#Pet weight loss calculator how to

What is the target weight for my cat? What are the health risks if my cat is overweight?.Once your cat has been overweight, she may be prone to weight gain and should have an ongoing weight-management plan based on good nutrition, exercise and regular check-ups and weigh-ins.įor accurate diagnosis and treatment options, always consult your veterinarian and ask them to recommend the best food for your cat's weight management Ask Your Veterinarian About Weight Management Care for your Cat: Fiber is also a key ingredient since it helps your cat eat less while keeping her full. Along with exercise, a low-fat and low-calorie cat food is essential in helping your cat lose weight and stay fit. Eating too much cat food will cause your cat to become overweight, and this increases the risk of conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease and breathing problems.įood plays a very important role in treating an overweight cat. Balanced nutrition is an essential part of an active, healthy lifestyle.

The food your cat eats plays an important role in her overall health and well-being. Shine a flashlight on walls or floor for your cats to chase.Use toys to encourage your cat to play, or hide food and make her “hunt” for it.Encourage your cat to follow you when you move from room to room, particularly up and down stairs.Combining a change in nutrition with increased exercise is the most effective way of achieving a healthy weight. Weight problems are common in cats, and can be successfully managed through changes in cat food or a nutrition program. Ribs cannot easily be felt when running your hand along your cat's side.If your cat is overweight, you may notice some of the following signs: Just hold your cat and step on the scales, then you would subtract your weight, resulting in just your cat's weight. You can also track your cat's weight at home between checks at your veterinarian. Between checkups, place your hands on her side - are her ribs hard to feel or even impossible to feel? If so, she is likely overweight.

#Pet weight loss calculator how to

Your veterinarian will be able to tell you what this is, and show you how to check that your cat is maintaining a healthy weight. Is my cat overweight?Īll cats have an ideal weight for their size ,and breed. IMPORTANT: Even if your cat does not show signs of being overweight, it is important to have regular weight checks at the veterinarian's to make sure her ideal weight is maintained. Lack of exercise: Too much food and too little exercise produces a typical result: obesity. This improves taste, which means your cat will want to gorge.įeeding habits: Feeding table scraps and 'people food' can lead to obesity. Overeating: Many commercial foods are loaded with salt and fat. Overfeeding: Cats with unlimited access to food understandably eat more than they need. Medical Problems: Very occasionally weight gain is associated with a medical disorder that may require specific treatment (There are many important health reasons to have your pet spayed or neutered - just remember to monitor your cat's weight.) Spayed or neutered cats are twice as likely to become obese due to a more sedentary lifestyle. Neutered cats actually require fewer calories. Neutering/ spaying: Clinical studies have shown that the basic metabolism of neutered cats is lower. Gender: Female cats are more likely to become overweight.

This is most typical though in mixed breed cats. They are prone to weight gain.īreed: Some cat breeds are more likely to gain weight. But there can be other contributing factors too.Īge: Older cats are less active, have less energy, and require fewer calories.

This is usually caused by eating too much, especially when combined with lack of exercise. Weight gain is the result of an increase in body fat. For your cat, the excess weight and the resulting health problems can mean less play time and depression. Did you know that obesity affects more than 50 percent of America's cat population? If your cat is overweight, she can develop all kinds of health problems such as painful arthritis, heart disease, breathing difficulty, diabetes and even bladder cancer.