
If your cat is overweight, it's important to put them on a diet to help them achieve and maintain a healthy weight. The first step is to consult your veterinarian, who may recommend a specific diet plan, portion control, or even prescribe specialised food. You can also try feeding your cat in a separate location to other pets, and only allowing them to eat for a specific time, generally 15 to 30 minutes, before removing any uneaten food. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recommends a diet of 26% protein and 9% fat for adult and senior cats, and 30% protein and 9% fat for younger cats.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Consult a veterinarian | Your vet may recommend a specific diet plan, portion control, or even prescribe specialised food to help your cat achieve and maintain a healthy weight |
Diet composition | The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recommends a diet of 30% protein and 9% fat for adult cats, and 26% protein and 9% fat for senior cats |
Feeding schedule | Feed cats in separate locations, allowing them to eat for a specific time (15-30 minutes) before removing any uneaten food. For wet food, ensure it is consumed within 30 minutes to avoid spoilage |
Food storage | Never leave food out while you are away, as you cannot control who eats it |
What You'll Learn
- Consult your veterinarian for a diet plan, portion control or specialised food
- Feed cats separately, with the overweight cat in a different room
- Feed cats in a commercial feeding station that opens when it recognises a microchip
- Feed cats wet food in two meals, with the total daily calories divided by the number of meals
- Adult and senior cats need lower protein and calorie diets to prevent obesity and kidney strain
Consult your veterinarian for a diet plan, portion control or specialised food
The most important step in putting your cat on a diet is to consult your veterinarian. They will be able to recommend a specific diet plan, portion control or even prescribe specialised food to help your cat achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Your vet will take into account your cat's individual needs, such as their age, size, and any health conditions they may have. For example, adult and senior cats typically need lower protein and calorie diets to prevent obesity and strain on their kidneys.
Your vet may recommend a diet with a specific percentage of protein and fat. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recommends a diet of 30% protein and 9% fat for adult cats, and 26% protein and 9% fat for senior cats. If your cat is overweight, your vet may suggest a weight reduction plan. This could involve feeding your cat in a separate location from other cats, for a specific time (generally 15 to 30 minutes), and then removing any uneaten food until the next feeding.
If you have multiple cats, it's important to ensure that each cat is getting the correct amount of food. You can use a commercial feeding station that opens only when it recognises your cat's microchip, or you can feed them in separate locations with a safety chain or hook and eye closure on the door. Never leave food out while you are away, as you cannot control who eats what when you are not there.
Your vet may also recommend a specific type of food, such as dry or wet cat food. Dry cat food can be left in a bowl for your cat to graze on throughout the day, while wet food should be eaten within a half-hour to avoid spoiling. If you want to split your cat's wet food into multiple meals, you'll need to determine the total number of calories they need each day and divide that number by the number of meals.
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Feed cats separately, with the overweight cat in a different room
If you have multiple cats, it's important to feed them separately, especially if one is overweight. This is because cats have different dietary needs, and you want to ensure that the overweight cat is eating the correct amount of food for their diet.
The best way to do this is to feed the overweight cat in a different room from the other cat(s). This way, you can monitor their food intake and ensure they are eating the correct amount of food for their diet. It also prevents the other cat(s) from eating the overweight cat's food, which could hinder their weight loss progress.
To feed your cats separately, you can set up different feeding locations. For example, feed the overweight cat in one room and the other cat(s) elsewhere. Allow them to eat for a specific time, generally 15 to 30 minutes, and then remove any uneaten food until the next feeding. If there is a size discrepancy between your cats, you can devise ways to allow the smaller cat access to food where the larger cat cannot fit. For example, feed the normal-weight cat up high, where the overweight cat cannot go. You can also use a safety chain or hook and eye closure on a door, so the door opens just enough for the thinner cat to get in.
Another option is to use a commercial feeding station that opens only when it recognises your cat's microchip. This way, you can ensure that each cat is only eating their designated food. Never leave food out while you are away, as you cannot control who eats what when you are not there to supervise.
Remember, it is always best to consult with your veterinarian before putting your cat on a diet. They can recommend a specific diet plan, portion control, or even prescribe specialised food to help your cat achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
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Feed cats in a commercial feeding station that opens when it recognises a microchip
If you want to put your cat on a diet, it's important to consult your veterinarian, who may recommend a specific diet plan, portion control, or even prescribe specialised food. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recommends a diet of 30% protein and 9% fat for adult cats, and 26% protein and 9% fat for senior cats.
If you have multiple cats, it's important to feed them in separate locations, so that the overweight cat can't eat the other cat's food. You can use a commercial feeding station that opens only when it recognises a specific microchip. This way, you can control each cat's access to food, and ensure they can't steal food from each other.
To train a cat to use a microchip feeder, you can introduce it slowly. Leave the feeder on the floor with some food in the bowl, so that the cat associates it with dinner. When the cat puts its head into the bowl, the feeder will read its microchip and record it as an authorised cat.
Microchip feeders are designed to enable your cat to enjoy their dinner without it being stolen by other cats. The feeder will only open for the authorised cat's microchip, and has an enclosed design so that your cat can enjoy stress-free feeding.
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Feed cats wet food in two meals, with the total daily calories divided by the number of meals
When putting your cat on a diet, it is important to consult your veterinarian, who may recommend a specific diet plan, portion control, or even prescribe specialised food. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recommends a diet of 30% protein and 9% fat for cats. Adult and senior cats, however, typically need lower protein and calorie diets to prevent obesity and strain on their kidneys. AAFCO typically recommends a diet with 26% protein and 9% fat for adult and senior cats.
If you are feeding your cat wet food, it is important that they eat it within half an hour to avoid the food spoiling. If you want to split their wet food into two meals, you will need to determine the total number of calories they need each day and divide that number by two. This will ensure that your cat is getting the right amount of food at each meal.
If you have multiple cats, it is important to feed them in separate locations to ensure that they are both getting the right amount of food. You can use a commercial feeding station that opens only when it recognises your cat's microchip, or you can cut two small doors in a large box to allow the smaller cat to eat without the larger cat getting in.
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Adult and senior cats need lower protein and calorie diets to prevent obesity and kidney strain
If you think your cat needs to lose weight, it is important to consult your veterinarian. They may recommend a specific diet plan, portion control, or even prescribe specialised food to help your cat achieve and maintain a healthy weight. They will also be able to advise on the total number of calories your cat needs each day, which can be divided by the number of meals you intend to feed them. For example, if your cat needs 200 calories a day and you want to feed them twice a day, each meal should be 100 calories.
It is important to never leave food out while you are away, as you cannot control who eats what. If you have multiple cats, feed them in separate locations. Allow them to eat for a specific time, generally 15 to 30 minutes, then remove any uneaten food until the next feeding. You can also use a commercial feeding station that opens only when it recognises your cat's microchip.
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Frequently asked questions
A dull or dry coat can be a sign that your cat is not getting enough nutrients, and can even cause hair loss in some cats. Obese cats often have issues grooming themselves, which can cause matting and tangles in their fur, as well as skin irritation.
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recommends a diet of 30% protein and 9% fat for most cats. Adult and senior cats typically need lower protein and calorie diets to prevent obesity and strain on their kidneys. AAFCO recommends a diet with 26% protein and 9% fat for these cats.
Consult with your veterinarian regarding special dietary needs. Most feeding recommendations give you the total daily amount. For dry cat food, you can put the kibble in her bowl and let her graze throughout the day. It’s not uncommon for cats to want to eat multiple smaller meals per day. When feeding wet food, it’s important she eats it within a half hour or so to avoid the food spoiling. If you want to split her wet food into two meals, you’ll need to determine the total number of calories she needs each day and divide that number by two.
Feed the cats in separate locations. Feed the overweight cat her diet in one room, while feeding the other cat elsewhere. Allow them to eat for a specific time, generally 15 to 30 minutes, then remove any uneaten food until the next feeding. Feed the normal-weight cat up high, where the overweight cat cannot go. You can use a safety chain or hook and eye closure on a door, so the door opens just enough for the thin cat to get in. Alternatively, you can use a large box and cut two small doors in it to allow the smaller cat in to eat.
The most important step of putting your cat on a diet is taking a trip to your veterinarian. Your vet may recommend a specific diet plan, portion control, or even prescribe specialised food to help your cat achieve and maintain a healthy weight.