Feline Obesity: How to Help Your Kitty Lose Weight

Unfortunately, obesity is a common problem for pet cats. Its cause, in most cases, is simple: taking in more calories than using. In other words, overeating and not getting enough exercise.

Some cat owners do not seem to realize that being overweight is dangerous for the cat. They like their "big kitty" and think it is cute. However, there is a difference between "big" and "fat," and being fat increases the risk of heart failure, diabetes, arthritis, liver disease and lower urinary tract disease. So the answer to the question whether feline obesity is a problem is Yes. If your kitty is overweight, you should do something about it. I would advise consulting with your vet as well.

One of my three cats has a tendency to overeat. Here are some tips I have found helpful to keep his weight under control.

1. No self-feeder. Some cats can be trusted with a self-feeder, they will only eat when they are hungry and not a lot. However, cats with weight issues obviously like food a bit too much, so if there is a free supply of it they will overeat. I used to have a bowl of cat food out at all times, but when I had noticed one of my cats gaining weight I put it away and began regular, rationed feedings instead. It is not popular with my cats, but it works.

2. Carefully choose your cat food. Feed more wet foods as dry cat food contains more calories. As a carnivore, cats need to eat foods high on protein and fat and low on carbohydrates. If you cannot afford buying good canned food, at least switch to weight management cat food. I have used IAMS Weight Control.

3. Do not reinforce begging by rewarding it. This means no treats. Yes, it's a hard rule to follow, and I am guilty of breaking it myself. My cat loves "human food" and always begs for it. By giving in I teach him to beg more. When I realized that, it had become easier to stand firm.

4. Have regular interactive playtime. Most cats happily respond to strings and teaser wands. That can be a great exercise. If your kitty is seriously overweight, you need to start little by little, gradually increasing the length of your playtime. This is very important; you don't want to overstrain your cat. Some think that the cat will stop playing when it is tired - that is not always so. My cats love chasing strings so much that they will do it even if they are out of breath. Play some, stop and check your cat's heartbeat and breathing. If the cat is breathing hard and its heart is pounding, it needs a break.