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How to Help Your Obese Cat Lose Weight
How to Help Your Obese Cat Lose Weight

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Ways To Help Obese Cat

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Let’s start by asking – would you realize if your cat needed to cut down? 

You know your cat is purr-fect. It’s fluffy and has a paunchy belly. But so, what? It could also imply that it is perfectly healthy. Naturally, you may not understand if your fluffball is on the portly side. In fact, overweight cats now appear to outnumber those who have a healthy weight. 

Overfeeding your cat is a big no-no. Even a few additional pounds can increase your cat’s risk of developing certain health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes. It may even prevent your cat from grooming itself properly. Therefore, keeping your cat in shape is crucial to maintain its health, and help it live longer and happier. Well, the good news is that by making some simple dietary and exercise changes, you can assist your overweight cat in losing weight.
 

What Are The Risks Of Obesity?

Obesity is becoming more prevalent in cats, just as it is in humans. It can have long-term consequences on a cat's health, quality of life, and body functioning. Therefore, obesity in cats must be addressed immediately, as it is linked to serious health problems. Here are the risks of cat obesity:

  • Compromised Immune System

When your cat becomes overweight, its immune system gets weakened, leaving it more susceptible to infection. This includes urinary infection as well as 'stones,' which are caused in overweight cats because they’re less active, drink less water, and urinate lesser than healthy cats.

  • Diabetes

Around 80% to 90% of obese cats require daily insulin shots as they are more likely to develop diabetes. But, when their excess weight is eliminated, diabetes can often be reversed.

  • Liver Failure

When your cat’s body senses that it is undernourished, for instance, if a regular food supply is interrupted, the fat is moved from reserves into the liver to be used as energy. But a cat’s body is unable to efficiently control this process, resulting in poor liver function and liver failure. 

  • Difficulty In Grooming

Cats with excess weight have a harder time grooming themselves, which can contribute to skin problems.
 

How Do I Know If My Cat Is Overweight?

  • When gently running your fingers across the side of your cat, you should be able to feel and count its ribs.
  • Then, when you look down at your cat from above, you should observe an hourglass figure. If it looks like a balloon, then your cat is certainly overweight or obese.
  • Finally, you should notice a tiny tuck or upward slope of the tummy when you look at your cat from the side. If the abdomen looks baggy and drags near the ground, that points to the presence of the most harmful and biologically active form of fat, which is abdominal fat.

Here is a chart for you to understand better – 

body condition chart

How To Avoid Obesity In Your Cat?

After you get your overweight cat in shape, your goal must be to maintain it for its good health and longevity. Here are some things you should avoid doing to keep your cat from becoming overweight:

  • Avoid Free-Feeding

You should avoid free -feeding your cat to prevent it from becoming obese. Set up definite feeding times and keep treats to a minimum.

Avoid Free-Feeding

  • Incorporate Outdoor Activities Or Excises Into The Routine

Your cat is at even more risk of becoming overweight if it does not engage in any outdoor activity. To avoid boredom and prevent weight gain, find some interesting toys, set aside playtime, and make it a priority for your indoor cat. Another approach is to go for a walk outside with your cat on a leash.

ncorporate Outdoor Activities Or Excises Into The Routine

  • Measure The Servings Each Time

Assess how much food your cat truly needs with the advice of your vet, based on your cat's activity level and desired weight. Once you've calculated how much food your cat requires, measure the food for each meal. Remember that cats are little, and while the portion may appear small to you, some extra kibbles can make the difference between maintaining weight and gaining weight.

Measure The Servings Each Time

Loosing weight is difficult for cats. Therefore, the best way is to control their weight before they get obese.

  • Play Ball!

Another way to help your cat lose weight is to increase her activity. Provide cat 'trees' for climbing or teach your cat to play fetch. Buy or create your own toys that encourage exercise. Many cats enjoy chasing lights from pointers or flashlights. One ingenious owner throws her cat's dry food ration a piece at a time! Many cats enjoy learning to walk on a leash. You also can use your cat's natural hunting instinct to help her lose weight. Hide several small portions of her daily food ration around the house. If you have a multi-level home, make your cat use the stairs. Use your imagination but be cautious. Don't let a fat cat get exhausted, overheated, or out of breath. Also, keep in mind that an old cat may not be able to exercise vigorously.

Use playtime, grooming, stroking, or conversation as rewards instead of food treats. If you cannot resist the fat cat who begs for food at the dinner table, remove the cat during dinnertime. If you have a multi-cat household, the consistent winner of the food competition sweepstakes is often obese. If this is the case, separate the cats at mealtimes if possible.

  • Patience

Obesity is easier to prevent than to cure, but it is never too late to reverse it—though it requires long-term patience and commitment. Helping cats lose weight is a slow process. If the amount they eat is severely restricted, the cat risks other health problems.

Increased activity, behavior modification (for both you and your cat), and calorie restriction are your weapons against feline obesity. However, with all these things, it is important to expect a few setbacks and plateaus. It will take at least four months for an obese cat to lose 15% of her starting weight. At that point, have another look at your cat's body condition and go on from there.

  • Tips For Starting A Weight-Management Program

Always check with your veterinarian first.
Eliminate all food treats.
Divide the daily food portion into several smaller meals.
Feed a diet formulated specifically for weight loss.
Weigh your cat every two weeks.
Cats should not lose more than 1% to 1.5% of initial weight per week.
Be patient and consistent!

 

FAQ On How To Care For Your Cats Hairball Issues

  1. Should I Worry About Cat Hairball?
  2. It is natural for a cat to throw up occasional hairballs. But you should only start to be concerned if your cat is coughing out a hairball every few weeks or for more than 48 hours at a stretch. This is a symptom of too much hair ending up in the gut.

  3. How Often Should Cats Have Hairballs?
  4. No matter how long their coat is, cats should only produce one hairball every week. Schedule an appointment with the veterinarian if your cat is vomiting hairballs more regularly or not eating.

  5. How Can I Help My Cat Pass A Hairball?
  6. You should feed your cat lots of prebiotics and natural fibers in its food to help it pass hairballs and maintain a healthy digestive tract. As a result, ensure that your cat is on a hairball-control diet and is getting enough fiber.

  7. How Long Does It Take A Cat To Pass A Hairball?
  8. Generally, the fur travels through the gastrointestinal tract undisturbed and emerges in a stool. The digestion process takes 7 to 12 hours. Sometimes the fur can also accumulate in the stomach and create a hairball. This takes a little longer, but healthy hairballs should be gone in 24 to 48 hours.

  9. Can Cat Hairballs Be Dangerous?
  10. Cat hairballs can be dangerous as they can cause severe blockages in their intestines and pose health issues later. In extreme cases, choking can also lead to death.

  11. What If The Cat Is Overweight Or Senior?
  12. Overweight cats have special nutritional needs in order to promote weight loss or weight management. Likewise, senior cats have special nutritional needs that are better met through a diet designed specifically for them. If an overweight or senior cat has problems with hairballs, feeding an IAMS hairball formula for indoor or senior (age 7+) cats is a great choice.

  13. Should IAMS Hairball Formulas Be Fed Exclusively?
  14. Yes. Mixing other foods with IAMS hairball formulas may compromise the effectiveness of this diet by diluting the nutrients that help reduce the risk of hairball formation. Switching between IAMS hairball formulas and another cat food may also decrease the benefit of feeding this diet.

  • Our Favorite Tips to Train a Kitten
    Our Favorite Tips to Train a Kitten
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    Tips to Train Your Kitten for a Lifetime of Good Behaviour

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    Bringing a new kitten into your home is an exciting time for any pet lover. As your furry little bundle of joy grows and develops, it's important to remember that proper kitten training is essential for its physical and behavioural well-being. In the crucial growing years, a kitten's brain is like a sponge, absorbing information and learning new skills at an incredible speed. With proper guidance and loving touch, you can ensure that your kitten grows into a well-adjusted, happy, and healthy family member. This blog post will share tips to train your kitten and provide them with the best possible start in life.
     

    Tips to train your kitten

    As a new kitten parent, it's important to understand that kitten training should be a fun and positive experience for you and your furry friend. You can teach your kitten everything from basic commands to good manners with patience, consistency, and a few simple tips. Here are some of our top tips for training your kitten:

     

    1. Teach important commands

      Teaching your kitten to sit is the first step in training. Start by holding a treat in front of their nose and slowly moving it up and over their head. As they look up to follow the treat, their bottom should naturally lower to the ground. As soon as they sit, say 'sit' and give them the treat. Repeat this process several times a day until they understand the command.
       

    2. A place to call their own

      Crate training is an excellent way to provide your kitten with a safe and comfortable space to call their own. Start by placing a soft blanket and a few toys inside the crate. Let your kitten explore the crate on their own kitten food and reward them with treats and praise when they go inside. Over time, you can start closing the door for short periods and gradually increase the duration.

    3. Exploring the world around them

      Socialization is an important part of kitten training. Start by introducing your kitten to friends, family, and other pets. Take your fur baby on short car rides and expose it to sights, sounds, and smells. The more it is exposed to different people, animals, and environments, the more confident and well-adjusted it will be as an adult.
       

    4. Playtime is important!

      Training your kitten to play with toys is a great way to stimulate it mentally and physically. Start by introducing your purrfect pal to various toys and see what interests it the most. Once it is engaged, you two can indulge in fun games like fetch, chase, and tug of war.
       

    5. Potty training

      Litter training is an essential part of kitten training. Start by placing your kitten in the litter box after meals and naps. When they use the litter box, reward them with treats and praises. Be sure to clean the box regularly and keep it in a quiet, accessible location.
       

    6. Dining etiquette for kittens

      Teaching your kitten proper feeding etiquette is important for its overall health and wellbeing. Start by teaching them to eat from a bowl and not to beg at the table. Be consistent with their feeding schedule and monitor their weight to ensure your cats receive full nutrition.

    7. Make them recognize their name

      Teaching kittens to recognize their name is an important step in training. Start by calling their name and rewarding them with treats and praises when they respond. Be consistent with their name and use them as much as possible.

      Overall, training your kitten is an ongoing process that requires patience and consistency. Remember to use positive and reward-based training methods. And most importantly, have fun! Make sure to give your kitten lots of love, praises, and treats as they learn and grow.

     

    Our Favorite Tips to Train a Kitten
    Our Favorite Tips to Train a Kitten
    Our Favorite Tips to Train a Kitten