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Over time, your feline friends may gain a few pounds, especially in their older years. At the same time, it’s important that cats don’t become overweight since it contributes to potentially serious health conditions. Consult the following veterinarian’s guide on how to help your feline companions lose weight.

4 Ways to Help Cats Lose Weight

1. Change Their Diet

Canned food typically contains fewer calories. Look for products that are low in sugars and starches, as these carbohydrates cause weight gain. Cat food with probiotics and omega-3 fatty acids are effective for making cats feel full while losing weight. If your cat won’t eat canned food, purchase dry foods with weight control formulas. 

2. Encourage Movement

Many cats, especially indoor ones, don’t get enough daily exercise, which causes them to gain weight. Physical activity boosts the metabolism and builds lean muscle, so give your felines plenty of toys to play with.

Get involved with your cat’s playtime by using laser pointers and feather toys. If your cat isn’t typically active, put them on a leash and walk them on a treadmill while gradually increasing the speed. 

3. Keep Track of Weight

veterinarianAsk a veterinarian for your cat’s body condition score (BCS) and find out what their target weight should be. Your vet will look and feel for fat deposits around the belly, ribs, legs, and abdomen. If your cat scores 5/5 or 9/9 on either of the scales, they are obese.

Weigh them at least once a month to chart their progress. Use your home scale by weighing yourself first then holding your cat while on the scale and calculating the difference. 

4. See a Veterinarian 

If your cat is clinically obese, ask your veterinarian about putting them on a prescription diet that promotes digestion and boosts metabolism. Make regular appointments to monitor the health of your overweight cat.

They are often more vulnerable to developing arthritis due to excess weight on the paws. They may also develop diabetes due to a reduced sensitivity to insulin, which causes the pancreas to overproduce it. 

 

Keep your cats healthy and happy with help from the veterinarians at Rolling Hills Veterinary Hospital. This veterinary hospital offers medical, surgical, and preventative care to pets throughout Columbia, MO. For appointments, call (573) 449-3791 for the Keene St. location or (573) 449-7387 for the Buttonwood Dr. clinic. Visit the website to browse through helpful pet health resources. 

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