Does your cat never get satisfied or continue begging? Or maybe you love him so much and you like to spoil him a little (too much)? Better be careful! More or less a third of cats are overweight. Here are some tips for losing your cat and avoiding obesity.

The causes of overweight in cats

Overeating and lack of exercise are the main causes of weight gain in cats. Cats are true lovers of ‘good food’, but also boredom or behavioral problems they can stimulate the cat to overeat. Bear in mind that cats naturally sleep a lot and that some cats are more susceptible to weight gain. ‘Common’ cats, for example, gain weight more easily than purebred ones. Age is also an important factor: between 2 and 10 years of age, the cat tends to gain weight, much more than the cat less than 2 years or older than 10 years. Some medicines, such as Prednisone, can also cause overweight and, finally, it is known that castrated cats are at risk of being overweight due to the metabolic change. It is important to calculate well the quantity of food administered: on average the energy needs of the neutered cat decrease by 30 percent.

How can I tell if my cat is overweight?

It is not always easy for owners to understand if their pet is overweight, also because the problem arises gradually. Fortunately, we can suggest a very simple method: just put your hand on the cat’s chest. Do ribs feel good? Then there is nothing to worry about. But if you don’t hear them right away, your cat is probably overweight. You may also understand this from your cat’s behavior. Overweight cats tend to be lazy and moody, struggle to walk or jump and suffer from shortness of breath.

3 tips to make your cat lose weight

Overweight can cause health problems. In addition to joint problems, the cat is likely to develop heart problems and diabetes. Therefore, it is important to help your cat lose weight, or better yet, prevent weight gain. Here are three tips.

Make the cat lose weight gradually!

You should never introduce a strict diet from one day to the next. Too immediate weight loss could cause fatty liver (liver stenosis), which means an accumulation of lipids in the liver due to a sudden change in energy management in the body. With the risk of death! We, therefore, need to decrease the portions gradually, for example by starting to halve the snack moments.

Proper nutrition

By proper nutrition, we don’t just mean the right food, but also the correct amount of food. Cats need a balanced diet with the right amount of protein, fat, and carbohydrates. Your cat’s age and physical activity also matter.

Physical exercise

Exercise is essential for the cat who has to lose weight. You can stimulate your cat to move by placing his kibble on the top or by purchasing a food distributor ball that will allow him to find his food by playing. He also tries to increase movement by stimulating him to play.

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