Serious issues can arise from an obese cat. Because jumping puts additional strain on their joints and ligaments, they are more likely to sustain serious injuries. They are also more likely to have high blood pressure, which, like it does in humans, can result in heart attacks and strokes as well as the feline form of diabetes. A overweight cat won’t be able to run, play, or enjoy life as much as a smaller cat will, in addition to the above. Therefore, it’s crucial to assist your cat in losing weight if necessary. Here are some pointers for doing it.
Calories
One of the simplest methods to make sure your kitty buddy loses weight is with a calorie-restricted diet. A certain number of calories should be consumed daily by everyone, including cats. In general, men should take more calories than women, and humans should consume more calories than cats; cats should ideally ingest 240 calories per day1. Your cat will grow overweight if they continue to consume more calories than is healthy for them because their bodies can’t handle them. Take your cat’s weight (in kilos) and multiply it by 30 to see how many calories they should be ingesting daily. Add 70 once you have the answer.
Water
In addition to keeping your cat hydrated, adding water to their food will help them feel fuller because the food has a tendency to expand. The best cat food for this is dry, but you can also do it with wet food if you mix it all together.
Less Dry Food
Your cat consumes the majority of its calories from dry food, therefore it’s a good idea to limit how much of it they consume and, whenever possible, switch to wet food. This is due to the fact that wet food has a lot more water than dry food, which only contains a very little amount of water4. In that situation, dry food has a lot more room for calories! When it comes to your cat’s health and how many calories they can consume, one extra supper of biscuits can make a significant difference.
Upgrade To Automatic
An automatic cat feeder can be the best option if you want to alter your cat’s routine to include the idea of getting extra meals while you are gone throughout the day. Your cat will get used to the sound of the container opening as it measures out the necessary seven meals. Your working hours won’t have to determine when your cat can eat because of this, which can be quite beneficial for them.
Meat
Your cat can benefit from eating human-grade, lean meat as well. Your cat won’t get all the nutrients they need from meat alone, which is a bad idea. However, meat combined with other foods can actually encourage your cat to eat more healthfully and to have a more well-rounded diet. Additionally, it benefits their teeth and aids in stabilizing their metabolism5. Avoid “pet meat” and mince; they likely to be high in preservatives. You may offer your cat something to gnaw on that will last a long time by purchasing a raw chicken neck.