How do you get your cat to loose wieght?

Question

my cat is fat she eats and then she goes to sleep

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

Buy some low fat cat food like Iams Weight Control in the blue bag. Get a measuring cup and follow the serving size directions on the bag.

Actually I've found that the serving sizes are too large. The vet said my fat kitty should get 1/4 cup twice a day, which is half the recommended amount. It doesn't look like enough but he's very slow to lose weight so it must be.

You can try playing with her more, but restricting food is more effective. Mine was so fat in the beginning that he'd only try to catch a toy once. He'd flip into the air, fall on his butt, and give up. It's better now.

Answer 3

1. Buy cat food that is meant for obese cats, and limit what you give to her per the directions. I would suggest you call the vet you use for guidelines as to what amounts are healthy for her.
2. No table scraps or canned cat food
3. Get her some cat nip, fresh or the dry loose kind...with the latter, take an old sock, put catnip in it and knot the end. This sock will provide her with some fun time, and you can give it to her after she eats. It will also distract her from the change in her diet.
4. Play with her...encourage her to play with a cat toy, or some string/yarn.
5. Get her a playmate...having a young perky kitten in the house will liven up a lazy or older cat.

Answer 4

Put your cat on a diet. Feed food with less fat and less calories (usually you can find less fatty foods in the brand of your choice) and don't free feed the cat. You can opt to only feed your cat once in the morning and once and night, or whatever you're comfortable. Let the cat eat until she's done, then put the food dish away. The healthier the diet, the better your cat is going to look and feel so try not to feed anything containing corn or corn meal. You can try to go with food with chicken, rice, or lamb and you'll see major improvement in your cat's looks and overall health. If you're on a budget, at least try to make sure that corn or corn meal aren't within the first 4 or 5 ingredients in your cat's food.

Answer 5

Well.. what do you feed your cat?

Some things to look for in kibble are meat meals and meat for the main ingredients. Finding those wholesome kinds of foods should help give your cat her dietary needs with much less portion than a brand like Science Diet or Iams.

Also, as others have said, feed at designated times. I feed my cat once in the morning and once at night so his eating is controlled.

You should play with your cat for 15 minutes a day at a certain time. Work her muscles, and body overall. I would think a little exercise program would help. :)

Answer 6

a lower calorie food is a good place to start, make sure she only gets a measured amount, not a full bowl any time she wants. Most pet stores will have "treat releasing toys" that make the cat or dog have to work to get the food out. Putting the food dish farther away from where she likes to sleep. And of course exercise, laser pointers are great to get most cats to exercise, any toys that encourage them to chase or pounce are great as well. Good luck.

Answer 7

It sounds like your cat is on a "free feeding" program where it has access to food all day long. This is not ideal as some cats gorge themselves and overeat.

Begin by feeding your cat the recommended amount of food which is printed on the bag. Divide this amount into two portions and feed morning and evening. Do not give in.

It's important to reduce a cat's weight very slowly as any rapid weight loss can harm the kidneys.

Answer 8

Maybe you should have daily feeding times then...like instead of leaving food out for your cat all day, only put it out a couple of times a day so your cat cant eat a lot. But enough to keep her alive...lol! Then just sit back and hope your cat looses weight. Good luck and happy holidays!!

Answer 9

Baby Girl, (!)
Cats sleep all the time. She's fat b/c you feed her too much. Imagine, if you can, how much she would eat if she were out living on her own. Compare that with what you give her. Pick the food up- do not let it sit all day.

Answer 10

First, take your kitty to the vet to make sure that there is nothing medically wrong with your kitty. There are many medical problems that can make a cat gain alot of weight.

Next, buy a cat food for overweight cats. The vet has a really good one, but I don't remember what it is called, but your vet can tell you. It is a bit more expensive, but it works.

Finally, toys toys and more toys. Get ones where you interact with her, such as laser pointers and the sticks with a string and a toy at the end. Find toys that intrest her. One of my cats favorite toys is a plain old flash light. He loves to chase the light.

To get your kitty more active, you are going to have to get more active with your kitty. She isn't going to want to play alone, and will play more and longer if you play with her.

Answer 11

first of all is she fixed? cats tend to gain weight after getting fixed. bring her to the vet to make sure something else isn't causing it. ask the vet if there is a diet that best fits your kitty. try to make her more active. play games that involve her in running around like maybe a laser (only point it at the ground, not to much at one time) or even those cat fishing pole. mine love that. good luck!!!