weight gain and require special attention.


Apart from this, I’ve seen cats gain weight just due to food habits, behavioral issues and lifestyle. Here are 4 common Overweight Cat Personas, see where your cat fits in:

A: Glubby the Glutton

Glubby is a serial hogger of food and always seems hungry. He demands food and treats every few hours and overeats due to an insatiable appetite. He even eats his siblings' share of food from their bowls!

B: Angie the Addict

For Angie, kibble is a drug! She will get to the food no matter where you place or hide it. She is persistent and has torn open packets to get to the kibble. She simply won’t eat when given healthier food options.

C: Stuart the Stubborn

Stuart is extremely vocal about his hunger. He has behavioral issues and will scream, scratch or bite when ignored. He will only stop screaming once fed, making his parent helpless and stuck in a vicious cycle.

D: Louie the Lazy

Louie has been neutered and is calmer but gained a few pounds. He lounges and sleeps all day, showing no interest in games or physical activities. He is bored, so eating is the only interesting thing to do leading to constant demands of food throughout the day.

Lethargic Overweight Cat Sleeping All Day

This may have given you an idea as to where your cat’s weight issues stem from. The below steps keep all these Cat Personas in mind and will give you a comprehensive solution:


Step-by-Step Guide to get your

Overweight Cat Lose Weight


Step 1: Get All Bloodwork Done

Before starting any weight loss plan, take your cat to the vet for a full bloodwork panel. This is essential to rule out underlying conditions that could be causing weight gain. If there is any condition, you may have to take specific treatment from the vet.


Step 2: Special Diet

Now, your cat is accustomed to a certain type of diet and quantity of food, so you cannot make a sudden switch to diet food and small portions. Phasing out is key.

Caloric Restriction

  • Intermittent Caloric Restriction (ICR) is a great way to get your cat lose weight. It basically means alternating phases of calorie restriction and normal calorie intake.
  • The method you can follow for your cat is ICR = (Week 1, Week 2 of the Month: Cutting Portions to 75% of Normal Diet) + (Week 3, Week 4 of the month: Regular Portion size of Normal Diet).
  • Cats who have been on ICR for 1 year have seen significantly better results in weight loss than a Constant Caloric Restriction.

Portion Control

  • Your vet would have prescribed how many calories your cat needs per day. Use a digital kitchen scale to weigh your cat's food accurately (This is better than a measuring cup, as those sizes vary with every brand).
  • Feeding at irregular times is an absolute no-no. Especially if you have a cat like Stuart the Stubborn or Glubby the Glutton. They will be angry for the first few days. Take that screaming, those scratches and bites for some time, but do not break and give in!
Angry cat when on a diet

Choosing the Right Food

  • Feed high quality food, preferably high in meat content (protein) and low in carbs. Also, keep your cat hydrated.
  • I personally think cutting out Dry food completely and feeding only Wet food works well. Wet food has water content and makes them feel fuller.
  • If your cat cannot do without kibble, then you can feed them a little only during fixed times and make them climb, hunt or exercise to get it. Hide the kibble packets high up and shut somewhere, especially if your cat is like Angie the Addict.
  • If your cat is obese, with your Vet’s prescription, you can also try Metabolic Kibble instead of the Regular Kibble.

*My top recipe for a balanced diet:*


Wet Food Salmon in Gravy + Boiled Boneless Chicken + Pumpkin Mash + Mashed Carrots & Pea + Blanched Spinach Paste + Boiled Broccoli Mash

My top food recommendations:



Step 3: Routine Formation

Cats are creatures of routine so you must establish a daily routine that includes scheduled feeding times, play sessions, and rest periods. A consistent routine helps manage your cat's hunger and energy levels.


Daily Routine Example:

  • Morning: Play session followed by breakfast.
  • Afternoon: Play session followed by lunch.
  • Evening: Play session / ‘Sniffari’ followed by dinner.
  • Night: Quiet time and rest (They are nocturnal so will continue with their alone time activities like hunting and running around, but do not feed them even if they wake you up demanding for food. A water bowl is enough and a small covered bowl of a little kibble if required).


WATCH: Sniffari Time With a Cat



Step 4: Exercise & Activities

Exercising is very important and goes hand-in-hand (or rather paw-in-paw) with the diet. You need to devise and incorporate various activities to keep your cat active and help them burn calories.


Engaging Activities


My orange cat is like Louie the Lazy and has been pretty inactive and bored post neutering. Especially for such cats, catching their attention and playing creative and interesting games is a must. A few ideas are:

Overweight Cat Playing with Ball Toy



Step 5: Positive Reinforcement Training

  • When your kitty begins to stop protesting and start adapting to the new routing, reward them for their good behavior by using positive reinforcement.
  • You can start out with praising and petting when they eat without a protest or stop demanding for food all the time. You can then give small healthy treats for exercising or playing for a good amount of time.
  • Instead of high calorie creamy treats, switch to small pieces of cooked chicken or Freeze dried Meat Treats.
  • Clicker-train your cats (yes you can!). When you click and hand out a treat for a positive behavior, they make the connection and become more interested to continue the streak.


Step 6: Maintaining a Journal

This an important step which people often skip. When you are starting out, make an Excel Sheet or a Physical Diary of your cat’s daily caloric intake, activity time & levels, weight every week and changes in behavior. This will:

  • Help you identify patterns and make necessary adjustments.
  • Provide a clear picture of your cat's progress.
  • Allow you to celebrate small victories along the way (yay!).


Step 7: Analysis and Action

  • Observe and Regularly analyze your cat's progress and make adjustments to their diet and activity routine as needed.
  • If they are not losing weight post 2-3 weeks, consider reducing portion sizes further or increasing activity levels.
  • Monitor for any signs of stress or health issues and address them promptly.
  • Consult your vet if you notice any issues or if your cat is not losing weight despite everything.


Conclusion

Remember, helping your cat lose weight is a journey that requires patience and consistency. Do not give up mid-way and keep at it for the long and healthy life of your furry friend.


Consult your vet throughout the process, especially before changing to a particular food brand.


Summary of Key Points

  • Recognize the signs of an overweight cat.
  • Conduct thorough bloodwork to rule out underlying health issues.
  • Switch to a special diet.
  • Implement portion control and establish a routine.
  • Engage your cat in various activities and use interactive toys.
  • Maintain a journal and analyze progress regularly.

By following these steps, you'll be well-equipped to help your cat achieve a healthier weight and improve their overall quality of life.


Good luck and I wish your cat a happy & healthy life!



FAQs

How to confirm if my cat is overweight?

Refer to the 'Ideal Weight Chart for Cats of Different Breedsabove in the blog to understand if your cat is overweight. You must also consult your vet to confirm the same, rule out any underlying conditions and chart the further course of action.

My cat has a specific underlying condition, what diet should I follow for them?

There is a specific diet to be followed for each underlying condition. A diabetic diet will differ from a hyperthyroidism diet. You can refer to the generic diet for overweight cats as an outline, but the prescription food for specific diseases must come from your vet.

My cat is not active and does not like to exercise. What do I do?

Along with the proper diet, a proper exercise routine is absolutely necessary for your cat's weight loss journey. You must try to make the workout / play sessions very interesting and stimulating for your cat. Try out interactive mind and body activating toys and plan sniffaris where a proper hunt gives your cat a treat as a reward.

What do I do if my cat does not like the diet food for reduced portions?

No cat will like a change in their diet instantly. Start with gradually reducing portions instead of making a huge cut. An Intermittent Caloric Restriction (ICR) works best. About the change from their regular food, your cat may take some days to get used to it. Do not go back to the regular food within that period, no matter how badly your cat may try to convince you. Stick to the prescription and try fun ways to engage your cat into shifting to the new diet food.

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