I need any help possible in putting a cat on a diet.?

Question

We have three cats, they share a food dish that is filled every morning. Two cats are perfectly fine but one is getting fat. It doesn't seem like he eats more than the others, but he must be. Any ideas how to get one cat to diet and not the other two. Their food sits out all day for them to eat whenever they want.

Answer 1

A health check for the cat is a good idea before starting any diet. When you put food out for cats to eat whenever they want, you're asking an obese-prone individual to get fat. I would feed the cats twice a day, with a measured amount advised by your vet. You might consider Hills newest cat diet called M/D. It is patterned after the Atkins diet... high protein/low carb. Studies show this to have worked well, and can be used as an everyday diet for the other cats too. Good luck.

Answer 2

All the "diet" food labels I have read on cat food bags have just boosted the carbohyrate component and lowered the meat protein component in their foods. You need to do the reverse - the Catkins diet.

Canned food is good because it's mostly meat (the cat's natural food). You need high quality meat in both canned and dry foods. That's not Science Diet, Purina, Iams or any of the grocery store foods. Whiskas, Friskies and Fancy Feast canned foods use by-product meat which is the heads, feet, entrails and feathers of chickens. The lowest quality protein you can get and all treated with chemicals known to be carcinogenic and labeled "unfit for human consumption.

You will find that Felidae, Solid Gold, Natural Balance, Eagle Pack, Blue, Nature's Variety, Nature's Logic, CA Natural etc. have the first two ingredients on the bag as a human-grade protein source, the third ingredient will be a filler such as brown rice, millet, oats, pea.

When you start feeding your cats these better foods (and two meals a day - nothing in between) you will be eliminating corn from the fat kitty's diet and she(?) will stop GAINING weight immediately. So you are ahead right there! She will lose weight gradually and appropriately over six months to a year. Your other cats will have a better diet overall.

Corn is used to fatten slaughter animals and if you want fat cats that's a great way to get one.

Answer 3

Exercise your chubby cat as much as you can. Exercise not only burns calories, but increases metabolism so calories will burn at a higher rate throughout the day.

Plus, giving him that extra attention might be just enough to liven him up and get him more active. It's possible your cat is feeling lonely or bored, and eating more to compensate, just like people do at times.

If possible, provide some new climbing areas. My cats love to go up and down an old wooden ladder I have standing in the basement. I put a couple boards through the steps so they have a few levels where they can walk across, and play.

Without separating your chubby cat from the others, it's hard to put just the one on any kind of diet. Check their food that is low in fat content. I would try not to put their dish in the same spot every day, so they would have to search a little bit to eat. Maybe put it up high where they have to jump to get to it.

Be patient. Your cat didn't gain weight overnight, and it will only lose weight over time. Remember too that different cats have different body make up. Some will always be lean and thin while others will look a little rounder.

And of course, have him checked by a vet.

Answer 4

Try feeding your cats canned food more often, it has less carbs. I feed my two cats canned food twice a day and they always have a little bit of dry food to snack on. Try using three separate dishes for the canned food and just one for the dry food. I hope this helps!

Answer 5

The only way to control his intake of food is to control when and where he eats.

Feed the cats twice a day, and then remove the uneaten food so they can't get to it.

Feed the chubby cat in his own room or put him in a crate when he's eating to restrict his diet.

Answer 6

Take your cat to a vet.......ask what a good food would be for the fat cat......another idea would be to get the fatter cat a separate food dish...not to share with the other cats!!!!!

Answer 7

First thing I would do is have his thyroid checked and also check for diabetes.

With that, as long as everything is good bloodwork wise and the doctor gives the ok, I would change his food (gradually) to a less active indoor formula, senior formula, diet formula, whatever the vet recommends. Get toys and play with him for extra exercise. The stick with a feather gives great exercise, as well as a 'real' fur mouse, balls, even the ring from the milk jug or wadded up newspaper.

It is important to have his health checked first, though. Good luck.

Answer 8

Give them all food twice during the day. Once in the morning and once at night. And try to always measure the amount that they get. Or here are a few very helpful steps:
STEP 1: Consult a veterinarian before putting any cat on a diet. STEP 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.
STEP 3: Feed your cat food formulated specifically for weight reduction.
STEP 4: Provide dry food that contains less than 10 percent fat and more than 15 percent fiber.
STEP 5: Purchase food that has both Association of American Feeding Control Officials (AAFCO) and Animal Feeding Trials (or Animal Feeding Tests) on its label.
STEP 6: Provide weight-reducing food to your cat at every meal. Feed the allotted amount four times daily, or at least twice daily. STEP 7: Reduce the amount of food you provide if your cat obtains additional food elsewhere - for instance, by catching mice or other small animals.
STEP 8: Weigh your cat every two weeks.
STEP 9: Play with your pet several times a day; this will help a lazy cat, in particular, get needed exercise.

Answer 9

I totally agree with anettenett. I have three cats, and I feed them in three separate bowls, twice a day and the same times. They have quickly learned which bowls are theirs and they don't "steal" from each other. I use the "light" formula of Science Diet for hairball remedy. Works great and they all like it. Don't feed any table scraps, either -- "human" food really puts the carbs and calories into our furry friends.

Answer 10

You should always check with your vet before starting a diet. Then if possible you'll have to put them all on a controlled feeding schedule and feed them two or if possible three times a day (they prefer smaller more frequent meals).
As well if you are able to up their exercise by incorporating an extra playtime or two into their day, i think you'll see your one kitty start to slim down...:)

Good luck!