What Makes a Cat Lose Weight?

By Kimberly Pawlowski

Instructions

Basics

Step 1:
According to the the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the majority of cases of obesity in cats are related to simple overfeeding coupled with lack of exercise. Like humans, overweight cats need to have their calories cut and increase physical activity to lose excess pounds.

Decrease Calories

Step 1:
Pet Supplies "Plus" states that a cat needs a steady supply of fats, nutrients and carbohydrates to maintain her health, so drastically cutting her portions can lead to serious medical problems. Ask your vet what cat food is appropriate for your cat's breed and size before starting her on a diet.

Increase Activity

Step 1:
When a cat is not burning off the calories he is taking in, he will gain weight. If he seems to only be motivated by food to exercise, you can introduce your cat to an interactive toy that make him work for his food.

Changing Your Habits

Step 1:
Instead of dumping one heaping scoop of food into your cat's bowl for the day, consider that your overweight cat does not ration her food, and that's probably why she's howling by supper. Instead, feed her in smaller portions two or three times a day.

Professional Assistance

Step 1:
According to The Pet Center, any overweight cat should have a physical exam performed, exact weight measured and blood and urine tests run by your local vet to make sure your cat does not have a medical condition that's making him gain weight.

Resources

Wellness Feline Dietary Solutions

Photo/Video Credit

Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Dan Perry

More Puppy Pages

Weight Loss Diets for Cats

Obese cats run a greater risk for developing diabetes, arthritis, liver disease and other health problems. An overweight cat has a shorter life span than a healthy cat as well as a lower quality of life. Most feline weight issues can be controlled...

Feline arthritis is a condition where the animal's joints become inflamed. Though cats are naturally agile and have an extremely honed sense of balance, they are not immune to developing this disease. The most common forms of arthritis found in cats are...

Weight gain and obesity are major concerns for pet cats in the United States. More than a quarter of cats are obese or are likely to become obese, according to Dr. Rebecca Remillard of PetPlace. Overweight cats can have difficulty breathing, walking and...

Arthritis is a painful condition that affects the joints and can occur in cats. This debilitating disease can present itself in the form of limping and stiffness and is typically diagnosed through radiographs. Unfortunately, there is no cure for...

In recent years, the way we feed our pets as they age has become a topic of great interest in the pet food market. Dog food is no longer just dog food. The days of feeding puppies, adult dogs and geriatric dogs the same way has passed, for now we...