Is your fluffy furball growing plumper by the day, and the number on the weighing scale bothering you?
You know your cat is just the perfect pet. Well, except for the huge belly that seems to be weighing her down. Dont worry your cat is not the only one suffering from obesity. According to a report nearly 60 percent of cats are overweight. Felines being overweight is an increasing problem of concern as it leads to life-limiting risks like heart disease and diabetes.
Not-so-proud owners of overweight cats often look for effective yet healthy weight loss solutions that help their four-pawed people to lose those extra kgs with little to no side effects. If you are a cat owner facing the same problem, talk to your vet for advice and assistance.
Your vet might suggest exercise, dietary, and lifestyle changes to help achieve weight goals. Also, the animal specialist may run specific diagnostic tests to rule out potential health conditions that may have been contributing to the weight gain.
Hyperthyroidism, diabetes, and endocrine disorders are some health issues that cause an imbalance in body metabolism and consequent weight gain. In a case like this, you must tackle two things: getting your furball treated and helping it lose weight.
Testing, treatment, and medications can take a toll on your savings, especially with the current inflation, which is why you must consider being prepared with cat insurance Contemplate purchasing pet insurance, so unanticipated health scenarios need not be financially burdening. Meanwhile, read this article to learn some tips to help your feline slim down to the ideal weight.
- Say no to free feeding. Provide your cat with three to four small food portions at scheduled times instead of allowing it to indulge in food as and when it pleases.
2. Make meal time a challenge for your cat. Use a puzzle feeder to enhance physical and mental activity. Puzzle feeders help to beat boredom and limit the portion of food your feline eats.
- 3. Keeping exercise sessions fun is very crucial. Like humans, felines also get bored with the same mundane activities. To make activities interesting , provide plenty of vertical climbing surfaces and change toys. Give them some new interesting puzzles. Cats are made for speed and not endurance, so aim for fast paced activity at each play session.
- Bored cats tend to overeat, which is why you must offer plenty of physical, mental, and emotional stimulation opportunities. An occupied cat is less prone to eating food.
- Some cat parents may not be aware of how much is too much and what amount of food is considered normal for their cat. Contact your vet to know your furry baby’s dietary needs and feed it appropriately.
- Consider using a microchip – activated feeding tool. This feeder is designed to release food only for the designated cat. It’s a fail-safe option to eliminate the opportunity for your cat to munch on his buddy’s leftovers. While it may be difficult at times to resist giving in to your cat’s desire for extra food and treats. Remember that weight loss reduces disease risk and improves your cat’s quality of life. And that’s something every pet parent can get behind!
- Don’t offer your cat conventional cat treats as they are mostly loaded with carbohydrates, artificial sweeteners, flavor enhancers, and other additives that can adversely affect its health.
- Consider tossing tiny pieces of cooked chicken, meat, or fish instead of commercial cat treats into your cat’s bowl. This way, your feline pet can avoid highly processed treats and get a good chunk of proteins.
- Focus on designing low to moderate levels of activity and exercise until your furball gets used to the routine. Gradually amp up the complexity of tasks or exercise duration to help it healthily burn those extra calories.
- Regardless of your presence at home, your cat should adopt an active lifestyle. Shower it with attractive toys like puzzle feeders, ball dispensers, cat trees, and more. This way, your cat can stay cheerful even during your absence.
- Consider adopting another cat or dog so your furry little friend always has company. This way, your cat need not entirely depend on you for companionship and can play, quarrel, eat, and nap with other pets at home.
- Monitor progress every few weeks so you can work on adjusting the diet plan and activities to suit your furball’s current needs.
- Once your furry baby reaches the ideal weight, help it maintain the same. Include high-protein food, cat-safe veggies, and fruits into your pet’s diet to help keep its tummy full until the next meal.
It is worth noting that metabolic disorders often contribute to weight gain. Get your feline’s health checked regularly to catch potential medical conditions early. At the same time, consider being prepared with cat insurance to manage unexpected vet bills more effectively.
Kitten insurance helps provide your furball with top-notch medical care with little economic hassle during accidents, injuries, specific illnesses, dental issues, and medical emergencies. So, why not contemplate buying a pet insurance policy?