What is the easiest way to help a cat lose weight? (other than feeding it less)?

Question

She is already on a special weight loss food we get from the vet as needed and she gets about 1/2 a cup twice a day. That's it! She's finicky and doesn't eat people food for the most part and she'll play for a few minutes before getting bored. I will try the laser thing though!

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

For the short version of Seattle's answer - read the ingredients on the bag of weight loss food you have from the vet. Most commercial foods for weight loss has it assbackward and INCREASE the carbohyrate in the food and DECREASE the meat protein. It is meat protein than will help your cat lose weight and absolutely NO CORN - which is used to fatten slaughter animals.

To support my recommendation go to: www.littlebigcat.com and read Dr. Jean Hovfe's article in the article library titled "Why Cats Need Canned Food". There are others there such as "Feline Obesity", "Selecting a Good Commercial Pet Food".

A quality canned food will take weight off your overweight cat - that's a food with the first two ingredients as wholesome, human-grade meat - no by-product meat or chemical additives for "flavor" etc. That's NO Whiskas, Friskies, Fancy Feast etc.

Answer 3

Yet another vote for the laser pointer. Mine never, ever tire of it, and come bounding into the room if I even bump the thing on the coffee table -- it's the closest thing I've ever seen to a remote control for cats.

Buy extra batteries...!

And -- a friend.

Getting a second cat turned out to be, for us, a great thing. There's more fur around to pet, but, more importantly for your purposes, they play together quite a bit in ways that they won't play with me. The wrestling matches, once I realised they were always claws-retracted, friendly things, are loads of fun to watch. So are the fairly involved games of what seems to be high-speed 'tag.' I mean, there doesn't seem to be any other point to their chasing each other around the house beyond 'you're it! Now, you chase me through every room like you're the insane one.'

It's a bit of work to get two cats to that state, but worth it; it's not really more hassle to take care of two than one. There're loads of articles on-line about cat-to-cat introductions. Admittedly not the easiest way, but probably the most long-lasting.

Leave toys, especially the catnip-filled kind, scattered around the house.

The 'Bamboo' line 'Catfisher' 'mouse mitt' toy is also pretty good for interactive play.
http://www.bamboopet.com/all_products/detail.php?ID=304214696&nID=3z5

But 'toilet paper on a string' is also a good, cheap game.

Answer 4

I would try getting it to play more!! I use a laser to play with my cats and they will run after that thing for hours and play!! You can sit on the couch and relax and just move it around!! Becareful not to hit them in the eyes with it though!! This way you can make your cat excersie and help her/him to lose some weight!! Hope this helps!! You can get a laser toy at pet smart or petco for about 15.00

Answer 5

There are many play games that you can do with your cat. Being overweight makes it harder for the cat to get around and will tire easily. Play games that she must run, jump or any other physical activity. Play for as long as she can then wait for her to get a little more energy and play again. Her endurance will increase as her weight goes down. (If your cat is a he, just substitute he for she in the above.)

Answer 6

They have cat food for cats whose weight needs watching. In addition, some cat toys/climbers that allow the cat to get more excercise. If there is still a weight problem, consult your vet so he/she can conduct a thyroid, etc., tests on your cat. Good Luck.

Answer 7

Feed canned, it's higher in protein and very low in carbs & is closer to a cat's natural diet.
The 'CatKins' diet: The feline diet: a historical look
http://www.catnutrition.org/catkins.html
Diet Recommendations For Cats
http://www.petmed.com/cdiet.htm

Answer 8

The best and healthiest way is for her to play and run around alot. Try a laser pen or the little mouse toys. Get the cat to move around the house as much as possible.

Answer 9

Involve the cat in more physical activities during the day. Pull a string around her and gradually increase the circle so she has to run to catch it. throw wadded up paper balls for her to bat around. chase her and then turn around and run. Most cats will chase after you. This you must teach your cat to do though. I tap my cat on the hip several times with my toe and she swats at me and then chases me.I also taught her to play hide and seek.Peek a boo. They love to play.Good Luck.

Answer 10

diet food formula for cats and use the wate scale on the bag to determan the amount of food for your cats soposing weight
he might be that way cause u feed him too much for his weight to begin with.

Answer 11

yoga may be relaxing but you can also get a good workout an hour of yoga can burn up to 350 calories