How to Help Cats Lose Weight

Cats are known to be a lot slimmer than dogs. Many owners consider their pets to be some of the best friends they have because they know that thinning their cat’s coat will make them feel better and allow them to enjoy their life the way they want to.

What’s more, cats are usually intelligent and curious animals who enjoy investigating their world. This means that thinning their fur will not only make them feel better but will also expose them to new things.

If you’re looking to lose weight and would like to try something different with your cat, consider encouraging them to eat canned food from time to time. Canned food is usually lower in calories and contains less fat than their freshly cooked counterparts. However, keep in mind that some foods are healthier for your cat than others. Certain fish and meat are known to contain high levels of nutrients that your feline friend needs.

Feed Them Healthy Foods

You should always feed your cat with healthy food from time to time. However, it’s important to understand what constitutes as healthy food for your pet. If you want to help them lose weight, encourage them to ingest more vegetables and fruits than usual. Experts recommend starting with a piece of chicken or fish as a mid-morning snack and then increasing their daily food intake gradually. One pound of cooked meat per day is usually enough to satisfy a cat’s needs. Some owners suggest adding a food supplement such as Boost to their regular diet if they are still losing weight even after following the tips mentioned above.

Vary Their Diet

Cats are omnivores, which means that they need to eat both meat and vegetables to stay healthy. Unfortunately, many people feed their cats the same foods day in and day out. When you do that, you decrease their intake of varied foods, which are important for maintaining a healthy body weight. Instead of limiting their food options, you should be expanding them to include more veggies and fruits. This way, your pet will get the nutrients they need to stay strong and avoid any nutritional deficiencies.

Monitor Their Weight

There’s no denying that every cat is an individual and some may be more food-oriented than others. If you want to help your kitty lose weight, monitor their weight on a regular basis so you can determine if their diet is effective or if you need to adjust it slightly. Some experts recommend weighing your cat once every two weeks to ensure that their weight stays within acceptable limits and to watch for any signs of recurrence of disease. When they are not gaining weight as expected, you should consider increasing their daily food intake or implementing a new diet plan.

Some feline professionals recommend feeding their companions a diet that contains low-fat canned foods, such as chicken or fish. These items are usually easier for cats to digest than ground meat and provide your pet with the nutrients they need in a readily available form. Plus, they are less prone to spoilage, meaning you’ll have to throw away less food each month. If you’d like to try a diet for your cat, consider focusing on high-quality animal protein and avoiding foods with a lot of added sugar or starch.