Would you be able to tell if your cat needs to lose weight? Fat cats are so common that you might not even notice yours is overweight. However, overweight and obese cats increasingly exceed healthy-weight cats, and vets are detecting an increase in super-fat cats.
It’s something to truly understand. Even a few additional pounds can increase your pet’s risk of developing certain health issues, such as type 2 diabetes, and exacerbate others, such as arthritis. It may even prevent children from properly grooming themselves. Losing weight should result in a healthier, happier cat.
It’s easy to overfeed our cats, and because we see them every day, it’s tough to notice weight fluctuations. This emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy weight for your cat. Is there, however, an average number you should strive for? You can strive for weight ranges, but it’s not as simple as ensuring her weight stays within a certain range.
Weight ranges are frequently varied and dependent on breed. They can also differ between men and women. There are three primary feeding techniques that you can use for your cat: meal feeding, free feeding, and combination feeding.
Feeding
Meal feeding entails providing food in canned and/or wet form numerous times per day. This manner of feeding will be determined by your lifestyle and tastes. Meal feeding has the advantage of allowing you to closely monitor how much your cat(s) are eating. Furthermore, if you feed your cat 2-3 times per day, you may see your cat yearning for food somewhere between.
Ideal Cat Weight
The average domestic cat should weigh around 10 pounds, though this varies depending on frame and breed. A cat can weigh as little as 5 pounds, whereas a healthy one can weigh up to 25 pounds.
If your cat is overweight, your vet can tell you, but there are several indicators you can look for on your own. Cats should have an hourglass appearance when you look down at them, no flabby belly hanging down, and their ribs should be visible. There is one exception: after losing weight, an obese cat will most likely still have a “saggy tummy.”
How to Maintain Your Weight Loss
According to veterinarians, cats’ weight gain is mainly caused by the type and quantity of food they are provided, as well as plain boredom.
However, it is feasible to avoid or limit weight gain:
·Replace dry food with canned food, which contains more protein and less carbohydrates.
·Reduce your intake of sweets. Cats respond just as well to other types of rewards, such as playtime with you.
·Put your cat to work for his or her food. The problems slow down their feeding while appealing to their innate hunting and foraging impulses.
Take into account using a microchip pet feeder, which restricts food access to the registered animal. Before putting your cat on a diet, check sure they don’t have an underlying medical condition. It may be sufficient to replace all-day kibble grazing with fixed meals. A heavier cat, on the other hand, may require canned diet food or a specific prescription diet with higher protein, vitamins, and minerals per calorie.
Take your time. If you want your cat to lose a pound, it could take 6 months to a year. It is quite slow. Don’t be alarmed if your cat is curvaceous. Your veterinarian can help.
Why Is It So Crucial to Keep a Healthy Weight?
Obesity, like it does in humans, creates health concerns in cats. Overweight cats are more likely to develop:
·Diabetes
·Pancreatitis (a painful condition caused by a high-fat diet)
·Arthritis and joint pain
·Skin ulcers
By keeping a check on your cat’s weight, you may reduce their chances of developing these issues and keep them much healthier.
How Can You Identify an Overweight Cat?
You can perform tests on your own to see if your cat is at an appropriate weight. First, do they appear to be overweight? Is their belly sagging in any way, or do they look noticeably different from other cats? If you can’t see a difference because you see your cat every day, ask a friend or family member if they can.
Conclusion
Take your cat to the vet or trained vet nurse before making any judgments regarding their weight or behavior. They will be able to perform a proper weight check and provide nutrition and exercise advice that is particular to your cat.
