How To Help Your Cat Lose Weight

So, you've determined that your cat is overweight and you'd like to help him or her shed those pounds. Whether your cat is a few or many pounds overweight, the following tips will prove useful in helping you to help your cat be fit, happy, and healthy.

Before beginning a weight-loss regime, consult your vet to make sure your cat is not suffering from any serious health problems. Your vet can also assist you in assessing your cat's ideal weight and the type of diet and exercise plan to implement.

Use the feeding guidelines on the packaging of your cat's food to verify that you're not over-feeding. If you feel that you are following the guidelines, and your cat is still gaining or not losing weight, do some math...

Break up feeding into several small meals throughout the day instead of allowing your cat unfettered access to bottomless bowls of food.

There are many low-calorie cat foods available. Stick to natural brands, and avoid foods with too much fiber as fiber overload can interfere with your cat's ability to absorb and digest nutrients. Likewise, err on the side of feeding your cat more wet food than dry, if you feed him or her dry food at all. (Wet vs. dry food debate)

Play with your cat on a daily basis. Get him/her moving with a fun toy like a ball or feather chaser. Look into purchasing a cat tree to place in front of the window to facilitate climbing. Introduce a younger cat to the family to keep an older cat on the go.