The journey of losing weight is difficult, whether for humans or pets. If your cat is obese, losing weight will add years and life and make life healthy and enjoyable. It is easier to help your feline lose weight than you think. It requires a good diet, exercise, and commitment. Seeking help from your vet will go a long way.
Unfortunately, images of overweight or obese cats have been a source of fun for meme makers and social media users. However, it is no laughable matter. Being overweight and obese are serious health problems that require a cat parent’s attention. Cat owners in this position must understand their feline fur baby’s dietary needs and reduce prohibited pet food to help them achieve weight goals.
Also, cat owners should consider purchasing cat insurance so that dealing with unanticipated health issues can be manageable. With cheap pet insurance, a feline fur baby is covered for testing, treatment, and medications during illnesses, injuries, and more.
Why is being overweight an issue?
Overweight fur babies are more susceptible to acute and chronic medical conditions because of their larger size compared to their slimmer friends. They require more energy and resources to maintain the body, sustain life processes, and even breathe comfortably. They develop health problems sooner and hence can have a shorter life span than fur babies at an ideal weight. So, if your cat is fat, stop calling them that. Instead, take Fluffy to the vet for guidance. Help your cat tackle the weight issues, and you can be confident your munchkin will thank you as it grows.
Why Should My Cat Lose Weight?
Weight as less as 2 pounds over a cat’s ideal body weight will put your furry baby at medical risk and conditions. If your cat is gaining weight, it is no longer a question of whether it will have any medical conditions, perhaps how soon and severe the disease will be. Some common diseases associated with weight gain involve:
- Heart disease
- Obese cats are more likely to develop type2 diabetes
- Arthritis
- More prone to joint injuries
- some forms of cancer – especially intra-abdominal cancer
- High blood pressure
Cats with excess weight usually have a shorter lifespan than their fit counterparts. Obese cats are less likely to play and be energetic physically with their families. Since cats are generally lazy and lethargic, we may ignore their early signs of symptoms as lying around as they tend to laze around often. Knowing how harmful and dangerous it is to gain that extra amount in both humans and pets is essential.
How To Control Your Growing Cats Weight
Feed your cat appropriately.
Your vet will address this question by examining and conducting several tests, and based on it, the vet will prescribe and suggest a specific diet that has to be followed by your feline. The vet will prepare a diet chart to be followed and the number of calories to be given in a day.
Diet and Exercise
Diet and exercise can work well in helping your cat lose those extra kgs. Contact your vet for a diet plan and to understand the exercise needs of your cat. It is crucial to follow the vet recommended diet and not the feeding instructions on the cat food pack. Plus, avoid feeding human food items from your plate. Stick to the diet chart and try not to deviate from it as much as possible. Many human food products are high in butter, some can be greasy, and others can contain meat drippings. Overindulgence in such food items can lead to liver and pancreatic issues.
It would help if you fed your cat only treats made for cat consumption. Another safer option is researching tasty treat recipes online and preparing them at home. This way, there is little to fret about the ingredients used; they are free from food additives, preservatives, coloring agents, artificial sweeteners, flavor enhancers, and other potentially toxic substances. However, pay attention to the food portions.
When it comes to exercise for weight loss, take the process slowly if your cat isn’t used to an active lifestyle. You can take your cat out for short strolls in the beginning to avoid muscle tears and injuries. Gradually pace up the speed and distance, but make sure to accommodate sufficient breaks now and then so your cat can relax.
Interactive toys, games, outdoor activities, traveling, and adventure trips can encourage your cat to play and enrich its life. It is advisable to take your cat for its exercise during the cooler part of the day or before meals for walks or exercise so it enjoys the activity.
Some health issues are unavoidable even after investing so much time and effort into helping your cat maintain weight and health. It is one reason why you must consider being prepared with pet insurance the least. Cat insurance helps provide your fluffy companion the medical care it deserves during accidents, injuries, specific illnesses, and emergencies.
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