How to Put Your Cat on a Diet

Have you noticed that your cat is getting a little too fluffy? Your cat might need a diet to help her lose excess weight. I made a mistake of feeding my cat wrong and now she is too heavy. Not only is the excess weight unattractive, it is unhealthy for her. She may not know it, but Cleo is going on a cat diet.

Determine Why Your Cat is Chubby

Finding out why your feline needs to go on a cat diet may not be as easy as it sounds. Is she overeating or eating at will? Check guidelines for the amount your cat should eat per day. According to Cornell University's Veterinary Department, adult cats should be feed according to their weight. Anymore than the required amount for her weight, and she might gain. Your vet or an online site can provide the feeding chart per body weight for your cat. If you check and your cat is eating the correct amount, there might be exercise issues. Does your cat get out enough? Do you play with her, making sure she gets physical activity? There are various exercise options that will assist your cat in being healthy and skinny.If your cat is eating the correct amount and exercising sufficiently, a vet visit might be in order. Some medical conditions cause a cat to gain weight. Diabetes is rare but not unheard of in cats and can lead to sudden weight gain as can some glandular tumors.

Choose the Right Cat Food

Generally, limiting your cats food intake to the required amount will be all that is necessary to help her get her trim figure back. One mistake made by well meaning owners is letting your cat feed at will. This often leads to an overweight cat and owners lose track of how much they actually are feeding their felines. Diet foods for cats can be purchased either at the store or through a vet. Ensure that you are purchasing the correct food for you cats need and age. Foods run the gamut from elderly varieties to hairball control remedies. Do your research before buying cat food to ensure it has the most nutrients for your cat. Not all brands are equal.

Feed Only Cat Food

Never feed a cat table food. Some foods are not good for a cats consumption and human food is high in fat and lacking in the right nutrients your cat needs. Many owners feed their cats milk as a treat. Milk can cause a cat to have diarrhea and only adds to the total calories consumed with out providing nutrients. My cat loves cheesecake and my once weekly serving is shared with her. Cheesecake could be the culprit for her weight gain. Some cat food companies offer cat treats for an occasional nibble. While these are formulated for cats, a well feed cat doesn't necessarily need kitty treats.

Contact a Vet

If there is no visible reason for your cats sudden weight gain or putting her on a sensible diet doesn't help her lose weight, seek the help of a veterinarian. Health issues might be causing her weight gain. Some breeds of cats are heartier and tend to keep a bit more weight on them. Your vet can guide you in helping your cat to lose weight successfully.

There is a right way and a wrong way to place your cat on a diet. Make sure you reduce her weight gradually with her health in mind. Your slim healthy cat will thank you