How to help your overweight cat

Being overweight has severe health consequences, and it’s not just a human issue—our pets, especially cats, are affected too.

Domestic cats, once fierce hunters, have become inactive sofa dwellers with constant access to food, leading to obesity.

Unfortunately, there’s a concerning trend of obese cats on social media, portrayed as cute and funny, but they are actually suffering.

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As responsible owners, we should strive for our cats to thrive and enjoy healthy, active lives, engaging in their natural behaviors.

HOW TO HELP AN OVERWEIGHT CAT

Identifying overweight cats isn’t always straightforward due to breed and size variations, making an ideal weight rule difficult.

Veterinarians use a specialized scoring system to assess a cat’s body condition, relying on specific cues.

The grading system ranges from 1 to 9, considering physical appearance, muscle, and fat distribution.

This approach evaluates a cat beyond a mere number on the scale.

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Once you determine your cat’s body condition score, the next step is to find out its current weight.

You can weigh your cat at home using a cardboard box they enjoy playing in.

First, weigh the box alone, then weigh the cat inside the box, and finally, subtract the box’s weight to get the cat’s weight.

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If your cat needs to lose weight, it’s crucial to do it slowly and gradually.

Rapid weight loss can lead to a dangerous condition called fatty liver disease or hepatic lipidosis.

When this happens, the cat breaks down fats too quickly, straining the liver’s capacity to process them.

As a result, fat accumulates in the liver, causing tissue damage and compromising liver functions.

THE PERFECT FELINE DIET

If your cat is accustomed to constant access to food, start transitioning them to three meals a day, at least initially.

Allow your cat 30 minutes to eat, then remove the plate to control their daily food intake and prevent boredom-driven eating.

Keep in mind that cats are creatures of habit, so your cat might seem moody for a few days during the transition.

For cats prone to overeating with free access to food, adjusting to a feeding schedule is essential to help them manage their food intake.

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This article was compiled with the help of Artificial Intelligence