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Managing your cat's weight with vet support

8 March 2016 by Sophie Knight

As the general population has gotten heavier, so has the world's cats. Extra weight has detrimental effects on a cat's health including a higher rate of diabetes, a higher strain on the joints and a higher rate of fatty liver disease. Here are some ways to help your cat manage their weight. 

Cat food, not people food

Cats are naturally carnivores and they are happiest and healthiest on a diet high in protein and animal fat. Unfortunately, they often like salty and fatty treats that humans often like to snack on, such as bacon rinds and potato chips. These can accelerate weight gain for cats, so it's important to ensure that your cats only snack on appropriate cat food. If you are looking for some advice on the best cat food to feed to your pet, it's worth discussing the matter with your vet to get some advice on a cat food that will be suitable to help you cat lose weight in a healthy and sustainable way. 

Water and hydration

Cats, like people, obtain most of their moisture through their food and drink. If your cat does not have enough water they may turn to eating wet food to get some extra hydration (particularly in hot weather). If you are looking to get your cat's weight down, it's important to ensure that your cat has easy access to cool water all day to make sure they don't end up eating to get extra water intake. 

Exercise

It's easy for cats to become sluggish, particularly if they live in a relatively staid environment with little stimulation. If your cat lives inside and doesn't have a companion pet to help keep them active, it can be useful to give them some extra stimulation. Cats are naturally predisposed to hunting, so useful ways to exercise can include red laser pointers that you flick around to mimic the random movements of an animal, or dangling a cat toy on the end of 'fishing line' so you can make it dart and move. Matching the exercise to the natural instincts of your cat can help to ensure they give an energetic and enthusiastic response to the stimulus. 

If you are looking for some support to help your cat slim down and have a healthy weight, it can be sensible to get some advice from your vet. They can give you specific advice targeted towards your cat's health and medical advice 

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