How to Manage an Overweight Cat
A typical cat spends its day lounging, eating and sleeping. For some felines, this is acceptable because cats are nocturnal, meaning they become more active at night. With a high-protein diet and exercise, an active cat can burn more calories than consumed, which keeps weight down. For others, laziness paired with bad eating habits can lead to feline obesity, which can cause arthritis, diabetes, skin problems and heart disease. The culprit is usually overfeeding and lack of exercise. The following steps can help reduce the risk of feline obesity, and help your cat live a long and healthy life.
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Things You'll Need
- High-protein formula wet cat food Cat exercise equipment and toys Cat moisturizing shampoo Automatic water dish
Instructions
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Diet and Feeding Ritual
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Avoid purchasing dry cat food formulas, which are loaded with fillers and carbohydrates. Instead, opt for canned wet foods, which are high in protein and "good" fat that cats need for energy.
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Feed your cat the wet food twice a day, avoiding grazing, which is often the culprit for an overweight cat.
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Dental and tartar control cat treats are fine every once in awhile to keep gums and teeth healthy, but excessive treating is detrimental. Table scraps and milk are unacceptable.
Exercise
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Purchase a piece of cat furniture or make your own multitiered climbing apparatus to encourage activity and exercise.
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Being interactive with your cat is key. Feathery, slithery or moving toys are a good way to keep your cat interested in playtime, and is especially good for cats with low attention spans.
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Scratching poles or boards should be placed around the household to encourage stretching and toning of the back and shoulder muscles.
Hygiene
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Place the cat slowly into a tub of shallow warm water (no warmer than 80 degrees F and no higher than your cat's belly).
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Apply a moisturizing cat shampoo all over your pet to prevent skin problems or sanitary issues due to weight problems.
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Make sure you rinse all shampoo out of the cat's coat. Any leftover residue can lead to irritation.
Hydration
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Make sure cold, clean water is available for your cat 24 hours a day. An automatic watering system can work well.
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If using an automatic watering system, make sure to clean the bowl and tank and refill water at least once a day.
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Regular water bowls should also be cleaned and replaced with fresh water each day.
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Tips & Warnings
If you have more than one cat, make sure each is getting equal amounts of food by separating their dishes. If you have more than one cat and one or more is on a special diet, you may need to feed them in separate rooms. Cat harnesses and tether poles can be purchased at any pet supply store to encourage outdoor activity without the risk of the cat leaving the yard.
Talk to your veterinarian before implementing any special diet for your cat. Your vet can assess the severity of obesity and make suggestions that fit your needs. This article is not meant to treat or cure any illness or disease your cat may have.
