Is your cuddly cat overweight? At your wits end trying to figure out what to do about it? Can an overweight cat lose weight by reducing the amount of food they eat? Yes, your cat loves all the food you are providing her. It makes you happy and feels good to provide sustenance, a home and companionship for her. But, cats have some similar medical conditions to what humans have, and obesity is one of them. Does a cat lose weight by continually overeating, of course not; they lose weight by doing the exact opposite. An overweight cat loses weight by consuming fewer calories than they burn; day after day.
Do you love your cat? Well, more than likely that is a stupid question. But, what is not a stupid question; is why are you harming your cat? In so many ways cats are like people, where they are not like people though is in their choice of foods, or how much they consume. Simply put, most cats are going to eat as much as you offer them if they like that particular type of food.
Therefore, it is not your cat's fault that she is fat, it is yours. As sad, and as difficult as that might be for you to hear, there never was an overweight cat in the history of the world, until they became pets for humans.
Do you have any idea the health problems your cat will begin to suffer because of their overeating?
First, you can start with the fact that they will not live as long, which is certainly something you do not want. Second, their hearts are not going to function as they should. Third, they are going to be short of breath, and not feel like doing the normal play cats do. Fourth, their joints are not going to work properly as they get older, and they could develop arthritis. Fifth, it is even possible for a cat to develop diabetes due to being fat.
Each and every single fat cat issue above can cause massive veterinarian bills, large medication costs and sky-high special food expenses.
If you truly love your cat, and we know you do, then you will help your overweight cat lose weight. The first thing you can do is to stop feeding them any "people" food at all. Generally, "people" food is not good for them; it is for people, and not cats. Second, at supermarkets, and pet stores today, there are a multitude of all natural and super healthy cat foods brands. You should select one by:
1. Reading the labels to be sure your potential choices provide balanced nutrition: 40% meat-based protein, 14% fats and less than 18% carbohydrates. Less is better with carbohydrates.
2. Compare the serving size.
3. Compare the calories ounce per ounce.
4. Purchase a small quantity of the cat food that provides 100% balanced nutrition with the lowest calories.
Why a small quantity? Cats can be, and usually are, finicky eaters - particularly when it is least convenient for the owner! Cats can and will starve themselves if they do not like the food offered. This is not the way to get your cat to lose weight!
Abrupt changes in food and feeding style are risky; very gradual changes are needed. Weaning your overweight cat off of one food by introducing another is a topic all by itself. It takes a very gradual introduction. Replacing your habit of free feeding with offering smaller portions 2 or even 3 times a day takes a gradual transition.
Hopefully, the above information is beneficial and both you and your cat will live longer, healthier and happier lives because of it.
I have two overweight cats that I love dearly. One has developed a chronic urinary condition that requires special food. The other is progressively getting arthritis. I do not wish anyone to experience the distress, or the vet bills that I am going through. I wish I had the plain and simple reasons and solutions years ago that I found.
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