Excess weight is one of the most common health problems in pet cats. It increases the risk of diabetes, arthritis, urinary problems and skin issues, and makes grooming difficult. Weight loss works, but in cats it must be slow and supervised.
Never put a cat on a crash diet
A cat that eats too little, or stops eating, can develop hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease), a life-threatening condition, especially in overweight cats. Veterinarians usually aim for a loss of about 0.5 to 2 percent of body weight per week. Always start with a vet visit to set a target weight and a daily calorie amount, and to rule out medical problems.
Check your cat’s body condition
You should be able to feel the ribs easily under a light layer of fat, see a waist behind the ribs from above, and the belly should not sag or swing (a small pouch of loose skin at the back of the belly is normal in many cats).
Feeding plan
- Measure food precisely, ideally with a kitchen scale. A few extra kibbles a day add up in a small animal.
- Meals instead of free feeding: divide the daily amount into several small meals.
- Consider wet food: it has more water and fewer calories per bite, which can help cats feel full.
- Weight-loss diets prescribed by your vet are designed to keep cats full and maintain muscle while cutting calories.
- Count treats and keep them under 10 percent of daily calories. Use part of the daily food as treats.
- No human food, see can I give my cat human food.
Make cats work for their food
Puzzle feeders, treat balls and hiding small portions around the house slow eating and add activity, mimicking hunting.
More play
Two or three short play sessions a day with a wand toy, letting the cat chase, stalk and pounce, burn calories and reduce boredom-eating. Cat trees and shelves encourage climbing. See cat toys that keep cats active.
Multi-cat households
- Feed cats in separate rooms or use microchip-activated feeders that open only for the right cat.
- Pick up bowls after meals.
- Place food for a slim cat on a high shelf the overweight cat cannot reach (if it is less agile).
Track progress
Weigh your cat every two to four weeks at home or at the clinic. Adjust the plan with your vet if weight loss is too fast or stalls. Once the target is reached, a maintenance amount keeps the weight stable.
If your cat is suddenly hungrier than usual, see why a cat may suddenly eat more.
