How to Help Your Cat Lose Weight

So Fluffy is a little overweight, huh? Well, while there are no brand-name diet programs tailored for kitty cats (as of yet!), there are basic things you can do to help your cat get back to healthy. Just as a human needs to have a healthy lifestyle, so does kitty. And if you have been slack on providing that perhaps because you just like to pamper Mr. Muffins, get back to healthy by doing these things:

PORTIONS!

It's best to feed your cat smaller portions throughout the day, instead of all at once. It creates more even energy, and burning of energy. It's kind of the same way it works in us humans - you know, with all the doctors telling us to eat 6 very small meals instead of 3 big ones! Use this same strategy on Mr. Kibbles!

NO TABLE SCRAPS PLEASE.

You need to learn to ignore those sad eyes as they look at you while you eat. Human foods, especially when given in addition to their regular cat food, puts on a lot of weight. Not only that, but all the fat in it is not as easily metabolized in the cat's body, especially if he is an indoor cat.

ENCOURAGE EXERCISE THROUGH PLAY.

Your cat is not going to get on the treadmill with you, but what he will do because he loves to is P L A Y !!! You can help Snookums burn extra calories by encouraging her to play. If you don't already know, find out what her favorite toys are. It could be a feather, a ball, or even something as simple as a sock or pencil. You can also encourage her to use her energy by climbing, and so you can provide a tall scratching post or other climbing items.

Just don't let your cat become too exhausted, and never out of breath. This can happen, believe it or not, especially if your kitty is extremely overweight. Pushing her too hard can cause more damage than good.

BUY INDOOR KITTY FOOD OR WEIGHT CONTROL FOOD.

Made especially for the less-active indoor cat, these are great alternatives to the regular foods. They have just the right balance of nutrients and fat, so encourage healthy body weight.

QUIT IT WITH ALL THE TREATS ALREADY!

Kitties love attention, and sometimes we tend to give it to them through food and treats. Instead, praise kitty by rubbing her belly or other favorite body part. That's all she really wants . . . your attention. If you really enjoy giving her treats, then try catnip instead.

FEED THEM INDIVIDUALLY.

If you have more than one cat, it's a good idea to feed them separately to make sure they're eating equal amounts. Consider keeping them in different rooms at feeding time.