My 4 year old cat weighs 19.4 pounds. How can he lose weight?

Question

Hi, we have taken the cat to the vet. He is just a fat cat with no known health problems. We feed him Iams lite-about 1/4 cup, 3 times a day.

He has been at the same weight for over a year. I'd like him to lose weight, maybe 3 or 4 lbs. He's an inside cat and doesn't get any excersize other than the occasional pounce on a moth or spider.

Answer 1

Hi there...generally, it's first recommended to discuss an appropriate weight loss guideline with your vet. Sudden changes in dietary requirements can be distressing to a cat and could contribute to other health problems. Cats who have dramatic caloric intake can suffer from something called fatty liver disease (hepatic lipidosis) which shuts the liver down and is fatal. Therefore, before beginning any weight loss plan, please be sure to get approval from the vet to make sure this will not cause any other un-necessary health problems for your cat. Some cats can be overweight as a result of thyroid problems so this should be checked as well.

In the wild, animals will naturally eat what they need and no more. The task of searching for food and other basic necessities involves lots of exercise and so wild animals remain naturally fit and healthy.

The food available to them in their natural habitat is perfectly designed to meet their needs in an environment that has not been tampered with.

Domestic animals are provided with food which they do not have to hunt for and which is not always suited for their bodies. Cats who are free fed as well as given table scraps are more noted to have obesity problems because they eat out of boredom. In addition, they are often exposed to a lifestyle which contributes to sluggish metabolism, underactive thyroids and livers which are not able to remove toxins or eliminate unwanted fat from their bodies.

Most commercial grade cat foods contain corn, corn meal which are fillers (carbohydrates) that bind the dry food together as a way of keeping foods lasting longer. Try finding cat food products which are devoid of these ingedients. The first ingredients should show chicken, chicken meal, etc. Most show the first ingredients as corn on the ingredient labels. IAMs, Science Diet, Purina, Whiskas, Friskies ...all have corn listed as the main ingredient. Cats who eat these tend to always feel hungry because the carbs don't metabolize fast enough and cats are obligate carnivores so they need a diet devoid of these types of carbs. Products such as Innova EVO, Nature's Variety Prairie, James Wellbeloved (UK), are premium brands. Most cats who eat these find that they do not eat to eat as much because their appetite is better satiated.

Additionally, it's important to schedule feed a cat so you can monitor servings taken in during the day. Each product lists the recommended servings based on a age and weight. For an overweight cat you would be reducing the intake gradually by 10% each week that the vet recommends is an appropriate caloric intake. Cats who are switched from a free-fed diet shoudl be fed multiple times a day (if permittable) such as once in the morning, mid-day, and then evening before your bedtime.

When switching to a new brand of cat food it is also important to note that sudden changes can cause sever bowel distress. Cats have very sensitive digestive systems so the quick change will cause bouts of diarrhoea and vomiting. Any vet can confirm this fact. Cat food should be changed gradually by mixing the current brand with the new brand over the course of several weeks. For example you would take 3/4 servings of the old cat food to 1/4 servings with the new for one week...then the next week 1/2 to 1/2...then following 1/4 of the old to 3/4 of the new in the third week before completing the switch in the final week.

Furthermore, some cats can take off the weight faster by feeding a canned food diet. For some reason the hydration in the canned products helps metabolize food better and are also completely devoid of carbohydrates, which is more optimal for the feline's body. When cats eat raw meat in the wild they get hydration from the fresh meat juices as well as some roughage from the animals who are natural herbivores. A mixture of canned and dry are always best for cats in the long-term, which many people are unaware of. We are have been exposed to so many commercial ads regarding dry food for cats, but in reality it's the manufacturer's who benefit rather than the cats. Cats are not naturally designed to eat dry--the products were designed for convenience for the owner.

Here's an article about commercial cat food; dry vs. canned, proper nutritional needs, etc: http://www.consumersearch.com/www/family/cat-food/review.html

Finally, most cats become bored with toys quickly. It's important to rotate them by hiding them and then bringing them back out again so the appear to be like new toys. Interactive toys are the best ones to use to get a cat moving such as a laser light. Most cats love chasing the light. The goal is to get the cat to move back and forth at least for 5 minutes to begin as some tire more easily than others especially if they are overweight. You can increase play time more if they enjoy it. Some cats love chasing feather teasers tied on a string too. Experiment to what gets your cat moving. Just please remember most overweight cats tire easily so keep the sessions short and fun. Interactive toys are the best ways to get your cat to exercise rather than leaving toys for them to play with. They only bat at those and really don't move enough. Not only does the interactive toys work better, but it's a bonding experience for both of you as well.

Answer 2

I have a 20lb 2yo Siamese and a 17lb 2yo long haired furball. Both are larger than any other from their litters. Our vet was concerned about the weight until he checked the cats out. Both are healthy and have no real excess of fat. Some cats are just larger than others. If however your cat is more flab than muscle I would suggest getting toys he can chase. We have a remote control mouse we use to play with the cats. They also enjoy chasing and jumping at those feathered fishing pole type toys.

Playing with him more is really the only way to get him to drop a few pounds and for a 19lb cat, 3-4lbs is a lot to lose....That's roughly a quarter of it's body weight. Taken into human context....that's a lot. Playing with him often and building muscle will help alleviate some of the flab.

Answer 3

You have to feed him a light food. Dont be confused and get a low calorie, or lite(spelled L.I.T.E), low fat food. the reason is AFFCO (assocation of animal feed control officials) regulate what a light food can be. The other light spelled lite, low cal food do no meet the standards of a true light food. this means more fiber in the food. This fiber holds water in to make the cat feel full. so he eats less and loses wieght. Plus the calorie count shold be around 3000. If there is not a calorie cound on the bag. Well how do you know it's a light food?
Plus dont free feed the cat. Read the feeding requirement on the side of the bag and feed what the bag says too(for wieght loss not weight maintenance). and remember if you cant is 20 pound and he loses just one pound to start that is 5% of his body weight and that is good start!

Answer 4

Cats will lose weight faster on quality canned food - not the inexpensive stuff at the grocery store. Also Iams uses corn meal and wheat flour in their food formulation - the corn is extremely fattening and the wheat flour is not nutritious for the cat and those make of 2/3 of what he is eating.

If you use some canned food and/or quality dry food with two meat sources as the first two ingredients your cat will take off weight gradually. Just cutting out the corn will stop him GAINING so you are ahead right there.

Natural Balance, Felidae, Sensible Choice (canned), Solid Gold (dry) are some of the best quality foods you can get for him.

Answer 5

If you can afford it I would first recommend taking your cat to the vet for a quick check-up just to make sure nothing more serious is going on that could be causing your cat to be over weight.

My vet had mentioned that Iams can sometimes cause excessive weight gain. I would recommend trying Iams weight control formula and cutting out the treats. Purina also makes a low weight formula, but if your cat is as picky as mine he won't eat Purina.

Try purchasing an inexpensive new toy weekly so your cat has something new to play with which might increase his activity. Also, my cat loves playing with milk rings! Milk rings can provide hours of cheap entertainment for your cat.

Finally, be patient. Your cat needs to lose weight slowly otherwise it could cause adverse health issues.

I hope this helps.:-)

Answer 6

Drink lots of water, at least 2lts a day. Try to replace 1 or 2 meals with low-fat vegetable soup. Vege soup is great weight loss food. Avoid sugar and white bread. Eat some eggs for breakfast each day. Poached eggs on 1-2 peices of wholemeal toast is good. It is very important to have a good breakfast. If you dont, your body will go into starvation mode, you will have trouble losing weight and you will have mad cravings. Find a good exercise that you will enjoy. Exercise every day if possible. Hope that helps!

Answer 7

Hi!!

My two cats (my angels, actually!) are turning 3 in April. BK weighed about 15 pounds, which was HUGE for her, since she has a tiny frame. Since putting her on the methods below, she's lost 3 lbs. Its *VERY* important to remember that cats need to lose weight very gradually, otherwise they can get very very sick. Its been a 3.5 month process for us!

My vet recommended the following:
1. No more free feeding..feed him only 4 times (small portions) a day
2. Buy a high quality 'Light' food. We use Nutrrience Diet. Dry food should be fed for 3 meals (remember, he should eat only about 3/4 cup dry food in total a day)
3. Buy CANNED FOOD! It was a miracle to us, and BK loves it! Its a treat to them, but its much lower in fat than even light dry food. Don't buy anything with 'by-products'. I buy Wellness, Innova, Nutrience canned food.
Feed him 1/4 can (of the bigger cans) of wet food, maybe at dinner time.

BK went from being lethargic and hanging out behind the toilet to, basically, a kitten again!! She runs and jumps on her sister, and can even pin her sister down!!

Please let me know if this helps. Again, the most important thing to remember is to cut down your cats portions very slowly, over a month. Otherwise, he will get sick and he'll develop problems with his liver.

Good luck!!

Answer 8

I have 2 healthy Fat cats too .. thats them in my Pic !! .. I have been feeding Mine Purina Healthy Weight , an so far so good , my black cat Jynx has lost 2lbs (monte 1lbs) . I have also gotten them some Cat Nip , an Cat Nip toys , that seem to give them energy , so they chase each other around the Condo .. also look into getting a cat tree , things for him to Climbe .. any activity will do !!

Answer 9

If you are really, truly concerned and want to help your cat then why don't you play with him for at least a half hour a day. I guarantee he will lose weight and be healthier. Just like a fat person he needs more than just cutting down on his food.

Answer 10

chug 12 8 ounce glasses of ice water a day it has the same effect on your metabolism as green tea

Answer 11

beware of hidden sugars