How to Put Your Cat on a Diet

Did you know that over 35 percent of household tabbies are overweight? Maybe it's because they are leading sedentary lifestyles. Maybe they are stepping up to that food dish too many times in one day. Maybe it's time to put your kitty on a cat diet. Here's how you can help your overweight cat lose weight.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• An overweight tabby
• Cat food
• Diet cat food
• Cat toys
• A willing tabby
• Cat leash

1. Very much like humans overweight cats can have serious health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, and many other health problems. Your cat might just lie around all day because he can't move well due to all of his excess weight. It's time to put your tabby on a diet. Even though your cat seems to live for food, it's time to direct his attention to other aspects of his cat life.

2. Meow as your cat may when it is feeding time, it is time to cut his food intake down. Feed your cat several times a day , but in smaller allowances. Instead of two cups of food, give him one cup a day but only place 1/2 a cup in the bowl each time. The allowances on the food packages are over the limit for cats. They don't need to eat as much as the package says.

3. Don't allow your cat to munch on dry food all day. Allow him to eat twice a day---and that's it. Try your best to ignore those pleas for food all day. You will have to retrain your hungry kitty. Give him food in the morning and at dinner time.

4. Don't feed your cat people food. People food is a major no-no for cats.
   It can make a cat fat. Besides then you don't know exactly how much food your cat is getting everyday. Even though he pleads with you by meowing, and bumping up against you, you have to be strong and tell him No.

5. For an overweight cat that doesn't engage in much activity, it's time to exercise your cat. Take your cat for long walks on a leash. Play with your overweight kitty by throwing cat toys for him to chase. Give him a large box to climb in and out of. Dangle a string in front of your cat to engage him in play. It may take patience to get your cat to move around, but it will help in the long run.

6. You will have to retrain your cat on how to eat to lose weight. Try not to feed him at will. Only feed him twice a day in smaller portions. When you have several kitties, you may have to place one cat in another room while you feed the other cat. That's so one cat doesn't wolf down all the food, while one gets nothing.

Tips & Warnings

• Get your cat a buddy to chase after.
• Give your cat something fun to do by setting up play areas for him
• Get your overweight older cat checked out by a vet before switching his diet.