Jeffrey Salazar
Cats, just like humans, can suffer from obesity and a range of associated health issues, such as diabetes, heart disease, and liver disease. It is therefore important to ensure your cat maintains a healthy weight. Before putting your cat on a diet, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian, who will be able to advise on a safe, personalised weight-loss plan. This is because every cat has different nutritional needs, and even small changes to their diet can have a big impact. A veterinarian will be able to calculate the number of calories your cat needs to consume in order to lose weight, and advise on how to increase their overall activity levels.
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What You'll Learn
- Consult a veterinarian to determine the ideal weight for your cat
- Avoid human foods that are toxic to cats, like chocolate and grapes
- Control portion sizes and frequency, and avoid feeding your cat whenever they beg for food
- Provide a balanced diet with essential nutrients, and avoid unnecessary supplements
- Choose a diet with lower energy density, higher protein, and more fibre
Consult a veterinarian to determine the ideal weight for your cat
Before putting your cat on a diet, it is essential to consult a veterinarian to determine the ideal weight for your cat. The ideal weight for a cat depends on several factors, including breed, body type, age, and overall health.
Veterinarians can advise on the best weight-loss plan for your cat's particular situation. They will consider the cat's specific needs and recommend dietary changes or prescribe special weight-loss food. These therapeutic weight-loss foods are formulated with calorie restriction in mind and typically have a lower energy density, higher protein content, and increased fibre.
Your veterinarian will likely perform a physical examination of your cat and recommend diagnostic testing to rule out any underlying health issues that could impact weight loss. They can also advise on the correct number of calories your cat needs to consume to lose weight. This calculation will depend on several equations and factors, and it is important to follow up with your veterinary team to ensure the number of calories is correct for your cat's needs.
Additionally, your veterinarian can provide guidance on how to make treats part of a weight-loss plan. They may suggest strategies to enhance the palatability of food, such as warming it or adding flavour enhancers, while ensuring these additions are safe and accounted for in the overall calorie count.
Remember, you should never put an obese cat on a diet without veterinary supervision as rapid weight loss or weight loss with inappropriate food can be dangerous for your cat's health.
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Avoid human foods that are toxic to cats, like chocolate and grapes
Cats are strict carnivores, and their diet should be rich in animal protein. While it is tempting to offer your cat food from your plate, many human foods are toxic to cats, including chocolate and grapes. Chocolate contains caffeine and a chemical called theobromine, which is toxic to cats and can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, rapid or irregular heart rate, restlessness, muscle tremors, and seizures. Methylxanthines, found in chocolate, can be fatal to cats even in small amounts. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate have higher concentrations of methylxanthines than milk chocolate, so it is best to avoid all types of chocolate.
Grapes and raisins are also toxic to cats and can cause acute kidney failure. Even a few grapes or raisins can be harmful, so keep them away from your cat's reach. In addition to chocolate and grapes, other human foods to avoid include onions, garlic, chives, yeast dough, dairy products, caffeine, and raw eggs. These foods can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, or other serious health issues in cats. It is important to be vigilant, especially during the holidays, when there may be more food around that could be toxic to your cat.
If you choose to give your cat human food as an occasional treat, always ensure it is safe for them to consume. Cooked, unseasoned meat or vegetables are better options than potentially toxic foods. If you are unsure, consult your veterinarian for advice on safe human foods and treats for your cat. Remember, any sudden changes in your cat's diet can cause stomach upset and diarrhoea, so always introduce new foods gradually.
If your cat is overweight, it is important to consult your veterinarian before putting them on a diet. Rapid weight loss or an inappropriate diet can be dangerous for your cat's health. Your veterinarian can recommend a safe and effective weight-loss plan, which may include veterinary therapeutic weight-loss foods that are higher in protein and fibre and lower in energy density. They can also advise on strategies to enhance the palatability of diet food, such as adding flavour enhancers or omega-3 fatty acid supplements.
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Control portion sizes and frequency, and avoid feeding your cat whenever they beg for food
Cats are creatures of habit, and creating a regular feeding schedule is essential. It is recommended to feed your cat at least two meals per day, and you can even feed them three to four meals a day to break up the day's food into smaller portions. The actual amount of food your cat needs will depend on its age, lifestyle, and other factors. For instance, kittens often need more calories per day to support their growth and development. Indoor cats may also need fewer calories than outdoor cats.
To control portion sizes, it is best to measure out a day's ration in the morning and then feed your cat from that container throughout the day. Using a kitchen scale to measure dry food by weight is more accurate and repeatable than using a volume measure, ensuring consistency from day to day and person to person. You can also add bulk to your cat's diet with canned green beans to make them feel fuller. However, avoid doing this if your cat has a history of urinary tract crystals (FLUTD).
It is important to remember that weight loss in cats is not just about fewer calories but also about providing the right nutrients. Weight-loss foods for cats are typically higher in protein to preserve lean muscle and meet protein requirements when the cat is consuming fewer calories. They are also higher in fibre to aid satiety and have a higher concentration of vitamins and minerals. Your veterinarian can advise on the best weight-loss food for your cat and calculate the number of calories they need to lose weight.
If your cat refuses to eat the new diet, you can contact the veterinary clinic for advice. They may suggest strategies to enhance the palatability of the food, such as warming it up or adding a small amount of tuna juice. Remember, you should never put an obese cat on a diet without veterinary supervision as rapid weight loss can be dangerous.
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Provide a balanced diet with essential nutrients, and avoid unnecessary supplements
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they rely on nutrients found only in animal products. Their diet should include high amounts of protein, moderate amounts of fat, and minimal carbohydrates. Cats also require vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and amino acids.
An easy way to ensure that cats get all the essential nutrients is to purchase food with an Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) statement of nutritional adequacy on the label. AAFCO-approved cat foods contain vitamins A and D, as well as sufficient amounts of calcium and phosphorus.
While raw meat is an excellent source of nutrients, it is not recommended as food or a treat for cats because it may carry toxoplasmosis and other infectious diseases. Canned cat food is a good alternative, as it has a moisture content of at least 75%, making it a dietary source of water. It is also highly palatable for most cats and has a long shelf life. However, some brands may be nutritionally incomplete, so it is important to read the nutrition labels carefully. Commercial cat foods are formulated to be dry, semi-moist, or canned.
If you decide to prepare food for your cat, consult your vet to ensure a balanced diet. Commercially prepared cat foods are formulated to provide the correct balance of nutrients and calories, and it is difficult to replicate this in homemade food. Your vet may suggest vitamins or supplements to ensure your cat receives all the necessary nutrients.
If your cat is healthy and eating a nutritionally complete and balanced diet, additional supplementation is unnecessary. Supplements can be harmful and should never be given without a veterinarian's approval.
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Choose a diet with lower energy density, higher protein, and more fibre
Cats are strict carnivores, so their diet should consist of meat. Obesity in cats can lead to many health issues, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and joint disease. Weight loss in cats is not as simple as fewer calories in and more calories out. It is crucial to consult a veterinarian before putting a cat on a diet, as rapid weight loss or a poor diet can be dangerous.
Veterinary therapeutic weight-loss foods are formulated with calorie restriction in mind. These diets typically have lower energy density, allowing cats to consume a decent volume of food while receiving fewer calories. Lower energy density can be achieved by adding water to dry cat food. This method has been shown to increase physical activity levels in cats.
A high-protein diet is beneficial for weight loss in cats as it preserves lean muscle and meets protein requirements with fewer calories. Cats' bodies are constantly breaking down proteins for energy and maintaining blood glucose levels. When cats do not receive enough protein, their bodies start breaking down their muscle tissue. Animal protein is crucial, as it contains amino acids that are not present in plant products, such as taurine, methionine, and cystine. Common sources of animal protein include beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, and fish.
A high-fibre diet can also aid weight loss by adding bulk and helping cats feel fuller for longer. Fibre can also help with constipation and other digestive problems. Canned green beans can be added to the diet, but they should be avoided if the cat has a history of urinary tract crystals (FLUTD).
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Frequently asked questions
Your vet will be able to tell you what your cat’s ideal weight is, but as a general guide, adult and senior cats can weigh between 3.6-4.5kg (depending on size and breed). You may also be able to tell if your cat is overweight by looking at them. For example, if it’s hard to feel their ribs or if their belly is rounded.
Your vet will be able to recommend a specific diet that will best fit your pet’s dietary requirements. This choice may vary based on other concurrent medical issues affecting your cat. You can also try a high-protein, low-carb diet with lean meats like chicken or turkey.
Your veterinary care team will calculate the number of calories your cat needs to lose weight. The food dose (amount to feed each day) depends on the weight-loss food that has been prescribed, as they each have a different energy density. Ideally, your veterinarian will give you a food amount in grams per day, as it is more accurate than measuring cups.
You can try putting their food in a feeding toy or scattering it around the house to encourage their natural hunting behaviours, or schedule in more playtime with their favourite toys. Even 5-10 minutes of play with interactive toys like feather wands or laser pointers can make a difference.
