how can i put my cat on a diet?

Question

the vet has told me she needs to diet i have tried to cut down her food intake all she has is one tin of food a day given in three stages during the day if i try cut he down she aint happy she is always meowin for food. she is 14 years old and sleeps lot so she isnt getting much excersise i carnt get her to go into the garden 4 excersise anymore she crys at the door 2 be let back in which makes me think something out there has scared her as i have alot of squirals in my back yard and they can be really nasty! maybe i need a kitty treadmill or something! any ideas for my old fat cat?

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) http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=1&cat=1327&articleid=217 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. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?dept_id=0&aid=100

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

First off, there are special cat foods on the market for overweight cats. Purina, and most others make a version. This is tough, because you have to decide what's most important--for the cat to live longer and hungrier, or to go on happily as she was, only for possibly a shorter time. Maybe you can compromise. At this point, it seems like 14 is pretty old for major diet and behavior changes. Do your best without making the cat miserable is my advice.

Answer 3

so your vet told you to put your cat on a diet but didn't tell you how? that doesn't sound like a very conscientious vet. anyway, my cat too is on a vet-prescribed diet and eats the same food as donnamartin's does - hill's prescription diet r/d. my cat has definitely lost weight on it.

i know it's a pain listening to your cat cry for more food at first but if you want it to lose weight you'll just have to deal with it. after awhile when your cat gets used to the diet she will probably stop crying.

as for exercising - people's suggestions about playing are good ones. i know my cat loves the tiny furry mice toys we give him. that & the laser. just keep trying different toys to see what will get her to move around more.

Answer 4

At age 14 there's not a lot you can do...as you say, if you cut back she just sleeps more to conserve energy, not to mention driving you nuts. You might try a diet catfood for elderly cats, Royal Canin makes a good one. They are full of fibre which cats can't digest so it makes them feel full without adding calories.
Get some little toys to toss around in the house, to encourage her to play. There's one you can make yourself with a stick and a bit of fish line, tie a bit of fleece or something on the end of the line and wave it around in front of her as if you were fly-fishing, cats go mad with those.

Answer 5

I've got a big fatty too... you can't see it very well in the picture, but he weighs nearly 7kg.

The vet has put my fatty on Hills Science Plan R/D. It fills him up with fibre, but it's brilliant at reducing the weight!!! He meowed for food for a couple of days, but that was out of habit more than anything I think as it soon stopped!

You might find that she goes out more once she's lost a bit of weight. If she doesn't, you could try her on a lead especially made for cats. And get some of those toys on the ends of sticks that you can wave around so that she chases it. And Catnip is fantastic for making them run around like loons.

Good luck with her!!!


xxxx

Answer 6

my cat is on a diet aswell, but she is on dry food. She don't move much either.
I bought a pet treat ball and used to put her food in it so she had to work for her food and it lasted longer.
Have you tried a laser light the are good for exercise.
Good luck my cat has now put her weight back on as i can leave her ball out as my baby thinks it is a toy.

Answer 7

Switch to a senior formula food and gradually, cut her food intake. Give her the slightest bit less every day until you get her weight down. Encourage play. If you are not feeling very active yourself, get a laser pointer. Cats love chasing it. Don't give "people food" or table scraps. At her age, it will take a long time for her to drop weight, but it will happen, slowly but surely.

Answer 8

hi there all you need to do is put her on to dried food it takes longer to eat and is more filling!!
also it helps her teeth stay clean and as she is old you need to do this. playing with her would be good but i know that not that many old cats can be bothered so maybe cover her scratch post and toys even a old large feature in catnip.... the spray is good and does not make a mess.GOOD LUCK

Answer 9

you will probably need to put it on a reducing diet food for a while.... this means the food will help to decrease the cats weight... you will need to feed her the set amount for her target wieght for the day. she will cry and beg for food but this will only be till she gets used to the daily amount of food. once you have got her to her target wieght you will be able to continue feeding her on a normal food as long as you keep to the wieght per day amount of food. this will take time and patience, remember you are not being mean its for her own good.... wish you the best of luck with everything.

Answer 10

Some thyroid disorders can be cured, but many require lifetime treatment. Learn here https://tr.im/x7QvE
For example, sometimes early stage thyroid cancer can be cured by surgery to remove the thyroid gland, but you will need to take thyroid hormone medication afterwards for the rest of your life. Goiters can also be surgically removed and do not always recur after surgery. In most cases, thyroid disorders need treatment over a lifetime. However, with treatment most people with thyroid disorders can live normal, healthy lives.

Answer 11

it must be a very hard thing, to put a cat on a diet.surely your vet can advise you on what kinds of foods that will help your cat loose the weight , good luck to you and your cat