How to Put Your Cat on a Diet

Your cat's optimal weight is its weight at one year of age - unless, of course, it was already obese. If your cat is 50 percent above optimal weight, it's time for a diet.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Diet Cat Food
• Scales
• Cat Dishes
• Cat Toys
• Pet Food Dispensers
• Pet Vitamins
• Pet Waterers

1. Consult a veterinarian before putting any cat on a diet.

2. Have your vet help you determine the approximate number of pounds your cat needs to lose. In general, the amount will equal your cat's obese weight minus optimal weight.

3. Feed your cat food formulated specifically for weight reduction.

4. Provide dry food that contains less than 10 percent fat and more than 15 percent fiber.

5. Purchase food that has both Association of American Feeding Control Officials (AAFCO) and Animal Feeding Trials (or Animal Feeding Tests) on its label.

6. Provide weight-reducing food to your cat at every meal. Feed the allotted amount four times daily, or at least twice daily.

7. Reduce the amount of food you provide if your cat obtains additional food elsewhere - for instance, by catching mice or other small animals.

8. Weigh your cat every two weeks.

9. Play with your pet several times a day; this will help a lazy cat, in particular, get needed exercise.

Tips & Warnings

• Forcing an extreme diet on an obese cat can cause severe hepatic lipidoses (fatty liver deposits). The greater the obesity, the greater the risk. Use extreme caution and consult a veterinarian before placing an obese cat on a diet.